ARC Raiders Quest Guide: How Many Quests Are There?

Quick Takeaways / At-A-Glance

• Total Launch/Early Access Quests: Approximately 45 to 50 hand-crafted progression quests (divided between Core Directives and Vendor Contracts).
• Repeatable Quests: Unlimited Daily and Weekly Assignments that refresh constantly to provide materials and Speranza reputation.
• Quest Types: Core Directives (Campaign/Progression), Vendor Contracts (Faction-specific unlocks), and Daily/Weekly Bounties.
• Key Progression Mechanic: Completing quests directly upgrades your Speranza vendors, unlocking high-tier gear crafting and essential inventory expansions.
• Survival Warning: Progress on item-retrieval quests is completely lost if you die before extracting, whereas kill-based and activation-based quest steps persist across runs.

Complete Overview and Search Intent

In Embark Studios' highly anticipated extraction shooter, ARC Raiders, quests are not merely optional side activities; they are the primary engine of your progression. Set against the backdrop of a desolate, machine-ravaged Earth, your survival depends on your standing within the underground enclave of Speranza. To climb the ranks and access the game's most powerful gear, you must understand the structure, volume, and mechanics of the quest system.

When players search for "how many quests are in ARC Raiders," they are usually looking for more than a simple number. They want to know how the progression loop is structured, how long it takes to complete the main campaign directives, and how to optimize their runs to complete multiple objectives simultaneously. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the entire quest ecosystem, detailing the exact types of quests you will encounter, how they impact your character's power level, and how to survive the harsh surface world while completing them.

Deep Dive Mechanics and Technical Specs

To navigate the quest system in ARC Raiders effectively, you must understand the distinction between the three primary tiers of quests: Core Directives, Vendor Contracts, and Tactical Assignments.

Core Directives

These are the narrative-driven main quests of ARC Raiders. They guide you through the lore of Speranza, introduce you to the major factions, and force you into increasingly dangerous zones on the surface.

• Total Count: 12 to 15 major progression milestones.
• Function: Unlocks new areas of the map, introduces new vendors in Speranza, and serves as the gatekeeper for high-tier crafting stations.

Vendor Contracts

These are faction-specific quests offered by the resident merchants and specialists of Speranza. Each vendor has their own questline that reflects their role in the colony. For example, the Quartermaster will task you with combat-heavy objectives, while the Medic focuses on biological recovery and chemical extraction.

• Total Count: 30 to 35 unique contracts across all vendors.
• Function: Increases your Reputation Level with individual vendors, which in turn unlocks advanced blueprints, rare modifications, and discounts on basic gear.

Tactical Assignments (Dailies & Weeklies)

To ensure players always have objectives to pursue, ARC Raiders features a rotating system of daily and weekly assignments. These are repeatable, bite-sized challenges.

• Total Count: Infinite/Rotating.
• Function: Provides a steady stream of currency, crafting components, and baseline experience points.

The Extraction Quest Loop

Unlike traditional role-playing games, completing a quest in ARC Raiders requires tactical execution. If a quest asks you to retrieve physical items from the surface, you must extract alive with those items in your inventory. If you are eliminated by ARC machines or rival Raiders before reaching an extraction point, any quest items in your backpack are lost, forcing you to re-run the objective. However, abstract objectives—such as uploading data at a terminal, scanning a specific machine, or defeating a set number of enemies—are registered instantly and persist even if you fail to extract.

Comprehensive Data Comparison Table

Below is a detailed breakdown of the different quest givers in Speranza, their typical quest counts, the focus of their objectives, and the unique rewards they offer.

Step-by-Step Tactical Walkthrough

To make rapid progress through the ~45+ quests in ARC Raiders, you must master the art of "Quest Stacking." Deploying to the surface for a single objective is highly inefficient and increases your exposure to danger. Follow this tactical workflow to maximize your efficiency:

Step One: The Speranza Prep Phase

Before launching any raid, visit every vendor in Speranza. Check your active Core Directives and Vendor Contracts. Your goal is to select up to three active quests that share geographical proximity or mechanical synergy. For example, if Sophia requires you to salvage mechanical parts from the Ruins, and Garrick wants you to eliminate ARC drones in the same sector, stack these quests together.

Step Two: Route Planning

Once you drop onto the map, open your tactical interface immediately. Identify the quest zones for your active objectives. Map out a path that minimizes exposure in wide-open fields. Look for natural cover, trench systems, and ruined structures. Always plan your route toward an active extraction point, ensuring you have a clear path to safety once your objectives are complete.

Step Three: Objective Execution

When entering a quest zone, prioritize stealth. Observe the patrol patterns of the ARC units. If your quest requires item retrieval, search the designated loot containers quickly and transfer the quest items to your secure pouch if space permits. If the items must reside in your main backpack, prepare to play defensively for the remainder of the raid.

Step Four: The Safe Extraction

Once your quest objectives are flagged as complete, do not get greedy. Do not stay behind to scavenge for extra loot unless your inventory is completely empty. Head directly to your planned extraction point. Use tactical gadgets like smoke grenades or sensory scramblers to secure the extraction zone before calling in your transport.

Map Locations and Threat Mitigation

Most quests in ARC Raiders will direct you to specific high-density points of interest (POIs) across the surface wasteland. Knowing the layout and threat levels of these locations is key to surviving your missions.

The Ruins (Low to Medium Threat)

• Quest Frequency: High (Early-game quests).
• Environment: Dense urban decay with plenty of vertical cover.
• Threats: Mostly basic drone units and occasional rival Raider squads searching for early-game scrap.
• Mitigation: Use the upper floors of ruined buildings to scout ahead before entering open streets. Avoid the central plazas where patrol spawns are frequent.

The Military Depot (High Threat)

• Quest Frequency: Medium (Mid-game weapon and gear quests).
• Environment: Open industrial yards with fortified bunkers.
• Threats: Heavy ARC defense units, automated turrets, and high-tier sniper units.
• Mitigation: Bring armor-piercing munitions and EMP gadgets. Do not engage the heavy units directly unless your quest specifically requires it; instead, sneak through the subterranean maintenance tunnels to reach your objectives.

The Spaceport (Extreme Threat)

• Quest Frequency: Low to Medium (Late-game Core Directives).
• Environment: Massive, open launch pads and complex hangar bays.
• Threats: Elite ARC interceptors, massive patrol waves, and highly geared enemy player squads.
• Mitigation: Never attempt Spaceport quests solo. Deploy with a coordinated squad, bring ample healing supplies, and prioritize night-time deployments to utilize shadows for stealth.

Pro Survival Tips and Stash Strategy

Succeeding in the quest lines of ARC Raiders requires excellent inventory management and strategic foresight. Implement these pro-level strategies to streamline your progression:

• Prioritize Quest Items Over General Loot: If your backpack is full of valuable salvage but you find the final quest item needed for Celeste's medical contract, drop your least valuable scrap immediately. Completing a contract unlocks permanent progression, which is infinitely more valuable than a handful of extra currency.
• Pre-Hoard Common Crafting Materials: Many mid-to-late game Vendor Contracts will suddenly ask you to hand over batches of common materials. Instead of selling all your excess metal plates, wiring, and chemical flasks, keep a dedicated stockpile in your Speranza stash. When you unlock the corresponding quest, you can complete it instantly without needing to deploy.
• Coordinate with Your Squad: If you play in a team, communicate your quest needs. Items required for collection quests can often be shared or traded between players during a raid. If a teammate needs a specific electronic component to complete their quest, let them loot it first to keep your team's progression synchronized.
• Use the Secure Pouch Wisely: Always reserve your secure pouch slots for the rarest quest items or keys that unlock high-tier quest rooms. If you die, these items remain safe, saving you hours of frustrating search time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do quest items drop if I die during a raid?

Yes. Any physical quest items that are carried in your main backpack will drop upon death, allowing other players to loot them. However, any quest progress that is action-based (such as killing a specific number of ARC units or interacting with a data console) is permanently recorded the moment it is completed and will not be lost if you fail to extract.

Can I complete my quests while playing in a squad?

Yes, but progress mechanics vary depending on the objective. Kill-based objectives and area-discovery objectives are shared across the entire squad, meaning everyone gets credit. However, item-retrieval quests require the specific player to physically carry the items out of the raid. You will need to coordinate who loots what to ensure everyone progresses efficiently.

Are there daily and weekly quests in ARC Raiders?

Yes. Aside from the static Core Directives and Vendor Contracts, the Speranza Bulletin Board offers rotating daily and weekly assignments. These are excellent for earning extra reputation points with specific factions and securing rare crafting materials without risking your main quest progression.

How do I unlock higher-tier Vendor Contracts?

To unlock more advanced contracts from vendors like Sophia or Garrick, you must increase your Reputation Level with them. This is achieved by completing their lower-tier contracts, turning in daily bounties associated with their faction, and donating surplus materials directly to their shops in Speranza.

Final Verdict and Raider Checklist

Navigating the quest lines in ARC Raiders is a rewarding journey that directly influences your power, utility, and survival capabilities on the surface. By managing your active contracts, stacking objectives geographically, and prioritizing survival over greed, you will conquer the challenges of Speranza in no time.

Before you drop into your next raid, make sure to run through this quick pre-deployment checklist:

• Have you visited all active vendors in Speranza to accept new contracts?
• Are your active quests stacked geographically to minimize travel time on the surface?
• Have you cleared out your backpack and secure pouch to make room for quest-specific items?
• Is your loadout optimized for the threats present in your target quest zones?
• Do you have a designated extraction plan mapped out in case things go south?