I’ve spent countless hours exploring the world of ARC Raiders, and let me tell you, Field Crates are one of those game mechanics that confused me at first but have become one of my favorite activities. When I first started playing, I kept seeing these big silver boxes scattered around and had no idea what to do with them. But after completing the “Down to Earth” quest and mastering the Field Crate delivery system, I’m here to share everything I’ve learned with you.
What Are Field Crates and Why Should You Care?
Field Crates are those large, distinctive silver boxes you’ll find scattered throughout the maps in ARC Raiders. They’re not just decorative items – they’re your ticket to some seriously good loot! I remember the first time I successfully delivered a Field Crate to a depot; the rewards were way better than I expected, and it’s become a regular part of my raiding routine ever since.
These crates are tied to specific quests and feats that reward you with extra Cred, but more importantly, they give you access to high-quality loot that can really give you an edge in the game. Whether you’re a new player still getting your bearings or a veteran raider looking to optimize your runs, understanding Field Crates is essential.
The Basics: How Field Crates Work?
Let me break this down for you in simple terms. Field Crates are always found near Field Depots – those small buildings with the tall antennas on top. You can’t miss them because they have their own icon on the map, which makes planning your route so much easier.
Here’s the basic process:
- Find a Field Depot (look for the antenna and blue tarp)
- Search the surrounding area for a Field Crate (big silver box)
- Pick up the crate (you’ll carry it with both hands)
- Carry it back to the Field Depot
- Deposit it in the glowing blue area
- Collect your sweet, sweet loot
Sounds simple, right? Well, there’s a catch. When you’re carrying a Field Crate, you move at a snail’s pace and can’t use your weapons or quick-use items. This makes you incredibly vulnerable, so you need to plan your approach carefully.
All Field Depot Locations in Dam Battlegrounds
I’ve explored every inch of the Dam Battlegrounds map, and I can tell you there are exactly six Field Depots that always spawn in the same locations. Here’s a complete table of all Field Depot locations:
| Field Depot # | Location | Nearby Landmarks | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Between Electrical Substation and Water Towers | Water Towers, Electrical Substation | Easy |
| 2 | Between Research & Administration and Testing Annex | Red Lakes | Easy |
| 3 | Near southwest corner of Loading Bay | Loading Bay | Medium |
| 4 | Forest between Water Treatment, Old Battleground, and South Swamp Outpost | Multiple outposts | Medium |
| 5 | West half of Hydroponic Dome Complex | Hydroponic Dome | Hard |
| 6 | Far eastern edge of Power Generator Complex | Power Generator | Hard |
From my experience, Depots 1 and 2 are the safest to approach. They’re far away from the high-traffic loot areas, so you’re less likely to run into hostile players or powerful ARC enemies like Leapers and Bombardiers. I’ve had the most success with Depot 1, which is why I’ll focus on it for the detailed guide.
The Easiest Field Depot: My Go-To Spot
I want to share my personal favorite Field Depot location – the one between the Electrical Substation and Water Towers. I’ve completed this delivery dozens of times, and it’s consistently the most reliable spot for several reasons:
Why This Location Rocks:
- Excellent visibility – you can see threats coming from far away
- Multiple escape routes if things go south
- Good cover options in the surrounding area
- Less player traffic compared to other depot locations
- Plenty of Field Crate spawn points nearby
When I’m approaching this depot, I always take a minute to survey the area from the southeastern hill. This gives me a perfect vantage point to check for other players or enemies before I commit to the crate delivery. Trust me, those extra 30 seconds of observation have saved my life more times than I can count.
Field Crate Spawn Locations: Where to Look?
Field Crates don’t always spawn in the exact same spot, but they do have preferred areas around each depot. For the Water Towers/Electrical Substation depot, I’ve found crates in these locations:
| Spawn Area | Specific Location | My Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Water Towers | Inside the northernmost tower | 80% |
| Water Towers | Inside the southern tower | 70% |
| Electrical Substation | North end building | 75% |
| Electrical Substation | Base of eastern hills | 60% |
| Swampside Elevator area | Near extraction point | 40% |
I usually start my search in the Water Towers since that’s where I find crates most consistently. If I don’t find one there, I move to the Electrical Substation buildings. I avoid the Swampside Elevator area unless I’m desperate, as it’s often camped by other players and has a high chance of spawning Leapers.
Step-by-Step Guide: Delivering Your First Field Crate
Let me walk you through exactly how I deliver a Field Crate, from preparation to extraction. This is the method that’s worked best for me in my 75+ hours of gameplay:
Step 1: Preparation
Before I even head to a Field Depot, I make sure I’m properly equipped:
- Bring plenty of ammo and healing items
- Choose weapons with good range for clearing areas
- Consider bringing allies if you’re playing in a squad
- Make sure your inventory has space for the loot you’ll get
Step 2: Approach and Survey
When I get near the depot area, I don’t just rush in. I find a good vantage point (that southeastern hill I mentioned) and spend at least 30-60 seconds observing the area. I look for:
- Other players moving around
- Enemy patrols
- Any signs of recent activity
- The best approach route
Step 3: Clear the Area
Once I’ve decided it’s safe to proceed, I work on clearing the immediate area around the depot and potential crate spawn points. I take out any enemies that could interfere with my delivery. This is crucial because you’ll be defenseless while carrying the crate.
Step 4: Locate the Crate
Now comes the search! I systematically check all the spawn points I listed above. I start with the Water Towers since that’s my most successful location. The crate is a large silver box that’s pretty hard to miss once you know what you’re looking for.
Step 5: The Delivery
This is the tense part! When I find the crate, I:
- Make one final check of the area
- Pick up the crate (I’ll be moving slowly now)
- Move directly to the Field Depot
- Deposit it in the glowing blue area inside
- Quickly collect the loot from the now-unlocked container
Step 6: Extract or Continue
After successfully delivering the crate, I have a choice: extract immediately with my new loot or continue exploring for more rewards. I usually decide based on how much attention I may have attracted with the delivery.
Advanced Tips and Strategies
I’ve learned some hard lessons over my many Field Crate deliveries, and I want to share these advanced tips to help you avoid the mistakes I made:
Squad Play vs. Solo
If you’re playing with a squad, Field Crate deliveries become much easier. Here’s how I coordinate with my team:
- One person watches for threats while I carry the crate
- Another person clears the path to the depot
- The third person can act as a distraction if needed
When I’m playing solo, I have to be much more careful. I usually:
- Wait for quieter times when fewer players are online
- Choose depot locations farther from high-traffic areas
- Have multiple escape routes planned
- Be prepared to drop the crate and fight if necessary
Timing Your Delivery
I’ve found that the timing of your delivery attempt can make a huge difference. Here’s what works best for me:
- Early in the raid when fewer players have spread out
- During off-peak hours when server population is lower
- Right after a major event that draws players away from depot areas
Loot Quality and Rewards
Let me be honest – the loot from Field Depots isn’t always game-changing, but it’s consistently better than what you’ll find randomly scavenging. In my experience, I’ve gotten:
- High-quality weapons like the Il Toro shotgun
- Rare gadgets and augments
- Plenty of ammo and crafting materials
- Sometimes even cosmetic items
The “Down to Earth” quest specifically rewards you with a Combat MK.1 augment and a Medium Shield, which are both excellent for early-game progression.
Common Problems and Solutions
I’ve run into just about every problem you can imagine with Field Crate deliveries. Here are the most common issues I’ve faced and how I solved them:
Problem: Can’t Find the Field Crate
This happens to me more often than I’d like to admit. When I can’t find a crate, I:
- Double-check all spawn points systematically
- Look in less obvious spots like behind buildings or under structures
- Consider that another player may have already taken it
- Move to a different depot location
Problem: Getting Killed While Carrying the Crate
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been killed while carrying a crate. To prevent this:
- I always clear the area thoroughly before picking up the crate
- I move during moments of low activity
- I have escape routes planned before I even pick up the crate
- I’m not afraid to drop the crate and fight if ambushed
Problem: Depot is Camped by Other Players
This is frustrating but common. My solutions:
- Observe from a distance to identify camper positions
- Come back later or try a different depot
- Use distractions or flank routes to catch them off guard
- Sometimes it’s better to just cut your losses and move on
Quest Integration: Off the Radar and Down to Earth
Field Crates are integrated into two important early-game quests. Let me break down what I’ve learned about completing these efficiently:
Off the Radar Quest
This quest from Celeste is straightforward but important. Here’s exactly what I do:
- Visit any Field Depot (I recommend the Water Towers one)
- Climb onto the roof
- Interact with the antenna base to repair it
- Complete the quest (you don’t even need to extract successfully!)
The great thing about this quest is that you can complete it even if you die later in the raid. Just visiting and repairing the antenna is enough.
Down to Earth Quest
This quest from Shani is where Field Crates come into play. It’s essentially a tutorial for the crate delivery system:
- Visit a Field Depot
- Find and deliver a Field Crate to the supply station
- Collect the reward from the unlocked container
- Complete the quest
I love that this quest gives you a pair of binoculars just for accepting it, and the rewards (Combat MK.1 augment and Medium Shield) are genuinely useful for early-game progression.
Field Depots on Other Maps
While Dam Battlegrounds is the first map and the one I’ve spent the most time on, Field Depots exist on other maps too. From what I’ve experienced:
Spaceport Map
- Higher difficulty level
- More complex depot layouts
- Better quality loot but higher risk
- Requires more careful planning
Blue Gate Map
- Similar difficulty to Spaceport
- Different environmental challenges
- Unique depot locations to learn
- Worth it for experienced players
Buried City Map
- Smaller map means more player encounters
- Tighter sightlines make approach harder
- Less room for error
- I only attempt these when I’m well-equipped
My Personal Field Crate Delivery Routine
After dozens of successful deliveries, I’ve developed a personal routine that works almost every time. Let me share it with you:
Pre-Raid Preparation
- I always check my equipment before heading out
- I make sure I have at least two weapons with different ranges
- I bring extra healing items and ammo
- I choose my squad carefully if playing with others
During the Raid
- I head directly to my preferred depot location
- I spend extra time observing from a distance
- I clear the area systematically
- I search for crates in my preferred order
- I execute the delivery quickly once I find a crate
Post-Delivery
- I collect the loot immediately
- I decide whether to extract or continue based on the situation
- I note any changes or new information for next time
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked a lot of questions about Field Crates, so let me answer the most common ones based on my experience:
How many Field Crates spawn per depot?
From what I’ve seen, there are usually multiple Field Crates per depot, and you can actually complete the delivery activity multiple times in a single run. However, they can be quite well hidden, so you need to search thoroughly.
Can I complete Field Crate deliveries solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed most of my deliveries solo. It’s more challenging, but definitely possible with careful planning and execution. The key is choosing the right depot location and timing your approach carefully.
What happens if I die while carrying a Field Crate?
Unfortunately, you’ll drop the crate where you died, and someone else can pick it up. I’ve lost a few crates this way, which is why I’m extra careful about my approach and always have escape routes planned.
Are Field Crate deliveries worth the risk?
In my opinion, yes! The loot quality is consistently better than random scavenging, and completing the associated quests gives you valuable early-game rewards. Plus, once you get good at it, the process becomes quite quick and efficient.
Can other players steal my Field Crate?
Yes, they can. I’ve had crates stolen right out from under me, which is why I always try to work quickly and clear the area before attempting the delivery. If you see another player going for a crate, you can either compete for it or move to a different depot location.
Final Thoughts
Field Crates have become one of my favorite mechanics in ARC Raiders. There’s something incredibly satisfying about finding that silver box, carefully carrying it to the depot, and being rewarded with high-quality loot. It’s a risk-reward system that really captures the essence of the game.
I remember when I first started, I was intimidated by the whole process. But now, after dozens of successful deliveries, I can confidently say that mastering Field Crates has made me a better player overall. The skills I’ve learned – careful observation, tactical planning, and risk assessment – apply to every other aspect of the game.
Whether you’re a new player just starting out or a veteran looking to optimize your runs, I hope this guide helps you make the most of Field Crates in ARC Raiders. Remember to stay patient, plan carefully, and don’t get discouraged if things don’t go perfectly the first few times.
Happy raiding, and I hope to see you out there in the world of ARC Raiders! And hey, if you see me in the Water Towers area, give me a friendly “hello” before you start shooting – I’ll do the same for you!
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