Ingress is a game built on exploration, and for many players, the ultimate goal is completing mission mosaics. These mosaics, often called banners, are series of individual missions designed to create a single large image in a player’s profile. Finding these missions requires a bit of planning, as they are scattered across cities and landmarks worldwide. This guide will help you locate the best banners, plan your route, and successfully complete these visual achievements.
Understanding Ingress Mission Mosaics
A mission mosaic is a collection of missions, usually in multiples of six, that form a cohesive picture when viewed on your Ingress scanner profile. Because the profile displays missions in rows of six, creators design banners to fit this grid. For example, a 12-mission banner will create two rows of a single image.
These missions are created by the community and often highlight the history, art, or architecture of a specific area. Unlike standard missions, mosaics must be completed in a specific order to ensure the image displays correctly. If you do one mission out of sequence, the final image in your profile will look scrambled or incomplete.
The Best Tools for Finding Mosaics
Since the official Ingress scanner only shows nearby missions, players rely on community-driven tools to find large-scale banners. These tools allow you to search by city, country, or keyword to find a design that interests you. Using these maps is the most efficient way to see how many missions are in a set and where they begin.
Using Bannergress
Currently, the most popular and reliable tool for finding mosaics is a community website called Bannergress. This platform allows users to upload mission details, images, and locations. It provides a visual map where you can browse banners globally.
- Search by Location: Enter a city name to see all registered banners in that area.
- Preview the Image: See exactly what the final mosaic will look like in your profile.
- Check Mission Status: Users often flag missions that are broken or have portals that are no longer accessible.
- Distance Estimates: Many listings show the total walking or driving distance required to finish the set.
The Ingress Intel Map
The official Ingress Intel Map is another essential tool. While it doesn’t specifically categorize mosaics, it allows you to see every portal and mission in a given area. By zooming into a specific park or downtown district, you can see the start points for various missions.
To find missions on the Intel map, you can use the mission filter. This is helpful if you are already in a city and want to verify if a specific portal is part of a larger series. However, for large-scale planning, community-run databases remain the superior choice for visual clarity.
Planning Your Mission Route
Completing a mosaic is a commitment of time and energy. Some banners consist of only six missions and can be finished in an hour, while others may have 60 or more missions and take several days to complete. Proper preparation is the key to a successful “banner day.”
Check Portal Accessibility
Before you travel, verify that the portals in the mission are accessible. Some missions include portals located inside parks that close at night, or on university campuses with restricted access. If a single portal in a 24-part mission is behind a locked gate, you won’t be able to finish the image.
Verify the Sequence
Most mosaics are “sequential,” meaning you must do part one, then part two, and so on. Always check the mission description in the scanner. If you accidentally start part five before part four, you will have to redo the entire banner or live with a broken image in your profile. Many players use a checklist or a note-taking app to keep track of their progress.
Logistics and Gear
Missions can be physically demanding. If you are planning a long walking banner, ensure you have the following:
- External Battery: Ingress is notorious for draining phone batteries. A high-capacity power bank is mandatory.
- Comfortable Footwear: You may end up walking 10 to 15 miles for a large mosaic.
- Weather Awareness: Check the forecast. Many mosaics are in open areas with little cover from rain or sun.
- Data and Signal: Ensure the area has decent cellular coverage. If you lose signal mid-mission, you may not be able to hack the required portals.
Tips for a Successful Completion
Once you are on the ground, there are a few strategies to make the process smoother. First, always read the mission requirements. Some missions require you to “Hack” a portal, while others might require you to “Capture or Upgrade” or “Enter a Passphrase.”
If a mission requires a passphrase, these are usually found on physical plaques or signs at the portal location. If you are stuck, local community chats on platforms like Telegram or Discord can be invaluable. Most regions have a dedicated Ingress community that is happy to help visitors find answers to mission clues.
Managing Your Inventory
Missions often require you to hack many portals in a short amount of time. This can quickly fill your inventory. Periodically check your item count and recycle low-level resonators or items you don’t need to ensure you have space for the mission-critical hacks. If your inventory is full, the scanner may not register the hack required to progress the mission.
What to Do if a Mission is Broken
Occasionally, you may encounter a “broken” mission. This happens when a portal has been removed from the game but the mission hasn’t been updated by the creator. If this happens, you can try to contact the mission author through the game’s comms system. In some cases, Niantic (the game developer) automatically removes missions with deleted portals, but there can be a delay.
If you find a broken mission, it is helpful to report it on community sites like Bannergress. This warns other players so they don’t waste time and effort on an unfinishable mosaic. Most players prefer to know a banner is broken before they travel to a new city to attempt it.
The Reward of the Mosaic
The primary reward for completing a mosaic is the visual satisfaction of seeing a beautiful piece of art on your profile page. It serves as a digital scrapbook of your travels and your dedication to the game. Many players take pride in having rows of completed banners from different countries or famous landmarks.
Beyond the aesthetics, mission mosaics are a fantastic way to see a new city. Creators often design these routes to take you past hidden gems, local street art, and historical markers that you might otherwise miss. It turns a standard walk into a curated tour of the environment.
Whether you are a casual player looking for a small six-piece set or a dedicated explorer aiming for a massive 100-mission masterpiece, finding and completing mosaics is one of the most rewarding ways to play Ingress. By using community tools and planning ahead, you can ensure your profile stays organized and your adventures remain memorable. Exploring the world one portal at a time is what makes the game unique, and mosaics are the perfect way to track that journey.