Let me tell you something straight up – the Tribute to Toledo quest in ARC Raiders might seem simple at first glance, but finding that darn Power Rod can drive you absolutely crazy if you don’t know where to look. I’ve spent countless hours roaming the Dam Battlegrounds, getting my butt kicked by ARC enemies, and trying every possible location to find this elusive item. But you know what? I finally cracked the code, and I’m going to share everything I’ve learned so you can complete this quest without all the headaches I went through.
What is the Tribute to Toledo Quest?
So, here’s the deal. Celeste, one of the traders in Speranza, comes to you with a problem. The so-called “Official Toledo Tubes Management” (which is just a fancy name for some thugs with too much power) is demanding one of our Power Rods for their Slingshot tubes. Don’t let the official-sounding name fool you – these guys are anything but official. Celeste needs someone to help her handle this situation, and that’s where you come in.
The quest itself has just one simple objective:
- Get a Power Rod for Celeste
Simple, right? Well, that’s what I thought too until I actually tried to find one. Let me break down all the ways you can get your hands on a Power Rod.
Method 1: The Snap Hook Recycling Trick (Easiest Method)
Honestly, this is by far the simplest way to complete the quest if you have the right items. I wish I’d known about this method first – it would have saved me hours of frustration!
How to Get a Snap Hook?
There are two main ways to get a Snap Hook:
- Complete the Lost in Transmission quest – This is probably the most straightforward method. When I finished this quest, I received a Snap Hook as a reward, and I didn’t even realize how valuable it would be later.
- Check Page 3 of your Raider Deck – If you’ve been playing for a while, you might already have a Snap Hook sitting in your Raider Deck on page 3. I was shocked when I found mine just sitting there collecting dust!
The Recycling Process
Once you have a Snap Hook, here’s what you need to do:
- Open your inventory
- Find the Snap Hook
- Select the recycling option
- Confirm the recycling
Boom! You’ll get a Power Rod guaranteed. No randomness, no searching, just a guaranteed Power Rod. I can’t stress enough how much easier this is than trying to find one randomly.
Method 2: Finding Power Rods in the Wild
If you don’t have a Snap Hook handy, don’t worry! I’ve spent enough time exploring to know exactly where Power Rods tend to spawn. Let me share the best locations I’ve found through trial and error (and lots of deaths).
Location 1: Power Generation Complex (Dam Battleground)
This is probably the most reliable location I’ve found for Power Rod spawns. Here’s exactly what you need to do:
- Head to the northern part of Dam Battleground
- Look for the Power Generation Complex building
- Go inside and make your way to the second floor
- Search the lockers and breach containers
Pro tip: I’ve noticed that the orange lockers in this area seem to have the highest spawn rate for Power Rods. Focus on those first before checking other containers.
Location 2: Rocket Assembly Building (Spaceport)
This location comes from my research, and while I haven’t personally found a Power Rod here yet, multiple sources confirm it’s a solid spot:
- Go to the Spaceport map
- Head to the Rocket Assembly building
- Look for the orange lockers at the back of the building
- Be prepared for combat – this area usually has Pop Rollers and Fireballs
Warning: This area can be pretty dangerous. I’d recommend going in well-armed and maybe bringing some friends if you can.
Location 3: Water Treatment Control Area
This is another spot where I’ve had some luck, though it’s definitely more challenging:
- Find the spider icon near the Water Treatment Control building
- Look for the huge spider-shaped wrecked machine
- Climb to the top and breach the entrance
- Grab the Power Rod quickly after breaching
Important: When I tried this, the whole machine exploded right after I breached it, dealing massive damage. The explosion also alerted nearby ARC enemies, making things even more chaotic. My advice? Grab the Power Rod and get the hell out of there immediately. Find cover, heal up, and make sure to put the Power Rod in your Safe Pocket so you don’t lose it if you die.
Method 3: Crafting Your Own Power Rod
If you’re the crafting type (like I am sometimes), you can actually make your own Power Rod. However, this method requires some serious dedication and resource gathering.
Level III Refiner Requirements
First, you need to upgrade your Refiner to Level III. This is no small task, but it’s worth it in the long run. Here’s what you need:
Level I Refiner (Basic)
- 6x Metal Parts (easy to get from looting and salvaging)
- 5x ARC Powercells (drop from any ARC enemies, Wasps and Ticks are easiest)
Level II Refiner
(Basic upgrade requirements)
Level III Refiner Materials
| Material | Quantity | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 3x | Loot from Mechanical areas: Water Treatment Control (Dam Battleground), Vehicle Maintenance (Spaceport), or Checkpoint (The Blue Gate). Cars and buses often drop these. |
| ARC Circuitry | 10x | Loot from ARC Probes, ARC Couriers, Rocketeer Husks, or destroy Surveyors and Bastions |
| Bombardier Cell | 6x | Destroy and loot Bombardier debris in Buried City or The Blue Gate |
Power Rod Crafting Recipe
Once you have your Level III Refiner, you can craft Power Rods with:
- 2x Advanced Electrical Components
- 2x ARC Circuitry
I’ll be honest – this method is a lot of work, but if you’re planning to play ARC Raiders long-term, having a Level III Refiner is incredibly useful for crafting other high-end materials too.
My Personal Experience and Tips In 2026
Let me share some hard-earned wisdom from my time trying to complete this quest:
Inventory Management is Crucial
Before you head out to find a Power Rod, make sure you have:
- Empty inventory space (Power Rods aren’t exactly small)
- An empty Safe Pocket slot (this is non-negotiable – you don’t want to lose it if you die)
I learned this the hard way when I found my first Power Rod but had no safe place to store it. Let’s just say that trip ended in tears and a lot of frustration.
Combat Readiness
The areas where Power Rods spawn are usually heavily guarded. I recommend:
- Bringing plenty of medical supplies
- Having a good weapon for dealing with ARC enemies
- Maybe bringing some explosives for tougher enemies
The Patience Factor
Finding a Power Rod through looting can take multiple attempts. I’ve gone on over 20 raids to the Power Generation Complex and only found 2 Power Rods. The spawn rate is definitely low, and there’s always the chance that another player got to it before you.
Quest Rewards
Once you finally get your hands on that Power Rod and bring it back to Celeste, here’s what you’ll get:
| Reward | Quantity | Usefulness |
|---|---|---|
| Magnet | 5x | Great for crafting and base building |
| Advanced Mechanical Components | 2x | High-end crafting material |
| Synthesized Fuel | 3x | Useful for various systems and crafting |
Honestly, the rewards are pretty decent, especially if you’re into crafting. The Magnets alone make this quest worth completing in my opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a guaranteed way to get a Power Rod?
Yes! The Snap Hook recycling method is 100% guaranteed. If you can get your hands on a Snap Hook (either from the Lost in Transmission quest or your Raider Deck), you’ll get a Power Rod every time.
What’s the best location to find a Power Rod?
Based on my experience, the Power Generation Complex in Dam Battleground seems to be the most reliable. Focus on the orange lockers on the second floor for the best chance.
Do I need to complete other quests first?
Not necessarily, but having the Lost in Transmission quest completed gives you access to the Snap Hook method, which is by far the easiest way to complete this quest.
Can I buy a Power Rod from traders?
Unfortunately, no. I’ve checked with all the traders in Speranza multiple times, and none of them sell Power Rods. You’ll need to find or craft one yourself.
What happens if I die with a Power Rod?
If you stored it in your Safe Pocket, you’ll keep it. If it was in your regular inventory, you’ll lose it and have to find another one. This is why I always recommend using the Safe Pocket for valuable items.
Is this quest worth doing?
Absolutely! Besides the decent rewards, completing this quest gives you valuable experience and helps you understand the game’s loot system better. Plus, you’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you finally hand that Power Rod over to Celeste.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not going to lie – completing the Tribute to Toledo quest can be frustrating as hell. I’ve rage-quit more times than I care to admit after getting killed right before finding a Power Rod. But you know what? The feeling of finally completing this quest makes all the frustration worth it.
Whether you choose the easy route (Snap Hook recycling) or the challenging path (finding or crafting one), just remember to be patient and persistent. This game is all about exploration and overcoming challenges, and the Tribute to Toledo quest is a perfect example of that.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it for future reference. And if you’re looking for more ARC Raiders content, I’ve got plenty of other guides and tips coming your way. Stay safe out there, and happy raiding!
Remember to save this guide for your next gaming session – you never know when you’ll need to reference these Power Rod locations or crafting methods!