Finding the best loot locations early on in Arc Raiders is crucial for securing rare items, weapon crates, and gear. Among all maps, Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, and The Blue Gate stand out as the most rewarding looting zones. Make sure to check Field Crates near Field Depots, as these provide additional loot bonuses that can give you a strong early advantage.
The Hydroponic Dome Complex, Control Tower, and Research & Administration Building are the best spots in the Dam map to get better loot. If you’re confident with your gear and team, Spaceport can pay off big, but solo runs are riskier. Understand the loot-zone colour system and keep inventory space ready. Locked or keycard rooms often have the best loot in Arc Raiders.
1. Best Looting Rundown in Arc Raiders
Exploring Control Tower
If you’re looking for fast and efficient looting routes, here’s a quick breakdown of the best spots across each main area:
- Dam Location: Head to the Control Tower or Research and Administration. These two buildings are packed with condensed loot, making them perfect for your initial scavenging runs.
- Buried City: Focus on Space Travel and Research buildings — they’re right next to each other and contain some of the best loot in the city. It’s a bit tricky to reach since it’s more central, but absolutely worth it.
- Spaceport: Go straight to the Launch Towers. They’re highly contested but loaded with valuable and dense loot — great for high-risk, high-reward runs.
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Blue Gate: Move toward the central underground section near the outer gates, close to the Red Checkpoint. Loot spots here are hidden until you’re underground. Expect a maze of maintenance tunnels with tons of loot — but it’s also one of the most dangerous areas to explore.
2. Dam Battlegrounds
Dam Battlegrounds Arc Raiders
Within the Dam Battlegrounds, your main focus should be the Control Tower and the Research & Administration areas. These two spots provide some of the most condensed and valuable loot in the entire region while keeping you relatively protected from constant ARC patrols.
- Best Loot Spots: Control Tower & Research & Administration
- Avoid: Hydroponic Dome Complex (too open, high risk)
Tip: Use ziplines for faster access and focus on enclosed areas for safer looting.
2.1 Control Tower
The Control Tower is ideal because of its vertical design — take the zipline up and you’ll find multiple loot clusters packed into a tight area. You’ll come across lockers, desks, and cabinets that can contain valuable materials, medical items, and crafting resources. The loot density here makes it one of the most efficient spots to clear before extraction.
2.2 Research & Administration
The Research & Administration section gives you excellent cover from ARC enemies. Unlike the Hydroponic Dome Complex, which is out in the open and swarmed with ARCs, this location allows you to move safely between rooms and corridors while looting.
2.3 Hydroponic Dome Complex
The Hydroponic Dome Complex, while tempting, should generally be avoided early on. It’s too exposed, crawling with ARCs, and heavily contested by other players. Visibility is also poor due to the surrounding terrain, which makes it risky for consistent looting runs.
If you want the most efficient loot run in Dam Battlegrounds, start at the Control Tower, sweep through Research & Administration, and finish by checking the upper tower levels for hidden desks and side rooms.
2.4 Entrances
Underground Entrances
The Dam Battlegrounds features multiple entry and exit routes. You’ll find an underground entrance, a side entrance, a back gate, and another secondary side access point. Each one connects naturally to key loot zones and extraction routes, allowing you to move between areas without getting trapped or exposed.
- Best Entry Route: Underground (safe movement and stealthy looting)
- Backup Options: Side & Back Gate Entrances for quick rotations
The underground entrance is especially valuable for stealthy approaches. It lets you access interior loot areas and move through maintenance tunnels with minimal ARC interference. Meanwhile, the side and back gate entrances provide faster rotations and can be used to flank enemies or escape hot zones when the area gets too crowded.
Tip: Always scout the overwatch extraction first — visibility helps you plan safer extractions and avoid ambushes.
3. Buried City
Buried City Arc Raiders
The Buried City is generally considered the weakest loot zone among the four main areas, but it still has a few worthwhile locations worth checking out — especially early on.
- Best Loot Spot: Town Hall (requires key)
- Alternative: Space Travel & Research (Yellow + Red zones)
- Downside: Centralized area with high spawn density and inconsistent loot
Your best looting spot here is the Town Hall, though it requires a key to access. If you don’t have one, the Space Travel and Research buildings are your next best bet. These two POIs — marked Yellow and Red — are right next to each other, making it easy to move between them during a single raid.
However, keep in mind that Buried City is highly centralized, meaning player spawns are common in this region. Expect early PvP encounters and moderate ARC presence.
Tip: Enter from the outer perimeter and rotate inward — it gives you better control over early fights and increases your survival odds before heading to Space Travel or Research.
4. Spaceport
Spaceport Arc Raiders
The Spaceport is one of the best looting zones in Arc Raiders, rivaled only by the Control Tower in terms of value and density. The area is packed with loot-rich structures, and its Launch Towers are the main highlight — offering high-tier, condensed loot that makes every risky run potentially worth it.
- Best Loot Spot: Launch Towers (top and bottom floors)
- Safer Alternative: Lower tower base tunnels
- Downside: High competition, explosive enemies, and risky ziplines
If you’re solo or playing it safe, start at the base of the Launch Towers. The underground section is darker, quieter, and has fewer enemies, making it ideal for lower-risk looting. You’ll find decent containers and materials without having to deal with too many players or ARC threats.
For higher rewards, zip up to the tower tops — but be warned, this is where the real danger begins. Expect Rocketeers, explosive Rollers, and other players converging on the same area. Bring a medium or heavy weapon to handle groups efficiently and keep an eye on zipline access points to avoid ambushes.
Tip: Clear the lower floors first, then zip up once you’re ready to engage. Use medium/heavy weapons for crowd control and keep your exit route planned before looting the upper deck.
5. The Blue Gate
The Blue Gate Arc Raiders
The Blue Gate is one of the most difficult maps to approach in Arc Raiders. It’s massive, open, and crawling with ARC enemies, especially in the wide fields and mountainous areas. Most spawn points drop you far from the main loot zone, forcing you to cross dangerous open ground before reaching safety.
- Best Loot Spot: Central Underground Bunker (lower red floors)
- Safer Route: Enter from side or back tunnels instead of the main gate
- Downside: Long travel time from spawn and heavy ARC presence
Once you reach the central underground bunker, that’s where the real value begins. The loot is spread across maintenance tunnels and lower shafts, making it ideal for solo players who want to move carefully through tighter spaces.
The main entrance is risky, filled with Bastions and flyers, but these enemies aren’t overly aggressive if you keep your distance. Inside, the bottom floors hold the best loot density, especially near the red-tier rooms.
Tip: Travel light for stamina efficiency, approach from high ground, and avoid the main path when entering. If you make it in, you’ll find enough loot to justify the risk.
6. Additional Loot Locations – Hidden High-Tier Spots
Hidden Loot Location
While the main POIs like Control Tower and Launch Towers dominate early farming routes, several lesser-known areas across the maps offer high-value loot with lower player traffic — perfect for solo runs or secondary rotations.
6.1 South Swamp Outpost (Dam Battlegrounds – Southwest Corner)
- Search around the tents, storage crates, and comms stations for Weapon Crates and medical supplies.
- Low-traffic zone ideal for solo Raiders or early-game farming runs.
6.2 Small Creek (Outside Control Tower)
- Contains scattered Weapon Crates and occasional component boxes.
- Short detour that pairs well with a Control Tower route for efficient loot chaining.
6.3 Floodgates & The Breach (Between Power Generation Complex and Primary Facility)
- Expect Weapon Crates, utility boxes, and rare crafting mats.
- Moderate ARC patrols, but multiple exit paths make it a safe mid-route checkpoint.
6.4 Control Tower – Top Floor (Dam Battlegrounds)
- Multiple Weapon Crates, medkits, and supply containers spawn here.
- Extremely contested — expect ambushes and sniper fire from nearby rooftops.
6.5 Raider’s Refuge Secret Bunker (Blue Gate Map)
- Unlock it by pressing the Raider’s Refuge button inside the main structure, then locating three hidden switches scattered throughout the area.
- Switch locations change each run, so explore carefully.
- Inside, you’ll find high-tier loot, rare components, and a wardrobe cache with cosmetic rewards.
