What to know
- Surveyor Vaults do not spawn as fixed containers on any map
- They mainly drop from Surveyor ARC units after destroying their armor
- A bright blue skyward beam is the key way to locate Surveyors
- These vaults are required for progression and higher-tier upgrades
Surveyor Vaults are special loot items tied to progression systems in ARC Raiders. Unlike standard containers, you cannot simply walk to a marked vault location. Instead, these items are earned dynamically by engaging with specific ARC enemies during raids. Understanding how Surveyors behave and where they commonly appear saves you hours of aimless searching.
How Surveyor Vaults actually spawn
Surveyor Vaults are primarily obtained by destroying Surveyor ARC units. These are large, spherical machines that roam open areas rather than guarding fixed structures. You will see a meteor-like trail to know a Surveyor is present in the location.
When you break their outer armor segments, they drop multiple loot items on the ground, with a chance for a Surveyor Vault to appear among them.
Sidhant Sharma
There is no guaranteed drop rate. Some Surveyors drop none, while others drop one or more vault-related items, making repeated encounters necessary.
Surveyor locations for farming Surveyor Vaults
- Blue Gate – village outskirts: Open fields make the blue beam easy to spot and give safe space to engage Surveyors.
- Blue Gate – central plains: Common roaming paths with long sightlines for quick detection and pursuit.
- Spaceport – exterior perimeter: Surveyors spawn more often outside buildings near fences and loading areas.
- Spaceport – runway-adjacent zones: Wide, flat terrain reduces interference from other ARC enemies.
- Any large open map section: Fields, hills, and sparse cover improve visibility and tracking compared to dense urban areas.
Surveyor Vault details
- Source: Drops from destroyed Surveyors and occasionally from ARC Couriers
- Rarity & type: Rare, recyclable item used for progression and crafting
- Recycling rewards: 2× Mechanical Components + 2× ARC Alloy
- Salvage rewards: 2× Mechanical Components
- Key use: Required for upgrading Medical Lab II → Medical Lab III (5× Surveyor Vaults)
How to maximize Surveyor Vault farming
- Always scan the skyline early in the raid
- Prioritize open terrain over indoor or vertical areas
- Engage Surveyors when they stop to project the blue beam
- Extract early after securing a Surveyor Vault
We hope this Surveyor Vault guide for ARC Raiders offered all the clarity you were looking for and made your experience smoother. If you have any feedback, suggestions, or questions, drop them in the comments below. We actively read and respond, so feel free to reach out whenever you need extra help or guidance.
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