Riders on the Storm

Key takeaways

The mission is easiest to manage when V treats the Raffen Shiv compound as an infiltration area first and a firefight second.

• Follow Panam's lead Meet Panam at the Aldecaldos camp and stay with the group until the rescue operation is ready to begin. Leaving the objective area or delaying too long can interrupt the mission flow. Meet Panam
• Scout the compound Use scanning and elevated sightlines to identify guards, cameras and entrances before entering the Raffen Shiv camp. The game supports both stealth and direct combat, so there is no single required route. Scout the compound
• Search the interior carefully Saul is held inside the camp rather than waiting in the open yard. Check the buildings and follow the objective marker through the compound instead of assuming that defeating the first wave completes the rescue. Find Saul
• Stay for the shelter sequence The storm shelter section contains important character dialogue and relationship context. Do not treat the mission as finished immediately after Saul is freed. Storm shelter

Riders on the Storm

Riders on the Storm is a Panam Palmer side job set in the Badlands, where V joins the Aldecaldos in an operation to rescue Saul Bright from the Raffen Shiv.

The mission begins when Panam Palmer asks V for help after Saul Bright is captured by the Raffen Shiv. V travels to the Aldecaldos camp, joins Panam and the nomads, and then heads toward the hostile encampment as a severe sandstorm approaches. The job combines open-world travel, infiltration, close-quarters combat and a rescue sequence rather than following a single linear approach.

The Raffen Shiv camp can be approached in several ways. V can fight through the compound, use stealth and hacking to reduce the number of enemies, or combine the two approaches by entering from a less exposed side and clearing only the positions that block the route to Saul. The layout includes exterior defenses and interior spaces, so a cautious player benefits from scanning enemies before committing to a route.

After Saul is recovered, the storm becomes an important part of the mission's atmosphere and pacing. The escape leads to an abandoned building where the group takes shelter, giving Panam, Saul and V time to discuss the Aldecaldos' situation. The conversation and the rescue reinforce Panam's loyalty to Saul and the clan while laying groundwork for later missions in her storyline.

Riders on the Storm is also notable because it gives Panam and V extended time together away from Night City. The job does not require a particular build, but stealth, quickhacks, ranged weapons and strong close-range options can all be effective. Some optional interactions and dialogue are easy to overlook if V rushes directly from the rescue to the extraction.

Where this sits

Requirements

The mission becomes available after the relevant earlier Panam and Aldecaldos story content has been completed.

• RequiredComplete Life During WartimeThis is the preceding Panam-related mission generally associated with the start of Riders on the Storm's availability.
• RequiredTravel to the Aldecaldos campPanam's call directs V to the nomad camp in the Badlands. The job cannot proceed until V reaches the meeting point.
• RecommendedPrepare for mixed combatThe Raffen Shiv compound supports stealth, hacking and direct combat. Bring a loadout that can handle both distant guards and confined indoor engagements.
• OptionalMake a manual save before enteringA separate save makes it easier to revisit optional exploration and dialogue if the operation develops differently than expected.

Objectives

1. Meet Panam at the Aldecaldos campReach the camp and speak with Panam to begin the rescue operation.
2. Follow the Aldecaldos to the Raffen Shiv campTravel with Panam and the nomads into the Badlands and approach the hostile compound.
3. Find SaulEnter the camp, move through its exterior and interior defenses, and locate Saul's holding area.
4. Rescue SaulFree Saul and deal with the Raffen Shiv resistance inside the compound.
5. Escape with Saul and PanamLeave the camp with the rescued Aldecaldos leader and follow the mission route through the storm.
6. Take shelterReach the abandoned shelter and remain with the group while the next story conversation plays out.

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Meet Panam

   Answer Panam's call and travel to the Aldecaldos camp

   When Panam contacts V, travel to the Aldecaldos camp in the Badlands and enter the marked meeting area. Speak with Panam to advance the job; arriving at the general area is not enough if the conversation has not been triggered.

   Location: Aldecaldos camp

   TipUse the camp as a preparation point and replenish ammunition or healing items before leaving.

   Checkpoint
2. 02

   Prepare for the rescue

   Join the rescue briefing

   Stay near Panam and the other Aldecaldos while they discuss Saul's capture and the attack on the Raffen Shiv. The mission moves forward through dialogue, so do not drive away or wander far from the group during the briefing.

   Location: Aldecaldos camp

   Watch outThe operation does not begin until the required conversation and group movement have finished.

3. 03

   Reach the Raffen Shiv camp

   Follow Panam toward the Raffen Shiv camp

   Drive with Panam into the Badlands and follow the marked route toward the enemy compound. The approaching storm reduces visibility, but the objective marker and Panam's vehicle keep the route readable.

   Location: Badlands

   TipAvoid stopping too far from the convoy; regrouping with Panam is safer than exploring away from the active objective.

4. 04

   Infiltrate the camp

   Survey the compound before entering

   At the camp, scan the visible guards, cameras and structures before choosing an entrance. The outer yard is exposed, while side approaches and hacking opportunities can let V bypass some of the first defenders.

   Location: Raffen Shiv camp

   TipMark threats and cameras before disabling devices or attacking, because an alarm can turn a quiet approach into a compound-wide firefight.

5. 05

   Infiltrate the camp

   Enter the Raffen Shiv camp

   Use the entrance that best suits V's build and move toward the interior buildings. A direct assault works, but stealth players should stay behind cover, avoid crossing open ground and use distractions or quickhacks to separate guards.

   Location: Raffen Shiv camp exterior

   Watch outThe camp contains multiple hostile positions, so rushing through the first yard can leave V surrounded from several directions.

6. 06

   Reach Saul's holding area

   Clear or bypass the outer defenses

   Advance through the compound by defeating or avoiding the guards blocking the route to Saul. Search the edges of the yard and nearby structures for alternate paths rather than assuming the largest gate is the only way forward.

   Location: Raffen Shiv camp exterior

   TipA stealth takedown or camera hack can create a safer route, but a failed hack may alert nearby enemies even when V remains hidden.

7. 07

   Find Saul

   Push into the camp buildings

   Follow the objective marker into the occupied structures and continue scanning each room. Interior fights are more compressed than the opening yard, so use doorways, corners and vertical cover instead of standing in the center of a room.

   Location: Raffen Shiv camp interior

   Checkpoint
8. 08

   Find Saul

   Locate Saul

   Search the marked interior area until V reaches Saul's holding location. Defeating nearby enemies does not automatically complete the objective; interact with the correct access point or approach Saul when the prompt appears.

   Location: Raffen Shiv camp interior

   Watch outIt is easy to mistake a cleared room for the end of the search. Continue following the objective marker through the building.

9. 09

   Rescue Saul

   Free Saul and survive the response

   Interact with Saul to begin the rescue, then deal with the Raffen Shiv resistance that remains in the area. Keep Saul's position in mind while fighting and avoid sprinting into an uncleared corridor without scanning it first.

   Location: Saul's holding area

   TipUse control quickhacks, grenades or stagger effects to prevent several enemies from collapsing on Saul and V at once.

10. 10

    Escape with Saul and Panam

    Leave the compound with Saul

    After the rescue, follow the marked route out of the camp with Saul and Panam. The escape is not complete simply because Saul is free; remain with the group and clear any enemies that block the exit path.

    Location: Raffen Shiv camp

    Watch outRunning too far ahead can separate V from the active objective. Follow Panam and Saul rather than returning to loot every building.

11. 11

    Take shelter

    Reach the storm shelter

    Travel with the group through the Badlands as the storm intensifies and enter the abandoned shelter indicated by the mission. Once inside, remain nearby while the characters regroup and the next conversation begins.

    Location: Abandoned shelter in the Badlands

    Checkpoint
12. 12

    Finish Riders on the Storm

    Complete the shelter conversation

    Stay with Panam and Saul through the shelter scene and exhaust the available dialogue if you want the full context for the Aldecaldos' internal conflict. The job concludes after the conversation and the associated mission updates have played out.

    Location: Abandoned shelter in the Badlands

    Watch outLeaving during the shelter sequence can skip dialogue and make it harder to understand the mission's aftermath.

Mission mechanics

The Raffen Shiv camp is designed as a flexible infiltration space rather than a mandatory boss arena. V can combine stealth takedowns, camera manipulation, quickhacks and suppressed weapons, or simply use cover and conventional weapons to fight through the compound. The useful distinction is between the exposed exterior and the tighter interior: methods that work in open ground may become risky once several enemies can fire through the same doorway.

The storm affects the mission's presentation and travel more than it changes V's core combat rules. Visibility and atmosphere make the Badlands feel less forgiving, but the objective markers remain the main navigation aid. During the escape, staying close to Panam and Saul is more reliable than attempting to improvise a separate route.

Dialogue is part of the mission's progression rather than an optional reward screen. The shelter sequence gives the player additional context about Saul, Panam and the Aldecaldos, and it is worth remaining in the area until the conversation has fully advanced. This is especially important for players following Panam's personal storyline or pursuing later nomad content.

The mission does not demand a specific weapon category or cyberware setup. A balanced build is useful because the compound can reward quiet approaches but still contains situations where close-range combat becomes unavoidable. Players who prefer exploration should make a save before the rescue so they can revisit missed rooms without replaying the entire lead-in.

What works and what does not

Encounter phases

1. 1

   Approach and outer compound

   Starts: Entering the Raffen Shiv camp

   V reaches an exposed hostile area with guards, surveillance and several possible routes toward the occupied buildings.

   • Ranged fireTell Guards take positions around the open yard and fire when V is detected.Answer Use hard cover, break line of sight and avoid remaining in the center of the yard.
   • Alarm responseTell A failed stealth action or visible attack alerts nearby enemies.Answer Disable cameras first and relocate after an alarm rather than fighting from the same exposed position.
   • Scan before committing to a route.
   • Use the perimeter and structures as cover.
   • Do not assume that the first group of enemies is the entire camp.
2. 2

   Interior search

   Starts: Entering the camp buildings while looking for Saul

   The fight moves into enclosed rooms and passages where enemies can attack from short range and from adjacent spaces.

   • Close-quarters pressureTell Enemies converge through doors and narrow interior routes once V is detected.Answer Hold a doorway, use crowd-control effects and clear rooms methodically.
   • CrossfireTell Hostiles in neighboring rooms can fire through openings or flank V during a loud assault.Answer Scan adjoining rooms and retreat to a defensible threshold when necessary.
   • Follow the objective marker after each room is secure.
   • Use quickhacks to isolate threats before entering.
   • Check for the interaction prompt once Saul's area is reached.
3. 3

   Rescue and extraction

   Starts: Freeing Saul

   The objective changes from locating Saul to getting out of the compound with Saul and Panam.

   • Remaining camp resistanceTell Enemies still occupying the route can delay the escape after Saul is freed.Answer Stay with the group, clear the marked path and avoid detouring into uncleared buildings.
   • Do not stop the escape to loot every room.
   • Keep track of Saul and Panam's positions.
   • Use the objective marker to identify the intended exit.

Mission checklist

• Complete Life During Wartime before looking for Riders on the StormThe job belongs to Panam's continuing storyline.
• Meet Panam at the Aldecaldos campThe operation begins after the camp conversation advances.
• Scan the Raffen Shiv camp before choosing an entranceCameras, guards and cover determine how safe each route is.
• Locate Saul inside the compoundClearing the outer yard alone does not finish the rescue.
• Rescue SaulInteract with the correct objective point once his area is reached.
• Escape with Panam and SaulStay with the group until the extraction objective completes.
• Remain in the shelter for the full conversationLeaving early can skip character dialogue.
• Make a save before entering the campUseful for revisiting optional rooms or trying another approach.Optional

Failure conditions

• V dies during the camp assaultCombat failure reloads from the latest checkpoint or save and requires V to repeat the relevant section.
• V abandons the active mission areaMoving too far away from Panam, Saul or the marked objective can interrupt the operation or prevent the next trigger from activating.
• V leaves before the shelter sequence advancesThe mission can lose dialogue context if V walks away during the regrouping scene, even when the main rescue objective has already been completed.

Rewards and drops

• Mission completion
  Completing Riders on the Storm advances Panam Palmer's storyline and the Aldecaldos' narrative.
• Panam relationship progression
  The rescue and shelter conversations deepen V's connection with Panam and contribute to later relationship-related content.
• Access to later Aldecaldos content
  Finishing the job allows Panam's continuing missions to develop, subject to the game's wider progression conditions.
• Enemy loot
  The Raffen Shiv camp contains ordinary loot from defeated enemies and explored areas; its exact contents can vary by playthrough and character level.

Characters in this mission

• VThe player character assisting with the rescue
• Panam PalmerMission partner and organizer of the operation
• Saul BrightAldecaldos leader held by the Raffen Shiv
• Mitch AndersonAn Aldecaldos member associated with Panam's group
• ScorpionAn Aldecaldos member connected to the clan's storyline

AftermathSpoilers

Trivia

• The mission's title evokes the Badlands storm that surrounds the rescue and shelter sections.
• Riders on the Storm is one of the missions most closely associated with Panam Palmer's personal storyline.
• The operation demonstrates the difference between the open Badlands and the enclosed spaces used by the Raffen Shiv.
• The mission can be completed with different balances of stealth, hacking and direct combat rather than requiring one fixed playstyle.

Relationships