Hey there, fellow Raiders! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been tearing your hair out trying to complete the Mixed Signals quest in ARC Raiders. I mean, seriously—who thought it was a good idea to send us hunting for these elusive Surveyors without a proper map marker? But don’t worry, I’ve spent countless hours (and died more times than I’d like to admit) figuring this out, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned.
What the Heck is the Mixed Signals Quest Anyway?
So, let’s start with the basics. The Mixed Signals quest is one of those missions you get from Shani, Speranza’s watchful eye. You know Shani—that NPC who always seems to know what’s going on but never gives you straight answers? Yeah, her. She’ll give you this quest after you’ve progressed enough with her, and it sounds simple enough: find and destroy an ARC Surveyor, then loot its Surveyor Vault.
But here’s the thing—nothing about this quest is as simple as it sounds. I’ve learned that the hard way, trust me.
The Surveyor Situation: What You’re Actually Hunting?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about what exactly we’re hunting. ARC Surveyors are these ball-like machines that roll around the map like they own the place. They’re black, circular ARCs that emit this distinctive blue laser that shoots straight up into the sky. That laser is actually your best friend in this quest—it’s like a giant “HERE I AM” sign for the Surveyor.
But here’s where it gets tricky: these Surveyors are fast. Like, really fast. And the moment you start shooting at them, they’ll try to roll away like scared little robots. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had one in my sights only to watch it disappear over a hill while I’m still fumbling with my weapon.
Where to Find These Sneaky Surveyors?
Okay, so you want to know where to find these things, right? Based on my experience and what I’ve learned from other Raiders, Surveyors can spawn on any map in the game. That’s both good and bad news—good because you can complete this quest during any raid, bad because the maps are huge and these guys are rare.
The best places I’ve found them are:
- Southwest parts of The Blue Gate – This seems to be a hotspot for Surveyor activity
- Eastern side of The Buried City – Another reliable location where they like to hang out
But honestly, they can show up anywhere. I’ve even spotted them in areas I thought were completely empty. The key is to know what to look for.
My Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Mixed Signals
Step 1: Accept the Quest and Prepare
First things first—make sure you’ve actually accepted the quest from Shani. I know this sounds obvious, but I’ve definitely gone on Surveyor hunts only to realize I never actually picked up the quest. Don’t be like me!
Before you head out, make sure you’re properly equipped:
- Heavy-ammo weapons are your best friend – I’ve found that weapons like the Ferro or other sniper rifles work wonders
- Pack some Showstopper Grenades – These are game-changers! They send out an electric pulse that immobilizes the Surveyor for about 10 seconds
- Snap Blast Grenades are great too – If you can sneak up and stick three of these on a Surveyor, it’s pretty much game over
Step 2: The Sky-Scanning Technique
This is probably the most important tip I can give you. As soon as you drop into a match, get out of whatever building you spawned in and start scanning the sky. The Surveyor’s beacon shows up as a blue light touching the sky, but here’s the catch—it doesn’t stay on constantly. It blinks on and off, so you need to be paying attention.
I’ve found that if I take a minute to just stand still and look around when I first spawn, I can usually spot the blue laser if there’s a Surveyor in the area. It’s visible from across the map as long as buildings or foliage aren’t blocking it.
Step 3: The Approach
Once you’ve spotted that blue laser, start making your way toward it. But be careful—these things are skittish. I’ve learned the hard way that charging in guns blazing usually results in the Surveyor rolling away at lightning speed.
Instead, approach slowly and quietly. Try to get within a good range before you engage. I like to find some cover near where I think the Surveyor is and plan my attack.
Step 4: The Takedown
This is where it gets intense. When you’re ready to engage, here’s what I recommend:
- Start with a Showstopper Grenade – This will immobilize the Surveyor and give you about 10 seconds to work with
- Use heavy, sustained fire – Don’t just tap fire—lay into it with everything you’ve got
- Aim for the core – As the Surveyor takes damage, its armored shell will start to break off, exposing its inner parts. That’s when it’s most vulnerable
- Throw another grenade if needed – If the first one wears off and the Surveyor is still moving, hit it with another
I’ve noticed that Surveyors become most vulnerable when they’re transmitting that blue laser—their inner parts get exposed, making them easier to hit. If you can afford to be patient, wait for this moment to strike.
Step 5: The Loot
Once you’ve successfully taken down the Surveyor (congrats, by the way!), it’s time to loot. You’ll want to look for the Surveyor Vault in its remains. This is the crucial item you need to complete the quest.
But here’s a pro tip I learned after losing my Vault one too many times: use an Augment and place the Vault in your Safe Pocket. This guarantees that even if you die before extracting, you’ll still have the Vault when you get back to Speranza. Trust me, this is worth it—there’s nothing worse than successfully taking down a Surveyor only to lose the Vault because you got careless.
Step 6: Extract and Turn In
Now that you’ve got the Surveyor Vault safely tucked away in your Safe Pocket, it’s time to extract and get back to Shani. Just complete your extraction like normal, and once you’re back at Speranza, head over to Shani and turn in the quest.
The Sweet, Sweet Rewards
So, what do you get for all this trouble? Let me tell you—it’s worth it. Completing the Mixed Signals quest rewards you with:
- Photoelectric Cloak – This thing is amazing for stealth. It enhances your stealth options in future raids, making it easier to sneak past enemies or get the drop on them
- Raider Hatch Key – This unlocks bonus areas with valuable salvage. If you’re like me and love finding hidden areas with extra loot, this is invaluable
These rewards have seriously helped me in my subsequent raids. The Photoelectric Cloak has saved my skin more times than I can count, and the Raider Hatch Key has led me to some incredible loot that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
“I Can’t Find Any Surveyors!”
This is probably the most common complaint I hear, and I get it. Surveyors have a low spawn rate, and even when they do spawn, they can be hard to find. Here’s what I do:
- Be patient – Sometimes you’ll go through multiple raids without finding one. It’s frustrating, but that’s just how it is
- Check multiple maps – Don’t just stick to one map. Try different ones to increase your chances
- Play during off-peak hours – I’ve found that there are fewer players during off-peak times, which means less competition for Surveyors
“The Surveyor Keeps Escaping!”
Ugh, I hate this. You finally find a Surveyor, start shooting, and it just rolls away into the distance. Here’s how I deal with this:
- Use grenades first – Don’t start shooting right away. Hit it with a Showstopper Grenade to immobilize it first
- Use high-damage weapons – The faster you can take it down, the less chance it has to escape
- Corner it if possible – Try to engage the Surveyor in an area where it has limited escape routes
“I Keep Dying Before I Can Extract!”
This is where the Safe Pocket becomes your best friend. Always, always, always put the Surveyor Vault in your Safe Pocket as soon as you get it. That way, even if you die, you’ll still have it when you get back to Speranza.
Advanced Tips for Pro Raiders
If you’ve already completed this quest a few times and want to step up your game, here are some advanced tips I’ve picked up:
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
While you can definitely complete this quest solo, having a team makes it so much easier. Here’s how I coordinate with my squad:
- Designate a spotter – Have one person whose job is just to scan the sky for Surveyors
- Coordinate attacks – Have everyone attack at once to take down the Surveyor quickly
- Cover each other – While one person is looting, others can watch for enemies
Speed Running the Quest
If you’re trying to complete this quest as quickly as possible (maybe you’re grinding for something specific), here’s my strategy:
- Know the spawn points – After doing this quest enough times, you’ll start to learn the common Surveyor spawn points
- Go in prepared – Don’t waste time once you’re in the raid. Head straight to the areas where Surveyors are likely to be
- Extract immediately – Once you have the Vault, don’t stick around. Extract and turn in the quest
Farming Surveyors for Extra Loot
Did you know that Surveyors drop more than just the Vault? When you destroy them, you can also get:
- ARC Motion Cores – These are valuable crafting materials
- Various other resources – I’ve gotten everything from basic materials to rare components
If you need these materials, Surveyor farming can be a great way to get them while also working on the quest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mixed Signals quest take to complete?
Honestly, it varies. I’ve completed it in as little as 15 minutes when I got lucky with a Surveyor spawn right away, but I’ve also spent hours across multiple raids trying to find one. On average, I’d say it takes about 30-60 minutes if you’re actively hunting for Surveyors.
Can I complete Mixed Signals solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest multiple times solo. It’s definitely doable, you just need to be prepared and patient. Having good equipment (especially grenades) makes it much easier.
What’s the best weapon for killing Surveyors?
In my experience, heavy-ammo weapons like the Ferro or sniper rifles work best. You want something with high damage that can take down the Surveyor quickly before it has a chance to escape. Armor penetration is also important—Surveyors have tough outer shells.
Do Surveyors spawn in every match?
Unfortunately, no. Surveyors have a random spawn chance, so there will be matches where no Surveyors spawn at all. This is why it can take multiple raids to complete this quest.
Can I complete Mixed Signals on any map?
Yes! One of the great things about this quest is that it can be completed on any map. Surveyors can spawn in all regions, so you’re not limited to specific areas.
What happens if I die after getting the Surveyor Vault?
This is why the Safe Pocket is so important! If you put the Surveyor Vault in your Safe Pocket, you’ll keep it even if you die. If you don’t, you’ll lose it and have to find another Surveyor. Always use the Safe Pocket for quest items!
Are there any other quests that involve Surveyors?
As far as I know, Mixed Signals is the main quest that specifically involves Surveyors, but there might be other quests or activities that require Surveyor parts. The ARC Motion Cores you get from Surveyors are used in various crafting recipes, so they’re always valuable to have.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not gonna lie—the Mixed Signals quest can be frustrating. There have been times when I’ve wanted to throw my controller across the room because I just couldn’t find a Surveyor, or the one I found escaped, or I died right before extracting. But honestly, it’s also one of the most satisfying quests to complete.
There’s something really rewarding about finally tracking down that elusive Surveyor, taking it down, and getting that sweet, sweet loot. And the rewards—the Photoelectric Cloak and Raider Hatch Key—are genuinely useful and have helped me in countless raids since.
So don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling with this quest. Take your time, be patient, and use the tips I’ve shared. Before you know it, you’ll be completing Mixed Signals like a pro and wondering why you ever thought it was difficult.
Happy hunting, Raiders! And may the blue laser be ever in your favor!
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