The quest A First Foothold in ARC Raiders serves as an expansive tour across the hazardous Blue Gate map. Assigned by Apollo back at Speranza, this mission challenges players to traverse all four corners of the region to perform maintenance on key field infrastructure. Completing these objectives equips players with a better understanding of the terrain while unlocking valuable explosive rewards for future raids.
Unlocking the Mission and Preparing for the Map
To access A First Foothold, players must first unlock the Blue Gate map by completing eighteen raids across other available regions. Once this requirement is met, Apollo will offer the mission at Speranza. Because extraction is not required for quest progress to save, players can safely attempt these tasks using free or low-cost loadouts.
Attempting to clear all four objectives in a single drop can be extremely dangerous due to hostile ARC patrols and rival players. Splitting the mission across two or more runs based on your initial spawn point is highly recommended for survival. Bringing proper utility and staying vigilant in high-traffic zones will ensure a much smoother experience.
Visiting Ridgeline and Olive Grove
The first task involves traveling to the far eastern edge of the map to stabilize the observation deck near Ridgeline. Located along the outer perimeter, this area tends to be relatively quiet and safe from major enemy threats. Players simply need to approach the metal platform deck and interact with the prompt to register progress.
Next, head down to the southern section of Blue Gate toward the Olive Grove. The comms terminal rests on an exposed wooden platform located just off the main road behind a line of trees. Interact with the computer on the platform to complete the second objective before moving toward the northern points.
Navigating the Data Vault Church and Trapper's Glade
For the third task, make your way to the ruined church perched atop the mountains directly north of the Data Vault. To reach the satellite dishes, climb the scaffolding and wooden boxes located on the side of the church building. Interacting with the dish on the roof completes this step while giving you a strong vantage point over the valley.
The final objective sits in the western region near Trapper's Glade, an area heavily patrolled by dangerous ARC machinery like the Bombardier. Search the dense trees for a small, single-story square structure with antenna equipment on top. Climb onto the roof of this shack and nail down the loose plates to finish the last step of the quest.
Mission Rewards and Final Turn-In
Once all four objectives are completed top-side, you do not need to worry about losing your quest progress if you fail to extract. Returning to Speranza allows you to turn in the completed quest directly to Apollo. As a reward for your efforts, Apollo bestows a hefty supply of explosive gear.
Players receive three Shrapnel Grenades, three Snap Blast Grenades, and three Heavy Fuze Grenades upon completion. These heavy explosives provide critical firepower for breaching armored ARC targets in subsequent high-tier raids. Completing A First Foothold establishes a strong foundation for conquering the rest of Blue Gate's secrets.
