The "A Dead End" quest in Arc Raiders is one of the more involved missions introduced in recent updates. Unlike many other objectives that allow progress over multiple matches, this quest requires players to complete every step within a single run. That means you'll need to ARC Raiders Coins navigate Mantikor's underground facility, unlock a secured room, locate important records, and escape safely with a quest Items.

Because several parts of the mission can be confusing, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area, this guide walks you through each step so you can complete the quest as efficiently as possible.

All "A Dead End" Quest Steps

To finish the quest, you must complete the following five objectives in one match:

Find Mantikor's underground facilities

Gain access to the locked room in the Security Wing

Search the room for records related to Project Heartwood

Locate the Dusty Film Reel

Deliver the Dusty Film Reel to Shani

Each step builds on the previous one, so knowing where to go before entering the match can save valuable time.

Finding Mantikor's Underground Facilities

Your first objective is to locate Mantikor's hidden underground complex. This step is fairly simple once you know where to look, but it can be confusing if you aren't familiar with the map.

Open your in-game map and look for the Reinforced Reception point of interest. This location is the main entrance to the Mantikor facility.

Once you arrive, head inside the building and locate the zipline leading down into the basement. Ride the zipline down, and you'll arrive in a large lobby area. A massive Mantikor logo on the wall confirms you've reached the correct location.

This lobby serves as the central hub for the underground complex and the starting point for the next part of the quest.

Finding the Locked Room in the Security Wing

After entering the underground facility lobby, the next step is to locate the locked room that contains the quest items.

Look for a blue line painted on the floor. This line acts as a guide through the facility. Follow it through a tunnel until you reach a large shuttered door on the right-hand side.

This door leads to the Security Wing, but it won't open automatically. Instead, it requires three battery cells to activate the mechanism.

Where to Find the Battery Cells

Fortunately, the battery cells are always located close together, but their exact spawn position can vary between matches. Based on multiple runs, they tend to appear in one of two locations inside the facility.

Location 1: Upstairs Near the Pipe Corridor

From the lobby, follow the red line up the stairs. Near the top, you may find the batteries placed beside a small circular passageway with a large pipe running overhead.

This is one of the most common spawn locations and is usually easy to spot if you follow the path carefully.

Location 2: Downstairs Storage Area

If the batteries aren't upstairs, check the lower room beneath the lobby area. At the end of a row of filing cabinets, you may find all three battery cells grouped together.

Regardless of which location they spawn in, all three batteries will be in the same place, so you won't need to search the entire facility.

Once you've found them, carry each battery back to the locked door and insert it into the slots to open the Security Wing.

Entering the Security Wing

After installing all three battery cells, the shuttered door will open, granting access to the locked red room inside the Security Wing.

This room contains several pieces of valuable loot, but the most important items for the quest are related to Project Heartwood.

Be cautious when entering. Because this location contains good rewards and a quest objective, other players may also be searching the area.

Finding the Project Heartwood Records

Inside the locked room, head toward the back-right corner.

Here you'll find an interaction prompt allowing you to play a recording. Activating this prompt will power up the monitors located at the front of the room, revealing information tied to Project Heartwood.

Interacting with this recording fulfills the quest step requiring you to search for Mantikor's research records.

Locating the Dusty Film Reel

After activating the recording, move to the front of the room where the screens are located.

Nearby, you'll find a cabinet that can be searched. Inside this cabinet is the key quest item: the Dusty Film Reel.

Pick up the reel immediately after locating it.

To protect it from being lost if you die, it's strongly recommended to place it in your safe pocket. Doing so ensures the item remains in your inventory even if things go wrong during extraction.

Escaping and Completing the Quest

With the Dusty Film Reel secured, your final objective is simple: extract from the match and deliver the reel to Shani.

Because all quest steps must be completed within one run, survival is critical at this point. Avoid unnecessary fights and prioritize reaching the nearest extraction point safely.

Once you return to base, speak with Shani to hand over the film reel and complete the "A Dead End" quest.

Final Tips for Completing "A Dead End"

This quest can feel overwhelming the first time you attempt it, but a few simple strategies can make it much easier:

Learn the Reinforced Reception location before entering the match

Move quickly through the underground facility

Check both battery spawn locations

Store the Dusty Film Reel in your safe pocket

Avoid combat when escaping

Because everything must be completed in ARC Raiders buy Loot a single round, preparation is key. Knowing exactly where to go allows you to finish the quest quickly and minimize the risk of running into other players.