If your mission log in ARC Raiders looks as complex as the machines you face, you’re not alone. The game’s quest system includes dozens of missions that reward gear, blueprints, cosmetics, and progression tools — but it has nowhere near the clarity you’d expect in‑game. This guide breaks down how quests really work, details every new quest added in the Headwinds update (Patch 1.13.0), and gives you pro tips and strategies to progress quickly and efficiently.
π§ How ARC Raiders Quests Really Work
Before you jump into objectives, understand three core systems that define questing:
π Expedition Resets – Be Prepared
When you start a new Expedition, your quest progress resets. This means even partially completed quests must be redone from scratch each cycle. That makes quest timing and prioritization critical — don’t chase long quest chains you won’t finish before the Expedition ends.
π “In One Round” Requirements
Some quests require you to complete all objectives in a single successful raid (no deaths or early extracts). These can be especially tough when map threats or enemy density work against you — they demand careful loadouts and survival focus before engagement.
π The Quest Economy
Quests do not give XP directly, but they’re one of the best ways to unlock:
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Key gear and backpacks
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Shield and weapon blueprints
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Rare cosmetics and outfits
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Items that help you tackle harder raids
They help you progress gear power more than player level, so they’re essential.
π Headwinds Update (Patch 1.13.0) Quests — What’s New
With the Headwinds update, ARC Raiders added seven new quests that expand the mission tree and introduce varied objectives across maps.
| Quest Name | Quest Giver | Key Objective | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Recon | Shani | Scout spots & collect Spotter Relay | Outfit + fireworks |
| A Prime Specimen | Shani | Interact & loot an ARC Deforester | Gear/Blueprint mix |
| On Deaf Ears | Shani | (Hidden/log interaction) | Mix rewards |
| The League | Apollo | Sports themed tasks (photography & item retrieval) | Color scheme |
| With A View | Shani | Use encoder on Stella Montis controls | High‑tier loot |
| On the Map | Various | Location exploration | Diverse rewards |
| Bombing Run | Various | Heavy target engagement | Combat rewards |
| Movie Night | Various | Shredder encounter mission | Special gear |
Note: Quest names and objectives above are based on community tracking and official guides — consult the full list for in‑depth steps.
π₯ New Quest Walkthroughs (Headwinds Highlights)
π― Combat Recon
This quest sends you all over Buried City to scout specific vantage points and collect a Spotter Relay dropped by Spotter drones tied to Bombardier enemies. Locations include:
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Main Street (Plaza Rosa attic)
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Parking Garage rooftop
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Marano Park bus rear
Combat Recon doesn’t require all steps in one run, but finishing at Marano Park often gives easier extractions due to metro access.
π§ͺ A Prime Specimen
One of the trickiest new tasks, you must:
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Acquire two ARC Powercells (common drops).
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Interact with an ARC Deforester on Blue Gate.
Watch out — many players report interaction bugs, so retrying the action or relocating and trying again often helps.
⚽ The League
A lighter, fun quest involving photography and exploration:
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πΈ Take pictures at kiosks in Buried City
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π§ Collect a Bicycle Pump
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π Retrieve a Deflated Football
This quest rewards a unique costume color scheme (e.g., Faded Flush).
πΊ With A View
This Stella Montis quest pushes you to find rare Exodus tier items:
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Rotary Encoder
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Ion Sputter
These are typically found in high‑loot rooms like Assembly Workshops and control rooms. Matching the Encoder with control room switches is essential before extracting with the Sputter later. (Community guides show paths but vary by loot RNG.)
π§ Full Quest List & Progression Tips
There’s a large, fixed list of quests you’ll complete over time, covering various objectives from scavenging to defeating ARC enemies and solving location riddles. Players confirm this list tops out around ~72 quests total, and quests don’t respawn — you unlock and complete them once per Expedition cycle.
Because this list is long, consider grouping quests by map and difficulty:
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Stella Montis quests for high‑tier loot and exploration.
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Buried City quests for urban objectives and ARC hunting.
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Blue Gate quests for coded interactions and engagement.
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Dam Battlegrounds quests for outdoor, dynamic combat.
This saves time by completing related objectives in as few runs as possible.
π§ Pro Tips for Efficient Questing
1. Sequence Your Expeditions
Start quests that are easy to combine with other tasks on your route that day — don’t chase one quest in isolation across multiple fast deaths.
2. Prioritize “In One Round” Tasks Early
Do these when your build is strong and you’re confident in survival, because failure resets progress.
3. Use Map Tools
Open the in‑game map and zoom in when objectives require hidden room finds or specific interactions — knowing where yellow markers are helps avoid aimless searching.
π Notable Quest Rewards
Quests award a wide range of gear and cosmetics, from backpacks and shields to weapon blueprints and outfits. Here are examples of valuable quest rewards you’ll want to track:
| Quest | Reward |
|---|---|
| Picking Up the Pieces | Rattler III SMG + ammo |
| Clearer Skies | Backpack + Light Shield |
| The Trifecta | Dam Control Tower Key + cosmetic |
| Industrial Espionage | Burletta Blueprint |
| A Reveal in Ruins | Tactical Mk.3 Augment |
| A Symbol of Unification | Aviator Outfit |
These show how quest rewards vary from functional gear to cosmetic items that stand out visually.
π Common Quest Issues & Community Notes
Many players note that new quests sometimes feel glitchy (especially On Deaf Ears and A Prime Specimen), requiring retries or restarts — frustrating but part of the challenge until patches refine them.
Meanwhile, community sentiment on quests is mixed — some find them tedious or “boring,” while others appreciate the structure they give progression.
π Final Advice
ARC Raiders quests are a cornerstone of progression, giving you gear, blueprints, and goals to keep you moving forward through each Expedition — even as reset mechanics make timing important. By balancing quest goals, grouping runs by map, and using these walkthrough insights, you’ll save time and frustration.
π Next recommended reads:
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