How to Complete A Symbol of Unification in ARC Raiders Guide In 2026

Let me tell you something – when I first picked up the “A Symbol of Unification” quest in ARC Raiders, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I mean, sure, it sounds simple enough: go find a flag and raise it. But in the world of ARC Raiders, nothing is ever that straightforward, is it? After spending hours figuring this out (and making plenty of mistakes along the way), I’m here to share everything I’ve learned about completing this quest without losing your mind – or your gear.

Table of Contents

What Exactly Is A Symbol of Unification?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me break down what this quest is all about. “A Symbol of Unification” is one of those quests that seems deceptively simple but can actually be pretty frustrating if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. The basic premise is that humanity needs a symbol of hope, and you’re the one tasked with providing it by raising a Raider flag at the Formicai Outpost.

Now, I’ll be honest with you – when I first heard this, I thought it would be a quick in-and-out job. Boy, was I wrong! This quest takes you to one of the more remote locations on the Dam Battlegrounds map, and getting there can be quite the adventure, especially if you’re running solo like I usually do.

How to Unlock This Quest

One thing that confused me at first was how to actually unlock this quest. From what I’ve gathered through my own experience and from talking with other players, this quest typically becomes available after you’ve completed the “Unexpected Initiative” quest. I remember scratching my head for a while, wondering why Celeste wasn’t giving me this quest, and then bam – it popped up right after I finished that previous mission.

The quest is given by Celeste, one of the traders you’ll meet in Speranza. She’s usually got some interesting missions for you, and this one is no exception. If you’re not seeing it in your quest log, just keep completing other quests and checking back with her – it’ll show up eventually.

Preparing for the Mission: What You Need to Know

Before you even think about heading out to the Formicai Outpost, let me share some crucial preparation tips I’ve learned the hard way:

Loadout Strategy

Here’s something I wish someone had told me early on: use a free loadout for this quest. Seriously. The reason is simple – you don’t actually need to extract to complete this quest. Once you’ve raised the flag, the quest updates, and you can either extract or just let yourself die and respawn back in Speranza. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve loaded up with my best gear only to lose it all because I got greedy and tried to extract with extra loot.

What to Bring

Even though you’re using a free loadout, you still want to be prepared. Here’s what I typically bring:

Basic weapons: Nothing fancy, just something to defend yourself if you run into trouble
Medical supplies: A few bandages or medkits never hurt anyone
Armor: Basic armor is better than no armor
Utility items: Maybe a grenade or two for emergencies

Map Knowledge

The Formicai Outpost is located at the southernmost point of the Dam Battlegrounds map, and let me tell you – it’s pretty out of the way. I’ve made the mistake of spawning on the opposite side of the map and having to trek all the way across, which is about as fun as it sounds. If you can, try to get a spawn point closer to the southern part of the map to save yourself some time and trouble.

Step-by-Step Guide: Completing A Symbol of Unification

Alright, let’s get to the meat of this guide. Here’s exactly how I complete this quest, step by step:

Step 1: Reach the Formicai Outpost in Dam Battlegrounds

First things first, you need to deploy into the Dam Battlegrounds map. Once you’re in, you’ll want to head to the southernmost part of the map. The Formicai Outpost is located up on a tall hill, and it’s pretty isolated from the main action areas.

Pro tip from my experience: The outpost is so far off the beaten path that I wouldn’t even bother attempting this quest until you get a spawn point that’s reasonably close. I’ve spent way too much time running across the entire map, and let me tell you – it’s not fun, especially when you’re carrying valuable loot or just want to get the quest done quickly.

When you’re approaching the outpost, you’ll notice it’s up on a significant elevation. There are usually some natural paths that wind up the slope, so follow those rather than trying to scale the cliff face directly. I learned this the hard way after taking fall damage one too many times.

Step 2: Locate and Grab the Raider Flag

Once you’ve made it to the Formicai Outpost (congratulations, by the way – that trek isn’t easy!), head inside the main building. Now, this is where different guides might give you slightly different information, but based on my multiple runs through this quest, here’s what you’re looking for:

Inside the building, you’ll find a backpack or bag sitting on a desk or bench. Some sources say it’s near a medical bed, others mention a sheet-metal shed. From my experience, it’s usually pretty straightforward once you’re inside – just look for the interactable object.

When you find the bag, interact with it, and the Raider Flag will drop out. Pick it up, and you’ll see it added to your inventory. I always double-check my inventory at this point just to make sure I actually have it before moving on to the next step. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve got the flag only to realize you missed the interaction.

Step 3: Raise the Flag at the Flagpole

Now comes the satisfying part – raising the flag! With the Raider Flag in your inventory, head to the back of the outpost building. You’re looking for a flagpole located on a small platform or scaffolding that overlooks Red Lake.

This is another area where I’ve seen some confusion in various guides. Some mention it’s outside, others say it’s on a platform. From my experience, it’s definitely outside the main building, on a ledge or platform that gives you a nice view of Red Lake.

When you find the flagpole, simply interact with it (press and hold your interact button) to raise the flag. And just like that – quest complete! You’ll see the mission update, and you’re good to go.

Step 4: Extract or Return to Speranza

Here’s the beautiful part about this quest: you don’t need to extract to complete it. Once you’ve raised the flag, the quest is considered complete, and you can either:

Extract normally: If you’ve found some good loot and want to bring it back, head to the nearest extraction point. The closest one is usually the Red Lakes Balcony lift to the northeast, but be careful – this is a common spot for extraction campers.
Let yourself die: Since you’re using a free loadout (you are using a free loadout, right?), you can just let yourself respawn back in Speranza. The quest will still be complete, and you won’t lose anything valuable.

I usually go with option 2 if I’m just trying to complete the quest quickly, but if I’ve found some decent loot during my trek, I’ll risk the extraction.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Let me share some of the challenges I’ve faced while completing this quest and how I’ve learned to deal with them:

Player Encounters

The Formicai Outpost itself is usually pretty quiet, but the areas you might need to pass through – like the Wreckage and Scrap Yard – can be hotspots for other players, especially those farming mushrooms or looking for PvP action.

My strategy: I always try to move stealthily and avoid unnecessary confrontations. If I see other players, I’ll usually take a wide berth rather than risk a fight. Remember, you’re here to complete a quest, not to win every battle.

ARC Enemies

While the outpost itself is relatively safe, you might encounter some ARC enemies on your way there or back. I’ve run into everything from basic scouts to more heavily armed units.

My advice: Engage only when necessary, and try to use the environment to your advantage. The hills and rocks around the outpost provide good cover if you need to fight.

Navigation Issues

The first few times I tried this quest, I got lost more times than I care to admit. The outpost really is in the middle of nowhere, and if you’re not familiar with the map, it can be tricky to find.

What works for me: I now use the map landmarks to guide myself. Look for Red Lake to the north, and head to the southernmost point of the map. The outpost is on the highest hill in that area.

Rewards for Completing the Quest

So, what do you get for all this trouble? Let me tell you – the rewards are actually pretty decent:

Aviator Outfit: This is a cosmetic item that looks pretty cool, in my opinion
Three Mod Components: These are always useful for upgrading your gear
Five Duct Tape: Never underestimate the value of duct tape in ARC Raiders!

While the rewards might not seem massive, I think the Aviator Outfit alone makes this quest worth completing. Plus, it’s one of the easier quests once you know what you’re doing, so it’s a good way to get some decent rewards without too much risk.

Pro Tips from My Experience

After completing this quest multiple times, I’ve picked up some tricks that I think you’ll find helpful:

Timing is Everything

I’ve found that completing this quest during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) tends to be much easier. There are fewer players around, which means less chance of running into trouble on your way to or from the outpost.

Weather Considerations

Believe it or not, weather can actually make a difference. I’ve found that during foggy or stormy weather, it’s easier to move stealthily and avoid detection by both players and ARC units.

Bring a Friend

While this quest can definitely be completed solo, having a teammate watch your back makes it much easier. I’ve done it both ways, and I always feel more confident when I have someone watching my six.

Know Your Extraction Points

If you do decide to extract, make sure you know where the nearest extraction points are and how to get to them safely. I’ve memorized a few different routes from the outpost to various extraction points, which has saved me more than once.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete this quest?

From my experience, once you know where you’re going, this quest can be completed in about 10-15 minutes. The first time I did it, it took me closer to 30 minutes because I got lost and had to figure out where everything was.

Do I need to extract to complete the quest?

Nope! That’s one of the best things about this quest. Once you’ve raised the flag, the quest is complete, and you can extract or let yourself respawn without losing progress.

What’s the best loadout for this quest?

I always recommend using a free loadout since you don’t need to extract. Just bring basic weapons and medical supplies for self-defense.

Can I complete this quest solo?

Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest solo multiple times. It might be a bit more challenging, but it’s definitely doable.

What level should I be before attempting this quest?

There’s no specific level requirement, but I’d recommend being comfortable with basic game mechanics and navigation before attempting this quest, especially if you’re going solo.

Are there any prerequisites for this quest?

From what I’ve experienced, you typically need to complete the “Unexpected Initiative” quest first before this one becomes available from Celeste.

What happens if I die after raising the flag but before extracting?

Don’t worry! The quest progress saves as soon as you raise the flag, so even if you die before extracting, you’ll still have completed the quest when you respawn back in Speranza.

Can I complete this quest multiple times?

This appears to be a one-time quest, so you can only complete it once per character. However, the rewards are worth the effort, in my opinion.

Final Thoughts

Look, I’ll be honest with you – “A Symbol of Unification” might seem like a simple quest on the surface, but like everything in ARC Raiders, it has its challenges. But once you know what you’re doing and where to go, it’s actually one of the more straightforward quests in the game.

I remember feeling so frustrated my first few attempts, getting lost, running into players, and generally having a tough time. But now that I’ve got it down, I can usually complete it without any issues, and it’s actually become one of my go-to quests when I need some quick rewards.

The key takeaway here is preparation and knowledge. Know where you’re going, what you’re looking for, and have a plan for getting there and back (or not back, if you’re using the free loadout strategy).

I hope this guide helps you complete this quest without all the headaches I went through. And hey, if you see someone running around the Dam Battlegrounds looking confused and heading toward the Formicai Outpost – that might just be me! Feel free to wave, but please don’t shoot – I’m probably just trying to complete this quest again on an alt character.

Happy raiding, and may your flag always fly high!

P.S. If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it for future reference. I’m always updating my guides with new tips and tricks as I discover them, and you never know when you might need to help a friend complete this quest too!