ARC Raiders: How to Finish A Toxic Trail Quest

"A Toxic Trail" is a pivotal main story quest in Arc Raiders, designed for players around levels 10 to 15. It picks up where the "Source of the Contamination" quest leaves off, tasking you with tracking down the saboteurs behind a deadly toxic leakage threatening Raider outposts. Set in the hazardous Dam Battlegrounds, this 45-to-60-minute mission blends exploration, observation, and strategic caution-no overwhelming combat, but plenty of environmental risks to navigate.

This walkthrough breaks down every step, from prerequisites and loadout prep to objective-by-objective guidance and post-quest rewards. Whether you're playing solo or with a team, these tips will help you complete the quest efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and claim valuable loot along the way. Reading this article will help you more easily obtain ARC Raiders Items, materials, and other rewards.

Prerequisites & Quest Overview

Before starting "A Toxic Trail," you must first complete its prerequisite quest: "Source of the Contamination." This earlier mission introduces you to the toxic barrel near the Water Treatment Control building, which serves as the starting point for your new investigation.

The quest is given by Shani, a key NPC in Arc Raiders' Cold Snap questline. Her objective is clear: find the origin of the toxic barrels polluting the water supply and uncover the identity of the saboteurs responsible. Unlike combat-heavy quests, "A Toxic Trail" is observation-focused-your success depends on reaching specific locations and triggering objectives, not brute force.

The entire quest takes place in the Dam Battlegrounds map, centered around the Water Treatment Control building and its surrounding swampy areas. All objectives are sequential, so you won't need to extract between steps-but you will need to stay alert for environmental hazards and other Raiders.

Loadout & Preparation Tips

Combat isn't the main challenge here, but preparation is still key to avoiding frustration. Start by equipping light, agile gear-speed and mobility matter more than heavy firepower.

Most importantly, bring gear with a secure pocket. The quest rewards you with a Spaceport Warehouse Key, a valuable item that can be lost if you die before extracting. A secure pocket ensures you keep the key even if you fall in combat.

Avoid using free loadouts if possible. Free gear doesn't offer the same protection, and losing the Spaceport Warehouse Key mid-quest can force you to restart. Bring a mid-range weapon to handle any stray Corrupted Drones, but focus on survival over offense.

Lastly, plan your extraction route in advance. The final objective area is often camped by other Raiders, so knowing how to escape quickly will save you from losing your hard-earned rewards.

Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough

Step 1: Return to the Water Intake

Deploy to the Dam Battlegrounds map and head straight for the Water Treatment Control building-it's clearly marked on your minimap, making it easy to locate. Your first objective is to revisit the water intake below this building.

This is the same spot you visited in "Source of the Contamination." Head to the northwest side of the Water Treatment Control building, near the swampy area. Look for a drainage pipe with a toxic barrel floating in the murky water below.

You don't need to interact with the barrel-simply get close enough to trigger the objective update. If nothing happens, move closer to the barrel; standing at a distance won't register your progress. Once triggered, your next objective will appear: search the swamp for traces of the barrel's origins.

Step 2: Find the Submerged Barrel Truck

From the water intake, head west into the swamp. You won't need to travel far-follow the river northwest, and you'll soon spot a beat-up flatbed truck half-submerged in the mud and water. The truck is loaded with barrels identical to the one you saw at the water intake.

This truck is the source of the toxic contamination. Approach it carefully-stay alert for other Raiders who might be camping the area. The truck is out in the open, so pick a side that offers cover from potential threats.

Interact with the yellow prompt on the truck's side to take a photo of the barrel truck. This action completes the second objective and updates your quest to the final step: search the truck for clues about the saboteur's identity.

Step 3: Search the Truck & Collect the Key

Move to the front cabin of the truck and interact with the driver's door. This triggers a search animation, and you'll soon find a Spaceport Warehouse Key dropped on the ground. Make sure to pick it up immediately.

The key is not required to complete the quest, but it's a valuable item. It unlocks a door on the upper walkway of the shipping warehouse in the Spaceport map, which contains high-tier loot. Store it in your secure pocket to avoid losing it if you die.

Once you've collected the key, the quest is technically complete. However, you'll need to extract from the Dam Battlegrounds to turn it in to Shani. Use the nearby central swamp lift for a quick escape, but watch for campers along the way.

Environmental Hazards & Enemy Encounters

The Dam Battlegrounds' swamp is as dangerous as any enemy. Toxic puddles deal continuous damage if you step in them unprotected, while toxic fog obscures your vision and applies a stacking toxin debuff-slowing your movement by 5% per stack, up to three stacks.

You may encounter small groups of Corrupted Drones (level 10-12) during your journey. These agile enemies use ranged laser attacks, dealing 10-15 damage per hit. Use EMP grenades to disable them quickly, or take them out with your mid-range weapon.

Avoid collapsing structures and falling debris, especially during your extraction. Debris can block paths or deal massive damage, so be ready to take detours or clear obstacles with teammates if you're playing multiplayer.

Quest Rewards & Follow-Up

Return to Shani to turn in the quest and claim your rewards. Completing "A Toxic Trail" grants you the following valuable items:

1x Tactical MK.2 Augment: A mid-tier augment perfect for control-focused builds, slotting cleanly into loadouts that prioritize utility over burst damage.

3x Ziplines: Useful for traversal in future quests, especially in vertical maps like the Spaceport.

3x Pulse Mines & 3x Gas Mines: Ideal for area denial and crowd control in later PvE encounters and Cold Snap expeditions.

You'll also unlock a follow-up quest called "The Stench of Corruption," which is required to earn the Warden outfit-a sought-after cosmetic reward. The Spaceport Warehouse Key you collected can be used to unlock high-loot areas in the Spaceport map, making it well worth holding onto.

Pro Tips for Success

Avoid peak hours: The Water Treatment Control area and swamp often attract other Raiders, so play during off-peak times to reduce the risk of ambushes.

Patience over speed: Rushing through the swamp can lead to stepping in toxic puddles or missing objective triggers. Take your time to navigate safely.

Mark your entry point: The Rooftop Garden routes near the Water Treatment Control building can be confusing-mark your entry stairwell to avoid getting lost.

Team up if possible: While the quest can be completed solo, having teammates helps with spotting enemies, clearing obstacles, and protecting you during extraction.

"A Toxic Trail" may seem simple, but its focus on observation and environmental awareness makes it a refreshing change from Arc Raiders' combat-heavy quests. By following this walkthrough, you'll uncover the saboteur's plot, claim valuable rewards, and set yourself up for success in future missions. You can choose to buy ARC Raiders Gear, which allows you to become stronger more quickly and complete missions faster. Now gear up, navigate the toxic swamp, and bring the saboteurs to justice.