How to Complete Battening Down in Arc Raiders
Introduced in the "Riven Tides" update of Arc Raiders, the "Battening Down" quest is one of the first tasks players will encounter in the new coastal map. Entrusted by Apollo, this mission requires you to investigate the hurricane's impact on the shoreline by completing three key objectives: photographing seawall cracks, sampling the hotel beach shoreline, and repairing a leaking oil pipe.
While the quest is relatively straightforward, locating the exact objective spots can be tricky for new players. This guide breaks down each step with precise location details, route tips, and survival advice to help you finish the quest efficiently and claim your rewards. You may receive additional ARC Raiders BluePrints and other rewards as a result.
Preparing for the Quest: Gear and Route Planning
Before diving into "Battening Down," a little preparation goes a long way. The quest takes place entirely on the Riven Tides coastal map, which means you'll be moving between multiple locations-so mobility and survival gear are key.
Pack enough adrenaline shots, shield rechargers, and bandages to handle unexpected enemy encounters. ARC units, such as Wasps and Hornets, often patrol the shoreline, so having a reliable weapon (preferably one with heavy ammo for flying enemies) is essential.
Your starting spawn point will dictate your optimal route. If you spawn on the map's western side, begin with the hotel beach shoreline sample. If you spawn on the eastern side, start with the seawall cracks and leaking oil pipe-both are closer and will save you time.
Objective 1: Photograph the Seawall Cracks
The first objective is to document the structural damage to the seawall caused by the hurricane. To find the cracks, navigate to the "Wavebreaker" point of interest (POI) on your map-a large coastal barrier designed to protect the area from heavy waves.
Once at Wavebreaker, look to the left of the POI's label on your map. You'll spot a large gap in the concrete wall. Head to the northernmost end of this wall, and you'll find a sunken container half-buried in sand, adjacent to a web of cracks in the concrete.
Stand near the container, aim your camera at the cracks, and press the interact button (usually "E" on PC) to take the photo. A prompt will confirm when the photo is successfully captured, marking the first objective as complete.
Objective 2: Sample the Shoreline Near the Hotel Beach
Next, you'll need to collect a shoreline sample from near the hotel beach. This objective is located in the northwestern part of the map, at Azzurro Beach-north of the Azzurro Hotel POI.
From the seawall, head west toward the hotel complex. Once you reach Azzurro Beach, move north toward the shoreline (you'll notice the area is surprisingly dry, a unique quirk of the Riven Tides map storytelling).
Look for dense clusters of seaweed along the sand-this is where the sample prompt will appear. Approach the seaweed and interact with it to collect the sample. The game will notify you when the sample is collected, completing the second objective.
Objective 3: Repair the Leaking Oil Pipe
The final objective is to fix a leaking oil pipe in the northeastern part of the map, close to the seawall you photographed earlier. This saves you from backtracking across the map if you follow the eastern route.
From the seawall cracks, head east along the shoreline toward the map's northeast quadrant. You'll see two large pipes extending from the sea, nearly touching the seawall. The leaking pipe is at the southern end of these pipes, marked by a colorful oil slick in the water nearby.
Approach the pipe, and an interact prompt will appear. Unlike some quests, repairing the pipe requires no mini-game-simply hold the interact button to fix it. Once the repair is complete, the final objective will be checked off.
Survival Tips and Quest Rewards
While completing the three objectives, stay alert for ARC enemies. Flying units like Wasps and Hornets are common along the shoreline-aim for their thrusters (their weak spots) to take them down quickly and conserve ammo. Ground units like Ticks and Pops may ambush you, so keep moving and use cover to avoid surprise attacks.
If you prefer a stealthy playstyle, slip past enemies to reach each objective; if you're more aggressive, clear the area before interacting with prompts to avoid interruptions. Either way, prioritize efficiency-looping between objectives without backtracking will save you time, especially if you're farming the quest for rewards.
Upon completing "Battening Down," you'll receive two valuable rewards: a Smoke Grenade Trap and the Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 107. The keycard grants access to hidden areas in the hotel, while the Smoke Grenade Trap is a useful tool for escaping enemy encounters or setting up ambushes in future raids. Of course, if you wish to obtain even more rewards, you can also choose to purchase cheap ARC Raiders Items to achieve this.
Final Notes
The "Battening Down" quest is a great introduction to the Riven Tides map, familiarizing you with its coastal layout and key POIs. Remember that the three objectives can be completed in any order-adjust your route based on your spawn point to save time.
With this guide, you'll avoid the frustration of searching for hidden spots and complete the quest in one smooth run. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned raider, mastering "Battening Down" will help you unlock rewards and prepare for more challenging missions in Arc Raiders.