Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders continues to expand with the Flashpoint Update (Patch 1.22.0), introducing the High-Gain Antenna Project-a three-stage scavenging and donation challenge designed to reward players with powerful weapons, attachments, and utility gadgets. Unlike longer, multi-tier projects like the Weather Monitor, this project focuses on quality over quantity, with each stage offering instant, valuable rewards.

Whether you’re a new raider still learning the ropes or a seasoned veteran chasing endgame gear, the High-Gain Antenna Project is accessible, rewarding, and tied to Arc Raiders’ core loop of raiding, looting, and teamwork. This guide breaks down every step, material requirement, farming strategy, and reward to help you complete the project efficiently.

What Is the High-Gain Antenna Project?

The High-Gain Antenna Project is a player-focused project added in the Flashpoint Update, tasking you with donating specific Arc materials across three distinct stages to construct an Arc-detecting antenna.

Unlike temporary events, there’s no confirmed expiry date for the project-but Embark has warned that past projects (like the Weather Monitor) ended abruptly without notice, so treating it as time-limited is the safest approach.

A key detail: there’s no grand final reward for completing all three stages. Instead, each stage offers its own set of rewards, meaning you’ll earn valuable gear as you progress, rather than waiting until the end.

The project is accessible via the “Projects” tab in the Raider menu, where you can track your material progress and donate ARC Raiders Items as you collect them. You can even stockpile materials for later stages in your stash, so start farming early.

Stage 1: Sturdy Base – Foundation of the Antenna

The first stage, “Sturdy Base,” is the most forgiving, as all required materials drop from standard Arc enemies you’ll encounter during regular raids. No special map conditions are needed here, making it easy to start progress immediately.

Stage 1 Materials & Where to Find Them

50x Arc Alloy: The most common material, dropped by scavenging any Arc machine or recycling unused Arc materials. Each Arc enemy typically drops 1-2 pieces, so you’ll accumulate this quickly during raids.

10x Arc Flex Rubber: A rare material found by looting high-tier Arc enemies like Bastions, Bombardiers, Leapers, and Sentinels. Focus on taking down these larger, more dangerous Arcs to farm this efficiently.

10x Arc Performance Steel: Another rare high-tier drop, obtainable from Bastions, Bombardiers, Hornets, and Surveyors. This material is slightly more common than Arc Flex Rubber but still requires targeted farming.

15x Advanced Arc Powercell: A rare material from high-tier Arcs like Comets, Bastions, and Surveyors. For a guaranteed drop, participate in Matriarch raids-these endgame encounters almost always reward Advanced Arc Powercells.

Stage 1 Rewards

Once you donate all materials, you’ll unlock four useful rewards: 1x Torrente II (a reliable weapon), 1x Extended Medium Mag III, 1x Extended Barrel, and 1x Padded Stock. These attachments boost weapon stability and ammo capacity, perfect for early-to-mid game loadouts.

Stage 2: Data Logger – Enhancing Antenna Functionality

Stage 2, “Data Logger,” ramps up the challenge by introducing materials that require the “Close Scrutiny” map condition-the first Arc Operation in Arc Raiders, focused on high Arc density and unique enemy spawns.

Stage 2 Materials & Where to Find Them

15x Arc Coolant: A mid-tier material found by looting Arcs like Comets, Fireballs, Pops, and Sentinels. It can be farmed during any raid, but Close Scrutiny’s increased Arc spawns speed up the process.

15x Arc Thermo Lining: Another mid-tier drop, obtainable from Comets, Fireballs, Turrets, and Wasps. Like Arc Coolant, it’s not tied to Close Scrutiny but is easier to farm during the condition.

4x Vaporizer Regulator: Dropped exclusively by Vaporizers-terrifying flying laser enemies that spawn only during Close Scrutiny. These enemies are heavily guarded, so clear surrounding Arcs before engaging them.

6x Assessor Matrix: Looted from Arc Assessors, massive three-legged probes that spawn during Close Scrutiny. Look for their red beams in the sky, clear nearby Vaporizers, and breach the containers on their legs to get this material.

Stage 2 Rewards

Stage 2 rewards are a step up from Stage 1: 1x Bobcat III (a powerful secondary weapon), 1x Extended Light Mag III, 1x Vertical Grip III, and 100x Raider Tokens. Raider Tokens can be spent on cosmetics and loadout items at the in-game vendor.

Stage 3: Parabolic Dish – Finalizing the Antenna

The final stage, “Parabolic Dish,” is the most grind-intensive, requiring large quantities of Close Scrutiny-exclusive materials. This stage rewards you with endgame utility gadgets and a massive pile of Raider Tokens.

Stage 3 Materials & Where to Find Them

15x Surveyor Vault: Dropped by Surveyors, which spawn on all maps but appear more frequently during Close Scrutiny. These scout Arcs are easier to take down than Vaporizers, making this material manageable to farm.

15x Arc Synthetic Resin: A rare material found by looting Shredders, Sentinels, Barons, and Deforester husks. It can be farmed during any raid but is more common during Close Scrutiny.

15x Vaporizer Regulator: More than triple the amount required in Stage 2. Focus on farming Vaporizers during Close Scrutiny-teaming up with a squad helps clear these tough enemies faster.

18x Assessor Matrix: The largest material requirement in the project. You’ll need to breach multiple Assessors during Close Scrutiny; remember to clear nearby Arcs first to avoid being overwhelmed by the alarm triggered by breaching.

Stage 3 Rewards

The final stage’s rewards are well worth the grind: 1x Vita Spray (healing utility), 1x Photoelectric Cloak (stealth gadget), 1x Snap Hook (mobility tool), and 400x Raider Tokens. These gadgets are game-changers for endgame raids and PvP encounters.

Key Farming Tips for Efficiency

To complete the High-Gain Antenna Project quickly, follow these strategies tailored to save time and avoid frustration:

Prioritize Close Scrutiny: This map condition is mandatory for Vaporizer Regulators and Assessor Matrices, and it increases drop rates for all Arc materials. It’s available on four maps (Dam Battlegrounds, The Blue Gate, Spaceport, Buried City) but not on Stella Montis (indoor bunker).

Team Up: Farming with a squad makes taking down high-tier Arcs (Vaporizers, Assessors) faster and safer. Coordinate on Discord or the Arc Raiders subreddit to find groups focused on material farming.

Recycle Unused Materials: Turn excess Arc parts into Arc Alloy via recycling-this is the fastest way to reach the 50x requirement for Stage 1.

Stockpile Materials Early: You can gather materials for later stages before unlocking them. Start farming Vaporizer Regulators and Assessor Matrices during Close Scrutiny even if you’re still on Stage 1.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t ignore Close Scrutiny: Skipping this map condition will make Stage 2 and 3 nearly impossible, as Vaporizer Regulators and Assessor Matrices only drop here.

Don’t rush Assessors: Breaching an Assessor triggers an alarm that spawns more Arcs. Clear nearby enemies first to avoid being swarmed and losing your loot.

Don’t waste materials: Track your progress in the Projects tab to avoid donating cheap ARC Raiders Materials you might need for other crafts.

Final Thoughts

The High-Gain Antenna Project is a rewarding addition to Arc Raiders, offering a focused, grindable challenge that pays off with useful weapons, attachments, and gadgets. Its three-stage structure keeps progress manageable, and the Close Scrutiny map condition adds a fun, combat-driven twist to material farming.

By following this guide, focusing on Close Scrutiny runs, and teaming up with other raiders, you’ll complete the project in no time. Whether you’re after the Torrente II, Photoelectric Cloak, or Raider Tokens, every stage brings valuable rewards that enhance your Arc Raiders experience.

Remember to treat the project as time-limited, stockpile materials early, and enjoy the process-after all, raiding with friends and collecting rare materials is what Arc Raiders is all about.