As part of ARC Raiders' Riven Tides update, the "Battening Down" quest stands out as a accessible yet engaging side mission that takes players across the coastal map's key locations. Given by Trader Apollo, this quest tasks you with addressing environmental damage caused by hurricanes, guiding you to ARC Raiders BluePrints three specific spots to complete simple but crucial objectives.
Unlike high-intensity ARC battles, Battening Down focuses on exploration and light interaction, making it ideal for both new and experienced Raiders. The quest requires no special items or prior preparation-just a willingness to navigate the Riven Tides map and follow clear cues. Below is a step-by-step guide to completing every objective, along with tips to avoid common pitfalls and maximize your rewards.
Step 1: Accept the Quest from Apollo
Before you begin, you must first accept the Battening Down quest from Apollo, a trader located in the Riven Tides map. Apollo will explain the mission's purpose: the region's seawalls, shoreline, and infrastructure have suffered damage from recent hurricanes, and he needs your help to assess and repair these areas.
His dialogue sets the context: "We'd hoped the seawalls at Riven Tides might offer us some protection from the elements, but it seems the hurricanes were not kind to this place, either." Once you accept, the three objectives will appear in your quest log, and you can complete them in any order.
Objective 1: Photograph the Cracks in the Seawall
The first objective sends you to the Wavebreaker point of interest (POI), a large coastal wall designed to protect the area from heavy ocean waves. To find the cracks, head to the northern part of the Riven Tides map, focusing on the Wavebreaker's northeast side.
Look for a large gap in the concrete wall-this is the damaged section Apollo wants photographed. Near the cracks, you'll notice a sunken container in the sand, which serves as a helpful landmark. Approach the wall, and an interactable icon will appear; press the interaction button to take the photograph and mark this objective as complete.
Pro tip: The seawall area is relatively safe, but keep an eye out for small ARC enemies like Ticks or Wasps that may wander nearby. A quick melee attack or a few shots from a basic weapon will eliminate them easily.
Objective 2: Sample the Shoreline Near the Hotel Beach
Interestingly, some players note that the sampling zone may occasionally appear dry (without visible water), but the seaweed will still be present. If you're struggling to find it, head directly north of the hotel's marker-you can't miss the buy ARCR Items clusters of seaweed along the shore.