You’re out in the scorching heat of the desert, your tank’s engine is whining, and suddenly you hit a wall. Not a literal wall, but a quest phase that feels like a slap in the face. If you've been playing Sand Land, the action RPG based on the late Akira Toriyama’s manga, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. The quest "Expedition 33: Aiding the Enemy" has become a flashpoint for players who just want to get through the Forest Land arc without losing their minds. Honestly, it’s one of those missions where the title itself feels like a personal jab at your patience.
What is Expedition 33 Aiding the Enemy anyway?
Basically, this is a side quest that pops up later in the game. It’s not just a "go here, kill that" kind of deal. You’re tasked with helping out some soldiers who, under normal circumstances, would be trying to blow your tank to smithereens. The irony of Expedition 33 aiding the enemy isn't lost on the protagonist, Beelzebub, but the gameplay loop here is what really catches people off guard. It requires a mix of exploration, specific item gathering, and navigating the verticality of the map that Sand Land doesn't always explain well.
Most players stumble into this while trying to clear out their quest log before the final push. You’ll find yourself in a position where you have to provide supplies or assistance to the very people who’ve been a thorn in your side. It's a classic Toriyama-style narrative beat—revolving around the idea that even enemies have needs, and sometimes, the "demon" is more human than the humans. But from a pure gaming perspective? It’s a logistical hurdle.
The Problem with the Location
The map in Sand Land is huge. It's beautiful, sure, but it's also filled with nooks and crannies that the mini-map doesn't always do justice. When you're tracking Expedition 33, you aren't just looking for a golden marker. You're looking for a specific group of NPCs tucked away in a corner of the map that feels intentionally designed to be missed.
I’ve seen dozens of threads where people are just driving their Jump-Bot in circles. They’re looking for a path up a cliffside that looks like a texture glitch but is actually the intended route. If you don't have the right vehicle parts—specifically high-end suspension or a Jump-Bot with decent verticality—you’re going to have a rough time.
Why the "Enemy" Needs Your Help
In the context of the game's lore, the world is dying. Water is the ultimate currency. Expedition 33 aiding the enemy forces you to confront the fact that the grunts on the ground are often just as desperate as the wastelanders. You’re asked to fetch specific resources. Sometimes it’s mechanical parts, other times it’s basic survival gear.
What makes it tricky is the "Aiding" part. You’re not just dropping off a package. You often have to defend the location or clear out local wildlife that has pinned these soldiers down. The difficulty spike here is real. If you’ve been coasting through the main story, the desert raptors or the heavy machinery you face during this quest will punish you. Hard.
💡 You might also like: How the Lego Fortnite Battle Bus Station Actually Works
Mechanics You Might Be Ignoring
- Vehicle Swapping: You can't just stick to the tank. The Jump-Bot is essential for the terrain surrounding this quest.
- The Hunger/Thirst Factor: While not a hardcore survival sim, the quest's length means you need to be topped off on heals.
- Part Synergy: If your engine is underpowered, the trek to the quest start point takes forever.
Seriously, upgrade your engine before you even attempt this. The distance between the nearest fast-travel point and the actual quest objective is annoying. It’s one of those "hidden" difficulty spikes where the game tests your willingness to engage with the crafting system rather than just your combat skills.
Common Pitfalls in Expedition 33
The biggest mistake? Thinking the quest is glitched. It’s usually not. Most of the time, when players report that Expedition 33 aiding the enemy won’t progress, it’s because they missed a tiny interaction prompt or haven't cleared a specific group of mobs nearby. The game's AI can sometimes tether enemies to a rock or a bush, and if one raptor is stuck 50 yards away, the quest won't "complete" the defense phase.
Another thing is the inventory. If you need to hand over specific items, make sure they aren't currently equipped or earmarked for another upgrade. It sounds stupid, but the UI can be a bit clunky when it comes to quest items versus crafting materials.
The Narrative Payoff
Is it worth the headache? Kinda. If you’re a completionist, you need it for the achievement/trophy. But more than that, it fleshes out the world. Sand Land is at its best when it shows the gray areas of its post-apocalyptic society. Helping these soldiers gives you a bit of dialogue that changes how you view the "Enemy" forces later in the game. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
The rewards aren't game-breaking, but the experience points are solid. You get some rare materials that are a pain to farm elsewhere. Honestly, though, most people do it just to get that icon off the map. It’s a lingering reminder of a debt unpaid.
How to Finish It Without Raging
- Check your Jump-Bot. If you haven't upgraded its jump height, do it now.
- Clear the perimeter. Before talking to the NPCs, scout the immediate 100-meter radius for any straggler enemies.
- Save before the final hand-off. There have been rare reports of the quest script hanging if a cutscene triggers while you're taking damage.
Aiding the Enemy in the Grand Scheme
In the broader scope of Sand Land, quests like this serve as "pacing breaks." They slow you down. They force you to look at the environment. While Expedition 33 aiding the enemy might feel like busywork, it’s actually a test of your mastery over the game’s various systems. You have to navigate, fight, and manage resources all in one go.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Star Wars Outlaws Waterfall Stash Without Losing Your Mind
Don't let the name fool you into thinking it's an optional moral choice. This isn't Mass Effect. You don't get a "renegade" option to just leave them to rot—well, you can, but then you don't get the rewards. Just suck it up, help the bad guys, and take their loot. It's the wasteland way.
Next Steps for Players
To efficiently clear this quest, start by heading to the Spire Lookout and upgrading your Jump-Bot's legs to at least Level 3. This allows you to bypass the treacherous winding paths and jump directly to the plateau where the expedition is stranded. Once there, ensure your Battle Tank is equipped with an Auto-Loader chip, as the incoming waves of desert predators come fast and from multiple angles. After the quest clears, immediately fast-travel to Spina to turn in the gathered materials for the high-end armor plating blueprint, which is the actual "hidden" reward for your trouble.