ARC Raiders: A First Foothold Quest Guide

A First Foothold marks a turning point in your early ARC Raiders experience. After completing simpler fetch quests and learning the basics, Apollo gives you something more substantial—a multi-objective mission that requires you to travel across The Blue Gate map repairing critical infrastructure.

Unlike quests that send you hunting for specific items like toasters or mechanical components, A First Foothold tests your navigation skills and map awareness. You’ll need to locate and repair four different structures scattered across one of the game’s larger maps.

The good news? You can tackle these objectives in any order you want. The quest doesn’t force a specific sequence, so you can plan an efficient route based on where you spawn or which areas feel safest at the moment.

Table of Contents

Quest Overview: What You’re Actually Doing

Quest giver: Apollo
Map required: The Blue Gate
Number of objectives: 4
Can complete in any order: Yes
PvP risk: Varies by location

The four tasks:

Stabilize the Observation Deck near Ridgeline
Enable the Comms Terminal near Olive Grove
Rotate the Satellite Dishes on the church roof north of Data Vault
Nail Down the Roof Plates on the raider structure near Trapper’s Glade

Each objective involves finding a specific structure and interacting with it to complete repairs. No combat is technically required, but since you’re traversing a PvP-enabled map, encounters are always possible.

Objective 1: Stabilize the Observation Deck (Ridgeline)

Location: Eastern side of The Blue Gate, just below Abandoned Housing Project
Landmark: Damaged observation deck with sliding metal plates
Difficulty: Easy

Finding the Observation Deck

Head to the Ridgeline area on the eastern portion of The Blue Gate map. This is a relatively exposed location on elevated terrain, making it easy to spot from a distance but also leaving you vulnerable to long-range attacks.

What you’re looking for:

A damaged observation platform structure
Metal plates visibly sliding off the framework
Multiple interaction points around the deck

Completing the Repair

Once you arrive, you’ll see several points where you can interact with the damaged structure. Approach any of these interaction points and hold the prompt to begin stabilizing the observation deck.

Quick completion tips:

Check surroundings first – The elevated position makes you visible from multiple angles
Repair quickly – The interaction doesn’t take long, so just get it done
Have an escape route – Know where you’ll go if hostiles approach mid-repair

This is probably the most exposed objective in the entire quest. The Ridgeline’s elevation gives you good visibility, but it cuts both ways—other players can spot you easily too. If you’re learning how to survive in contested areas, treat this as practice for staying alert while completing objectives.

Objective 2: Enable the Comms Terminal (Olive Grove)

Location: Southwest of Ridgeline, near Olive Grove
Landmark: Yellow terminal on a makeshift platform
Difficulty: Easy

Navigating to the Terminal

From the Ridgeline observation deck, travel southwest toward the Olive Grove area. This is a relatively short journey, making these two objectives efficient to complete back-to-back.

Identifying the terminal:

Bright yellow color makes it stand out
Mounted on a constructed platform
Obvious interaction prompt when you approach

Activating the Comms

Walk up to the yellow terminal and interact with it to restore communications. The repair animation is quick—you’ll spend more time getting to the location than actually completing the objective.

Strategic considerations:

Cover is limited – The platform is somewhat exposed
Quick getaway – Flat terrain allows for easy escape if needed
Central location – This spot is roughly midway between several other objectives

The comms terminal objective is straightforward. Unless you run into hostile players or ARCs in the area, you should be in and out within seconds. If you’re completing multiple objectives in one raid, this is a good second or third stop since it’s centrally positioned.

Objective 3: Rotate the Satellite Dishes (Church Roof)

Location: Northernmost area of The Blue Gate, above Data Vault
Landmark: Abandoned church with construction equipment
Difficulty: Medium (requires climbing)

Locating the Church

Head to the northern edge of The Blue Gate map, just above the Data Vault area. The church is hard to miss—it’s one of the more distinctive structures on the map with its traditional architecture contrasting against the industrial ruins.

Spotting the objective:

Large abandoned church building
Construction equipment scattered around the perimeter
Satellite dish visible on the roof

Accessing the Roof

Unlike the previous two objectives which were at ground level, this one requires some vertical movement. Look for the platforms on the sides of the church that allow you to climb up.

Climbing safely:

Use the side platforms – They provide the easiest access route
Watch for campers – Churches often attract players using them as overwatch positions
Listen for footsteps – Audio cues can save your life

Once you’re on the roof, locate the satellite dish and interact with it to calibrate it. The interaction is quick, but being elevated makes you visible from considerable distances.

Why this objective is riskier:

The church’s prominence makes it a known landmark that players use for navigation and tactical positioning. You’re more likely to encounter other raiders here than at the observation deck or comms terminal. Consider checking the Eyes in the Sky quest guide if you need practice with elevated objectives under PvP pressure.

Objective 4: Nail Down the Roof Plates (Raider Structure)

Location: Near Raider’s Refuge, close to Trapper’s Glade
Landmark: Broken structure with red and green flags
Difficulty: Medium (requires climbing, higher player traffic)

Finding the Raider Structure

The final objective takes you to the Raider’s Refuge area, specifically near Trapper’s Glade. This is one of the busier zones on The Blue Gate map since it’s close to extraction points and contains decent loot.

Identifying the structure:

Damaged building with visible roof plates
Red and green flag hoisted on top (key visual identifier)
Makeshift construction around the base

Climbing and Repairing

Scale the structure using the available climbing points. Once you reach the roof, interact with the damaged section to nail down the plates and complete the repair.

High-risk completion area:

Proximity to Raider’s Refuge – Heavy player traffic
Near extraction zones – Players heading in/out increase encounter chances
Limited cover on structure – You’re exposed while climbing

This is arguably the most dangerous objective in A First Foothold simply because of the location. The Raider’s Refuge area sees constant activity, especially during peak hours. Players farming loot, completing quests like Hatch Repairs, or heading to extract all pass through here.

Survival tips for this objective:

Scout before climbing – Spend 30 seconds observing the area
Climb during lulls – If you hear gunfire nearby, wait it out
Have extraction planned – Know your nearest hatch location
Use Safe Pockets – Protect any valuable items you’re carrying

If you’re playing with friends, have one person provide overwatch while another completes the objective.

Optimal Route Planning for A First Foothold

Since you can complete objectives in any order, smart routing saves time and reduces risk. Here are several approaches based on different priorities:

Route 1: Safest Path (Risk-Averse)

Best for solo players or those carrying valuable loot:

Comms Terminal (Olive Grove) – Central, relatively safe
Observation Deck (Ridgeline) – Exposed but quick
Satellite Dishes (Church) – Moderate risk
Roof Plates (Raider’s Refuge) – Highest risk, save for last

Reasoning: Start with lower-risk objectives and work toward the dangerous Raider’s Refuge area last. If you die at the final objective, you’ve still completed most of the quest.

Route 2: Fastest Completion (Time-Efficient)

Best for experienced players wanting quick turnaround:

Observation Deck (Ridgeline) – Eastern spawn point
Comms Terminal (Olive Grove) – Short southwest travel
Roof Plates (Raider’s Refuge) – Continue southwest
Satellite Dishes (Church) – North to finish

Reasoning: Minimizes total travel distance by following a logical geographic progression around the map.

Route 3: High-Value Combo (Multi-Tasking)

Best for players farming multiple objectives:

Combine A First Foothold with other Blue Gate quests like Reduced to Rubble or With a Trace by completing objectives near each other.

Reasoning: Maximizes efficiency by knocking out multiple quest objectives in a single raid.

Recommended Loadout for A First Foothold

This quest doesn’t require combat, so your loadout should prioritize mobility and defense over raw firepower:

Budget Loadout Option

Weapon: Basic rifle or SMG for self-defense
Shield: Ferro or equivalent for protection
Items: Basic healing consumables like mushrooms
Safe Pocket: Use it for any valuable loot you find

Total cost: Minimal, won’t hurt much if you lose it

Free Loadout Consideration

Running completely free gear is viable for this quest since you’re just interacting with objects, not fighting ARCs or players. However, you lose Safe Pocket access, which means any blueprints or rare materials you find are at risk.

The trade-off: Zero financial risk vs. zero item protection

Check our weapon upgrade guide if you’re unsure what constitutes a “good enough” budget weapon for self-defense during quest runs.

Dealing with PvP During Quest Completion

A First Foothold objectives make you vulnerable because you’re stationary during interactions. Here’s how to minimize deaths:

Before Each Objective

Scout the area – Spend 20-30 seconds observing before approaching
Listen for audio cues – Gunfire, footsteps, or vehicle sounds indicate nearby players
Check elevation – Scan rooftops and hills for snipers

During Interactions

Position strategically – Stand where you have cover from at least one direction
Stay alert – Keep your camera moving to watch for approaches
Be ready to abort – If you see hostiles, abandon the interaction and reposition

After Completion

Don’t linger – Move to your next objective or extraction immediately
Vary your routes – Don’t take obvious paths that predictable players use
Use terrain – Stay in cover when possible, avoid open ground

Understanding all shield types helps you choose the right protection for quest runs where you’ll be exposed during interactions.

Quest Rewards: What You’re Working Toward

Successfully completing all four objectives and extracting rewards you with a solid grenade package:

Reward breakdown:

3x Shrapnel Grenades – Area damage, good for clearing grouped enemies
3x Snap Blast Grenades – Quick detonation, useful for aggressive plays
3x Heavy Fuze Grenades – High damage, slower fuse

Why these rewards matter:

Grenades are consumable tools that can turn fights in your favor. Unlike permanent items, you’ll use these up over time, making them valuable but not game-changing rewards. They’re particularly useful for:

Clearing ARC patrol groups when farming resources
PvP engagements where area denial wins fights
Forcing enemies out of cover during contested situations

The variety in grenade types means you have options for different tactical situations. Shrapnel grenades excel at damage, Snap Blasts provide instant impact, and Heavy Fuze grenades deliver maximum destruction with planning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Doing This Quest During Peak Hours

The Blue Gate sees heavy traffic during prime time. If possible, attempt A First Foothold during off-peak hours when fewer players are online. You’ll complete objectives faster with fewer interruptions.

Mistake #2: Not Using Safe Pockets

Even though this is a “repair quest,” you’ll likely stumble upon loot while traveling between objectives. Always use Safe Pockets to protect valuables you find along the way.

Mistake #3: Completing Objectives in Terrible Order

If you start with the Raider’s Refuge objective and die, you’ve wasted your entire raid. Save high-risk objectives for last so you’ve already completed most of the quest if things go wrong.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Extract

This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many players complete all four objectives, then die before extracting and receive zero rewards. The quest only counts as complete after you successfully extract back to Speranza.

Combining with Other Blue Gate Quests

If you’re already heading to The Blue Gate for A First Foothold, consider stacking other objectives to maximize efficiency:

Compatible Quests

Raiders Refuge Cellar Door – Same map, different objectives
Marked for Death – If objectives overlap
A Lay of the Land – Similar objective style

Resource Farming Opportunities

While completing A First Foothold, you’ll pass through areas containing:

Supply drops – Check spawn points along your route
Sentinel Firing Cores – From defeated ARC enemies
Snitch Scanners – Rare tech components

Efficient players knock out multiple objectives per raid rather than making dedicated trips for single quests.

Progression Context: Why Apollo’s Quests Matter

A First Foothold represents Apollo’s investment in rebuilding infrastructure across the maps. Completing his quest chain unlocks additional missions and helps you level up faster through consistent quest XP.

Apollo’s quest line typically includes:

Infrastructure repair missions (like A First Foothold)
Reconnaissance objectives
Territory control tasks

Each completed quest builds your relationship with Apollo, potentially unlocking better rewards in later missions. It’s worth completing these early quests even if the rewards seem modest—they’re building blocks for more substantial content later.

If you’re new to the game, check out our best skills to unlock first to ensure you’re investing skill points wisely while completing these early quests.

Advanced Tips for Repeat Completions

If you’re helping friends complete this quest or running it on alternate characters:

Speed Running Strategies

Memorize exact locations – No more checking maps mid-raid
Optimize spawn selection – Choose spawn points near your first objective
Travel light – Absolutely minimal gear for maximum speed
Skip all combat – Only fight if directly threatened

Teaching New Players

If you’re guiding someone through their first A First Foothold run:

Let them lead – They need to learn navigation
Provide overwatch – Protect them from threats they miss
Share map knowledge – Point out landmarks and safe routes
Explain PvP zones – Teach them which areas are dangerous and why

Veterans helping newcomers should review our complete tips guide to refresh fundamentals you might explain to new players.

What Comes After A First Foothold?

Completing this quest opens up additional content from Apollo and other quest givers. You’ll receive new missions that build on the skills you demonstrated here—navigation, objective completion under pressure, and successful extraction.

Next steps in your progression:

Continue Apollo’s quest chain as new missions unlock
Explore other quest givers like Shani for different mission types
Focus on Workshop upgrades using materials you’ve gathered
Improve your loadouts with better blueprints

A First Foothold teaches you that quest completion isn’t just about following markers—it requires situational awareness, risk assessment, and smart routing. These skills transfer directly to more complex missions later.

Final Thoughts on A First Foothold

This quest serves as a bridge between beginner-friendly missions and more challenging content. It forces you to navigate a full map, manage risk across multiple locations, and extract successfully with your rewards.

Key takeaways:

Complete objectives in any order – Plan efficient routes
Stay alert for PvP – The Blue Gate sees heavy traffic
Use Safe Pockets – Protect loot found during the quest
Extract to complete – Objectives don’t count until you’re back at Speranza
Save Raider’s Refuge for last – Highest risk objective should be final

The grenade rewards you receive set you up nicely for future engagements, whether you’re fighting ARCs or defending yourself against hostile players. Don’t underestimate the value of having quality throwables in your inventory.

Ready to tackle more challenges? Start your journey in ARC Raiders on PlayStation or Xbox today.

Good luck with your infrastructure repairs, Raider!