I’ve spent countless hours diving into the world of ARC Raiders, and let me tell you, completing quests like “A Balanced Harvest” can be pretty confusing if you don’t know exactly where to go. When I first picked up this quest from Celeste, I found myself wandering around the massive Research & Administration building like a headless chicken. But don’t worry – I’m here to walk you through every step so you can complete this quest efficiently and get those sweet rewards.
What is A Balanced Harvest Quest?
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let me give you the lowdown on what this quest is all about. Celeste hits you with this line: “Our food production is finally enough to meet our basic needs, but what we really need now is variety. I have a lead on some agricultural research from before the First Wave. Are you in?”
Basically, you’re on a mission to find some old agricultural research papers that could help diversify the food supply in Speranza. It sounds simple enough, but trust me, navigating that Research & Administration building can be a nightmare if you don’t know where you’re going.
Quest Objectives
The quest breaks down into three main objectives that you need to complete in a single raid:
- Go to the Research & Administration building
- Locate Lab 1 on the upper floor above the reception
- Search for any traces of the agricultural research project
Simple, right? Well, let me break down each step for you so you don’t waste time like I did on my first few attempts.
Finding the Research & Administration Building
First things first – you need to know where you’re going. The Research & Administration building is located on the Dam Battlegrounds map. Now, I’ve heard different descriptions of its location, so let me give you the most accurate ways to find it:
- From the south side: The building is situated toward the southern part of Dam Battleground, just north of the Scrap Yard. This is actually the best approach because it gives you easier access to the upper floors.
- From the east side: Some guides mention it’s on the eastern side near the Control Tower building. Either way works, but I’ve found the southern approach to be much more efficient.
Pro tip: This building is a hot spot for other Raiders and ARCs, so be prepared for some action. It’s also a popular looting site, which means you might run into other players looking for gear.
Best Entry Strategy
When I’m doing this quest, I always approach from the south side of the building. Here’s why:
- Blue stairs access: The southern approach gives you direct access to the blue stairs that lead up to the upper floors
- Sentinel opportunity: There’s often a Sentinel mounted on the wall above the stairs. Taking this bad boy out drops a Sentinel Firing Core, which you’ll need for upgrading your Gunsmith station to level 3. It’s like getting a bonus reward!
- Less resistance: In my experience, the southern entrance usually has fewer enemies camping compared to other entry points
Navigating Inside the Building
Okay, so you’ve made it inside. Now what? This is where things can get confusing because the building is massive and has multiple paths. Let me walk you through the most efficient route I’ve found:
Route 1: The Stairs Method (My Preferred Route)
- Take the blue stairs all the way up to the top floor
- Go through the first door you come across
- Head past the canteen area – you can’t miss it, it’s the communal eating space
- Go through the next door to enter a corridor area
- Take the left corridor (ignore the right path)
- Follow this corridor until you see a right turn
- Lab 1 will be on your right at the end of this turn
Route 2: The Zipline Method
If you prefer using the zipline (which can be faster if you know what you’re doing):
- Take the zipline to the upper floor
- Go straight from where you land
- Take the first right turn
- Move straight and then take a left turn
- Look for Lab 1 entrance on your left side
Route 3: The Reception Rope Method
This is actually the quickest way I’ve found, but it requires a bit more precision:
- Find the reception area on the ground floor
- Look for a rope that leads up to the upper floor
- Climb the rope to reach the upper level
- From the room you land in, turn right
- Look for a wall labeled “Lab” on your right
- The first lab on your left is Lab 1
Personal experience: I’ve tried all three methods, and the reception rope method is by far the fastest once you know where to look. The stairs method is the most straightforward for beginners.
Finding Lab 1 and the Agricultural Research Papers
Once you’ve made it to Lab 1, you’re almost done! Here’s what you need to know:
Locating the Exact Spot
Lab 1 is typically near the lockers and shower rooms, so if you see those, you’re in the right area. The room should have “LAB 1” written on the wall or door, making it easy to identify.
Finding the Research Papers
Inside Lab 1, you’ll need to:
- Enter the first room and go through the open doorway to the second room
- Look for a desk in the center of the room – this is where the magic happens
- Find the agricultural research papers – they’ll be highlighted in yellow so you can’t miss them
- Interact with or scan the papers to complete the objective
Important note: When you enter this room, you’ll trigger a metal detector. This can alert nearby enemies, so you might want to disable it first. You can do this by shooting the device on the side of the detector. I recommend using a suppressed weapon if you have one – it keeps things quiet and stealthy.
Challenges to Watch Out For
I’ve learned this quest the hard way, so let me share some pitfalls to avoid:
Enemy Resistance
- Turret alert: If you take the stairs route, there’s often a turret in the passageway. Make sure to take it out before proceeding
- Other Raiders: This building is popular, so expect company. I’ve had some intense firefights here, especially in the first 15 minutes of a raid
- ARCs: The mechanical enemies love this area, so stay alert
Navigation Issues
- Getting lost: The building is huge, and it’s easy to take a wrong turn. That’s why I recommend sticking to one route and mastering it
- Wrong lab: There are multiple labs in the building, so make sure you’re in Lab 1 specifically
- Missing the papers: Sometimes the papers can be hard to spot if the room is cluttered. Look for the yellow highlight
Extraction Strategy
Once you’ve got the research papers, you’re ready to extract. Here are your best options:
Closest Extraction Points
- Water Treatment elevator: This is usually the closest extraction point from the Research & Administration building
- Swampside Elevator: Another nearby option that’s relatively safe
Pro tip: Before you extract, take some time to loot the area. The R&D building has some fantastic loot opportunities, including Epic Trinkets that can sell for 7,000-10,000 coins each. I always check the lockers and medical room before leaving.
Quest Rewards
Alright, let’s talk about why you’re really here – the rewards! After completing A Balanced Harvest and turning it in to Celeste, you’ll receive:
| Reward Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Advanced Mechanical Components | 3x |
| Medium Gun Parts | 3x |
| Steel Spring | 10x |
These rewards are actually pretty solid, especially the Steel Springs. I’ve found that Steel Springs are used in quite a few crafting recipes, so getting 10 of them at once is a nice bonus.
My Personal Tips for Success
After completing this quest multiple times, here are some personal tips I’ve picked up:
Preparation is Key
- Bring a suppressed weapon – it makes disabling the metal detector much easier
- Pack enough ammo – you never know when you’ll run into other Raiders or tough ARCs
- Bring medical supplies – better safe than sorry, right?
Timing Matters
- Go during off-peak hours if possible – I’ve found the building is much quieter early morning or late at night
- Complete the quest early in the raid – this gives you time to loot and extract without rushing
- Be prepared to complete it in one run – you can’t save progress and come back later
Advanced Strategies
- Team up with friends – having backup makes this quest much easier, especially if the server is busy
- Use the environment – there are plenty of places to take cover if things get heated
- Listen for audio cues – the metal detector and turret both make distinct sounds that can help you prepare
Common Questions (FAQ)
I’ve seen a lot of players asking the same questions about this quest, so let me address some of the most common ones:
How long does this quest take?
From my experience, once you know the route, you can complete this quest in about 5-10 minutes if you don’t run into much resistance. If the area is busy, it could take 15-20 minutes.
Can I complete this quest solo?
Absolutely! I’ve done it solo multiple times. It might be a bit more challenging, but it’s definitely doable if you’re careful and take your time.
What happens if I die before extracting?
Unfortunately, you’ll lose any progress on the quest and have to start over. That’s why I recommend being extra careful and maybe bringing some friends along for backup.
Are the rewards worth it?
In my opinion, yes. The Steel Springs alone are worth the effort, and the quest itself is pretty straightforward once you know where to go.
Can I do other quests in the same raid?
Definitely! I often combine this quest with other Dam Battlegrounds objectives to maximize my efficiency per raid.
Related ARC Raiders Content
If you found this guide helpful, you might want to check out some of our other ARC Raiders guides. We’re constantly updating our content with the latest tips and tricks for mastering the game.
For more information about the Dam Battlegrounds map, including loot locations and other quest areas, be sure to bookmark our Dam Battlegrounds interactive map guide.
Final Thoughts
A Balanced Harvest might seem intimidating at first, but once you know the route, it’s actually one of the more straightforward quests in ARC Raiders. I remember feeling overwhelmed the first time I attempted it, but now I can breeze through it without even thinking.
The key is preparation and knowing exactly where to go. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right on the first try – I certainly didn’t! Take your time, learn the building layout, and soon you’ll be completing this quest with your eyes closed.
Good luck out there, Raider! And remember, if you found this guide helpful, be sure to bookmark it for future reference. I’ll be keeping it updated with any new information or changes that come with future game updates.
Stay safe, loot smart, and happy raiding!