The Reduced to Rubble quest in ARC Raiders marks one of the first investigative missions given by Shani after you unlock the Blue Gate map. It’s a mix of exploration and observation, requiring players to document the aftermath of a massive highway collapse and uncover what caused the devastation. While the objectives may seem vague at first glance, completing them is straightforward once you know where to look.

Reduced to Rubble Quest
Shani assigns this mission as part of her investigation into the destruction around Blue Gate. The goal is to trace the aftermath of a collapsed highway and follow the trail of destruction left by unknown ARC machinery. You don’t need to carry any special gear or items — a free loadout is enough, as your focus will be on exploration and interacting with specific points of interest.
The quest involves two key objectives across the Blue Gate region:
- Photograph the Collapsed Highway
- Follow the Trail of Destruction in Broken Earth
Step 1: Photograph the Collapsed Highway
Your first destination is the Highway Collapse point of interest located on the southwestern side of the Blue Gate map. If you don’t immediately spot it, zoom in — the label “Highway Collapse” should appear near the bottom left of the region’s main checkpoint.

Once you reach the area, move toward the section of the bridge that’s broken and droops toward the ground. Near this point, between a tree and a rock, you’ll find an interaction prompt to “Take Photo.” Interact here to capture the collapsed highway.

This action will automatically update your mission and unlock the second phase: investigating the nearby destruction.
Step 2: Follow the Trail of Destruction in Broken Earth
Next, you’ll need to make your way east from the Highway Collapse to the Broken Earth area. The game will prompt you to “follow the trail of destruction,” though this clue is intentionally vague — Broken Earth is a vast and dangerous region, home to scavengers and roaming ARC threats.

To complete this phase:
- Travel northeast across the hills of Broken Earth.
- Look for a massive scrap metal ring or the remains of a large ARC machine.
- This area sits roughly between Broken Earth and Ridgeline, just east of the Maintenance Bunker.
When you reach the wreckage, interact with the broken ARC machine to investigate it. Once the interaction is complete, the quest will update, confirming you’ve successfully uncovered the source of the devastation.
Reduced to Rubble Quest Rewards
After completing the investigation, you’ll earn the following rewards, whether or not you extract afterward:
| Reward | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Zipline | ×1 |
| Barricade Kit | ×3 |
| Door Blocker | ×3 |
These items are practical tools for future missions, allowing better control over movement and defensive setups during encounters or extractions.
Extra Tips for Completing the Quest
- Avoid unnecessary combat. Both Olive Grove and Broken Earth are high-traffic zones for other players and NPC patrols. A light loadout helps you move quickly if things go wrong.
- Use landmarks, not markers. The “trail of destruction” doesn’t always appear clearly on the map — use environmental clues like crushed terrain or metal debris to stay on course.
- Team up if possible. The Broken Earth region can spawn large ARC threats. Bringing another Raider makes the final stretch safer.
Once Reduced to Rubble is complete, you’ll unlock more storyline quests tied to Shani’s investigation in the Blue Gate region. These lead deeper into ARC Raiders’ world, introducing new environmental storytelling and mechanical discoveries that reveal what caused the highway collapse — and what larger threat might still be buried beneath the rubble. Play Now!
Related Guides You Might Like:
- A Reveal in Ruins ARC Raiders – ESR Analyzer Location Guide
- Marked for Death Quest Guide – ARC Raiders Walkthrough
- ARC Raiders All Quests List – Complete Quest Guide
- How to Find Bilguun’s Hideout in ARC Raiders
- All ARC Raiders Workshop Upgrades and Materials Guide
- ARC Raiders Weapon Tier List – The Best Guns to Take Topside
- Great Mullein ARC Raiders – How to Find and Use It
- How to Fix ARC Raiders Outdated Game Client Error
- How to Find Blue Gate Confiscation Room Key in ARC Raiders
- ARC Raiders: How to Upgrade Weapons with the Gunsmith
- ARC Raiders: How to Upgrade the Workbench
- Mechanical Components ARC Raiders: How to Find and Use Them
