Arc Raiders, the tactical cooperative shooter by Embark Studios, features a variety of quests that blend exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. Among the early-game missions, "With a Trace" stands out as a deceptively simple yet easily confusing quest-one that often leaves players stuck searching for ARC Raiders BluePrints hidden interactables or misinterpreting objectives.

Given by Shani in Speranza after completing the "Reduced to Rubble" quest, "With a Trace" tasks you with investigating the Blue Gate map to uncover clues about who brought down massive ARC machines-a mystery that deepens as you progress. This guide breaks down every step, location, and tip to help you complete the quest efficiently, even if you're new to the game.

1. Pre-Quest Preparation: Gear Up for Blue Gate

Before diving into the quest, take a moment to prepare your loadout. "With a Trace" takes place entirely on the Blue Gate map, which is home to hostile ARC units like wasps, hornets, and snitches that patrol key areas. Being underprepared can turn a simple investigation into a frustrating fight.

Equip a mid-to-long-range weapon to handle enemies in open spaces, and consider bringing a medium shield or defensive mod to protect against ranged attacks. Smoke grenades are also useful if you want to avoid confrontation while investigating interactables-especially if other players are nearby competing for the same objectives.

Finally, ensure you're familiar with the Blue Gate map's layout. While the quest markers will guide you, knowing the general positions of key landmarks will save you time and prevent getting lost.

2. Step 1: Reach Barren Clearing and Investigate the ARC Wreck

The first objective of "With a Trace" is to reach Barren Clearing, a location on the far western side of the Blue Gate map, near the Village point of interest and close to an extraction point. If you spawn far from this area, move cautiously-hostile units may patrol the path, and other players could ambush you.

Once you arrive at Barren Clearing, you'll see a large, leggy ARC machine wreck in the center of the open area. The quest's first clue isn't the wreck itself, but a small, spherical gray object on the ground near the machine's severed southwest leg.

Approach this gray sphere, and an "Investigate" prompt will appear on your screen. Interact with the sphere to collect the first clue-this completes the objective "Find signs of who brought down the ARC machines" and updates your quest log.

Pro tip: Clear out any ARC enemies in the area before investigating. Not only will this let you focus on the objective, but you'll also earn valuable crafting materials for workshop upgrades.

3. Step 2: Locate Adorned Wreckage and Find the Communication Device

After investigating the sphere at Barren Clearing, your next objective will update: "Inspect the Adorned Wreckage." This location is not far-just head south from Barren Clearing, southwest of Raider's Refuge and Trapper's Glade. It's marked as a named point of interest (POI) on your map, so use your compass to guide you.

Adorned Wreckage is easy to spot thanks to its large, rocket-shaped wreck covered in graffiti and twisted metal. However, don't be fooled-you don't need to interact with this massive wreck. The real objective is a small communication device nearby.

Climb onto the wreckage or move to higher ground for better visibility. Look for a small cylindrical machine on the Trapper's Glade side of the POI, with a glowing yellow computer terminal placed on a table in front of it. This terminal is the key to progressing the quest.

Interact with the yellow terminal, and you'll complete the final objective of "With a Trace". The quest will wrap up immediately, and you'll earn experience points, progress toward your next quest, and a chance to loot valuable gear or materials from nearby crates.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with clear objectives, many players get stuck on "With a Trace" due to simple mistakes. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to fix them:

First, don't waste time interacting with the massive ARC wreck at Adorned Wreckage. The quest only requires you to interact with the small yellow terminal-not the wreck itself. Ignoring the wreck and focusing on the terminal will save you time.

Second, if the "Investigate" prompt doesn't appear at Barren Clearing, double-check the southwest side of the ARC machine's severed leg. The gray sphere is easy to miss if you're not looking in the right spot, so use your binoculars from elevated ground to spot it faster.

Finally, if you're pushed out of the session mid-quest (due to the session timer), simply return to the ARC wreck at Barren Clearing to re-trigger the first objective, then proceed to the sphere and Adorned Wreckage as before.

5. Post-Quest Rewards and Next Steps

After completing "With a Trace," return to Shani in buy ARC Raiders Weapons Speranza to claim your rewards. While the exact rewards may vary based on your player level and extraction success, you'll typically earn experience to level up, crafting materials, and a chance at rare gear.

This quest also advances the game's main story, unlocking new missions that delve deeper into the mystery of the ARC machines and the forces behind their destruction. Think of "With a Trace" as a foundation for the larger narrative-every clue you collect brings you closer to understanding the threats facing the world of Arc Raiders.