The Gears of War: E-Day open beta is live and handing out a selection of free cosmetic rewards and account titles for players who complete specific challenges. These items give early participants a way to stand out once the full game launches and provide clear goals beyond simply testing the multiplayer modes.
All of the listed rewards are earned by finishing in-game challenges. Some require only basic participation while others ask for more focused play across a set number of matches. None of the rewards appear to be time-gated beyond the beta window itself, so players can work through the list at their own pace before the test ends.
Here is a quick look at the rewards you can get thanks to a nice graphic from the official announcement:
Gears Of War: E-Day Open Beta Rewards And How To Get Them:
- Epic Blast Damage Mags Character Skin – Hit Player Level 20
- Rare Crush the Bug Weapon Skin Set – Extract from Horde Siege 8 Times on Infantry difficulty or higher.
- Crush the Bug Banner – Get 25 Headshots
- Crush the Bug Emblem – Perform 10 Revives
- Crush the Bug Icon – Perform 5 Prototype Lancer Chainsaw Executions
- Open Beta Medal & First in the Fight Title – Launch the Multiplayer Beta
The easiest reward requires almost no effort. Simply launching the multiplayer beta unlocks the Open Beta Medal and the First in the Fight title. Anyone who loads into the game and reaches the multiplayer menu should receive both items automatically. This serves as a participation badge for everyone who tried the beta.
Combat-focused challenges make up most of the remaining list. Landing 25 headshots unlocks the Crush the Bug Banner. Headshots can be earned in either 4v4 Versus matches or during Horde Siege sessions, so players can grind them in whichever mode they prefer. Consistent aim and prioritising head-level targets will clear this one relatively quickly.
Performing 10 revives grants the Crush the Bug Emblem. Revives are more common in Horde Siege, where teammates go down frequently under pressure from waves of enemies. Staying near downed allies and using the revive prompt whenever it is safe will push the counter forward. Versus matches also allow revives, though the faster pace and smaller team size make them less frequent.
The Crush the Bug Icon requires five Prototype Lancer chainsaw executions. The Prototype Lancer is one of the signature weapons available in the beta. To perform a chainsaw execution, players must get close to a weakened enemy and activate the execution prompt. These can be completed in both PvP and PvE modes, though the higher enemy density in Horde Siege usually provides more opportunities.
A more involved challenge unlocks the Rare Crush the Bug Weapon Skin Set. Players must successfully extract from Horde Siege eight times on Infantry difficulty or higher. Extraction means completing the full run and reaching the extraction point with at least some of the team still alive. Infantry is the baseline difficulty, so any successful clear on that setting or above counts. This reward encourages repeated play in the 12-player cooperative mode and rewards consistent performance rather than a single lucky run.
The highest-tier reward on the current list is the Epic Blast Damage Mags Character Skin. It unlocks when a player reaches account level 20. Leveling comes from playing matches, completing challenges, and earning experience through normal multiplayer activity. Most players who spend several hours across both Versus and Horde Siege should hit level 20 before the beta closes, though the exact pace depends on how efficiently experience is earned in each mode.
These rewards are tied to the open beta period and are designed to give participants something tangible to carry forward. Character skins, weapon skins, banners, emblems, icons, medals, and titles all help personalise a player’s profile and loadout. Because the challenges mix easy participation goals with more demanding combat and extraction requirements, both casual and dedicated players have a realistic path to collecting most or all of the items.
Horde Siege appears to be the most efficient place to complete several of the challenges at once. The mode’s longer sessions, higher enemy counts, and revive-heavy gameplay naturally contribute progress toward headshots, executions, revives, and the eight successful extractions. Versus matches remain useful for faster leveling and pure PvP headshot practice.
Players who want the full set should prioritise reaching level 20 while steadily working on the combat counters and the Horde Siege extraction requirement. Tracking progress inside the beta’s challenge menu makes it clear which tasks still need attention. None of the challenges appear to require specific maps or limited-time conditions beyond the difficulty rating for extractions.
The open beta rewards give The Coalition a way to thank players for testing the multiplayer systems and generating data before launch. For participants, they offer a straightforward checklist of free cosmetics and recognition items that can be earned through normal play. With the beta window limited, the most efficient approach is to focus on Horde Siege for volume challenges while using Versus matches to top up experience and headshots.
Every reward currently available in the Gears of War: E-Day open beta can be unlocked by completing the listed challenges. Launch the beta for the medal and title, land headshots and executions, revive teammates, extract from Horde Siege eight times on Infantry or higher, and reach level 20 for the epic character skin. Players who work through the full list will leave the beta with a complete set of exclusive early unlocks.
What are you waiting for? Drop in and start curb stomping some locust scum! Stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more updates.