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06 Numbers and Powers

Arc Raiders Quests: Objectives, Rewards & Progression

Card No. 06·53275 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Arc Raiders quests are structured mission chains that give you specific objectives to complete in each match, and completing them earns you experience, resources, and access to new gear and areas. You accept quests from the in-game terminal, track them in your menu, and progress by fulfilling their objectives during raids. This guide explains how quest objectives, rewards, and the overall progression system work, including how to choose quests and what to do when you get stuck.

What Are Quests in Arc Raiders?

Quests in Arc Raiders are the game’s primary way of guiding your activities during a raid. Unlike pure sandbox extraction shooters where you set your own goals, Arc Raiders gives you explicit tasks that often involve exploring specific locations, collecting items, or eliminating certain enemies. Each quest has a clear objective, a suggested difficulty, and a reward.

Quests are divided into two broad categories:

  • Story quests – these advance the narrative and unlock new areas, characters, and mechanics. They are usually linear and must be completed in order.
  • Side quests – these are optional and often repeatable. They provide extra rewards and are a good way to farm resources or practice specific skills.

You can have multiple quests active at once, but each raid you enter, you’ll want to prioritize which objectives to pursue, because you may not be able to complete everything in a single run.

How to Accept and Track Quests

Before starting a raid, you visit the quest terminal in your hub area. The terminal displays all available quests, their objectives, rewards, and any prerequisites. To accept a quest, simply select it and confirm. You can track up to three quests at a time, and the game will show their objectives on your HUD during the raid.

Once in a raid, you can open your menu to review your active quests. Each objective is listed with a checklist, and the game updates it in real time as you progress. For example, if a quest asks you to collect three power cells, you’ll see a counter that increments each time you pick one up.

If you abandon a quest, it returns to the terminal and you can pick it up again later. There is no penalty for abandoning, but you will lose any progress made toward that quest in the current raid.

How Quest Objectives Work

Quest objectives in Arc Raiders are generally straightforward, but they often require you to go out of your way or take on extra risk. Common objective types include:

  • Collect and deliver – find a certain number of items (e.g., medical supplies, scrap metal) and bring them to an extraction point or a designated drop-off.
  • Eliminate targets – defeat a specific enemy or a number of enemies of a certain type.
  • Explore locations – reach a specific area on the map, often marked by a waypoint.
  • Activate or hack – interact with a terminal, switch, or object in the environment.
  • Survive waves – hold out against enemy attacks for a set duration.

Some objectives have a time limit, while others are tied to the raid’s overall timer. Pay attention to the objective details; if a quest says “within 10 minutes,” you’ll need to move quickly and avoid unnecessary fights.

Objectives can also have multiple stages. For instance, a quest might first ask you to find a keycard, then use that keycard to open a locked room, and finally retrieve a data drive from that room. Each stage updates automatically, and you’ll see a new objective text once the previous one is complete.

Rewards: What You Get and Why It Matters

Completing quests rewards you with several types of progression currencies and items:

  • Experience Points (XP) – this levels up your overall player rank, which unlocks new weapons, gear, and abilities.
  • Credits – the main in-game currency used to buy gear, consumables, and cosmetic items.
  • Materials – crafting components like metal, circuits, and chemicals, used to build and upgrade equipment.
  • Blueprint fragments – collect enough to unlock new weapon and gear blueprints for crafting.

Side quests often give smaller rewards but are repeatable, making them a reliable source of materials and XP. Story quests give larger rewards and sometimes unlock new vendors or facilities in your hub.

The reward for each quest is shown before you accept it, so you can decide whether it’s worth the risk. Higher-difficulty quests generally offer better rewards, but they also put you in more dangerous situations.

Progression: How Quests Feed Into the Bigger Picture

Quest progression in Arc Raiders is tied to your overall progression as a player. There are three main progression tracks:

  1. Player Level – gained through XP from quests, kills, and extractions. Each level gives you a skill point to spend in a talent tree, and unlocks new gear tiers.
  2. Reputation with Factions – some quests are given by different factions (e.g., scavengers, scientists, military). Completing their quests raises your reputation with them, unlocking exclusive items and better prices at their vendors.
  3. Crafting and Base Upgrades – materials from quests let you build new workbenches, storage, and defensive structures in your hub. These upgrades are permanent and give you access to better gear.

Quests are the main source of progression in all three tracks. While you can earn XP and materials by just playing, quests give you focused objectives that accelerate your growth. The game’s endgame content, such as high-difficulty raids and special events, is often locked behind story quest progression.

How to Choose Which Quests to Take

With limited time in each raid, choosing the right quests is key to efficient progression. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Your gear level – if you’re still in low-tier gear, avoid quests that send you into high-level enemy zones. The quest description usually suggests a recommended gear score.
  • Your current goals – if you need materials for a specific blueprint, prioritize quests that reward those materials.
  • Team coordination – if you’re playing with friends, pick quests that are in the same area so you can split up or help each other.
  • Time commitment – some quests require you to traverse the entire map. If you only have 20 minutes, choose a quest near your spawn point.

It’s also wise to keep one story quest active at all times, because they often unlock new features that make the game easier or more interesting. Side quests can be picked up whenever you have spare slots.

Common Problems and How to Overcome Them

Players often run into a few common issues with quests:

  • Objective not updating – if you’ve collected an item or killed an enemy but the counter doesn’t move, try picking up a different item or re-engaging the enemy. Sometimes the game requires specific interact prompts, not just proximity.
  • Quest item lost on death – if you die while carrying a quest item, you may lose it and have to restart the objective. To avoid this, prioritize extraction if you have a quest item, or play cautiously.
  • Can’t find the location – use the waypoint marker, but also look for environmental clues like landmarks, signs, or color-coded doors. If you’re still stuck, watch the terrain for unusual features.
  • Difficulty spike – if a quest feels too hard, consider upgrading your gear first, or team up with other players. You can also abandon the quest and come back later.

If a quest is bugged and won’t complete, try rejoining the raid or restarting the game. In most cases, the issue resolves itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I repeat quests for rewards?

Yes, side quests are repeatable and give the same rewards each time. Story quests, however, are one-time only. If you need more materials, focus on repeatable side quests that match the resource type you need.

Do quests carry over between raids?

No, quest progress resets when you extract or die. You must complete all objectives in a single raid. If you fail, you’ll need to accept the quest again and start over.

Can I have multiple quests active at once?

Yes, you can track up to three quests at a time. You can accept more from the terminal, but only three will show on your HUD. You can switch which ones are tracked from the menu.

What happens if I abandon a quest?

You lose any progress made in that quest and it returns to the terminal. You can pick it up again later, but you’ll start from the first objective.

Do quests affect my extraction rating?

Not directly. Your extraction rating is based on how much loot you extract with. However, completing quests often leads you to valuable loot, so it can indirectly improve your rating.

Are there daily or weekly quests?

Yes, there are daily and weekly quests that rotate. These give bonus rewards and are a good way to earn extra XP and materials. They are usually simple tasks like “extract with 5 items” or “kill 10 enemies.”

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