The Outer Worlds 2 Side Effects Guaranteed out Dec 2

The Outer Worlds 2 Side Effects Guaranteed DLC launches on December 2. Xbox Wire's official Side Effects Guaranteed announcement says it is the first half of a two-part story expansion and will cost $14.99.

Obsidian Entertainment's RPG came out in October 2025 with a Premium Edition that promised two DLCs. Now the first one has a date. The base game is also part of the Humble Choice November 2026 bundle with Outer Worlds 2, so it is a good time to catch up before December.

What is the story of The Outer Worlds 2 Side Effects Guaranteed?

It starts with a distress signal. The crew of the Incognito finds a derelict ship with its own crew in suspended animation, plus a puddle that was probably once a person. A video message from the captain explains that her crew was exposed to something during a heist. Without a cure, their cells will die explosively.

That message leads you to Gordon Hazen, a senior agent in Sub Rosa, the faction of thieves from the base game. He sends you to Elysium Valley, a new region on Eden where former Protectorate subjects have been left behind. Hazen prefers diplomacy, but rival agent Algernon Lankester wants your help to exploit the settlers instead. As usual, the choice is yours.

Side Effects Guaranteed at a glance

• Release: December 2, 2026
• Price: $14.99, included in the Premium Edition and Premium Edition Upgrade
• New region: Elysium Valley on Eden
• Level cap: 30 to 36
• New content: 15 perks, four flaws, weapons, armour and companion outfits
• What's next: the second DLC in spring 2027

What does Side Effects Guaranteed add to gameplay?

Elysium Valley brings new threats, including vicious canids and primal sprats, which Xbox Wire describes as normal sprats at about 100 times the size. Your character grows too. The level cap rises from 30 to 36, which means more skill points, three more perks to unlock and 15 brand-new perks to pick from.

There are four new flaws. Lethally Tolerant raises your maximum toxicity, but a Toxicity Crash kills you instantly. Must Have Been the Wind marks an assassination target in each combat group. Kill it and you get a 20% damage and speed boost until the fight ends. Miss, or hit someone else, and you take a 10% penalty for 30 seconds.

You also get new weapons, armour and outfits for every companion, plus a Sub Rosa radio station with 20 new songs. Wccftech's report on the DLC notes that this is a different approach from the first game, where the two expansions told separate stories.

Can you jump straight into the DLC?

Yes. A new alternate starting point on the main menu gives you a custom save at the start of the expansion. Spend your skill and perk points and you are ready to go.

What does it mean for players?

For Premium Edition owners, this is the first real payoff of the promised content. Everyone else can buy it separately. Choices carrying over into the second DLC also give a reason for a fresh playthrough. It is a busy month on Xbox, too, as our Xbox Game Pass November 2026 wave 1 list and Game Pass anniversary week roundup show.

Story-driven RPG fans have plenty to look forward to. This week also saw Cyberpunk 2077 arrive on Battle.net with a big update. For The Outer Worlds 2, the wait is now just three weeks.

Frequently asked questions

When does The Outer Worlds 2 Side Effects Guaranteed release?

According to Xbox Wire, the DLC launches on December 2, 2026 for $14.99. It is included in the Premium Edition and the Premium Edition Upgrade.

What is the new level cap in Side Effects Guaranteed?

The expansion raises the level cap from 30 to 36. It also adds 15 new perks, three extra perk slots and four new flaws.

When is the second Outer Worlds 2 DLC coming?

Obsidian says the second and final DLC arrives in spring 2027, and choices made in Side Effects Guaranteed will directly affect it.

Sources

• Xbox Wire: Side Effects Guaranteed in the First DLC For The Outer Worlds 2, Coming December 2
• Steam: The Outer Worlds 2 store page
• Wccftech: The Outer Worlds 2's Side Effects Guaranteed DLC Lifts the Level Cap to 36 and Adds 15 New Perks