- Benefactor collectibles are hidden gift bags stashed across the city of Glass by a mysterious supporter.
- Collect all of them to complete the "Gifted" pursuit and earn collectible-related trophies.
- District map upgrades reveal nearby collectible markers — buy them early to save hours of searching.
- Most bags sit off the main path on rooftops, inside alcoves, and in maintenance areas.
- Combine your hunt with GridLeak runs and Dashes for efficient district completion.
What Are Benefactor Collectibles in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
In Mirror's Edge Catalyst, Benefactor collectibles are a set of hidden gift bags left for Faith by an anonymous benefactor within the Runner network. Unlike GridLeaks — which you smash mid-run — these bags reward careful exploration. Each one you pick up is logged in your collection tracker and counts toward the overall district completion percentage in Glass.
There are four main collectible types in the game, and understanding how they differ shapes your hunting strategy:
| Collectible | Type | How to Collect | Counts Toward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefactor Gift Bags | Hidden collectible | Pick up on foot | District completion, pursuits |
| GridLeaks | In-world device | Run through and smash | District completion, trophy |
| Documents | Lore collectible | Interact and read | Story log, district completion |
| Chipsets | Progression item | Pick up / earn from Dashes | Upgrade Chips, skill tree |
Before hunting Benefactor bags manually, unlock the Exploration Markers gear upgrades in Faith's skill tree. These reveal nearby collectibles on your district map, turning a blind search into a targeted sweep.
Benefactor Bag Locations by District
The Benefactor bags are spread across the major districts of Glass. Each district has its own traversal flavor, so adjust your route accordingly. The table below summarizes where to focus and what movement tools help most.
| District | Typical Hiding Spots | Best Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Rooftop corners, glass facade ledges | Wall-runs, MAG Rope | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Downtown | Tight stair sets, billboard platforms | Slide-jump chains, Quick Turn | ★★★☆☆ |
| View Gardens | Elevated walkways, tower alcoves | Wall-runs, Fast Climb | ★★★☆☆ |
| Undermine | Interior rafters, maintenance rooms | Coils, Disruptor for K-Sec | ★★★★☆ |
Anchor District
- Long glass facades favor extended wall-runs
- Bags often sit at wall-run end points
- Use MAG Rope swings to cross gaps without losing height
Downtown
- Dense rooftops and stair sets
- Slide-jump chains reach hidden platforms
- Avoid dropping to street level — climbing back wastes Flow
View Gardens & Undermine
- Elevated walkways above the district canopy
- Undermine interiors need the Disruptor for K-Sec patrols
- Check maintenance shafts and rafters inside buildings
Several bags in the Undermine and near Security Zones are guarded by K-Sec patrols. Either take patrols down with momentum-based strikes or slip past using the Disruptor — standing still in a Security Zone triggers alarms fast.
Step-by-Step Collectible Hunting Route
Follow this efficient loop to clear Benefactor bags district by district without backtracking.
Unlock Exploration Markers
Spend early Chipsets on the gear-branch map upgrades that reveal collectible markers. Complete Dashes and Billboards in Anchor first to bank Chipsets quickly.
Sweep Anchor First
Anchor's open rooftops make it the easiest district to clear. Mark each bag icon, chain wall-runs between them, and smash GridLeaks on the same pass.
Move to Downtown
Use slide-jump chains and the Quick Turn skill to navigate the dense stair sets. Prioritize bags near fast-travel points for easy retry access.
Clear View Gardens and Undermine
These districts mix vertical climbs with guarded interiors. Bring the upgraded MAG Rope and use the Disruptor to slip Security Zones.
Verify Completion
Open the district completion screen to confirm every bag is logged. Any missed bags remain marked on the map for a final cleanup run.
Every bag run is also a chance to smash GridLeaks, grab Chipsets, and earn Dash stars. Grouping objectives by district is the fastest route to 100% completion and the Gridunlocked trophy.
Rewards and Completion Checklist
Collecting the Benefactor bags feeds directly into district completion stats and related trophies like Gridunlocked (disable all GridLeak hubs) and the overall collection achievements on the way to the Freeflow Master platinum. Use the checklist below to track your sweep.
| Reward | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gifted pursuit progress | Collect Benefactor bags | Tracked in the pursuits menu |
| District completion % | All collectibles in a district | Includes bags, GridLeaks, documents |
| Gridunlocked (Silver) | All GridLeak hubs disabled | Pair with bag routes per district |
| Freeflow Master (Platinum) | All trophies unlocked | Story, combat, then collectibles cleanup |
Benefactor Collection Goals:
- Unlock Exploration Markers map upgrades
- Clear all Benefactor bags in Anchor
- Clear all Benefactor bags in Downtown
- Clear View Gardens and Undermine bags
- Confirm 100% district completion for all collectibles
Finish the story first so all districts and gadgets are unlocked, then do combat cleanup, then collectibles (bags, GridLeaks, documents), and finish with Time Trials and Dashes. This ordering avoids repeated district visits.
Tips for Faster Collection Runs
Bags perched on high ledges often require full Flow to reach — chain your approach moves without stopping so Faith can jump farther on the final gap.
A few movement fundamentals separate a slow hunt from a fast one:
- Plan three moves ahead. Use Runner Vision cues to identify the path to each bag before committing.
- Never drop to street level. Losing vertical momentum means re-climbing — route between rooftops.
- Use fast-travel points. After unlocking them, hop between districts instead of running across the city.
- Learn the wall-run takedown. Guarded bags become trivial when you can knock out K-Sec mid-run without breaking Flow.
- Check interiors. Documents and bags frequently hide inside offices and maintenance rooms during side missions.
FAQ
Q: What are Benefactor collectibles in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Benefactor collectibles are hidden gift bags left across the city of Glass by an anonymous supporter of the Runners. Finding them contributes to district completion percentages and collection-related pursuits and trophies.
Q: Do I need map upgrades to find the bags?
Not strictly, but the Exploration Markers gear upgrades reveal nearby collectible markers on the district map, which saves a significant amount of search time and is the recommended first purchase for completionists.
Q: Can I collect Benefactor bags after finishing the story?
Yes. Glass is fully open after the campaign, and the recommended platinum route is to finish the story first, then sweep all collectibles — bags, GridLeaks, and documents — during free roam.
Q: Do Benefactor bags give Chipsets or skill points?
The bags primarily count toward district completion and collection pursuits. Chipsets come mainly from Dashes, Billboards, Security Zone events, and hard-to-reach parkour spots, so pair your bag runs with those activities for maximum progression.