- GridNodes are hub devices that keep the GridLeak surveillance interference active across Glass.
- Destroying each hub disables nearby GridLeak clusters and adds to district completion percentage.
- Gridunlocked trophy requires disabling every GridNode hub in the city.
- Use the map filter to reveal unactivated hubs and cluster your cleanup runs by district.
- Best approach: finish the story first, then sweep districts in free roam with fast travel.
What Are GridNodes in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
In Mirror's Edge Catalyst, the GridNode system is the backbone of the GridLeak mechanic. Scattered across the districts of Glass are hundreds of small electronic interference devices — GridLeaks — that flash visibly from rooftops, billboards, and mid-run parkour lines. Each cluster of these devices is anchored to a GridNode hub, a larger device that Faith must reach and disable to shut down the interference in that zone.
Destroying individual GridLeaks mid-run is part of the fun, but the hubs are what count for the Gridunlocked silver trophy: "Disable all GridLeak hubs across Glass." Each disabled hub contributes to that district's completion percentage, pushing you toward full 100% collection status alongside Documents, Chipsets, and Gift Bags.
GridNodes are tied directly to the Gridunlocked trophy and district completion. Use the in-game map filter to locate clusters — each hub only takes a few minutes once you know the approach, so batch them by district rather than hunting one at a time.
| Item | Type | Purpose | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| GridNode hub | Interference source | Anchors local GridLeak cluster | ★★★☆☆ |
| GridLeaks (devices) | In-world collectible | Must be smashed mid-run, counts per district | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Documents | Lore collectible | Expands Glass backstory | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chipsets | Progression currency | Buys Upgrade Chips in skill tree | ★★★☆☆ |
| Gift Bags | Hidden collectible | Contributes to 100% completion | ★★☆☆☆ |
GridNode Locations by District
Every district of Glass — from Anchor's long glass facades to the dense rooftops of Downtown — hosts its own set of GridNode hubs. Hubs are typically placed at hard-to-reach parkour spots: billboard frames, antenna arrays, and rooftop platforms that demand clean Flow to reach.
The strategy that saves the most time is district batching: pick one district, fast-travel to its nearest unlocked point, and clear every hub before moving on. The map filter marks incomplete hubs, and the district completion bar updates after each disable.
Anchor District
- Long glass facades favor extended wall-runs
- Use the MAG Rope to swing between buildings
- Hubs often sit on billboard frames over wide gaps
Downtown
- Dense rooftops and tight stair sets
- Chain slide-jumps to keep vertical momentum
- Avoid dropping to street level — re-climbing wastes time
View Gardens & Outskirts
- Elevated platforms and antenna arrays
- Disruptor helps when K-Sec patrols cluster nearby
- Pair cleanup with Viewpoint climbs for efficiency
Some GridNode hubs sit inside or near Security Zones. Disabling them can trigger KrugerSec patrols. If you would rather not fight, climb high, use maintenance shafts, and keep your Flow unbroken — most encounters can be outrun entirely.
| District | Terrain Character | Recommended Tool | Patrol Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Glass facades, wide gaps | MAG Rope | Medium |
| Downtown | Tight rooftops, stair sets | Quick Turn | High |
| View District | Tall towers, viewpoints | Fast Climb | Low-Medium |
| Undermine | Industrial, enclosed routes | Disruptor | High |
Step-by-Step: Disabling a GridNode Hub
Every hub follows the same core loop: locate, approach at speed, climb to the device, and trigger the disable. These steps break down the most reliable routine, whether it is your first hub or your fiftieth.
Open the Map and Filter
Bring up the city map and apply the GridLeak filter. Incomplete hubs appear as cluster markers; set a waypoint on the nearest one in your chosen district.
Fast Travel to the Closest Point
Use an unlocked fast-travel location near the hub. Free roam after the early Anchor missions gives you full access to the city, so there is no need to run across districts.
Approach with Flow
Build Momentum on the approach — many hubs sit on ledges or antenna platforms that require a full-speed wall-run or coil jump to reach. Breaking Flow often means restarting the climb.
Climb and Disable
Mantle up to the device using Fast Climb if unlocked, then interact to disable the hub. Nearby GridLeaks in the cluster shut down with it, updating your district completion percentage.
Chain to the Next Hub
Immediately check the map filter for the next closest marker. Chaining hubs back-to-back keeps you in rhythm and clears a district in a single session.
Before a serious cleanup run, unlock Fast Climb and Quick Turn from the Traversal branch, plus Mag Rope enhancements from Gear. These skills minimize climb time and mid-run redirection mistakes — the two biggest time sinks in GridNode hunting.
Rewards, Trophies, and Completion
GridNode work pays off in several ways beyond the trophy itself. District completion feeds your overall collection stat, and the exploration involved naturally gathers Chipsets — the currency for Upgrade Chips in Faith's Traversal, Combat, and Gear skill branches.
| Reward | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gridunlocked (Silver) | Disable all GridLeak hubs across Glass | Use map filter; each hub takes a few minutes |
| District completion % | All collectibles + hubs per district | Feeds the 100% collection stat |
| Chipsets | Found at hard-to-reach parkour spots | Also earned from Dashes and Time Trials stars |
| Freeflow (Gold) | Complete the main story | Unlocks naturally across all main missions |
The suggested platinum route from the official Steam page community: finish the story first, then clean up combat trophies, then collectibles including GridNodes, and finish with time trials and Dashes. More movement basics are available at the official Mirror's Edge Catalyst site.
GridNode Cleanup Checklist:
- Finish the main story to unlock full free roam
- Unlock Fast Climb and Quick Turn traversal skills
- Enable the GridLeak map filter
- Clear all hubs in one district before moving on
- Verify the Gridunlocked trophy in your achievement list
You do not need to destroy every individual GridLeaks device by hand — disabling the hub shuts down its cluster. Focus on hubs first, then sweep any stragglers flagged by the map for a tidy 100% district rating.
FAQ
Q: What does a GridNode do in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
A GridNode is the hub device anchoring a cluster of GridLeak interference sources in a district. Disabling the hub shuts down the surrounding GridLeaks, contributes to district completion, and counts toward the Gridunlocked silver trophy.
Q: How many GridNode hubs are in Glass?
Hubs are spread across all districts of Glass — Anchor, Downtown, the View District, and beyond. Rather than counting, use the in-game map filter to reveal uncompleted hubs and clear them district by district; each one only takes a few minutes.
Q: Do I get anything for disabling all GridNodes?
Yes. Full hub cleanup awards the Gridunlocked silver trophy, raises every district's completion percentage toward 100% collection, and the exploration involved naturally gathers Chipsets for Faith's Upgrade Chip skill tree.
Q: Can I destroy GridLeaks without hitting the hub first?
Yes, you can smash individual GridLeaks mid-run, and they count toward district completion. However, disabling the hub shuts down the entire cluster at once, making hubs the far more efficient route for cleanup.