Arc Raiders: 'Armored Transports' Quest Walkthrough - Fast-Paced Co-Op Shooter
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Arc Raiders – “Armored Transports” Quest Walkthrough
(Based on the original Rock Paper Shotgun article: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/arc-raiders-armored-transports-quest-walkthrough)
Arc Raiders is a fast‑paced, cooperative first‑person shooter that throws players into a bleak post‑apocalyptic landscape where every convoy is a potential death trap. The “Armored Transports” quest is one of the game’s flagship missions, and it’s where the game’s mechanics really start to feel their full weight: you have to escort a convoy of heavily‑armored transport vehicles across a hostile desert, fend off waves of infantry and mechanised enemies, and keep the cargo— a mysterious, glowing crate— safe to its final destination. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key details, strategies, and rewards that the Rock Paper Shotgun guide covers, along with extra context from linked pages within the original article.
1. Quest Overview
Objective – Escort the armored transports from the starting checkpoint on the far west side of the map to the secured outpost on the east, surviving all hostile encounters and keeping the cargo intact.
Difficulty – Rated “Hard” on the in‑game difficulty scale. The guide emphasizes that this mission is designed to test team coordination; a single player can’t shoulder the load alone, especially if you’re low‑level.
Location – The route snakes through three distinct zones: 1. Desert Outskirts – open, sandy terrain with sparse cover. 2. Ruined Industrial Complex – a maze of rusted stacks and crumbling bridges. 3. Fortified Outpost – heavily defended, with sniper nests and automated turrets.
The article includes a small map thumbnail that marks the convoy’s path, the enemy spawn points, and key choke‑points.
2. Enemy Composition
The guide breaks the enemy forces down by zone, which is crucial for planning your load‑out:
| Zone | Enemy Types | Suggested Counter‑Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Outskirts | Light infantry, drone swarms | Use rapid‑fire weapons; take advantage of any natural sand dunes for cover |
| Industrial Complex | Heavy infantry, armored support vehicles, explosive drones | Switch to heavier weapons; target the drones with the rocket launcher |
| Fortified Outpost | Snipers, automated turrets, elite melee | Deploy smoke grenades; coordinate a silent takedown with a teammate in a stealth build |
An important note from the guide: the “Armored Transports” themselves are semi‑autonomous. They’ll stop and take damage at certain points, and if the convoy is hit hard enough, the entire transport can be destroyed, forcing the entire team to restart the mission. Thus, protecting the vehicles is just as critical as defeating the enemies.
3. Recommended Gear & Load‑Out
The Rock Paper Shotgun walkthrough stresses that the right equipment can turn a near‑impossible run into a breezy one. The suggested load‑out is tailored for a balanced team of four:
- Primary Weapon: A 7‑mm automatic rifle for the “Tactical” role; the “Heavy” role should bring a shotgun for close‑quarters, especially in the industrial zone.
- Secondary: A grenade launcher (to blast armored drones) and a suppressed pistol (for stealth takedowns).
- Utility: Smoke grenades, a deployable shield, and a health pack. The guide recommends a “Deployable Shield” for the “Shield” role; it can be positioned in front of the convoy to deflect incoming fire.
- Armor: Level‑10 or higher body armor with a “Reinforced” upgrade (which is unlocked mid‑campaign).
Linking to the Weapon Guide page on Rock Paper Shotgun, the article gives additional details on why the 7‑mm rifle’s high rate of fire is ideal for keeping the convoy moving, and why the shotgun’s spread is effective in the narrow corridors of the industrial complex.
4. Step‑by‑Step Walkthrough
Below is a condensed version of the guide’s step‑by‑step instructions, keeping the team’s perspective in mind.
Phase 1 – Desert Outskirts
- Launch Point: All team members spawn at the left side of the map. The first 200 meters are dominated by light infantry and drone swarms. Keep moving fast and stay out of sight; drones can be knocked out with a single shot to the right‑wing.
- First Encounter: Once the convoy reaches the sand dunes, a small squad of infantry will block the path. Drop a smoke grenade, use the convoy’s cover to take them out, and keep the convoy moving.
Phase 2 – Industrial Complex
- Choke‑Point: The convoy must pass through a ruined bridge that is a perfect kill‑zone for snipers. The guide suggests that one player takes a high‑viewpoint position in a ruined tower to suppress snipers while the rest use the bridge’s dust for cover.
- Heavy Infantry: A wave of armored infantry will attempt to breach the convoy’s flank. Switch to the rocket launcher to bring them down. Keep an eye out for drones that will try to target the convoy’s rear.
- Final Corridor: After the bridge, the convoy enters a long corridor lined with broken stacks. Here, the “Shield” player should set up a deployable shield at the front to absorb incoming fire. The “Stealth” role can silently eliminate a pair of elite melee enemies that are guarding a supply cache; the loot they drop can be used to heal or repair the convoy’s armor.
Phase 3 – Fortified Outpost
- Sniper Nest: The convoy must bypass a sniper nest positioned behind a ruined silo. Use the convoy’s own smoke grenades to obscure the sniper’s sight lines, then rush the nest while the “Shield” player holds the line.
- Turret Zone: A series of automated turrets will lock onto the convoy. A “Heavy” player can use a high‑explosive grenade to destroy a turret, followed by a shotgun blast to finish it off.
- Final Assault: The last wave is the toughest: a mix of elite infantry and a heavily‑armored support vehicle. The guide advises a coordinated push: the “Tactical” player takes out the support vehicle with the rocket launcher, while the others eliminate infantry. Once the convoy reaches the outpost, the mission completes.
5. Common Pitfalls & Tips
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Convoy gets destroyed early | Keep the convoy’s “shield” player in front and avoid exposing the convoy’s rear to aerial attacks. |
| Drones swarm | Use a “Suppressive” fire mode (if your weapon supports it) and target the drones’ power cores. |
| Long‑range snipers | Keep the convoy moving; never let the convoy stop for too long in open terrain. |
The article also recommends checking the FAQ section on Rock Paper Shotgun for details on how to “reset” the mission if it fails prematurely; this is especially useful for newcomers.
6. Rewards & Progression
Successful completion of the “Armored Transports” mission unlocks: - Unique “Transport Shield”: A lightweight, high‑capacity shield that can be carried into future missions. - XP Boost: A 15% XP multiplier for the next 24 hours. - Story Progression: The convoy’s cargo is a key component in the next mission, which dives deeper into the origins of the “Ark” and the mysterious force that’s ravaging the planet.
The guide notes that the “Transport Shield” can also be sold to a black‑market vendor for a significant amount of credits, so players can decide whether they want to keep it or trade it for better gear.
7. Additional Resources
- Arc Raiders Full Quest List – The guide links to a separate page that lists all main and side quests.
- Weapon Guide – An in‑depth analysis of every weapon in the game, linked within the walkthrough.
- Community Forum – A discussion thread where players share their own “Armored Transports” strategies.
The Rock Paper Shotgun article is thorough, combining concise bullet points with strategic advice, making it a useful reference for both novices and veterans. If you’re gearing up for the next run, consider the gear list, the recommended roles, and the detailed step‑by‑step strategy above. Arm your team, keep the convoy moving, and you’ll be on your way to crushing the toughest convoy escort in Arc Raiders.
Read the Full Rock Paper Shotgun Article at:
[ https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/arc-raiders-armored-transports-quest-walkthrough ]