If you’ve just unlocked the Blue Gate, welcome to the big leagues. Your first real “welcome to the neighborhood” party is the A First Foothold quest given by Apollo. Think of it as a high-stakes handyman tour of the map. You’ll be fixing roofs and rotating satellites while dodging ARC lasers and thirsty rival Raiders.
As someone who has lost more than one “perfect” loadout trying to find a yellow computer in a bush, let me give you the professional’s tip: Don’t overthink your gear. You don’t need to extract to finish these objectives, and you don’t need to do them all in one go. Grab a free loadout, travel light, and let’s get these four tasks ticked off.
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A First Foothold Quest Overview
| Objective | Map Region | Precise Landmark | Interaction |
| Stabilize Observation Deck | Ridgeline (East) | Directly under the “e” in Ridgeline. | Interact with metal floor panels. |
| Enable Comms Terminal | Olive Grove (South) | Platform west of the Grove, overlooking the highway. | Use the yellow computer terminal. |
| Rotate Satellite Dishes | Data Vault (North) | Decrepit church building with colorful flags. | Climb scaffolding to the roof dish. |
| Nail Down Roof Plates | Trapper’s Glade (West) | Small stone shack in the forest area. | Interact with dislodged sheet metal. |
1. Stabilize the Observation Deck (The East Rim)
The Ridgeline is usually the quietest part of the quest. Located on the far eastern edge of the map, it’s tucked away from the central chaos. Look for a small wooden shelter overlooking the cliffside. Walk onto the deck, hit the prompt on the metal panels, and you’re 25% done. If you spawn nearby, hit this first and rotate clockwise.
2. Rotate the Satellite Dishes (The Northern Heights)
North-west of the Data Vault and west of Pilgrim’s Peak, you’ll find a scenic church draped in flags. Don’t let the view distract you; this is sniper territory. Use the crates and scaffolding around the back to reach the roof. Once you rotate the dish, get down immediately—standing on a roof in ARC Raiders is essentially a “kill me” sign for other players.
3. Nail Down Roof Plates (The Western Woods)
This is the trickiest spot. Trapper’s Glade is crawling with heavy ARC patrol (watch out for the Bombardier). Head to the forest area just south of the “Trapper’s” text on your map. You’re looking for a crumbling stone shack. Scramble onto the roof and secure the plates. Use the surrounding trees for cover the second you’re done.
4. Enable the Comms Terminal (The Southern Slope)
The Olive Grove is a hotspot because everyone is farming… well, olives. To find the terminal, look for a raised platform sitting between the Grove and the Highway Collapse. There’s a yellow computer sitting on a desk. It takes about 10 seconds to “Enable,” so make sure the coast is clear before you commit to the interaction.
Pro Strategy: If you’re running with a crew, split up. ARC Raiders tracks quest progress for the whole party. Send one person East, one North, and one West. You can effectively “speedrun” this entire tour in under five minutes if everyone plays their part. Since you don’t need to extract, it’s a low-risk, high-reward strategy to clear your quest log.
The Payoff: Once you return to Speranza, Apollo drops a heavy arsenal of 9 grenades (Shrapnel, Snap Blast, and Heavy Fuze). These are essential for stripping the armor off the bigger bots you’ll face later.
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FAQs
Q: Do I lose my progress if I die before reaching the next location?
A: Nope! Once an objective is “Complete,” it stays checked off even if you get turned into scrap metal ten seconds later. You can do one objective per raid if that’s safer for your playstyle.
Q: I’m at Trapper’s Glade but I can’t find the shack. Where exactly is it?
A: It’s easy to miss in the dense foliage. Look specifically for the stone structure slightly south of the main Glade clearing. If you see scanners or drones, you’re in the right neighborhood—just keep your head down.
Q: Is it worth bringing a Hullcracker for this?
A: Honestly? No. If you’re purely questing, go “naked” or use a free loadout. You’ll likely be sprinting through high-threat zones where stealth is better than firepower. Save your expensive gear for extraction runs.
Q: Can I interact with these if another team is nearby?
A: You can, but it’s risky. The interactions take a few seconds and leave you totally exposed.
