Crisis Core: Reunion throws tons of optional missions at you almost from the very beginning. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the side content, especially if you’re not sure when you’re “supposed” to be doing them. Some players go all-in right away, others ignore them completely until the endgame. But if you’re looking for a balanced approach—doing missions alongside the main story without grinding yourself into burnout—here’s a simple structure that worked well for me.
Chapter 1: Stick to 1–2 Star Missions
Early on, you’re limited in gear, materia, and levels. That’s fine—so are the enemies. During Chapter 1, I knocked out all the 1-Star and 2-Star missions as they became available. They’re short, easy, and give you a decent head start in building resources without breaking the story’s pacing.
Chapter 2: Add 3-Star Missions to the Mix
By this point, your toolkit has opened up a bit. Stronger materia starts rolling in, and your stats begin to rise. I took on the 3-Star missions during this section. They’re more challenging, sure, but nothing too punishing. You can safely complete most of them without needing to grind.
Chapter 3: Start Tackling 4 and 5-Star Missions
Chapter 3 is where things ramp up, and so should your mission roster. I started doing both 4-Star and 5-Star missions here. You’ll want to be more strategic—pay attention to enemy types and weaknesses—but with decent materia fusion and a bit of awareness, most of these are manageable.
Chapter 5: Clear Out the 6-Star Missions
By the time Part 5 begins, I was comfortable taking on all of the remaining 6-star missions. These are tougher but absolutely doable with a strong materia setup. Some of them can feel like mini-boss fights, so go in prepared, but you don’t need to be maxed out to succeed.
For context, I believe I was in the high 20’s by the time I reached this point.
I’m still actively playing Crisis Core and haven’t yet reached a point where I’m comfortable beating most 7-Star Missions so stay tuned for my recommendations!
Final Note: It’s Not About Your Level
You don’t need to grind to a specific level before doing missions. In fact, levels are somewhat of a distraction in Crisis Core. What actually matters is your materia and how you use it. A well-fused set of abilities will take you way further than a few extra levels ever could. Focus on crafting strong combinations, exploiting weaknesses, and keeping your equipment updated.
If you follow that philosophy, you can take on tougher missions earlier—and keep the game feeling fresh without burning yourself out on unnecessary grinding.