Grab the Rookie’s Reward SMG in The Outer Worlds 2 – Early-Game Free Weapon Guide (No Lockpick Needed)

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Every new spacer knows the struggle — you’ve just landed on Arcadia, the corporations are breathing down your neck, alien creatures are circling, and your starter gun feels like it fires marshmallows. But what if you could grab a powerful, scaling SMG right from the start — for free, and without needing Lockpick 11?

In The Outer Worlds 2, you actually can. Hidden aboard your ship, the Incognito, lies the Rookie’s Reward SMG, a unique weapon that levels with you. It’s easy to miss, but once you know the trick, you can unlock it minutes after the quest “A Cause Worth Killing For.”

💥 Why the Rookie’s Reward SMG Is a Game-Changer

Before diving into the steps, let’s break down why this weapon is so valuable:

  • Scaling Power: The Rookie’s Reward grows with you — increasing Damage, Rate of Fire, Ammo Capacity, and Recoil Control as your character levels.

  • Zero Investment: No Lockpick skill, no Bits, and no combat required.

  • Longevity: It stays relevant well into mid-game, saving you money on constant weapon upgrades.

If you’re running any automatic weapon build, this is your early-game MVP.

🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Rookie’s Reward SMG

Prerequisite: Complete “A Cause Worth Killing For.” Once you start “Recalling the Score,” you’ll have access to your ship, the Incognito.

The Outer Worlds 2: How to Get the Rookie’s Reward SMG Early Guide
Step 1: Find the Weapon Locker

  • Head to the ground floor of your ship.

  • Enter the workshop/locker room with the workbench.

  • Spot the locked cabinet on the wall requiring Lockpick 11 — don’t bother, we’re skipping that.

Step 2: Locate the Hidden Bypass

  • Turn to the corner near the workbench.

  • Jump onto the stacked storage crates — it’s easy to climb.

  • Look carefully at the wall around waist height.

Step 3: Disable the Power

  • Find the small, hidden switch labeled “Disable Power.”

  • Interact with it to cut power to the weapon locker.

Step 4: Claim Your Reward

  • Once the power’s off, the cabinet unlocks instantly.

  • Open it to grab your Rookie’s Reward SMG and a stash of ammo.

  • Entire process = under 2 minutes, zero combat.

⚙️ Making the Most of Your New Weapon

Use It Often: The more you use it, the faster it scales with your character.
Add Mods: Try recoil or stability mods to improve sustained fire.
Conserve Ammo: SMGs burn ammo fast — loot enemies and craft more via the Engineering skill.
Synergize with Perks: Focus on perks that boost automatic weapon damage, critical hits, or reload speed.

🧭 Troubleshooting Tips

  • Can’t Find the Switch? You’re likely in the wrong room. Look for the workbench on the ground floor.

  • Locker Empty? Complete “A Cause Worth Killing For” and progress into “Recalling the Score.”

  • Weapon Not Scaling? It scales incrementally with your level — no massive jumps, just steady power growth.

🪐 Conclusion: Your Early-Game Advantage

The Rookie’s Reward SMG is one of the best early-game finds in The Outer Worlds 2. You don’t need lockpicking skills or combat prowess — just a bit of curiosity. In under five minutes, you’ll have a powerful, evolving weapon that gives you a massive edge across Arcadia’s cutthroat frontier.

Now get out there, spacer — and show the corporations what happens when a rookie gets the right kind of reward.       

🌐 Community & Resource Links

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