Figure in Blue Quest Guide in Dredge

The eerie world of Dredge is filled with mysterious pursuits that test your fishing prowess and time management skills. Among these, the Figure in Blue stands out as a tense side quest requiring quick action to deliver specific fish before a hidden deadline strikes. This guide breaks down every step, from locating the enigmatic hooded figure to securing the rewarding skill book that boosts your trading economy.

Understanding Pursuits in Dredge

Pursuits in Dredge are optional challenges scattered across the game’s foggy seas, often involving unique NPC requests. They unlock valuable upgrades, lore snippets, and resources essential for upgrading your boat and surviving nightmarish waters. The Figure in Blue pursuit introduces urgency with its invisible timer—fail to deliver, and the quest giver perishes permanently, locking you out of the reward forever.

These quests encourage preparation: stock up on fuel, ensure your rods handle coastal and deeper waters, and plan routes efficiently. Unlike main story missions, pursuits like this one can be tackled early but demand coastal fishing gear and basic engine upgrades for travel.

Locating the Blue Hooded Figure

The quest begins on a tiny, rocky island southeast of Little Marrow, marked around the M7 grid on your map. This isolated spot is easy to miss amid the game’s cluttered archipelago, so sail east from the Greater Marrow docks until you spot the lone figure perched on the shore.

Approach during daylight for safety, as nights bring aggressive sea horrors. Speak to the hooded stranger, who pleads for food in a raspy voice. Accept the request, and the clock starts ticking—though no on-screen counter warns you.

• Preparation checklist before approaching:
• Equip a Coastal Rod for all required fish.
• Install at least one or two Engine upgrades for speed.
• Catch fish in advance if possible to bypass the timer partially.
• Carry extra fuel and bait to avoid delays.

First Catch: The Blue Mackerel

Your initial task is to procure a Blue Mackerel, a common coastal fish abundant near the quest island. Look for schools in shallow waters around Little Marrow during daytime hours. Cast your line when the fish icon pulses on screen, reeling steadily to avoid snags.

These fish are beginner-friendly, rarely mutated, and respawn quickly unless overfished. If depleted locally, circle back after a day. Deliver it promptly to extend the timer’s leeway—the figure accepts one fish at a time, revealing the next request.

Second Catch: Hunting the Tiger Mackerel

Next comes the Tiger Mackerel, found in the Gale Cliffs region around N4. Head northwest from the figure’s island, scanning for striped schools in daytime waters. This area introduces moderate currents, so upgrade your rod efficiency if catches prove tricky.

Tiger Mackerels demand precise timing—hook during their surface breaches. Avoid night fishing here, as abyssal creatures lurk. With the fish secured, return swiftly; partial deliveries keep the pursuit alive but eat into your margin.

Pro tip: Fish schools migrate slightly, so explore adjacent grids if N4 is barren. Sustainable fishing preserves populations for future runs.

Final Challenge: Securing the Snake Mackerel

The toughest leg involves the Snake Mackerel in Devil’s Spine, north of Gale Cliffs. This hazardous zone features stronger waves and nocturnal spawns, catchable day or night with a Coastal Rod. Start early to beat potential darkness.

Snake Mackerels slither deep, requiring deeper casts. Mutated variants may appear, but normals suffice. Prioritize this last if pre-catching, as travel time is longest—engine upgrades are crucial.

Delivering the Goods and Claiming Rewards

Return all three fish to the island. Hand them over one by one or in bulk—the figure vanishes the extras but completes the chain. Success grants Haggling and Bartering: A Guide, a skill book slashing buy prices by 5% and boosting sells by 5%.

This upgrade transforms your economy, amplifying profits from hauls and cutting upgrade costs. In Dredge’s grind-heavy loop, it’s invaluable early-game.

• Reward Breakdown:
• 5% discount on all purchases (fuel, bait, rods).
• 5% premium on fish/treasure sales.
• Permanent; no further steps needed.

Strategies to Beat the Hidden Timer

The undisclosed deadline spans a few in-game days, varying by actions. Pre-catch all fish before initiating—guides recommend this to sidestep failure.

Optimize routes: Blue Mackerel first (local), then Tiger (mid-range), Snake last (far). Dock at Little Marrow for resupply. If the figure dies, the pursuit ends—no revival or partial credit.

Common pitfalls: Night sailing without lights, rod mismatches, fuel shortages. Track progress via journal under Pursuits tab.

Figure in Blue in Context of Hooded Figures Series

This quest is first in a quartet of hooded figures, each offering fish-based books. Blue yields trading perks near start; Red (Devil’s Spine) gives Nautical Engineering for boat speed; Gold (Stellar Basin) boosts fishing rods; Purple (Twisted Strand) enhances engines.

All share timers—catch ahead, deliver efficiently. Completing them unlocks a robust upgrade path, easing late-game horrors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I complete Figure in Blue after starting other pursuits?

Yes, but prioritize due to the timer. No conflicts with main story.

What if I overfish a school?

Wait a day for respawn or move grids. Dredge simulates depletion realistically.

Is the reward worth the rush?

Absolutely—5% trading buffs pay off quickly in sales volume.

Do mutations count for the quest?

No, deliver normal variants; mutations sell better elsewhere.

Where exactly is M7 on the map?

Southeast tiny island from Little Marrow—zoom in on coastal charts.

Advanced Tips for Pursuit Mastery

Upgrade your encyclopedia via catches to silhouette-match requests. Invest in lights for safe night runs if needed. Pair with lighthouse upgrades for fog vision. These pursuits build boat viability against aberrations.

Community consensus: Start with Blue for easy trading edge, then chain others. Total time investment: 1-2 hours with prep.