ARC Raiders: How to Find and Destroy ARC Surveyors

ARC Raiders challenges players not just with fierce combat, but also with elusive objectives. One such mission, Mixed Signals, issued by Shani in Speranza, requires players to find and destroy an ARC Surveyor to collect a Surveyor Vault. These rolling machines are deceptively tricky to track and even harder to destroy. Here’s a complete guide on how to efficiently locate and eliminate them for this quest.

ARC Surveyors are spherical reconnaissance machines that roam the open zones of Arc Raiders. They don’t attack players directly but will immediately roll away once threatened, making them one of the most frustrating enemies to deal with. Despite their passive nature, destroying them rewards valuable materials like Surveyor Vaults, ARC Motion Cores, and Mechanical Components, crucial for Medical Lab upgrades and completing Shani’s mission.

How to Find ARC Surveyors

Finding a Surveyor is the hardest part of the quest due to their low spawn rate and mobile behavior. However, they always signal their presence in one distinct way — a bright blue laser that shoots into the sky.

Watch for the Beam: As soon as you spawn, head outside and scan the horizon for a blue light reaching skyward. This beacon blinks intermittently and is visible from long distances unless blocked by structures or terrain.
Best Maps to Search: Surveyors can appear on all maps, but community reports show the highest spawn frequency in The Blue Gate (southwest section) and The Spaceport (north village area). They also occasionally appear near The Buried City and Hydro Dome Complex.
Timing and Movement: Surveyors follow a set patrol route and stop periodically to transmit data using the laser beam. These pauses are your windows of opportunity — attack when the beam activates.

Pro Tip: Climb to higher ground for better visibility and mark the direction of the light before it disappears.

How to Destroy ARC Surveyors

The Surveyor’s main defense isn’t firepower — it’s speed and armor. It constantly tries to flee, shedding metal shell fragments as it takes damage. To efficiently destroy one, you’ll need both timing and the right loadout.

1. Use Shock or Explosive Weapons

Equip a Showstopper Grenade to temporarily stun the Surveyor with an electric pulse. This immobilizes it for around 10 seconds, allowing you to land critical hits on its exposed core.
Alternatively, Snap Blast Grenades work wonders when stuck directly on the Surveyor — three well-placed blasts can destroy it instantly.

2. Aim for the Core

When the Surveyor activates its blue laser, the armored plates open, revealing a glowing core and antenna — its weak points. Use heavy ammo weapons like:

Ferro – Sniper rifle with strong armor penetration.
Anvil, Arpeggio, or Renegade – Ideal for mid-range engagements.
Shooting the core during its transmission phase deals maximum damage.

3. Don’t Chase Blindly

Surveyors can roll out of bounds or into enemy-infested areas. Instead of chasing, ambush them when they return to their next scan point. If their lights turn blue, it means they’re unaware of your presence — the best time to strike.

Looting Surveyor Vaults

Once destroyed, the Surveyor drops multiple lootable armor fragments scattered around its remains. These often contain Surveyor Vaults, and you can typically gather 3–5 per Surveyor if you check every piece.

Always store Vaults in your Safe Pocket to prevent losing them upon death.
Beyond quest use, Vaults can be recycled into 2 Mechanical Components and 2 Arc Alloy, making them valuable even post-upgrade.

Completing the Mixed Signals Quest

After securing a Surveyor Vault, return to Shani in Speranza to turn in the quest. You’ll receive:

Photoelectric Cloak
Raider Hatch Key

These items further your progression and open up new upgrade opportunities.

ARC Raiders Surveyor Tips and Tricks

Solo or Squad: You can easily take down Surveyors solo if properly equipped, but squads can cover more ground and secure faster kills.
Stay Alert: The blue beacon disappears quickly. Move fast once you spot it.
Patience Pays Off: If you don’t find one right away, complete other objectives and keep scanning the sky. The Surveyor spawns rotate across matches.

Finding and destroying ARC Surveyors in ARC Raiders tests your patience and precision more than raw combat skill. Keep your eyes peeled for the signature blue laser, bring shock-based weapons, and aim for the core during transmissions. With persistence, you’ll complete the Mixed Signals quest and earn your rewards in no time. Play Now!

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ARC Raiders: How to Find and Destroy ARC Surveyors (Mixed Signals Quest Guide)