A Dead End is a side quest added in the Shrouded Sky update and given to you by Shani. The mission takes you beneath Blue Gate to uncover MANTIKOR’s underground facilities and recover evidence tied to Project Heartwood. All objectives must be completed in a single raid, including extracting with the key item.
While the rewards aren’t essential for loadout progression, the quest opens up narrative threads, unlocks the next mission, and offers solid currency and cosmetic bonuses.
1. A Dead End Quest Objective
Reinforced Reception building
A Dead End centers on exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival rather than speed, with multiple failure points if you’re not careful. Failing to extract with the reel may force you to repeat the quest from the beginning. Here’s what you need to do in A Dead End Quest:
- Quest giver: Shani
- Location: Blue Gate (Underground MANTIKOR Facility)
- Main objective: Investigate Project Heartwood records
- Key item: Dusty Film Reel
- Requirement: Extract the Film Reel in the same raid
2. Locate MANTIKOR’s Underground Facilities
Reinforced Reception
The first task is reaching the hidden MANTIKOR complex beneath Blue Gate. There are multiple entry paths, but all funnel into the same underground network.
- Travel to Blue Gate, located on the western side of the map.
- Use the zipline near Reinforced Reception to descend directly underground.
- Riding this zipline places you close to the MANTIKOR facility entrance.
- Alternatively, enter through Checkpoint and move west into the Traffic Tunnel.
- Follow the corridors downward, using drop points and elevated ledges to descend.
These access routes are usually found near Blue Gate’s main compound. Clear enemies before pushing deeper, as tight corridors make retreat difficult once engagements begin.
3. Explore the Underground Security Wing
Carrying Battery to door
Once underground, navigation becomes more deliberate. This area contains multiple enemy patrols and branching corridors that can quickly overwhelm solo players.
- Move carefully through the underground section until you reach areas marked with MANTIKOR branding on walls and equipment.
- Work with teammates to cover angles and manage enemy encounters.
- Fully clear nearby enemies before interacting with objectives to avoid being flanked mid-task.
The Security Wing is where the main puzzle and quest progression begins.
4. Find Batteries to Power the Access Capacitor Door
Placing battery in Access Capacitor door
Inside the Security Wing, you’ll encounter a large locked door labeled as an Access Capacitor. This door doesn’t require a keycard, but it must be powered manually.
- Locate the Access Capacitor door within the Security Wing.
- The door requires three Capacitor Batteries to unlock.
- Battery spawn locations change every raid, but stay within the Security Wing.
- Check rooms near the stairwell above the corridor leading to the door.
- Look under staircases, beside machinery, and near filing cabinets.
Batteries often appear in central rooms close to the door. Expect resistance while searching, as enemies commonly patrol battery spawn areas.
placing three batteries
5. Unlock the Security Wing Door
Opening red room
Powering the door is the most dangerous part of the quest, as carrying batteries leaves you exposed and limits movement.
- You can carry one battery at a time, preventing sprinting and shooting.
- Clear enemies before attempting to move batteries whenever possible.
- Carry each battery to the terminal beside the locked door.
- Insert all three batteries into the terminal to power the door.
Once powered, the Access Capacitor door opens permanently for that raid. If another player or team has already powered the door, you can pass through without completing the battery step yourself.
6. Search the Red Room for Project Heartwood Records
Playing recording
Beyond the unlocked door lies the final objective area, commonly referred to as the red room. This section contains the quest’s key item and the highest enemy density.
- Enter the red room after the door opens.
- Move to the back of the room where multiple large monitors are mounted.
- Locate the terminal on the right side of the screens and interact with it.
- Hold the interaction until the Project Heartwood playback completes.
- Head to the left side of the monitor area near the wall.
- Interact with the shelf, cabinet, or film reel reader to search it.
- Collect the Dusty Film Reel once it appears.
Enemy waves are common here, so staying alert while interacting is critical. Check for spawn timers if a team is spawning during that time, be quick to loot and head to the extract or a hatch.
7. Extract With the Dusty Film Reel
Searching for Dusty Film Reel
The quest isn’t complete until you escape with the key item. Dying before extraction can force a full restart.
- Place the Dusty Film Reel into a Safe Pocket.
- Exit the underground facility carefully.
- Reach an extraction point or a hatch and leave the raid successfully.
8. A Dead End Quest Rewards
Completing A Dead End grants multiple rewards and unlocks the next chapter in the questline.
- 2,000 Raider Coins
- Patchwork Warden Color (cosmetic)
- Unlocks the next quest: A Rising Tide
