What to know
- Power Rods are epic-rarity items looted from electrical containers, crafted at Refiner level 3, or recycled from items like Snap Hooks.
- Primary farming spot is Power Generation Complex on Dam Battlegrounds, where breachable generators drop them randomly.
- They open a valuable loot room in the same complex and complete quests like Tribute to Toledo.
- Best during Night Raids or Electromagnetic Storms for higher drop rates and loot quality.
In Arc Raiders, you need Power Rods to access hidden loot and craft gear that turns tough raids into successful extractions. Whether you're breaching doors or upgrading your workshop, knowing where to find and use them keeps you ahead of ARC threats.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Main Map | Dam Battlegrounds (Power Generation Complex) |
| Drop Sources | Electrical cabinets, generators, breach panels |
| Crafting Req. | Refiner Lv. 3, 2× Advanced Electrical Components, 2× ARC Circuitry |
| Key Uses | Unlock doors, Tribute to Toledo quest, craft Heavy Shields and Snap Hooks |
| Best Events | Night Raids, Electromagnetic Storms |
Prime farming spots for Power Rods
Head to the Dam Battlegrounds map first, as it hosts the Power Generation Complex in the southeast or top section.
Target breachable panels near control rooms, ziplines, and generators—often two panels in a diagonal room leading outside yield rods every few runs.
Other Exodus zones like Stella Montis assembly or business centers occasionally drop them from electrical loot, but rates stay low without events. Run Night Raids or storms here for boosted spawns, as standard raids make them rarer.
How to craft Power Rods reliably
Upgrade your Refiner to level 3 in the workshop to unlock the blueprint—this beats pure RNG looting long-term. Gather materials by refining lower-tier electrics: Wires and Electrical Components into Advanced Electrical Components, plus scavenging ARC Circuitry from high-tech drops.
Step 1
Upgrade Refiner: Spend resources on Gear Bench to hit level 3, unlocking Power Rod recipe.
Step 2
Collect materials: Farm 2x Advanced Electrical Components (refine Wires x3 + Electrical Components x2) and 2x ARC Circuitry from Exodus electricals.
Step 3
Craft at Refiner: Queue the recipe; each rod takes time but scales with upgrades for multiples.
Step 4
Stockpile extras: Recycle Snap Hooks (from Lost in Transmission quest or Queen Harvester loot) for instant rods without full mats.
How to unlock Power Rod doors
These doors appear in Power Generation Complex, past generators and server cabinets—expect PvP, turrets, Pops, and Fireballs en route. You consume one rod per door; loot inside includes grenades, red lockers with epic weapons, meds, and components.
Step 1
Enter Dam Battlegrounds, navigate to Power Generation Complex (top/northeast).
Step 2
Clear hallway post-generators: Destroy turrets, handle enemy waves.
Step 3
Locate door: Across yellow cabinets; interact with Power Rod option.
Step 4
Open and loot: Prioritize Safe Pocket for rares; extract fast amid ambushes.
Step 5
Repeat in events: Night Raids boost room value, justifying the rod spend.
Completing Tribute to Toledo with a Power Rod
Pick up this quest from Celestee; deliver one Power Rod for Snap Hook rewards or progression. Farm as above, turn in at base—ties into recycling loops for more rods.
Power Rod rewards and loot table
Using a rod on the main door pays off in high-value hauls, especially events. Here's typical yields:
| Loot Type | Common Drops | Rarity Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Throwables | Grenades | Always on tables |
| Lockers | Epic weapons, trinkets | Red lockers, event-boosted |
| Components | Meds, modules | Variable, high during Night Raids |
| Quest Items | Potential Snap Hooks | Rare, pairs with recycling |
Crafting/Recycling yields: 1 rod → Advanced Electrical Components + ARC Circuitry. Quest reward: Snap Hook (recycle for another rod).
Other crafting uses for Power Rods
Beyond doors, combine 1x Power Rod + 1x Voltage Converter for Heavy Shield (Gear Bench 3). Repair Snap Hooks with 1x Power Rod + 1x Exodus Modules. Salvage extras for components when loot trumps crafting.
Master these methods, and Power Rods shift from scarcity to strategy—craft ahead, farm smart during events, and decide per run whether to spend on doors or save for upgrades.
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