A Balanced Harvest is one of the key narrative quests in ARC Raiders, centered around rediscovering lost agricultural knowledge from before the First Wave. It’s a short but atmospheric mission that takes you deep into the Research & Administration Building on the Dam Battlegrounds map. If you’re following Celeste’s questline, this objective bridges the story between Our Presence Up There and Untended Garden.
Quest Overview
Before diving in, here’s a quick snapshot of the mission:
| Objective | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Giver | Celeste |
| Location | Research & Administration, Dam Battlegrounds |
| Objective | Find traces of an old agricultural research project |
| Round Requirement | Must be completed in one deployment (no reloading mid-way) |
| Follow-up Quest | Untended Garden |
Celeste initiates the quest with the line:
“Our food production is finally enough to meet our basic needs, but what we really need now is variety. I have a lead on some agricultural research from before the First Wave. Are you in?”
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
This mission can be completed quickly if you know where to go. Here’s the full route and what to watch for.
1. Head to the Research & Administration Building
Open your Dam Battlegrounds map and mark the Research & Administration facility. It’s a large multi-story complex near the dam itself. Enter through the southern side to find the reception area.
Once inside, don’t waste time clearing every room—your goal lies on the upper floor above reception.
2. Use the Zip Lines to Reach the Upper Level
From the main reception area, look for zip lines near the left corridor. These allow you to skip the heavily patrolled ground floor and reach the balcony level directly above.
If you’re taking the stairs instead, pass through the canteen area, then use the hallway on your left to reach the same level.
3. Locate Lab 1
On the upper floor, follow this simple route:
- Turn right from the balcony, go straight, then turn left at the end.
- The first door on your left is Lab 1.
Once inside, move past the first room into the second chamber.
4. Scan the Agricultural Research Documents
You’ll find agricultural research papers scattered on a table in the inner room. Approach the table and interact (hold to scan). Once the scan is complete, your objective will automatically update to signal quest completion.
This marks the successful end of A Balanced Harvest — just make sure to extract safely afterward to keep your progress.
Quest Rewards
Reward packages for A Balanced Harvest vary slightly between builds, but players can expect the following loot pool:
| Reward Type | Quantity | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Mechanical Components | 3 | Crafting high-tier gear |
| Medium Gun Parts | 3 | Upgrading or repairing mid-class weapons |
| Steel Spring | 1 | Essential for weapon maintenance and mod fabrication |
| Experience Points (XP) | 14,000 | Standard mission XP reward |
Some builds may alternatively provide Sterilized Bandages or Sensors in place of components, depending on live balancing updates.
Tips for a Smooth Run
- Complete in One Round: Make sure all interactions (travel, scan, extraction) occur within a single deployment—if you disconnect or extract early, progress resets.
- Use Zip Lines: They’re faster and safer than stairs, especially if enemies are clustered near the reception.
- Keep Your Route Tight: Right → Straight → Left → First Door on Left. This prevents you from wandering into unnecessary firefights.
- Stay Light: This mission doesn’t require heavy combat—equip a stealth or mobility build for quicker completion.
After completing A Balanced Harvest, Celeste’s questline continues with Untended Garden, which delves deeper into pre–First Wave farming experiments and food supply research. If you’ve already finished Our Presence Up There, you’ll see this as the next active mission in your quest tab.
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A Balanced Harvest is a compact quest that rewards careful navigation more than combat prowess. It ties directly into the world-building of ARC Raiders, connecting Celeste’s story to humanity’s attempt to rebuild self-sustaining agriculture after the First Wave. Though brief, it offers a calm interlude between the heavier missions, rewarding players who pay attention to the details scattered across Speranza’s research ruins. Play Now!
