The Outer Worlds 2: Rookie’s Reward Location Guide – How to Get & Level the Scaling Weapon to Max

Why Rookie’s Reward Is One of The Most Unique Weapons

Here’s what makes Rookie’s Reward special: it’s a weapon that grows with you. Literally. While most guns in The Outer Worlds 2 have fixed stats that eventually become obsolete, Rookie’s Reward scales based on usage. Kill enemies with it, and it gains experience. Level it up, and it becomes progressively more powerful.

The concept is brilliant—a weapon that rewards commitment and investment, evolving from weak starter pistol into a legitimate endgame powerhouse. It’s the gaming equivalent of training a Pokémon from level 5 to level 100, except it’s a gun and you’re shooting corporate security forces.

The reality is more complicated. Yes, the weapon eventually becomes excellent. But getting there requires significant grinding against weak enemies while using an initially mediocre gun. It’s a long-term investment that pays dividends only if you’re willing to put in the work.

Let’s break down exactly where to find Rookie’s Reward, how to obtain it without lockpicking skills, the most efficient leveling strategies, and whether this unique weapon deserves a permanent slot in your loadout.

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Finding Rookie’s Reward on The Incognito

The best part about this weapon? It’s available almost immediately. The moment you gain access to your ship, The Incognito, you can grab Rookie’s Reward. No quests, no skill checks (technically), no combat encounters—just navigation and a simple puzzle.

Step-by-Step Location Guide

Starting point: Board The Incognito and enter the main lobby area—this is the central hub where your crew gathers and you access other ship sections.

Navigation sequence:

1. From the lobby, take the first left corridor
2. Immediately take a right turn into the adjacent room
3. You’ll enter a room with a workbench immediately on your left as you enter

Visual landmarks: The workbench is your primary reference point. It’s positioned in the corner of the room, impossible to miss once you’re in the correct space. This is likely your ship’s crafting/modification area.

Finding the locker: Look at the right wall of this room (right side when entering). You’ll spot a locker with grated metal doors—you can see through the grating to glimpse the weapon inside. That’s Rookie’s Reward, tantalizingly visible but locked away.

Why the grated doors matter: Obsidian is teasing you. You can see the weapon, you know it’s right there, but there’s an obstacle. This design choice makes the eventual acquisition more satisfying.

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Two Methods to Access the Locker

Here’s where things get interesting. The game presents what looks like a straightforward lockpicking challenge, but there’s a hidden alternative that completely bypasses the skill requirement.

Method 1: Lockpicking (Skill Check)

Requirement: Lockpicking skill level 11

Pros:

• Direct approach if you’ve invested in lockpicking
• No puzzle-solving required
• Quick access

Cons:

• Requires significant skill point investment (11 levels is substantial)
• Lockpicking might not align with your build priorities
• Wastes points if you’re not running a stealth/tech build

Should you level lockpicking just for this? Probably not. Eleven levels in lockpicking represents a major skill point commitment, and while lockpicking opens other content throughout the game, it’s not worth prioritizing solely for Rookie’s Reward.

When this method makes sense: If you’re already running a stealth or tech-focused build that naturally invests in lockpicking, you’ll hit level 11 organically. In that case, just pick the lock when you’re ready.

For more on skill allocation strategies, check our best starting builds guide.

Method 2: Power Switch (No Skill Required)

Requirement: Observation and basic platforming

This is the method most players should use. It requires zero skill points and can be completed the moment you board your ship.

Finding the power switch:

1. Head to the workbench in the corner of the room (where you entered)
2. Look at the boxes positioned to the right of the workbench
3. Jump on top of these boxes—use them as platforms
4. Once elevated, look at the wall directly behind the boxes
5. You’ll see a power switch mounted on the wall, previously hidden from ground-level view

Visual cue: The switch is intentionally hidden—you won’t spot it from normal viewing angles. The boxes are positioned specifically to create this platforming puzzle. Obsidian is rewarding players who explore thoroughly and think vertically.

Activating the switch:

1. Interact with the power switch
2. You’ll hear mechanical sounds and see the locker’s power system deactivate
3. The grated doors will swing open automatically
4. Walk over and claim Rookie’s Reward from inside

Why this method is superior:

• Zero skill point investment required
• Available immediately upon ship access
• Rewards environmental awareness and exploration
• Frees up skill points for combat or dialogue abilities

Developer intent: This alternate solution exists precisely so non-stealth builds can access the weapon. Obsidian typically provides multiple paths to objectives, respecting different playstyles.

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Rookie’s Reward: Base Stats & Mechanics

Before we discuss leveling strategies, let’s establish what you’re actually working with.

Initial Weapon Performance

Weapon type: Pistol (likely light/medium pistol category) Damage type: Ballistic (standard bullet damage) Starting condition: Weak—significantly below level-appropriate weapon performance

The cold truth: When you first pick up Rookie’s Reward, it’s objectively bad. The damage output doesn’t compete with even basic starter weapons. Using it immediately in serious combat situations will get you killed.

Why start weak? The design philosophy is clear: this weapon represents potential, not immediate power. It’s a long-term investment masquerading as a pistol. The weakness is intentional, creating a risk-reward dynamic around early usage.

The Scaling Mechanic

How it works:

• Rookie’s Reward gains experience from kills
• Accumulate enough experience, and the weapon levels up
• Each level increases damage output and potentially other stats (accuracy, fire rate, magazine size, etc.)
• The scaling continues up to level 30

Kill-based progression: Unlike your character (who gains XP from quests, exploration, and combat), Rookie’s Reward only progresses through direct kills. Assists don’t count. Companion kills don’t count. You must personally land the killing blow with this specific weapon.

This creates grinding requirements: You can’t passively level Rookie’s Reward by keeping it equipped. You must actively use it to kill enemies, even when better weapons are available.

Level 30 Cap Significance

Character progression context:

• Player max level: 30
• Skill max level: 20 (individual skills cap lower than character level)
• Rookie’s Reward max level: 30 (matches character cap)

What this means: A fully leveled Rookie’s Reward is scaled for endgame content. At level 30, it should compete with top-tier weapon drops and legendary equipment.

The investment question: Is spending hours grinding kills with a weak weapon worth having a maxed scaling pistol at endgame? That depends entirely on your playstyle, patience, and whether pistols fit your build.

For context on character progression, see our max level cap guide.

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Efficient Leveling Strategies

If you’re committed to maxing Rookie’s Reward, efficiency matters. Here’s how to minimize the grind while maximizing progression.

Early Game Leveling (Levels 1-10)

Best farming locations: Areas with abundant weak enemies

• Starting zones with low-level wildlife
• Respawning creature spawns
• Bandit camps with basic human enemies

Target enemy types:

• Wildlife: Creatures in starter areas have low health pools
• Basic human enemies: Corporate security in early areas
• Automechs in groups: If you can handle them, they often cluster

Tactical approach:

1. Use your primary weapons to clear dangerous enemies
2. Weaken targets with grenades or companion attacks
3. Finish with Rookie’s Reward to secure the killing blow
4. This ensures you get kill credit while minimizing risk

Why weakening works: You’re not obligated to do all damage with Rookie’s Reward. Deal 90% damage with your good gun, then swap to Rookie’s Reward for the final shot. The weapon gets full kill credit.

Companion coordination:

• Tell companions to hold fire on low-health targets
• Let them tank while you secure kills
• Use their abilities to weaken groups, then clean up

Ammo management: Pistol ammunition is generally abundant. Don’t worry about conservation during this phase—you need volume of kills, not efficiency.

Mid Game Leveling (Levels 11-20)

Scaling challenge: As Rookie’s Reward improves, you can handle progressively tougher enemies, but the XP-per-kill requirements likely increase.

Optimal farming:

• Respawning enemy locations—find areas where enemies regenerate
• Repeatable combat encounters—certain quests offer unlimited spawns
• Dense population zones—areas with many weak enemies close together

Build integration: By mid-game, consider incorporating perks that benefit pistol usage:

• Pistol damage bonuses
• Headshot multipliers
• Reload speed improvements
• Critical hit chance increases

These perks serve double duty: They make Rookie’s Reward more effective for grinding AND remain valuable when you eventually switch to endgame pistols (if you do).

Check our complete perks guide for optimal perk selections.

Late Game Leveling (Levels 21-30)

The final push: You’re so close to max level that abandoning the project now feels wasteful. However, enemy scaling means you need to fight tougher opponents.

Efficient endgame farming:

• Find high-density combat zones with quick respawns
• Use area-of-effect damage to weaken groups, then clean up with Rookie’s Reward
• Combine with quest grinding—kill two birds with one stone by leveling Rookie’s Reward while completing combat objectives

Psychological consideration: This is where many players burn out. The weapon is good but not yet exceptional, and you’re grinding hundreds of kills. Stay motivated by tracking your progress and setting milestone goals (level 25 by [area], level 28 by [quest], etc.).

Passive Leveling Philosophy

Alternative approach: Don’t actively farm. Just use Rookie’s Reward as your primary pistol throughout the entire game. It’ll level naturally through normal combat.

Pros:

• Zero dedicated grinding time
• No burnout risk
• Organic progression

Cons:

• Significantly slower—might not hit level 30 before endgame
• Early weakness hampers combat effectiveness
• Requires pistol-focused build to be viable

Who this works for: Players doing multiple playthroughs, completionists planning to do all side content, or those running pistol builds anyway.

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Kill Farming Locations & Strategies

Let me share some specific tactics and locations for efficient grinding (adjust based on actual game areas):

Respawn Mechanics

Understanding respawns: Some areas repopulate enemies after specific conditions:

• Time passing (sleep/wait mechanics)
• Leaving area and returning
• Completing certain quests
• Fast traveling away and back

Exploiting respawns:

1. Clear an area with abundant weak enemies
2. Trigger respawn condition
3. Return and farm again
4. Repeat until desired level

Ethical consideration: This is borderline exploit territory. You’re using game mechanics as intended, but in a way that circumvents intended progression pacing. Some players consider this gaming the system; others see it as smart optimization. Your call.

Weak Enemy Types to Target

Ideal characteristics:

• Low health pools (one or two-shot kills even with weak Rookie’s Reward)
• Abundant spawns (many enemies in one location)
• Low threat level (won’t kill you while grinding)
• Predictable behavior (easy to farm efficiently)

Examples of good farming targets:

• Early-game wildlife in starting zones
• Security guards in low-level facilities
• Clustered automechs in accessible areas
• Bandit groups in remote locations

Group Farming Tactics

The AOE weaken → finish strategy:

1. Encounter a group of 5-10 weak enemies
2. Use grenades, explosives, or area weapons to damage the entire group
3. Reduce all enemies to critical health (10-20% remaining)
4. Swap to Rookie’s Reward
5. Quickly eliminate the entire group for multiple kills

Why this is efficient: You’re securing 5-10 kills in rapid succession with minimal downtime, dramatically accelerating progression.

Companion synergy: Use companion abilities with AOE damage to soften groups. Let them handle the hard work; you secure the glory kills.

For companion optimization, see our complete companions guide.

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Is Rookie’s Reward Worth the Investment?

Let’s have an honest conversation about whether you should actually commit to maxing this weapon.

Arguments FOR Investing

Endgame viability: A level 30 Rookie’s Reward should compete with legendary drops and top-tier weapons. If you’re running a pistol build, this becomes your signature weapon.

No ammunition concerns: As a regular ballistic pistol, ammo is abundant throughout the game. You’ll never struggle with scarcity like you might with specialized weapons.

Personal attachment: There’s genuine satisfaction in watching a weapon grow from useless to powerful through your dedication. It creates a narrative connection most weapons can’t match.

Build flexibility: If you’re unsure what weapon type to specialize in, Rookie’s Reward provides a safe fallback option that scales with you.

Unique mechanic: The scaling system is rare in The Outer Worlds 2. Experiencing this progression system adds gameplay variety.

Arguments AGAINST Investing

Time investment: Hundreds of kills required. That’s hours of gameplay dedicated to weapon grinding instead of questing, exploration, or build optimization.

Opportunity cost: Using a weak weapon early-mid game makes combat harder than necessary. You’re handicapping yourself for future benefits.

Pistol limitation: If you’re running shotguns, rifles, melee, or science weapons, Rookie’s Reward doesn’t fit your build regardless of its power level.

Better alternatives exist: The time spent grinding kills could be used finding legendary weapons, completing quests for unique rewards, or optimizing your character build.

Burnout risk: Repetitive kill farming is tedious. Many players start the grind enthusiastically and abandon it halfway through out of boredom.

Who Should Invest in Rookie’s Reward

Ideal candidates:

• Pistol-focused builds planning to main hand pistols anyway
• Completionists who want to experience all game mechanics
• Players doing multiple playthroughs who can grind passively
• Those who enjoy incremental progression systems

Who should skip it:

• Non-pistol builds (obvious)
• Casual players with limited playtime
• Anyone impatient with grinding mechanics
• First-time players still learning game systems

Compromise option: Pick it up, use it casually when convenient, but don’t stress about hitting level 30. Even a partially leveled Rookie’s Reward at level 15-20 offers decent performance without the soul-crushing grind.

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Comparing Rookie’s Reward to Other Unique Weapons

Context matters. Let’s see how Rookie’s Reward stacks up against other special weapons you can acquire:

Rookie’s Reward vs. Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck (from Who Else But Us quest):

• Two-handed melee weapon with infinite shockwave ranged attacks
• Fixed stats, no leveling required
• Immediately powerful upon acquisition
• Requires 30-minute quest, no grinding

Comparison:

• Thunderstruck offers immediate power; Rookie’s Reward requires investment
• Different weapon types serve different builds
• Thunderstruck is objectively easier to obtain and use
• Rookie’s Reward provides longer-term progression satisfaction

Rookie’s Reward vs. Corrosive Shock Machine Gun

Corrosive Shock Machine Gun (from Paradise Island Substation):

• Dual damage type machine gun
• Fixed stats specialized against armor/mechs
• 15-minute puzzle solve to obtain
• Immediately effective in its niche

Comparison:

• Machine gun fills different combat role than pistol
• Both reward exploration and puzzle-solving
• Machine gun is niche-focused; Rookie’s Reward is general purpose
• No grinding required for machine gun

Rookie’s Reward vs. Quest Reward Legendaries

Various quests offer legendary weapons with unique properties (A Noble History Quest offers examples).

Quest legendaries generally:

• Fixed high-tier stats
• Unique abilities or effects
• Obtained through gameplay progression
• Immediately usable at full power

Rookie’s Reward differs:

• Scales over time rather than instant power
• Generic pistol mechanics (probably)
• Requires grinding, not just quest completion
• Personal investment creates attachment

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Advanced Optimization Strategies

For players committed to maxing Rookie’s Reward efficiently:

Build Synergies

If using Rookie’s Reward, optimize your character around pistol combat:

Essential perks:

• Pistol damage increases
• Headshot multipliers
• Critical hit chance and damage
• Reload speed improvements
• Accuracy bonuses

Synergistic skills:

• Guns skill (obvious damage scaling)
• Stealth (if doing sneaky pistol build)
• Critical Hit related skills
• Weapon maintenance (if that affects durability)

Trait selection: Choose character traits that benefit pistol usage. Our traits tier list details optimal selections.

Companion Combinations

Best companions for Rookie’s Reward grinding:

• Tanks who draw aggro while you secure kills
• Support characters who weaken enemies
• Companions with AOE damage abilities

Avoid:

• High single-target damage companions who steal kills
• Companions with automatic aggressive AI that kills before you can

Gear Integration

Armor and equipment supporting pistol builds:

• Gear with pistol damage bonuses
• Equipment boosting critical hit stats
• Armor with accuracy improvements
• Accessories reducing reload times

Resource management: Keep pistol ammunition stocked. Buy in bulk from vendors when possible.

Quest Integration

Smart grinding: Combine Rookie’s Reward leveling with:

• Combat-heavy side quests
• Faction reputation grinding
• Exploration objectives in enemy-dense areas
• Bounty or elimination quests

Double-dipping efficiency: If you’re going to kill 50 enemies for a quest anyway, do it with Rookie’s Reward and progress both objectives simultaneously.

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Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: Leveling Lockpicking Just for This

Players invest 11 levels in lockpicking solely to access Rookie’s Reward, ignoring the power switch alternative.

Solution: Always look for alternate solutions to skill checks. The Outer Worlds series typically provides multiple paths.

Mistake #2: Trying to Use Rookie’s Reward in Serious Combat Too Early

New players grab the weapon, immediately try to use it against level-appropriate enemies, and get destroyed because the damage is terrible.

Solution: Understand the weapon starts weak. Farm easy enemies first. Don’t use it in difficult encounters until it’s leveled significantly.

Mistake #3: Letting Companions/AOE Damage Steal Kills

Setting up perfect farming situations, then having companions or explosions secure kills instead of Rookie’s Reward.

Solution: Manually control killing blows. Weaken with other tools, finish with Rookie’s Reward. Set companion AI to passive if needed.

Mistake #4: Burning Out on Grinding

Aggressive grinding sessions lead to boredom, causing players to abandon the weapon halfway to max level.

Solution: Take it slow. Passive leveling through normal gameplay is less efficient but prevents burnout. Set realistic expectations about time investment.

Mistake #5: Wrong Build Investment

Investing heavily in Rookie’s Reward grinding while running a shotgun or melee build.

Solution: Ensure weapon progression aligns with character build. Don’t grind a pistol if you’re playing melee specialist.

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Lore & Thematic Significance

Why does this weapon exist narratively?

The “Rookie” Concept

The name suggests this was a training weapon or starter equipment issued to new recruits. The scaling mechanic mirrors actual skill progression—you start inexperienced, but combat practice makes you better.

Thematic resonance: Just as your character grows from rookie to veteran through experience, so does this weapon grow from weak to powerful through use. It’s mechanical storytelling through weapon design.

Why It’s on Your Ship

Was this your weapon? A previous crew member’s? Abandoned by someone who outgrew it?

The game likely doesn’t explicitly explain, leaving players to construct their own narrative. Maybe it belonged to a former crew member who died or moved on. Maybe it’s standard equipment on all Halcyon-bound ships. The ambiguity allows personal interpretation.

Environmental Storytelling

The hidden nature of the weapon (locked locker, hidden power switch) suggests someone intentionally secured it. Why? Was it valuable? Dangerous? Simply personal property?

These unanswered questions add mystery to an otherwise straightforward weapon acquisition.

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Integration with Character Progression

How Rookie’s Reward fits into your broader character development:

Early Game (Levels 1-10)

Your character: Learning game systems, experimenting with builds, using whatever weapons you find

Rookie’s Reward: Slowly grinding levels against weak enemies, barely usable in serious combat

Integration: Secondary weapon for finishing weakened targets while your main weapons handle real threats

Mid Game (Levels 11-20)

Your character: Build solidifying, specialized perks coming online, understanding your playstyle

Rookie’s Reward: Becoming legitimately useful, competitive with level-appropriate drops

Integration: If you’ve invested in pistol perks, Rookie’s Reward transitions to primary weapon status. If not, it remains a backup or gets abandoned.

Late Game (Levels 21-30)

Your character: Fully specialized, accessing top-tier perks, completing endgame content

Rookie’s Reward: Approaching max level, competing with legendary weapons

Integration: If maxed and properly supported by perks, becomes your signature weapon. If you abandoned leveling halfway, it sits unused in inventory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Guides & Resources

Weapon Acquisition:

• Who Else But Us Quest – Thunderstruck
• Paradise Island Substation Repair
• A Noble History Quest

Character Building:

• Best Starting Builds
• Complete Perks List
• Best Traits Tier List

Progression Systems:

• Max Level Cap Guide
• Flaws System Guide
• All Backgrounds & Traits

Combat & Optimization:

• Complete Companions Guide
• How to Get More Weapon Slots
• Sell or Break Down Items

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Final Verdict: Should You Invest in Rookie’s Reward?

The honest answer: It depends entirely on your patience, playstyle, and what you find fun.

Invest if:

• You’re running a pistol-focused build anyway
• You enjoy incremental progression systems
• You have patience for grinding mechanics
• You’re a completionist who wants to experience all content
• You find satisfaction in long-term character/equipment investment

Skip if:

• You’re not using pistols as primary weapons
• You lack patience for repetitive kill farming
• You have limited playtime and want immediate results
• You’re a first-time player still learning systems
• The grind sounds tedious rather than engaging

My personal recommendation: Grab it early (it’s available immediately and takes 2 minutes), use it opportunistically when convenient, but don’t stress about hitting level 30. Treat it as a bonus progression system rather than a mandatory objective.

If you organically hit level 20-25 through normal gameplay, great—you’ve got a solid pistol. If you only reach level 15 because you found better weapons, that’s fine too. The weapon exists to reward dedication, not punish casual use.

The beauty of Rookie’s Reward is that it respects your choice. Invest heavily and be rewarded. Engage casually and still gain some benefit. Ignore it completely without penalty. That flexibility is good game design.

Now get on your ship, flip that hidden power switch, and decide for yourself whether this rookie deserves promotion to veteran status.