Arc Raiders First Foothold Quest Guide

If you just unlocked Blue Gate in Arc Raiders and Apollo hands you A First Foothold, welcome to your first real map wide test. This is not a simple loot and extract task. The First Foothold quest in Arc Raiders sends you across the entire Blue Gate map with four separate objectives spread north, south, east, and west.

For new players, this can feel overwhelming. Blue Gate is large, the objective descriptions are vague, and you are not just fighting ARC machines. Other raiders are hunting, camping rooftops, and waiting for easy picks.

I have run this quest multiple times solo and in a full squad. In this guide, I will break down exactly how to complete the First Foothold quest in Arc Raiders efficiently, what to expect at each location, and how to survive the trip.

What Is the First Foothold Quest in Arc Raiders

The First Foothold quest in Arc Raiders requires you to complete four tasks on the Blue Gate map:

• Stabilize the observation deck near the Ridgeline

• Enable the comms terminal near the Olive Grove

• Nail down roof plates on the Raider structure near Trappers Glade

• Rotate the satellite dishes on the church roof north of the Data Vault

Here is the good news.

You do not need to complete all four objectives in one raid.
You do not need to extract for progress to count.

That changes everything.

This means you can take a free loadout, focus on one objective per run, and not stress about survival. If you die after completing a task, it still counts.

That alone makes this one of the more forgiving long distance quests in Arc Raiders.

Best Strategy for First Foothold Quest Arc Raiders

Before diving into each location, let us talk strategy.

Solo Players

If you are running solo, do not try to sprint across the entire Blue Gate map in one raid. That is how you get third partied and lose gear.

Instead:

• Spawn in

• Check which objective is closest

• Complete that one

• Extract if safe or push your luck carefully

Slow and steady wins here.

Squad Play

If you are in a three player squad, this quest becomes much easier.

Arc Raiders quest progression counts for the entire party. That means if one squadmate rotates the satellite dish, everyone gets credit.

The fastest method is simple:

• Each squadmate heads toward a different objective

• The closest player handles the final remaining task

• Regroup and extract or continue looting

It is risky but extremely efficient.

Just remember Blue Gate is a PvPvE map. Splitting up increases danger. Do not take gear you are afraid to lose.

Stabilize the Observation Deck Near the Ridgeline

Location
Eastern edge of Blue Gate

This is arguably the safest objective in the First Foothold quest Arc Raiders players will encounter.

Head toward the far east side of the map. The observation deck sits along the outer rim near the Ridgeline. It is somewhat removed from the heavy combat zones in the middle.

You are looking for a small shelter structure with metal panels.

Interact with the panel prompt to stabilize the structure. That is it.

Why this one is easier:

• Fewer ARC patrols

• Less player traffic

• No vertical exposure

Still, do not relax completely. Players sometimes rotate along the edge for quieter loot runs.

Enable the Comms Terminal Near the Olive Grove

Location
Southern portion of Blue Gate

Now things get spicy.

The Olive Grove is a known farming hotspot. Players come here to collect olives and train Scrappy. That means increased traffic and ambush potential.

The comms terminal is on a raised platform between Olive Grove and Highway Collapse. You will see a yellow computer terminal overlooking the road.

Interact with the terminal to complete the objective.

Tips from experience:

• Scan rooftops before interacting

• Do not stand still after activating

• Clear nearby ARC first

This area attracts both aggressive players and cautious farmers. Expect contact.

If you are doing the First Foothold quest Arc Raiders style solo, consider completing this one during a quieter raid instance.

Nail Down the Roof Plates Near Trappers Glade

Location
Western forest area of Blue Gate

Trappers Glade is not peaceful. It has dense trees, limited visibility, and ARC patrols including Bombardiers.

The Raider structure you need is located just below the Trappers text on the map. It is a small shack with loose metal plates on the roof.

To complete the objective:

• Approach carefully through trees

• Climb onto the roof

• Interact with the loose sheet metal

This area is dangerous for three reasons:

• Spawn points are nearby

• Named landmarks cluster around it

• ARC units patrol unpredictably

Sneaking is often better than sprinting here. I have lost more gear in Trappers Glade than in central Blue Gate fights.

Move slow. Listen for footsteps.

Rotate the Satellite Dishes on the Church Roof

Location
North west of Data Vault, near Pilgrims Peak

This objective feels dramatic. You must climb scaffolding onto a small church building and rotate satellite dishes.

While the northern hills are usually quieter than the center of Blue Gate, rooftops always create risk.

Snipers love elevated quest spots.

To complete it:

• Approach from the back

• Use scaffolding to climb

• Interact with the satellite dishes

• Immediately reposition

Do not stand on the roof admiring the view.

In my experience, this part of the First Foothold quest Arc Raiders players fear the most is less about ARC and more about other raiders spotting you.

High ground equals exposure.

Do You Need to Extract to Complete First Foothold

No.

This is critical.

Each objective counts the moment it is completed. Even if you die afterward, the progress remains.

That means you can:

• Use a free loadout

• Rush objectives

• Play aggressively

• Accept possible death

Once all four are marked complete, the quest finishes automatically.

Apollo rewards you with various grenade options, which are genuinely useful for early Blue Gate fights.

Risk Management and Loadout Advice

The First Foothold quest Arc Raiders players receive comes early in Blue Gate progression. You likely do not have premium gear yet.

My honest advice:

Bring a loadout you are not emotionally attached to.

Recommended:

• Mid tier weapon

• Basic healing

• One mobility tool

• One grenade

You are traveling long distances. Stamina management matters more than pure firepower.

Also consider sound discipline. Sprinting everywhere advertises your location.

Blue Gate Map Awareness Tips

If you are new to Blue Gate, navigation can feel confusing.

A few veteran reminders:

• Use terrain elevation to orient yourself

• Memorize landmark names

• Avoid central highways during high traffic periods

• Listen for ARC audio cues

The First Foothold quest Arc Raiders design intentionally pushes you to learn the full map layout. Think of it as a guided tour under pressure.

After finishing it, you will understand Blue Gate far better.

Is It Worth Completing Early

Yes.

Besides the grenade rewards, this quest forces you to:

• Learn multiple POIs

• Understand map flow

• Practice long distance rotations

• Develop PvPvE awareness

Those skills matter more than the loot.

If you plan to farm arc raiders items efficiently later, map knowledge is everything.

Some players who prefer faster progression turn to platforms like G4mmo for gear support, but honestly, mastering Blue Gate movement through quests like this is far more valuable long term.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Here are the biggest errors I see:

Trying to do all four objectives in one run while solo
Standing exposed on rooftops too long
Ignoring ARC patrols while focusing only on players
Bringing high value gear for a high risk quest

The First Foothold quest Arc Raiders experience is meant to test your discipline, not your aim.

Final Thoughts on First Foothold Quest Arc Raiders

A First Foothold is one of the most memorable early Blue Gate quests in Arc Raiders. It pushes you across the entire map, exposes you to every biome, and forces you to balance risk and reward.

The key takeaways:

You do not need to complete it in one raid.
You do not need to extract.
You can split objectives with a squad.
Bring gear you can afford to lose.

Approach it smart, not aggressive. Learn the terrain. Watch for third parties. Finish objectives one at a time if needed.

Once it is done, Blue Gate stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling familiar.

And that is when you stop being a tourist in the Rust Belt and start becoming a real raider.