MMOexp ARC Raiders: The Research Building is east of Marano Park

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If you're ready to keep pushing forward, check out our Arc Raiders quest list and guides for the best skills to ARC Raiders Coins unlock first, helping you build a stronger raider for both early and late-game challenges.

In summary:

The Research Building is east of Marano Park.

Enter from the west side to find the room with a great view.

The seed vault is a cylindrical container near the wall.

Interact to complete the quest - extraction optional.

Head to Northern Station for a quick getaway if you want to survive.

Good luck securing the seeds and making your mark in the Rust Belt. Remember: in Arc Raiders, sometimes the smartest play is knowing when to walk away

The "A First Foothold" quest in Arc Raiders serves as your first major task after unlocking the Blue Gate region, sending you across the rugged landscape to repair equipment and stabilize your foothold in enemy territory. It's a mission that combines exploration, multitasking, and survival - you'll be fixing roof plates, rotating satellite dishes, and stabilizing key infrastructure, all while staying alert for other raiders and ARC enemies roaming the area.

While the quest itself sounds simple, vague objective descriptions and the sprawling map can make it confusing, especially for new players who haven't yet learned Blue Gate's geography. This guide walks you through each of the four objectives, the best order to complete them, and tips for surviving the journey.

Before You Begin: Key Tips

You'll receive "A First Foothold" as soon as you unlock Blue Gate. The map is wide, and the objectives are spread across distant areas - so you don't need to complete everything in a single run. Objectives can be tackled in any order, and progress is saved once you finish each task, even if you extract or die afterward.

If you're playing solo, focus on completing whichever objective spawns closest to your position to minimize travel time. However, if you're in a squad of three, you can save plenty of time by splitting up: send each member toward a separate objective. In Arc Raiders, quest credit is shared, meaning all squadmates receive progress as long as one person finishes a task.

Since Blue Gate can be a high-risk area with plenty of PvP encounters, avoid bringing your best gear. Instead, use a disposable loadout or a free setup so that losing it to another raider won't sting too much.

Objective 1: Stabilize the Observation Deck Near the Ridgeline

The Observation Deck objective lies on the far east side of Blue Gate. To find it easily, open your map and place a marker roughly at the end of the word "Ridgeline."

When you arrive, you'll come across a small shelter-like structure surrounded by metallic panels. Interact with these panels to stabilize the observation deck. Be cautious while working here - the open landscape makes this location an easy target for snipers or ambushers.

Tip: Bring cover tools or smoke grenades to obscure your position if you're playing in a high-population instance.

Objective 2: Enable the Comms Terminal Near the Olive Grove

Next, head between Olive Grove and Highway Collapse. The comms terminal is located on a slope overlooking the highway, distinguishable by its bright yellow computer terminal.

This area is often contested - Olive Grove is a popular farming location where players train their Scrappy companion, so expect other raiders nearby. Approach from higher ground if possible to get a line of sight before committing.

Interact with the terminal to enable communications. Once done, it'll transmit a signal confirming your progress for the quest.

Tip: Don't linger here. Olive Grove's open sightlines make it easy for snipers or aggressive players to catch you off guard.

Objective 3: Rotate the Satellite Dishes on the Church Roof (North of the Data Vault)

For this objective, head northwest of the Data Vault and directly west of Pilgrim's Peak. You're looking for a small, dilapidated church surrounded by crates and scaffolding.

Circle around to the back of the building to find a way up using the scaffolding. Once you reach the roof, interact with the satellite dishes to rotate them and restore their signal.

After completing the rotation, get off the roof quickly - the elevated position makes you highly visible to enemies and other players.

Tip: Bring a mid-range or sniper weapon for protection while climbing; enemies sometimes patrol nearby, and PvP players often camp this area.

Objective 4: Nail Down the Roof Plates Near Trapper's Glade

The final objective is located south of Trapper's Glade, right below the text label on your map. The area sits within a wooded section of the map, marked by a small shack with loose sheet metal on the roof.

Interact with the roof panels to secure them and complete the repair. Since this area lies near several named landmarks, it's a common spawn and travel route for other players - keep an eye on your radar and listen for footsteps.

Tip: Use stealth to your advantage. The trees around Trapper's Glade provide good cover for cheap ARCR Coins sneaky approaches and quick getaways.