I’ve spent countless hours diving into the world of ARC Raiders, and let me tell you, the Armored Transports quest is one of those missions that can either be a breeze or a total nightmare depending on how prepared you are. When I first tackled this quest, I made every mistake in the book – losing my key card, getting ambushed by other players, and even having my progress reset because I didn’t complete the objectives in the right order. But after mastering this quest, I’m here to share everything I’ve learned so you can complete it without the headaches I experienced.
What You Need to Know Before Starting?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let me give you the lowdown on what this quest is all about. The Armored Transports quest is given by Tian Wen, one of the traders you’ll encounter as you progress through the game. This mission takes place in the Blue Gate region and requires you to find a special key card, locate an armored vehicle, and unlock it for some sweet loot.
Here’s what I recommend you bring along:
- A balanced loadout that works for both close-quarters and long-range combat
- At least one free slot in your safe pocket (this is crucial!)
- Plenty of healing items and ammo
- A friend or squad member if possible (safety in numbers, folks!)
Step 1: Getting the Quest Started
First things first, you need to unlock this quest by progressing through Tian Wen’s storyline. I found that she becomes available pretty early in the game, but you might need to complete a few of her simpler missions before she trusts you with the Armored Transports quest.
When you talk to her, she’ll give you the quest details about needing to find a patrol car key and locate some armored transports. Don’t worry if it sounds complicated – I’ll walk you through every single step.
Step 2: Finding the Armored Patrol Key Card
This is where things get interesting, and also where I messed up my first few attempts. The Armored Patrol Key Card is the most important item for this quest, and if you lose it, you’re pretty much screwed until you can find another one.
Primary Location: The Checkpoint at Blue Gate
The most reliable place to find the key card is at the Checkpoint area in Blue Gate. When I was doing my research, I discovered that there are several guard huts in this area, and the key card spawns inside one of them. Here’s exactly what you need to do:
- Head to the Checkpoint location (your quest marker will guide you)
- Look for the small guard huts or toll booths in the area
- Enter each hut and search thoroughly
- Look for a folder on a table or in drawers
- Interact with the folder to pick up the Armored Patrol Key Card
Pro tip that I learned the hard way: As soon as you pick up that key card, move it to your safe pocket immediately! I can’t stress this enough. If you die with the key card in your regular inventory, it’s gone forever, and you’ll have to start the quest over. Trust me, nothing’s more frustrating than spending 30 minutes searching for the key only to lose it because you got careless.
Alternative Key Card Locations
Sometimes the key card doesn’t spawn at the Checkpoint, or maybe you want to find one outside of the quest. During my adventures, I’ve discovered a couple of other locations where you might get lucky:
Ruby Residence at Dam Battlegrounds
- Head to the western side of Dam Battlegrounds
- Look for the Ruby Residence buildings
- Search through all the containers and drawers
- The key card has a chance to spawn here randomly
Research and Administration Building
- Located in the middle of Dam Battlegrounds
- Multiple floors with plenty of containers to search
- Take your time and check every possible spawn location
I’ve found that these locations aren’t as reliable as the quest-specific spawn at the Checkpoint, but they’re worth knowing about if you’re looking for extra key cards or if something goes wrong with your quest.
Step 3: Locating the Armored Vehicle
Now that you’ve got the key card safely tucked away in your safe pocket, it’s time to find the armored vehicle. This part of the quest takes you to the Headhouse area in Blue Gate, and let me tell you, this area can be pretty intense.
Getting to Headhouse
Here’s how I navigate to the vehicle location:
- Make your way to the Headhouse location in Blue Gate (it’s near the Warehouse complex)
- Enter the main structure and look for stairs leading down
- Take the stairs down several levels until you find a zipline
- Use the zipline to go all the way down to the lower level
When you reach the bottom, you’ll find yourself in a tunnel area with a long road section. This is where the magic happens – and where the danger begins.
Finding the Right Armored Car
This is where things can get tricky. In my experience, there are usually multiple armored vehicles in this area, but only one of them will be the one you can unlock with your key card. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- There are typically 5 armored patrol cars in the area
- Most of them are already looted or empty
- The one you need will have a locked rear door
- You might need to search the entire tunnel area to find it
I’ve found that the correct vehicle is often located all the way at the back of the tunnel, but this can vary. Take your time and check each vehicle carefully. Look for the one that still has its rear door intact and locked.
Step 4: Surviving the Tunnel Area
Let me be real with you – the tunnel area where the armored cars are located is no joke. During my attempts, I’ve encountered all sorts of threats that can ruin your day if you’re not prepared.
Enemy Threats
Here’s what you need to watch out for:
Drones
- These are everywhere in the tunnel area
- They’re not super tough on their own
- But they can overwhelm you if you’re not careful
- Take them out quietly to avoid attracting attention
Fireball Enemies
- These guys pack a serious punch
- They can appear suddenly and deal massive damage
- Keep your distance and use cover
- Aim for weak points if you can spot them
Queen Patrols
- This is the big threat in the area
- A Queen enemy sometimes patrols the tunnel
- If you see one, either avoid it entirely or be prepared for a serious fight
- I recommend stealth over confrontation unless you’re well-equipped
Other Players
- Don’t forget this is a multiplayer game
- Other players might be after the same loot
- They could ambush you while you’re distracted
- Stay alert and be ready to defend yourself
Combat Tips
Here’s how I handle the combat in this area:
- Move slowly and quietly – Rushing in will just get you killed
- Clear smaller threats first – Take out drones before tackling bigger enemies
- Use cover effectively – The tunnel has plenty of places to hide
- Listen for audio cues – Enemy sounds can warn you of approaching threats
- Have an escape route – Always know where you can run if things go south
Step 5: Unlocking and Looting the Vehicle
Once you’ve found the correct armored car and dealt with any immediate threats, it’s time to use that key card you’ve been protecting so carefully.
Unlocking the Vehicle
Here’s the straightforward part:
- Approach the rear door of the armored car
- Take out your Armored Patrol Key Card from your safe pocket
- Interact with the locked door
- The door should unlock, giving you access to the interior
Important note: Make sure you’re at the correct vehicle! I’ve seen players waste their key cards on the wrong cars, only to realize they need to find another one. The correct vehicle will have a locked rear door that responds to your key card.
What’s Inside?
When you unlock the vehicle, you’ll find some valuable loot inside. From my experience, you can typically expect:
- A weapon case containing blue or green tier weapons
- Various ammunition types
- Medical supplies
- Sometimes rare crafting materials
The exact loot can vary, but it’s usually worth the effort. I’ve found some pretty decent weapons from these armored cars that have served me well in later missions.
Step 6: Completing the Quest
Here’s where I see most players get confused, and where I personally messed up my first time. Just unlocking and looting the vehicle isn’t always enough to complete the quest. Sometimes you need to take one additional step.
The Final Step
After you’ve looted the armored car, check your quest objectives. If it still shows as incomplete, here’s what you need to do:
- Head toward the entrance of the traffic tunnel
- This is usually near where you found the armored car
- Simply walking into this area should trigger the quest completion
- You’ll get a notification that the quest is complete
I’ve found that this step is necessary about half the time, so it’s always worth checking your objectives before extracting.
Extracting Safely
Now that you’ve completed the main objectives, you need to extract safely to keep all your progress and loot. Here’s my advice:
- Don’t linger – The longer you stay, the more likely you are to encounter trouble
- Watch your six – Other players might try to ambush you on your way out
- Use the environment – Take advantage of cover and concealment
- Have a plan – Know your extraction route before you start moving
Remember, if you die before extracting, you’ll lose everything you’ve collected, and the quest progress might reset. I’ve learned this the hard way more times than I care to admit.
Quest Rewards
Alright, let’s talk about the good stuff – what you get for completing this quest. Based on my experience and research, here are the rewards you can expect:
Guaranteed Rewards
- Blue Yellow (Aviator Color) – This is a cosmetic item for your character
- 3x Smoke Grenade – Always useful for creating cover or escaping
- 3x Defibrillator – Great for reviving yourself or teammates
These rewards are pretty solid, especially for players who are still gearing up. The smoke grenades and defibrillators have saved my life more times than I can count.
Additional Benefits
Beyond the direct quest rewards, completing this quest also:
- Unlocks access to Tian Wen’s higher-tier missions
- Gives you valuable experience with the Blue Gate area
- Teaches you important mechanics about key cards and locked containers
- Provides decent loot from the armored car itself
2026 Common Problems and Solutions
I want to share some of the common issues I’ve encountered (and seen other players encounter) with this quest, along with how to solve them.
Problem: Key Card Disappeared
Issue: You had the key card, but now it’s gone from your inventory.
Solution: This usually happens if you died with the key card in your regular inventory instead of your safe pocket. Unfortunately, you’ll need to start over and find another key card. Learn from my mistake – always put important quest items in your safe pocket!
Problem: Can’t Find the Correct Armored Car
Issue: You’ve searched the entire tunnel area but can’t find a vehicle that accepts your key card.
Solution: This can happen if another player already looted the correct vehicle, or if there’s a bug. Try these steps:
- Check every vehicle again carefully
- Look for vehicles that might have respawned
- Consider leaving and returning to the area
- As a last resort, abandon the quest and restart it
Problem: Quest Won’t Complete
Issue: You’ve unlocked and looted the vehicle, but the quest still shows as incomplete.
Solution: This is usually because you haven’t triggered the final step. Try:
- Walking toward the traffic tunnel entrance
- Checking if there are any other objectives you missed
- Making sure you actually looted the vehicle (just unlocking isn’t always enough)
Problem: Getting Ambushed by Other Players
Issue: Other players keep attacking you while you’re trying to complete the quest.
Solution: This is just part of the game, but you can minimize the risk:
- Try to play during off-peak hours when fewer players are online
- Bring friends or squad members for protection
- Move quickly and quietly to avoid attracting attention
- Be prepared to fight or flee at a moment’s notice
2026 Advanced Tips and Strategies
Now that I’ve covered the basics, let me share some advanced strategies I’ve developed through my many attempts at this quest.
Timing Your Run
I’ve found that the time of day you attempt this quest can make a big difference:
- Early morning hours – Fewer players online, less competition
- Weekdays – Generally less crowded than weekends
- After server resets – Fresh spawns mean better chances of finding unlooted vehicles
Loadout Optimization
Here’s my recommended loadout for this specific quest:
Primary Weapon: Something versatile that works at medium range
- I like assault rifles or battle rifles
- They give you flexibility for different engagement distances
Secondary Weapon: A close-quarters option
- SMGs or shotguns work great
- Essential for when enemies get up close and personal
Equipment:
- Plenty of healing items (you’ll need them)
- Armor with good damage reduction
- Utility items like grenades or deployable cover
Movement and Positioning
How you move through the area can make or break your attempt:
- Use cover effectively – Don’t run in the open
- Move from cover to cover – Plan your route in advance
- Listen for audio cues – Enemy sounds give away their position
- Check corners carefully – Enemies love to ambush you around turns
- Keep an eye on your minimap – It shows nearby threats and objectives
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to address some common questions I see players asking about this quest:
How long does this quest usually take?
From my experience, the Armored Transports quest typically takes between 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on how lucky you get with spawns and how much resistance you encounter. My personal best time was about 25 minutes, but I’ve also had attempts that lasted over an hour due to complications.
Can I complete this quest solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest solo multiple times. It’s definitely more challenging than doing it with a squad, but it’s very doable if you’re careful and well-prepared. The key is taking your time and not rushing through dangerous areas.
What happens if I die during the quest?
If you die during the quest, you’ll lose any items you were carrying, including the key card if it wasn’t in your safe pocket. Your quest progress may also reset, meaning you’ll need to start over. This is why I always stress the importance of putting the key card in your safe pocket immediately!
Can I do this quest multiple times?
The quest itself can only be completed once per character for the rewards. However, you can still find and use Patrol Car Keys outside of the quest to access armored vehicles for loot. I actually enjoy doing this even after completing the quest, as the loot can be quite valuable.
Are there any level requirements?
I haven’t found any specific level requirements for this quest, but I recommend being at least level 10-15 before attempting it. The enemies in the tunnel area can be quite tough, and you’ll want decent gear and some experience under your belt.
Final Thoughts
After spending so much time with the Armored Transports quest in ARC Raiders, I can honestly say it’s one of the more rewarding missions in the game. Sure, it can be frustrating at times, but the feeling of finally unlocking that armored car and walking away with some sweet loot is totally worth it.
I hope this guide helps you avoid the mistakes I made and complete the quest much more smoothly than I did on my first few attempts. Remember to take your time, stay alert, and for the love of all that’s holy, put that key card in your safe pocket!
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it for future reference, and feel free to share it with any friends who might be struggling with this quest. And if you have any additional tips or experiences you’d like to share, drop them in the comments below – I’m always looking to learn new strategies!
Happy raiding, and may your extraction be safe and your loot be plentiful!
Want more ARC Raiders guides and tips? Check out our other articles for comprehensive walkthroughs, build guides, and strategies to dominate in every mission.