With the release of the “Riven Tides” update, Arc Raiders introduced a new side quest called “Battening Down,” tasked by Apollo to address the aftermath of recent hurricanes on the coastal map. This quest is straightforward but requires precise navigation to three key locations: the seawall, the hotel beach, and a leaking oil pipeline.
Unlike complex raids or combat-heavy missions, Battening Down focuses on exploration and simple interactions. No special equipment or pre-collected ARC Raiders Items are needed-just a keen eye for landmarks and basic survival awareness. Below is a step-by-step guide to complete the quest efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and claim your rewards.
1. Pre-Quest Preparation: Gear and Tips
Before starting Battening Down, spend a minute preparing your loadout to ensure a smooth run. While the quest has no mandatory combat, the Riven Tides map is filled with ARC enemies that can ambush you mid-task.
Pack essential survival items: shield rechargers, bandages, and adrenaline shots to handle unexpected skirmishes. A reliable weapon (such as a mid-range rifle) is also recommended to fend off low-threat enemies like Ticks and Pops, which often hide near quest locations.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with the Riven Tides map layout. The three quest objectives are spread across the map, so planning your route in advance will save time. You can complete the tasks in any order, but following a logical path (e.g., starting from your spawn point) minimizes backtracking.
2. Step 1: Photograph the Cracks in the Seawall
The first objective is to document the hurricane damage to the seawall by taking a photograph of its cracks. This location is tied to the Wavebreaker point of interest (POI) on the map.
If you spawn on the east side of the map, head directly to the Wavebreaker POI. Look for a large concrete wall with a network of cracks-you’ll find a half-buried container near the northern end of the wall, which marks the exact spot.
Approach the wall, and an interact prompt will appear on your screen. Press the interact button to take the photograph; the objective will immediately mark as complete. This spot is also close to the leaking oil pipeline, so you can move directly to the next task afterward.
Be cautious here: Sentinels (long-range sniper ARCs) sometimes patrol the seawall. Use cover to avoid their laser targeting, and eliminate them if they become a threat before taking the photo.
3. Step 2: Sample the Shoreline Near the Hotel Beach
The second task requires collecting a shoreline sample from near the hotel beach, specifically from a patch of seaweed along the water’s edge. This location is in the northwest corner of the map, near the Azzurro Beach POI.
From the seawall, head west toward the hotel complex. Once you reach the Azzurro Beach POI, go north toward the shoreline-you’ll find clumps of seaweed scattered where the sand meets the water.
Look for the interact icon above one of the seaweed clumps, then press the interact button to collect the sample. The objective will update instantly, and you can proceed to the final task.
Note that this area is often patrolled by Wasps (fast scout drones). These enemies are weak and can be taken down with a few shots to their rear thrusters, so clear them out if they interfere with your sample collection.
4. Step 3: Fix the Leaking Oil Pipeline
The final objective is to repair a leaking oil pipeline in the northeast part of the map, close to the seawall where you took the photograph. This location is easy to spot thanks to the colorful oil slick floating on the water nearby.
From the seawall, head east along the Wavebreaker until you see two large pipelines extending from the sea onto the shore. The leaking pipe is at the southern end of these pipelines, near where they meet the seawall.
Approach the oil slick, and an interact prompt will appear to repair the pipe. Press the interact button-there’s no mini-game involved; the repair completes instantly once you initiate it.
Watch out for Fireball ARCs here-these armored drones roll toward targets and blast flames. Wait for them to open their chassis (exposing their weak core) before attacking, and maintain distance to avoid their explosive death effect.
5. Post-Quest Steps and Rewards
Once you complete all three objectives, the quest will mark as finished. You can then extract from any elevator location on the Riven Tides map and return to the city to speak with Apollo.
Apollo will reward you with two useful items: the Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 107 (which unlocks a room with additional loot) and three Smoke Grenade Traps (ideal for escaping ambushes or distracting enemies in future raids).
If you’re farming the quest for rewards, you can repeat the steps by reaccepting it from Apollo. The route becomes faster with practice-looping from the seawall to the pipeline, then to the hotel beach, cuts down on travel time significantly.
Final Tips for Success
Battening Down is a great quest for new players to explore the Riven Tides map and earn easy rewards. Always prioritize stealth when possible-avoid unnecessary combat to conserve resources and save time.
Pay attention to audio cues: ARC enemies emit distinct sounds (e.g., the high-pitched whine of Pops or the laser hum of Sentinels) that can alert you to their presence before they spot you.
Finally, remember that the quest objectives can be completed in any order. If you spawn on the west side of the map, start with the hotel beach sample; if you spawn on the east, begin with the seawall and pipeline.
With this guide, you’ll complete Battening Down quickly and efficiently, adding valuable items to your inventory and becoming more familiar with Arc Raiders’ dynamic coastal map. Additionally, if you need more resources, you can choose to purchase cheap ARC Raiders Materials, coins, and other items.
