What to know
- The Rotary Encoder is a rare Exodus-tier quest item
- It only spawns on the Stella Montis map
- You need it to complete the With a View quest
- It should be secured in your Safe Pocket immediately after looting
In Arc Raiders, certain quests are less about combat skill and more about controlled exploration and loot knowledge. The Rotary Encoder falls firmly into that category. It is not a guaranteed pickup, it cannot be purchased, and it does not drop from enemies. Instead, it is a rare Exodus loot spawn that demands patience, map familiarity, and efficient extraction habits. If you are working through quests like With a View, understanding where and how this item spawns will save you hours of wasted runs.
ARC Raiders Rotary Encoder details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Item name | Rotary Encoder |
| Item type | Exodus-tier quest item |
| Map availability | Stella Montis only |
| Spawn method | Random container loot |
| Primary use | Quest progression (With a View) |
| Risk level | High if not secured |
Where to find the Rotary Encoder on Stella Montis
The Rotary Encoder only spawns on the Stella Montis map, and this restriction is absolute. Running other locations will never yield the item, regardless of difficulty or loot tier. Within Stella Montis, the Rotary Encoder appears as Exodus-tier loot, meaning it is pulled from the highest-value container loot table rather than enemy drops.
Your best chances come from areas with dense container clusters, especially rooms designed as workspaces or administrative hubs. These locations naturally generate more drawers, cabinets, tool tables, and sealed crates, which significantly increases your odds per run.
High-yield zones where Rotary Encoders can appear include Assembly Workshops, Medical and Medical Research sections, the Business Center, and the Lobby security office. These areas consistently produce Exodus-tier loot rolls and are worth prioritizing even if it means avoiding combat-heavy routes.
How to get the Rotary Encoder in ARC Raiders
Step 1: Queue directly into Stella Montis
Before anything else, confirm that your deployment target is Stella Montis. The Rotary Encoder does not exist in the loot pool of any other map, so every non–Stella Montis run is effectively wasted for this objective.
Once deployed, move quickly toward Assembly Workshops, Medical Research rooms, or the Business Center. These locations are not guaranteed spawns, but they contain the highest number of lootable objects capable of rolling Exodus-tier items.
Step 3: Loot containers methodically
The Rotary Encoder can appear inside drawers, cabinets, tool tables, and sealed containers. Because the drop is random, you should expect multiple runs before success. Rushing through rooms or skipping smaller containers dramatically lowers your odds.
Step 4: Secure it in your Safe Pocket immediately
The moment you see a Rotary Encoder, move it into your Safe Pocket. This is critical. Dying, disconnecting, or failing extraction without securing it means permanent loss. Treat it as irreplaceable until extraction is complete.
Step 5: Extract early if needed
If you spawn far from high-yield zones or clear them without success, it is often more efficient to extract early and re-queue rather than wandering the map. Fast resets outperform full-map clears when chasing rare quest loot.
Where to use the Rotary Encoder
The Rotary Encoder is not a crafting material or a trade-only item. Its primary purpose is tied directly to quest progression. During With a View, you use the Rotary Encoder in control rooms within Assembly Workshops to interact with a lever or terminal that cannot be activated otherwise.
Once the quest objective is completed, the item is no longer locked. At that point, you can keep it, recycle it, or sell it for in-game currency, depending on your needs. Until the quest is finished, however, losing it means restarting the entire search.
ARC Raiders Rotary Encoder stats
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Item Name | Rotary Encoder |
| Item Type | Rare Exodus Loot |
| Map Source | Stella Montis |
| Found In | Exodus loot containers |
| Weight | 1.5 |
| Stack Size | 3 |
| Sell Price | 3,000 |
| Recyclable | Yes |
| Recycling Output | 2× Electrical Components, 2× Processor |
| Salvaging Output | 2× Processor |
| Added in Patch | 1.2.0 |
Risk management and loot discipline
Because Exodus-tier items are rare, the Rotary Encoder naturally attracts risk. Other players target the same zones, and ARC enemies often patrol these areas. The safest strategy is speed and discipline, not extended combat. Secure the item, extract cleanly, and only fight when absolutely necessary.
Treat every successful pickup as a mission complete, not a signal to keep looting.
Can you find Rotary Encoder in Blue Gate
Finding the Rotary Encoder in Arc Raiders is less about luck and more about preparation. By focusing exclusively on Stella Montis, prioritizing container-rich zones, and using your Safe Pocket correctly, you dramatically reduce the grind. It may still take several runs, but with the right approach, the item becomes a predictable objective rather than a frustrating wall in your quest progression.
