What to know
- Prime Specimen is a main quest in ARC Raiders
- The objective revolves around accessing and clearing a Deforester
- Arc Power Cells are mandatory to progress
- The encounter is first-come, first-served, making speed critical
In ARC Raiders, Prime Specimen stands out as a quest that tests awareness and execution rather than raw combat. The mission sends you into a massive industrial machine known as a Deforester, where environmental hazards, rotating platforms, and timed fire traps gate progression. Because only one squad can meaningfully interact with a Deforester at a time, understanding the layout and sequence beforehand dramatically increases your chances of completing the quest in a single run.
Prime Specimen quest details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest name | Prime Specimen |
| Quest type | Main / Progression quest |
| Key structure | Deforester |
| Required item | Arc Power Cells |
| Core mechanics | Timed fire traps, platform rotation |
| Failure risk | High if delayed or contested |
Locations of Deforester in ARC Raiders
The Deforester is a massive circular industrial structure that resembles a giant wheel embedded into terrain, most commonly found on the Blue Gate map. It has two consistent spawn regions, and knowing both increases your odds of reaching one uncontested.
One spawn location is to the west, near the Adorned Wreckage, while the other is to the east along the ridgeline. Both locations are visible from a distance due to the scale of the structure. Because Deforesters are first-come, first-served, arriving late usually means the interior puzzle has already been activated or looted by another player.
Speed matters more than combat here. If you hesitate, someone else will finish it first.
How the Deforester puzzle works
Step 1: Enter the Deforester interior
Once you reach the structure, move inside. The interior is unmistakable, with exposed machinery and visible lightning effects marking the interaction points. These lightning zones indicate where Arc Power Cells must be inserted.
Step 2: Insert the first Arc Power Cell
At the first lightning node, insert an Arc Power Cell. You can either bring one with you or kill ARC enemies nearby, as they frequently drop cells. After insertion, the interior will activate fire hazards that periodically block the path forward.
You must wait for the fire to stop completely before moving. Rushing through will almost always result in heavy damage or death.
Step 3: Push through and insert the second Arc Power Cell
After the fire subsides, run through the corridor and reach the second lightning node. Insert the second Arc Power Cell to advance the puzzle. This step completes the internal activation sequence.
Reaching the top platform
Once both Arc Power Cells are inserted, the Deforester reacts. A large upper platform begins to rotate, creating a walkable surface that was previously inaccessible. This is your signal that the puzzle has progressed correctly.
You can reach the platform either by parkouring up the internal geometry or by using a zipline, depending on your loadout and approach. The rotating platform stabilizes long enough for you to climb safely, but lingering increases the risk of interference from other players.
Completing the Prime Specimen objective
At the top platform, the final phase mirrors the earlier hazard timing. Fire traps activate again, blocking the breach point. Wait patiently for the flames to stop, then breach the opening to trigger the quest completion sequence.
An item drops immediately, which many players assume is the final step. However, the quest does not fully complete unless you turn around and search the container on the platform. This container interaction is easy to miss but is required for full completion credit.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent failure points are rushing through active fire, arriving without Arc Power Cells, or forgetting the container at the end. Another common issue is arriving late, only to discover the Deforester has already been cleared. In Prime Specimen, preparation beats improvisation every time.
Prime Specimen and the Deforester
Prime Specimen is one of ARC Raiders’ most mechanically satisfying quests because it rewards patience, timing, and map knowledge over brute force. By reaching the Deforester early, bringing or farming Arc Power Cells, and respecting the fire cycles, you can complete the quest cleanly in one run. Remember to search the final container before leaving—missing it means doing the entire sequence again.
