Early-game missions in Arc Raiders can sometimes be more complex than they initially appear, and With A Trace is one such example. Given to ARC Raiders Coins you by Shani, this quest seems simple on paper, but can easily become confusing once you're in the field. While the quest objectives sound clear-visit two marked locations and investigate certain objects-the actual landmarks can be tricky to find if you rely solely on the in-game description.

This guide breaks down every step of With A Trace, including exact locations, navigation tips, and how to complete each objective without getting lost (or killed) along the way.

Overview: With A Trace Quest

Quest Giver: Shani

Map: Blue Gate

Objectives:

Investigate the object at Barren Clearing

Find and interact with the device at Adorned Wreckage

Rewards:

Medium Shield

Looting Mk. 2 Augment

Starting the Quest

Once you accept With A Trace from Shani, your entire mission will take place on the Blue Gate map. This is one of the more manageable early-game zones, meaning you can complete the quest in a single raid if you plan your route correctly and manage to stay alive throughout.

You'll need to visit two main locations: Barren Clearing and Adorned Wreckage. Both are on the western half of Blue Gate, so with a bit of caution and smart movement, you can hit both in one go before extracting.

Step 1: Travel to Barren Clearing

Your first objective takes you to the Barren Clearing, located on the far west side of the Blue Gate map. This area sits close to the Village Point of Interest (POI) and near one of the extraction points, which makes it both convenient and dangerous.

If you spawn on the opposite side of the map, plan your route carefully-cutting straight across Blue Gate can lead you through several active combat zones. Stick to cover, use elevation where possible, and avoid large groups of raiders or ARC patrols.

When you arrive at Barren Clearing, you'll immediately notice a massive ARC machine in the middle of the clearing. It's a large, legged robot-mostly destroyed but still towering over the terrain.

Walk around the machine to the southwest side, where you'll find one of its detached legs resting on the ground. In front of this leg is a large spherical grey object-this is what you're looking for. Approach it until you see the "Investigate" prompt appear on your screen.

Interact with the object to complete your first objective. You'll get a brief animation or message confirming that your investigation was successful.

Step 2: Head to Adorned Wreckage

Next, you'll need to travel south to a location called Adorned Wreckage. Fortunately, this site isn't far from where you just were. Simply head slightly south-southwest from Barren Clearing, keeping an eye on your map for the landmark.

If you zoom in, you'll notice that Adorned Wreckage sits southwest of Raider's Refuge and just east of Trapper's Glade. While it's not far, this area tends to spawn a number of ARC enemies, so be ready for combat. Bring a solid weapon and a few heals in case things get messy.

Once you reach Adorned Wreckage, you'll see a large field of destroyed mechanical parts and twisted metal. The quest text can be a little misleading here-it suggests you need to interact with another wreckage object like before. Instead, your real target is a small cylindrical machine located northeast of the central wreckage zone.

Use the Trapper's Glade side as your reference point. As you move closer to the northeast corner, look for a yellow computer terminal placed on a table right in front of the cylindrical machine. This small console is your final objective.

Approach the computer and interact with it. Doing so will complete the quest immediately-no extraction required. You'll receive your rewards as soon as the interaction finishes.

Rewards for Completing With A Trace

Once you've finished the quest and returned to Shani, you'll receive the following rewards:

Medium Shield - A solid mid-tier defensive upgrade that can help you absorb more incoming damage in future raids.

Looting Mk. 2 Augment - This useful augment improves your looting efficiency, letting you scavenge more effectively during expeditions.

While not the most extravagant loot in Arc Raiders, these ARC Raiders Items are particularly useful early in the game, especially if you're still building up your core loadout.

Tips for Success

Stay Mobile and Stealthy:

The Blue Gate map can surprise you with unexpected enemy patrols. Move deliberately, use natural cover, and avoid open spaces when possible.

Bring a Reliable Weapon:

Both Barren Clearing and Adorned Wreckage can have ARC enemies nearby. A dependable assault rifle or marksman rifle will help you deal with them quickly if combat breaks out.

Don't Rush Between Objectives:

While both quest locations are relatively close, running headfirst from one to the other can trigger enemy spawns. Take your time and scout the terrain ahead.

Use the Map Markers:

The in-game map markers can be vague, but they'll at least guide you in the general direction of each objective. Combine those hints with the landmark visuals from this guide to navigate smoothly.

No Extraction Needed:

Unlike many other missions, you don't need to extract after interacting with the final device. Once you activate the terminal at Adorned Wreckage, you can safely log out or continue exploring without risk of losing progress.

Final Thoughts

With A Trace may sound like a simple fetch quest, but its confusing map instructions and misleading objectives make it one of the trickier early-game tasks in Arc Raiders. The key is knowing exactly where to go: investigate the spherical object at Barren Clearing, then interact with the yellow computer at Adorned Wreckage. Having enough ARCR Items can also be very helpful.

Once you've wrapped up the mission and claimed your Medium Shield and Looting Mk. 2 Augment, you'll be better equipped to face tougher challenges ahead. With Shani's quest complete, you can now move on to cheap ARC Raiders Coins the next chapter of your journey across the dangerous landscapes of Blue Gate and beyond.