- Mirror's Edge Catalyst diversion missions are side activities scattered across the open city of Glass.
- Diversion missions unlock progressively as you complete early main story missions and free-roam events.
- Completing them rewards Chipsets, XP, and district completion percentage toward 100%.
- Most diversions are short timed runs — bring polished Flow and traversal skills before attempting.
- Focus on Anchor and Downtown districts first for the easiest early clears.
What Are Diversion Missions in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Diversion missions are optional side activities that appear throughout the open world of Glass. Unlike the 13 main story missions, diversions are short, self-contained objectives — timed sprints, quick deliveries, and support tasks for the runner underground — that you can pick up in any order while free roaming. They exist to push you through Glass's rooftops at full speed, and they reward Chipsets that feed Faith's Upgrade Chip skill tree.
The city tracks each district's completion percentage, and diversion missions contribute to it alongside GridLeaks, hidden Documents, Chipsets, and Runner Bags. If you're chasing the 100% completion stat or the collection-related trophies, diversions are unavoidable — and honestly, they're some of the best pure-parkour content in the game.
Diversions begin appearing after the opening chapters ("Prison Break" and "Sprint"). Progress through the early Anchor district missions to open free roaming, then check your map — diversion markers and side activity icons appear across every district as you unlock fast-travel points.
How diversion missions differ from other side content:
| Activity Type | Description | Primary Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Diversion Missions | Short timed/escorted side objectives from NPC contacts | XP, Chipsets, district % |
| Delivery Missions | Courier runs carrying packages across districts | XP, district % |
| Dashes | Player-created race routes from Runner Tags | Stars, Chipsets |
| Time Trials | Developer-built courses with star targets | Stars, Chipsets |
| GridLeaks | Collectible interference devices smashed mid-run | District %, trophies |
Diversion Mission Types and District Locations
Diversion missions come in several flavors, each testing a different slice of Faith's moveset. Some are pure sprint timers, others require you to reach a location undetected or interact with objects while KrugerSec patrols nearby. Knowing what each type demands lets you prepare the right upgrades before you start.
Timed Sprints
- Race the clock between checkpoints
- Tests Flow maintenance
- Coil jumps and wall-runs save seconds
Stealth Diversions
- Reach targets undetected
- Avoid K-Sec sightlines
- Stay off street level
Sabotage Runs
- Interfere with KrugerSec operations
- Often guarded locations
- Disruptor helps escape after
District breakdown and what to expect:
| District | Difficulty | Terrain Character | Recommended Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Easy–Medium | Long glass facades, extended wall-runs | Fast Climb, Mag Rope basics |
| Downtown | Medium | Dense rooftops, tight stair sets | Slide-jump chains, Quick Turn |
| View Gardens | Medium–Hard | Vertical climbs, exposed ledges | Skill Roll, Fast Climb |
| Sky District | Hard | Tall towers, big gaps | Mag Rope upgrades, full Flow control |
If a diversion route confuses you, follow the red Runner Vision highlights before starting the timer. Scout the intended line once, then restart — most timed diversions allow retries from the start marker without penalty.
Step-by-Step: Completing Diversion Missions Efficiently
Follow this workflow to clear diversions quickly and stack Chipsets early. The order matters — unlocking the right traversal skills first makes every subsequent mission faster.
Unlock Free Roam
Complete the opening main missions through the early Anchor chapters. Once Glass opens up, diversion markers appear on your map alongside fast-travel points.
Prioritize Traversal Upgrades
Spend early Chipsets on Fast Climb, Quick Turn, and Skill Roll in the Traversal branch. These three skills prevent the Flow breaks that fail most timed diversions.
Scout Before You Start
Approach the diversion marker and study the route — check for wall-run surfaces, Mag Rope swing points, and gaps that need a coil jump. Plan three moves ahead.
Run It Clean
Start the mission and keep unbroken Flow. Never hesitate at edges: hesitation kills momentum faster than a wrong turn. A clean, conservative line beats a risky shortcut.
Chain Nearby Activities
After clearing a diversion, grab nearby GridLeaks and check for adjacent Dashes. Grouping activities per district minimizes travel time and maximizes Chipset income.
KrugerSec guards patrol many diversion areas. Combat drains stamina and breaks your rhythm — in most cases you can simply run past enemies. Use the evade button to slip strikes rather than engaging.
Rewards, Chipsets, and Completion Tracking
Every diversion mission feeds the same progression economy: XP for Faith's overall level, Chipsets for Upgrade Chips, and percentage points toward district completion. Since Chipsets are also earned from Dashes, Time Trials, Billboards, and Security Zone events, diversions are one of the fastest low-stress ways to fund a fully upgraded skill tree.
Reward comparison across side activities:
| Activity | Time per Clear | Chipset Yield | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diversion Missions | 2–5 min | Moderate | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Time Trials | 3–8 min | High (with stars) | ★★★★☆ |
| Dashes | 2–6 min | Moderate–High | ★★★☆☆ |
| GridLeaks | Under 1 min each | None (completion %) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Security Zones | 5–10 min | High | ★★★★☆ |
For the platinum route, the recommended order is: finish the story first, then sweep diversions and deliveries in free roam, then clean up combat trophies, then GridLeaks and documents, and finally Time Trials and Dashes for the last stars.
Use the map's activity filters to isolate diversion markers per district. Clearing an entire district's diversions in one session keeps your parkour instincts warm — your clear times improve dramatically when you stay in rhythm.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Most failed diversion runs come down to a handful of repeatable errors. Fix these and your clear rate climbs immediately.
| Mistake | Why It Fails Runs | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stopping to look around | Breaks Flow, wastes seconds | Scout before starting the timer |
| Street-level routing | Re-climbing costs huge time | Stay on rooftops, use vertical lines |
| Hesitating at edges | Momentum dies at gaps | Commit; coil jump off ledges |
| Fighting K-Sec patrols | Stamina drain, lost time | Evade and run past enemies |
| Ignoring Traversal skills | Slower climbs and turns | Unlock Fast Climb and Quick Turn first |
Before Your Next Diversion Session:
- Unlock Fast Climb and Quick Turn upgrades
- Scout the route with Runner Vision before starting
- Clear nearby GridLeaks in the same trip
- Keep Flow unbroken — no full stops
- Chain districts in one session for rhythm
FAQ
Q: How many diversion missions are in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
The exact count is tracked through each district's completion percentage rather than a single total. Diversions appear across all districts of Glass alongside deliveries, Dashes, and Time Trials — together the side activities number over 30. Check your map filters to see which diversions remain in each district.
Q: Do I need to complete diversion missions to finish the story?
No. Diversion missions are entirely optional — the main story can be completed without touching them. However, they reward Chipsets for the Upgrade Chip skill tree, so clearing a few makes the later combat-heavy story missions noticeably easier.
Q: What's the best district to start diversion missions in?
Anchor is the best starting point. Its long glass facades reward extended wall-runs, the routes are forgiving, and it's the first district you unlock for free roaming. Move to Downtown next, then save View Gardens and the Sky District for after you've unlocked Mag Rope upgrades.
Q: Can I replay diversion missions for more Chipsets?
Diversion missions award their completion rewards once, but you can retry them for better times. If you need more Chipsets, repeatable sources include Dashes, Time Trials with star targets, Billboards, and Security Zone events across Glass.