diff --git a/src/defs.h b/src/defs.h
index f00f2a7..72f041a 100644
--- a/src/defs.h
+++ b/src/defs.h
@@ -337,6 +337,7 @@ enum
 	STAT_PERCENT_COMPLETE,
 	STAT_MISSIONS_STARTED,
 	STAT_MISSIONS_COMPLETED,
+	STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED,
 	STAT_CHALLENGES_STARTED,
 	STAT_CHALLENGES_COMPLETED,
 	STAT_SHOTS_FIRED,
diff --git a/src/galaxy/galacticMap.c b/src/galaxy/galacticMap.c
index c086eee..88469b3 100644
--- a/src/galaxy/galacticMap.c
+++ b/src/galaxy/galacticMap.c
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ static void drawStarSystemDetail(void)
 	{
 		drawText(525, SCREEN_HEIGHT - 95, 18, TA_LEFT, colors.yellow, _("Note: this is an epic mission."));
 	}
-	else if (selectedStarSystem->side == SIDE_PANDORAN)
+	else if (game.currentMission->isOptional)
 	{
 		drawText(525, SCREEN_HEIGHT - 95, 18, TA_LEFT, colors.cyan, _("Note: this is an optional mission."));
 	}
diff --git a/src/galaxy/mission.c b/src/galaxy/mission.c
index 6ebb636..8d22092 100644
--- a/src/galaxy/mission.c
+++ b/src/galaxy/mission.c
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ Mission *loadMissionMeta(char *filename)
 		STRNCPY(mission->filename, filename, MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH);
 
 		mission->requires = getJSONValue(root, "requires", 0);
-
+		
+		mission->isOptional = getJSONValue(root, "isOptional", 0);
+		mission->requiresOptional = getJSONValue(root, "requiresOptional", 0);
+		
 		if (cJSON_GetObjectItem(root, "epic"))
 		{
 			mission->epic = 1;
@@ -256,6 +259,11 @@ void completeMission(void)
 		selectWidget("continue", "battleWon");
 
 		game.stats[STAT_MISSIONS_COMPLETED]++;
+		
+		if (game.currentMission->isOptional)
+		{
+			game.stats[STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED]++;	
+		}
 
 		completeConditions();
 
@@ -448,7 +456,7 @@ void updateAllMissions(void)
 
 int isMissionAvailable(Mission *mission, Mission *prev)
 {
-	return (prev->completed && mission->requires <= game.completedMissions) || dev.debug;
+	return (prev->completed && mission->requires <= game.completedMissions && game.stats[STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED] >= mission->requiresOptional) || dev.debug;
 }
 
 static unsigned long hashcode(const char *str)
diff --git a/src/game/stats.c b/src/game/stats.c
index 930e4e9..671162d 100644
--- a/src/game/stats.c
+++ b/src/game/stats.c
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ void initStats(void)
 	statDescription[STAT_PERCENT_COMPLETE] = _("Percent Complete");
 	statDescription[STAT_MISSIONS_STARTED] = _("Missions Started");
 	statDescription[STAT_MISSIONS_COMPLETED] = _("Missons Completed");
+	statDescription[STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED] = _("Optional Missions Completed");
 	statDescription[STAT_CHALLENGES_STARTED] = _("Challenges Started");
 	statDescription[STAT_CHALLENGES_COMPLETED] = _("Challenges Completed");
 	statDescription[STAT_SHOTS_FIRED] = _("Shots Fired");
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 52e10f1..70cbcf1 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ struct Mission {
 	char description[MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH];
 	char filename[MAX_DESCRIPTION_LENGTH];
 	int requires;
+	int requiresOptional;
 	char pilot[MAX_NAME_LENGTH];
 	char squadron[MAX_NAME_LENGTH];
 	char craft[MAX_NAME_LENGTH];
@@ -282,6 +283,7 @@ struct Mission {
 	int completedChallenges;
 	int totalChallenges;
 	int epic;
+	int isOptional;
 	ChallengeData challengeData;
 	SDL_Rect rect;
 	Mission *next;
diff --git a/src/system/lookup.c b/src/system/lookup.c
index da8210b..5c94fad 100644
--- a/src/system/lookup.c
+++ b/src/system/lookup.c
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ void initLookups(void)
 	addLookup("TT_PLAYER_ESCAPED", TT_PLAYER_ESCAPED);
 	addLookup("TT_ITEM", TT_ITEM);
 	addLookup("TT_STOLEN", TT_STOLEN);
+	addLookup("TT_MISC", TT_MISC);
 
 	addLookup("WT_BUTTON", WT_BUTTON);
 	addLookup("WT_SELECT", WT_SELECT);
@@ -155,6 +156,7 @@ void initLookups(void)
 	addLookup("STAT_PERCENT_COMPLETE", STAT_PERCENT_COMPLETE);
 	addLookup("STAT_MISSIONS_STARTED", STAT_MISSIONS_STARTED);
 	addLookup("STAT_MISSIONS_COMPLETED", STAT_MISSIONS_COMPLETED);
+	addLookup("STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED", STAT_OPTIONAL_COMPLETED);
 	addLookup("STAT_CHALLENGES_STARTED", STAT_CHALLENGES_STARTED);
 	addLookup("STAT_CHALLENGES_COMPLETED", STAT_CHALLENGES_COMPLETED);
 	addLookup("STAT_SHOTS_FIRED", STAT_SHOTS_FIRED);