Split responsibilities: If you're in a team, communication is key. Assign roles (scout, repair, overwatch) to ARC Raiders Coins finish objectives faster.
Bring mobility tools: Grappling hooks and traversal gear help when navigating steep cliffs, especially around Ridgeline and Pilgrim's Peak.
Stay alert: Blue Gate is a hotspot for both enemy AI and PvP interactions. Always keep your radar and surroundings in check.
Use the map overlay: Many objectives correspond to specific letters or landmarks on the map text - use those as reference points.
Beyond ‘A First Foothold'
After completing "A First Foothold," you'll start to unlock deeper missions and challenges across Blue Gate. You'll also gain a better understanding of how objectives tie into world events and faction progression.
If you're aiming to become one of the most powerful raiders in the Rust Belt, focus on upgrading your ARCR Items and unlocking the best skills for both early and late-game. Also, don't forget to train Scrappy, your loyal rooster companion - feed it dog collars, lemons and apricots, or prickly pears to boost its performance.
With this guide, you'll have no trouble completing "A First Foothold" and establishing your dominance in Blue Gate. Grab your tools, rally your squad, and get to work - the Rust Belt won't rebuild itself.
In Arc Raiders, much of your time is spent scavenging the surface for valuable resources that help keep Speranza alive and thriving underground. One such mission, "Root of the Matter," sends you on a dangerous trip to the Research Building in search of a mysterious seed vault. While the task sounds simple on paper, the location is crawling with raiders and ARC patrols, turning this quest into a tense, high-stakes scavenger run.
If you've reached the Research Building and can't seem to find the seed vault - or just want to survive long enough to complete the mission - this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Before You Begin: Come Prepared (or Don't)
Unlike many other quests in Arc Raiders, you don't need to extract to complete "Root of the Matter." Once you've interacted with the seed vault, your quest will automatically progress, even if you get eliminated afterward. Because of this, many players choose to bring free or low-value ARC Raiders Items to minimize risk.
That said, the Research Building and its surroundings are extremely volatile. Expect a mix of PvP chaos from other raiders and PvE encounters with aggressive ARC units. If you're feeling confident in your combat skills and loadout, go in armed to the teeth - otherwise, travel light and focus on stealth.
How to Start the Root of the Matter Quest
You'll receive this quest as part of the ongoing narrative progression tied to rebuilding Speranza. Once it's active, your objective will read:
"Find the Seed Vault in the Research Building."
The Research Building is located just east of Marano Park, in a heavily contested section of the map. It's one of the more recognizable structures in the region, a large multi-floor complex filled with hallways, labs, and debris - perfect for ambushes and firefights.
Step 1: Reaching the Research Building Safely
Approaching the Research Building can be just as dangerous as what's inside. The Marano Park side of the map is often patrolled by large ARC machines, and human players frequently engage in combat there. If you approach directly through the park, expect heavy resistance.
A smarter route is to flank from the north or west, using cover and elevated terrain to avoid direct line-of-sight. This way, you'll bypass most of the heavy patrols and arrive closer to your objective's general area - the west wing of the Research Building.
Step 2: Locating the "Room with a Great View"
Once inside, your goal is to find what the quest calls the "room with a great view." This is a reference to a specific west-facing room overlooking Marano Park through a large glass window. The room is easy to cheap ARC Raiders Coins spot because of that massive window - one of the only clear views of the outside park from inside the building.

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