The game’s levelling system and its benefits explained
How can I level up quickly in Saints Row?InSaints Row, skill progression is tied in closely with the levelling system. As your Boss climbs the criminal ladder of Sant Ileso, they’ll gain XP and advance through 20 character levels, each of which gives them access to another new skill. On this page we’ll give you some tips on how to level up quickly inSaints Rowso that you have access to every skill as soon as possible.
How to level up fast in Saints Row
Almost everything you do in Saints Row will net you either XP, cash, or (most often) both. Here are just a few of the best ways we’ve found to increase your level quickly:
Obviously, completing main story missions is a plentiful source of XP in Saints Row. Check the Missions tab on your character’s phone to easily track the next story beat. Happily, the main plot of Saints Row isn’t too taxing to work through, and you get a nice big XP boost every time you complete a main quest.
Side hustles appear on the map as blue icons, and present you with an opportunity to freelance on a friendly NPC’s criminal venture in exchange for XP and cash. Side Hustles come in a few different flavours, like:
Challenges are tracked via the Missions app on your character’s phone. Not only does completing one net you a newperk, but you’ll receive a nice injection of cash and XP for your troubles as well.
These optional bounty hunter side-quests are tracked via the Wanted app on your character’s phone. Go after a deserving target and bring them in dead, or… well, actually, just bring them in dead.
Indicated on your minimap by unsubtle icons representing a big drawstring bag with a dollar sign on it. If one of these pops up in your vicinity, track it down and fight some gang members in exchange for the cash value of whatever loot they were moving, along with a complementary dose of XP.
Indicated by yellow icons on the map, discoveries are comparatively low-stakes activities that give you a chance to nab some cash as you explore Sant Ileso. A couple of varieties also increase your XP when you complete them:
Not formally tracked (unless a particular one crops up as a Challenge goal), but performing vehicular stunts will occasionally net you a small XP boost, especially if you’ve just hit a significant milestone. A classic example is air time while performing jumps on a bike, but you even sometimes get small bonuses from near-misses with other vehicles, driving into oncoming traffic, and other deeply inadvisable activities I absolutely do not recommend trying in real life.
In Saints Row, levelling up means gaining newskillsfor use in combat. Saints Row doesn’t have a skill tree as such, but each time you level up, you’ll get your mitts on the next skill in line; and, naturally, bigger level number equals more impressive skill.Ed described this as being akin to a battle pass systemafter playing the preview, and it’s a good comparison if you want an idea of how linear skill progression in this game is.
While you’re on the lookout for Saints Row advice, why not check out our guide to the game’s extensivecharacter creator, as well as our guide to meeting up with your friends inSaints Row multiplayer?
