Hey there, fellow Raider! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself stuck on the “A Bad Feeling” quest in ARC Raiders, scratching your head and wondering where on earth you’re supposed to find these elusive ARC Probes and Couriers. Trust me, I’ve been there – running around the Dam Battlegrounds like a headless chicken, getting frustrated with every passing minute.
But don’t worry! After spending countless hours scouring the Rust Belt and testing every tip I could find, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide that’ll have you completing this quest in no time. I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about finding these ARC machines, including exact locations, how to identify them, and some pro tips that’ll make your life so much easier.
What Are ARC Probes and Couriers Anyway?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of finding these things, let me explain what they actually are. When I first started playing, I was confused about the difference between Probes and Couriers, and honestly, the game doesn’t do the best job of explaining it.
ARC Probes are these tall, glowing white pillars that stand about 2-3 meters high with a distinctive purple light at the top. They’re like the ARC faction’s way of dropping supplies from orbit, and they frequently fall from the sky during matches. I’ve seen them land right next to me sometimes, which is actually pretty convenient!
ARC Couriers, on the other hand, are more like crashed transport pods. They look like little UFOs or rounded transport craft that have crash-landed on the surface. They’re a bit harder to find than Probes, but they’re usually safer to loot once you do track them down.
Both of these machines are packed with valuable loot, including ARC Circuitry, Motion Cores, Powercells, and various crafting materials. That’s why Celeste wants you to find one for her “A Bad Feeling” quest – she needs those materials for her crops and gear trading.
The “A Bad Feeling” Quest Explained
Let me walk you through this quest because I remember how confusing it was when I first got it. The “A Bad Feeling” quest is given by Celeste, one of the vendors in ARC Raiders who trades gear for seeds she can use to plant crops. You’ll get this quest after completing the “Off The Radar” quest, so it’s pretty early in the game.
The quest objective is simple: find and search any ARC Probe or ARC Courier. That’s it. Just one. But here’s the thing – these machines spawn randomly around the map, so it’s not always straightforward to find them. I spent a good hour running around during my first attempt before I finally stumbled upon one.
Once you complete the quest, you’ll get:
- 10 Metal Parts
- 5 Steel Springs
- 5 Duct Tape
These might not sound like much, but trust me, they’re essential for early-game crafting and will help you build and maintain your gear for tougher raids down the line.
How to Identify ARC Probes and Couriers?
This is where I struggled the most when I first started. I kept walking right past these things because I didn’t know what to look for. Let me break it down for you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.
ARC Probes: What to Look For
ARC Probes have some pretty distinctive characteristics that make them easier to spot once you know what you’re looking for:
Visual Cues:
- Tall, glowing white pillars (about 2-3 meters high)
- Purple light at the top
- Sometimes you’ll see them falling from the sky like meteors
- Crashed Probes emit a thick column of black smoke
Audio Cues:
- This is the big one! Active Probes emit a faint beeping sound every five seconds
- The beeping gets louder as you get closer, which is super helpful for tracking them down
- When you start breaching a Probe, the static noise gets much louder – and this alerts nearby enemies, so be careful!
What I’ve Learned: I’ve found that intact Probes (the ones that just landed) have several loot compartments, while crashed Probes only have one. The intact ones are definitely worth the extra risk if you can handle the attention they attract.
ARC Couriers: What to Look For
ARC Couriers are a bit different and require a different approach:
Visual Cues:
- Look for crash sites that resemble UFOs or rounded transport pods
- Like crashed Probes, they emit a trail of black smoke after impact
- Sometimes you’ll find them on top of ARC Barons (those ancient, dead machines)
Audio Cues:
- Here’s the key difference: Couriers don’t make any noise! No beeping, no static, nothing
- This makes them harder to find but also safer to loot since they don’t attract attention
What I’ve Learned: Couriers generally offer less loot than Probes, but they’re much safer to collect. If you’re running low on health or resources and want to avoid a big firefight, I’d recommend prioritizing Couriers over Probes.
Best Locations to Find ARC Probes and Couriers
Alright, now for the good stuff – exactly where to find these machines. I’ve spent hours mapping out the Dam Battlegrounds and testing different locations, so I can save you a lot of time and frustration.
ARC Courier Locations on Dam Battlegrounds
Based on my experience and research, here are the most reliable spots to find ARC Couriers:
| Location | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Western Side of Dam Battlegrounds | Best area overall, multiple spawn points | Medium |
| Just outside west wall of Electrical Substation | Usually on top of ARC Barons | High |
| Near road junction (Electrical Substation to Water Treatment) | Common spawn point | Medium |
| On slope south of Research & Administration | Good spot, less contested | Low |
| In South Swamp Outpost | Multiple spawn possibilities | Medium |
| Hills south of Research & Administration (east of Small Creek) | Great during electromagnetic storms | Variable |
| Side of road by West Broken Bridge (heading to Hydroponic Dome) | Less popular, good for avoiding other players | Low |
Pro Tip: I’ve found that Couriers often spawn on top of ARC Barons in the western part of Dam Battlegrounds. These Barons are ancient, dead machines that will shoot fire at you if you try to loot the Courier while they’re active. Clear the area first, then climb up and breach the Courier. Trust me, rushing this will get you killed – I learned that the hard way!
ARC Probe Locations on Dam Battlegrounds
ARC Probes are more random, but here are the locations where I’ve had the most success:
| Location | Description | Best Time to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Power Generation Complex (center) | Reliable spawn point | Any time |
| Hydroponic Dome Complex (center) | Good consistent spawn | Early in match |
| Hills south of Research & Administration | Can spawn two during electromagnetic storms | During storms |
| South Swamp Outpost (near Field Depot) | Common drop zone | Mid-match |
| Random airdrops | Can land anywhere, including right next to you | Throughout match |
What I’ve Noticed: Probes seem to be much more random than Couriers. I’ve had them literally drop right next to me out of nowhere, and I’ve also gone entire matches without seeing a single one. If you see a rocket falling from the sky, that’s your cue – rush over there because it’s almost certainly an ARC Probe!
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Quest
Let me walk you through exactly how I complete the “A Bad Feeling” quest efficiently. This method has worked for me every time, and it should work for you too.
Step 1: Head to Dam Battlegrounds
The quest takes place on the Dam Battlegrounds map, so that’s where you need to go. I recommend dropping in the western zone since that’s where I’ve had the most success finding both Probes and Couriers.
Step 2: Move Toward the Western Zone
Once you’re in, head west. This area seems to have higher spawn rates for both types of machines, and it’s where I’ve found most of my Couriers on top of ARC Barons.
Step 3: Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open
This is crucial! For Probes, listen for that distinctive beeping sound. For Couriers, scan the horizon for smoke plumes. I like to find a high point and just spend a minute or two surveying the area before moving on.
Step 4: Secure the Area
When you find a Probe or Courier, don’t rush in! Clear out any nearby enemies first. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten greedy and rushed in, only to get overwhelmed by ARC units that were drawn to the noise.
Step 5: Approach and Loot
For Couriers on Barons: Clear the area, climb the Baron, and interact with the Courier on top. Be careful – Barons can blast fire if triggered, so move smart and don’t stand still.
For Probes: Approach carefully, interact to breach, and grab your loot quickly. Remember, the breaching process makes noise that attracts enemies.
Step 6: Extract or Move to Safety
Once you’ve searched the machine, the quest completes immediately. You don’t need to find multiple ones – just one is enough. Extract safely or move to a secure location to continue your raid.
Pro Tips from My Experience
After dozens of hours playing ARC Raiders and completing this quest multiple times, I’ve picked up some tricks that I think you’ll find helpful:
For Finding Probes:
- Listen constantly: That beeping sound is your best friend. I play with headphones on, and it makes a huge difference in locating Probes.
- Watch the sky: If you see something falling, it’s probably a Probe. Drop what you’re doing and head over there.
- Patience pays off: Probes are random, so sometimes you just need to wait. I like to find a defensible position and wait for one to drop nearby.
For Finding Couriers:
- Smoke signals are key: Couriers always leave smoke trails. If you see black smoke rising in the distance, investigate it.
- Check the Barons: I’ve found that Couriers frequently spawn on top of ARC Barons in the western part of the map. Make these your priority search areas.
- Safer option: If you’re not looking for a fight, Couriers are your best bet. They’re quieter and less likely to attract attention.
General Tips:
- Don’t get greedy: You only need ONE machine to complete the quest. Once you’ve found and searched it, you’re done. Extract safely rather than pushing your luck.
- Time your approach: I’ve found that early in the match, there’s less competition for these machines. Later on, more players are actively hunting them.
- Use the environment: High ground gives you better visibility to spot smoke plumes and falling Probes. I always try to take a position where I can see as much of the area as possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of mistakes while learning to find these machines, so let me share some of the big ones so you can avoid them:
Mistake #1: Ignoring Audio Cues
When I first started, I was so focused on visual searching that I completely ignored the beeping sounds from Probes. Don’t be like me! Those audio cues are incredibly helpful for locating Probes, especially when they’re behind obstacles or in buildings.
Mistake #2: Rushing the Loot
I can’t count how many times I’ve rushed in to loot a Probe without clearing the area first, only to get ambushed by ARC units. Take the time to secure the area before you start breaching. It’ll save you a lot of frustration and wasted resources.
Mistake #3: Only Searching One Type of Machine
Early on, I was fixated on finding Couriers because I thought they were easier. But sometimes you’ll find Probes more readily, and vice versa. Be flexible and search for whichever type is more available in your current match.
Mistake #4: Not Using High Ground
I used to run around at ground level, wondering why I couldn’t find anything. Once I started taking high positions to survey the area, my success rate improved dramatically. High ground gives you much better visibility for spotting smoke plumes and falling Probes.
What to Do After Completing the Quest?
Great job! You’ve found and searched an ARC Probe or Courier, and the “A Bad Feeling” quest is complete. But don’t stop there! These machines are valuable resources throughout your time in ARC Raiders.
Continue Collecting Materials
Even after completing the quest, I recommend keeping an eye out for Probes and Couriers. They’re excellent sources of:
- ARC Circuitry (essential for advanced crafting)
- ARC Motion Cores (needed for weapon upgrades)
- ARC Powercells (used in various recipes)
- Metal Parts and other crafting materials
Build Your Strategy
As you get more experienced, you’ll develop preferences for which type of machine to target. I personally prefer Couriers when I’m low on health or resources, and Probes when I’m geared up for a fight and want better rewards.
Share with Your Team
If you’re playing with a squad, communicate about Probe and Courier locations. I’ve found that coordinating with my team makes collecting these resources much more efficient and safer.
FAQ About Finding ARC Probes and Couriers
How long does it usually take to find an ARC Probe or Courier?
From my experience, it varies wildly. Sometimes I’ll find one within 5 minutes of dropping in, while other times it might take 20-30 minutes. On average, I’d say 10-15 minutes is typical if you’re actively searching and know where to look.
Can I complete the quest with either type of machine?
Absolutely! The quest specifically says “find and search any ARC Probe or ARC Courier,” so either one will work. I usually go for whichever one I find first.
Do these machines respawn during a match?
Yes, they can! I’ve seen multiple Probes drop during a single match, and Couriers can respawn in different locations. However, once a specific machine has been looted by someone, it won’t respawn in that same spot during that match.
What’s the difference in loot between Probes and Couriers?
Probes generally offer higher-tier ARC components and more loot overall, but they’re riskier to collect. Couriers give less loot but are much safer. I’ve found that Probes are better when you’re geared up for a fight, while Couriers are perfect for quick, safe resource gathering.
Why can’t I find any machines in my matches?
This happens to everyone sometimes! The spawn system is partially random, so some matches will have fewer machines than others. If you’re having trouble, try focusing on the western part of Dam Battlegrounds and be patient. They’ll show up eventually.
Can other players steal the machines from me?
Yes, and this is important to remember! If another player gets to a Probe or Courier before you and loots it, it’s gone for that match. That’s why I recommend moving quickly once you spot one, but also being careful not to rush into danger.
Are there specific times when machines are more likely to spawn?
I’ve noticed that during electromagnetic storms, there seem to be more ARC machines active, including Probes. Also, early in the match, there’s often less competition for the machines that do spawn.
Final Thoughts
Finding ARC Probes and Couriers in ARC Raiders might seem daunting at first, but once you know what to look for and where to search, it becomes much easier. I remember how frustrated I was when I first started, but now I can usually complete the “A Bad Feeling” quest within 10-15 minutes of dropping into a match.
The key is to stay patient, use both your eyes and ears, and focus on the right areas of the map. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find one right away – they’re out there, and with the tips I’ve shared, you’ll be spotting them in no time.
Remember, these machines aren’t just for completing quests – they’re valuable resources that will help you throughout your ARC Raiders journey. So even after you’ve finished “A Bad Feeling,” keep hunting for them. Your future self will thank you when you have all those crafting materials for upgrades and gear.
Happy hunting, Raider! And remember – keep your ears open for that beeping, your eyes on the horizon for smoke, and your team ready for whatever the ARC sends next. See you in the Rust Belt!
Want more ARC Raiders guides and tips? Check out our other articles on [webcomicsweekend.com] for everything you need to dominate in the world of ARC Raiders. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference – you never know when you’ll need a quick refresher on finding those elusive Probes and Couriers!