ARC Raiders: Complete Guide to the A First Foothold Quest

The A First Foothold quest in ARC Raiders sends you across the Blue Gate region to secure several strategic structures. Although each individual task is simple, the spread-out locations, hostile patrols, and time pressure can make the quest feel overwhelming if you go in blind. This guide breaks down every objective, shows you how to navigate efficiently, and offers combat and survival tips so you can clear the quest smoothly, whether you prefer to play solo or with a squad.

Understanding A First Foothold

A First Foothold is an early multi-stage quest that functions as a tour of the Blue Gate map. You are asked to visit four specific points of interest and interact with structures at each one. Mechanically, you just need to reach the site and use a prompt, but the challenge lies in staying alive as you move between distant corners of the map.

Quest Objectives Overview

The quest always requires the same four tasks:

• Stabilize an observation deck near the Ridgeline (southeast).
• Enable a comms terminal near the Olive Grove (southwest).
• Rotate satellite dishes on a church roof north of the Data Vault (north).
• Nail down roof plates on a Raider structure near Trapper’s Glade (northwest).

These locations are positioned around the outer edges of Blue Gate, so you will rarely complete all four in a single short run unless conditions are unusually quiet and your team moves quickly.

Recommended Player Level and Loadout

While the quest appears early, it still benefits from a bit of preparation:

• Gear level: Use weapons and armor that you can reliably handle current enemy patrols with. Don’t undergear; survivability is more important than speed.
• Weapon mix: Bring at least one mid-range rifle or carbine and a close-range option (shotgun or SMG) for tight spaces and ambushes.
• Utilities: Stock up on healing items and any defensive gadgets your build allows. Even a single heal can turn a failed run into a successful objective completion.

In co-op shooters, properly tuned difficulty helps maintain engagement without causing frustration. Research on game design from academic programs, such as NYU’s Game Center, emphasizes how early quests serve as onboarding by gradually adding complexity without overwhelming players.¹

Planning Your Route Across Blue Gate

Because objectives are scattered, route planning makes a major difference in how quickly you finish A First Foothold. You want to cover as much ground as possible with minimal backtracking, while also adjusting to whatever spawn point you receive when you load into Blue Gate.

How Objectives Are Spread Around the Map

Here is a simple orientation of where each task sits relative to the whole region:

Route Strategies by Spawn Position

Because you might not spawn near the same POI every run, it helps to think in flexible routes rather than a single fixed order.

If You Spawn in the South

• First: Hit whichever of Ridgeline or Olive Grove is closer.
• Second: Clear the other southern location.
• Third: Move north-west toward Trapper’s Glade.
• Fourth: Finish at the church north of the Data Vault, if time and resources allow.

If You Spawn in the North

• First: Choose between Trapper’s Glade and the church north of the Data Vault, depending on which is closer.
• Second: Clear the remaining objective in the north.
• Third: Head to the Olive Grove.
• Fourth: Wrap up at the Ridgeline observation deck.

Objective Prioritization

You do not need to complete all four in one continuous push. In fact, focusing on one or two objectives per outing is often more efficient and less risky. This style of incremental progress mirrors the way many modern service games encourage repeated short sessions rather than single long marathons, which can help reduce fatigue and improve long-term player retention, as noted in industry analyses by outlets like IGN and GameSpot.²

Southeast: Stabilizing the Ridgeline Observation Deck

The observation deck near the Ridgeline marks the southeastern objective. It sits along the edge of the map, on raised structures overlooking a steep drop.

Finding the Ridgeline Deck

When you travel toward the Ridgeline icon on the map, watch for:

• A tower-like platform with support beams and railings.
• Metal walkways leading out toward the outer rim of the area.
• An interaction prompt on or beneath the platform for stabilizing the deck.

Once you are underneath or on the structure, move around until the interaction marker appears. You only need a short channel to complete the task.

Combat and Navigation Tips

• Use the height: The elevated deck provides an excellent vantage point. If you are forced into combat, try to pull enemies into narrow access points so you can funnel them.
• Mind your footing: Cliffs and edges can result in fatal falls. Move carefully during firefights and avoid sprinting blindly near the rim.
• Rotate out quickly: Once the deck is stabilized, leave the area. Staying too long increases the chance that patrols converge on your position.

Southwest: Activating the Olive Grove Comms Terminal

The comms terminal near the Olive Grove sits in a more open, agricultural area, often close to a checkpoint or small outpost. This makes it convenient to reach but also more likely to be contested.

Locating the Terminal

When approaching the Olive Grove, look for:

• A raised platform or small structure with a console.
• A terminal or computer that emits a subtle glow.
• Nearby environmental clutter like tires, crates, or machinery.

Stand close to the console and interact. You may need to remain in place for several seconds while the terminal activates.

Staying Safe Near Checkpoints

Checkpoint-style POIs often serve as hubs of enemy activity. Research studying player behavior in multiplayer shooters has shown that chokepoints and objectives in open environments tend to attract higher concentrations of players and AI units alike, increasing conflict intensity.³ Use that understanding to your advantage:

• Scout before committing: Use cover or high ground to spot patrols and turrets.
• Clear immediate threats: Eliminate enemies within the terminal’s radius before interacting so you’re not interrupted.
• Assign roles: In co-op, have one player start the interaction while others watch angles and intercept enemies.

North: Rotating Satellite Dishes Above the Data Vault

North of the Data Vault lies a ruined church with satellite dishes mounted on its roof. This is one of the more visually distinctive objectives, but vertical navigation can confuse first-time visitors.

How to Reach the Church Roof

As you move north past the Data Vault and Headhouse icons, look for:

• A dilapidated church or tall building with partial walls and a visible roofline.
• Scaffolding or climbable surfaces along the side or rear of the structure.
• The cluster of satellite dishes on the rooftop.

Climb the scaffolding or ledges step by step until you reach the roof. Move toward the dishes and trigger the interaction prompt to rotate them.

Vertical Combat Considerations

• Watch for ambushes below: Enemies can gather near the base of the church while you climb, potentially cutting off your exit.
• Use the roof as a temporary sniper nest: If you have a scoped weapon, you can quickly clear threats in the immediate area from above before descending.
• Don’t linger after completion: The roof offers good vision but limited escape routes if you get overwhelmed.

Northwest: Securing Roof Plates Near Trapper’s Glade

The final objective focuses on a Raider structure hidden among trees near Trapper’s Glade. This area features more vegetation and uneven ground, making sightlines shorter and approach angles harder to read.

Finding the Raider Structure

Head toward the Trapper’s Glade label on your map and then:

• Search the nearby forested area for a low building or platform that looks raider-made.
• Check around and just below where the word “Trapper’s” appears on your map for accurate positioning.
• Look for a structure with a flat roof you can climb onto.

Once you are on the roof, move to the indicated spot and interact to nail down the plates.

Handling Close-Quarter Threats

• Use short-range weapons: Forested zones favor shotguns and SMGs because enemies can appear suddenly from cover.
• Clear the perimeter: Walk a circle around the structure before climbing, checking for patrols that might shoot you in the back while you interact.
• Coordinate your exit: Decide your escape direction before you start the interaction so you can leave immediately if things go bad.

Solo vs Squad: Approaches to A First Foothold

A First Foothold can be completed alone, but the quest naturally lends itself to co-op play. Multiplayer cooperation in shooters has been shown to increase both performance and enjoyment for many players, according to studies on online gaming communities and teamwork dynamics.⁴

Solo Tips

• Limit your objectives per run: Aim for one or two locations before extracting or resetting to restock.
• Prioritize stealth and avoidance: Fighting every patrol wastes resources and time; bypass enemies whenever possible.
• Plan fallback paths: Always know where you’ll retreat if a fight goes wrong.

Squad Strategies

• Split and converge: Two players can move toward different objectives while staying within a reasonable distance, then regroup as needed.
• Assign roles: Designate a scout, a main damage dealer, and a support/healer to keep engagements controlled.
• Communication: Use voice chat or ping systems to mark threats and objectives so no one gets isolated in hostile territory.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced players can stumble on this quest due to simple misjudgements. Here are missteps to watch out for:

• Trying to rush all four objectives in one go: Spreading yourself too thin usually leads to being overwhelmed. Break the quest into manageable chunks.
• Ignoring the map: Failing to keep track of your position relative to the boundaries can cause you to wander into unnecessary fights or dead ends.
• Overextending after taking damage: It’s better to heal and regroup than push into another objective with low health.
• Staying too long after an interaction: Once an objective is complete, leave the area quickly before more enemies show up.

FAQ: A First Foothold in ARC Raiders

Do I have to do the A First Foothold objectives in a specific order?

No. The quest tracks each objective independently. You can complete them in any order you like depending on where you spawn and what the current enemy situation looks like.

Can I finish A First Foothold in one trip to Blue Gate?

It’s possible, especially with a coordinated squad and minimal resistance. However, many players will find it more efficient to complete the quest over multiple shorter runs, tackling one or two objectives at a time.

What happens if I die after completing an objective?

Typically, once an objective is marked as complete, you do not need to redo it even if you are defeated afterward. Check your quest tracker after respawning to confirm your progress before heading back out.

Is this quest better solo or with friends?

The quest is fully doable solo but generally easier and faster in co-op. With more players, you can cover flanks, clear patrols more quickly, and manage revives, which significantly reduces the risk of losing progress during a run.

What type of weapons work best for A First Foothold?

A balanced loadout is ideal: something reliable at mid-range for open fields and elevated positions, plus a close-range weapon for forests, interiors, and tight stairways. This flexibility helps you adapt to the varied terrain at each objective.