Power Rods are among the rarest and most valuable crafting components in ARC Raiders. You’ll need them not only for high-tier gear but also for progressing specific quests and unlocking certain locked rooms. Because their drop rate is so low, knowing where and how to get Power Rods can save hours of wasted scavenging runs.
What Are Power Rods?
Power Rods are Epic-rarity items used for crafting and repairing advanced gear. They act as both a crafting resource and a key item for certain objectives, including the Tribute to Toledo quest and doors marked for Power Rod access.
You can also recycle them for rare components such as ARC Circuitry and Advanced Electrical Components, making them useful even if you’re not actively crafting.
Best Power Rod Locations
1. Power Generation Complex – Dam Battlegrounds
The most reliable place to hunt for Power Rods is the Power Generation Complex located in the Dam Battlegrounds area (top of the map). The complex is filled with electronic equipment and massive generator units that can be looted.
Players have reported that Power Rods can spawn inside these generator sections, though the drop rate is extremely low — around one in several runs.
If you don’t find a rod during your first sweep, extract and retry when the map rotation refreshes. Power Rod spawns appear to reset between rotations.
2. Industrial and Utility Complexes (Exodus Area)
Outside the Dam, Power Rods can also appear in Exodus-area interiors — industrial buildings, loading bays, and electrical rooms. Focus on dense container clusters or secured interiors; sometimes you’ll find Power Rods near lootable panels or inside Power Rod-locked doors themselves.
If you’re running raids frequently, prioritize these locations:
- Loading Bay (door requires one Power Rod to unlock)
- Utility Complexes across mid-map industrial sectors
- Electrical Zones where loot containers glow or spark
Other Ways to Obtain Power Rods
1. Quest Reward – “Lost in Transmission”
The easiest guaranteed method is completing Lost in Transmission, a quest offered by Shani. Finishing it grants you a Snap Hook as a reward.
Once you claim the Snap Hook, recycle it at your Workshop to obtain a Power Rod.
Tip: Always double-check your inventory before recycling — you don’t want to scrap the wrong item.
2. Crafting at Refiner Level 3
If you’ve upgraded your Refiner Station to Level 3, you can craft Power Rods directly.
Recipe (common variants):
- 2× Advanced Electrical Components
- 2× ARC Circuitry
In some stations, additional variants appear with:
- 3× Motors
- 6× Bombardier Cells
Once crafted, queue the item and collect it from your Workbench. You’ll need to unlock the recipe at Refiner Level 3, so ensure your workshop is fully upgraded before attempting.
3. Raider Deck Rewards
The Raider Deck (similar to a battle pass system) also offers a slower but steady route to Power Rods.
On Page 3 of the Deck, the lower-right box contains a Snap Hook — recycling it will once again yield a Power Rod. This route requires time investment but is reliable if you haven’t reached late-game crafting tiers yet.
Using Power Rods
Here’s what you can do once you have Power Rods in your inventory:
| Use | Result |
|---|---|
| Combine 1× Power Rod + 1× Voltage Converter | Creates a Heavy Shield |
| Combine 1× Power Rod + 1× Exodus Module | Repairs a Snap Hook |
| Unlock Power Rod doors | Access locked loot rooms (e.g., Loading Bay) |
| Recycle Power Rod | Yields Advanced Electrical Components & ARC Circuitry |
| Sell Power Rod | Grants high Raider Coin payout |
Keep at least one Power Rod in your inventory if you’re entering areas with Power Rod-locked doors. Otherwise, sell extras or recycle them for components to free up space.
Tips for Players
- Run Electrical Zones: They have the highest chance of Power Rod spawns.
- Focus on Industrial Interiors: Power Rods rarely spawn in open terrain.
- Cycle Between Maps: Spawn rates reset after each rotation.
- Craft When Possible: Upgrading your Refiner is a long-term solution that guarantees supply.
- Recycle Snap Hooks: From quests or Deck rewards to skip RNG entirely.
Power Rods in ARC Raiders are essentially tactical keys to both late-game crafting and locked-door exploration. The fastest way to get them is through the Lost in Transmission quest or by crafting at Refiner Level 3. For consistent farming, run the Dam Battlegrounds Power Generation Complex and Exodus interiors during map rotations.
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Treat Power Rods as limited resources — carry them only when needed, recycle or sell the rest, and you’ll always stay stocked for the next major raid or quest gate. Play Now!
