With ARC Raiders’ explosive release, players are eager to earn high-quality loot and improve their gear, and one of the most sought-after rewards comes from solving the Harvester puzzle. The Harvester event is a unique, high-stakes challenge where you’ll not only need to outwit powerful ARC enemies but also navigate through an intricate puzzle to earn some of the best loot in the game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find the Harvester, solve the puzzle, and walk away with some great rewards!

1. Finding the Harvester in the Dam Battlegrounds

The Harvester event is located in the Dam Battlegrounds map, specifically in the Red Lakes area, near the middle of the map. This is a limited-time event that rotates in and out, so if you can’t find it during your session, it may not be running at that moment.

Once the event is live and you’ve reached the Red Lakes, look for the Harvester, which is typically marked on your map. When you approach, you’ll notice Queen ARC and other dangerous enemies patrolling around it. The Queen is a formidable foe capable of wiping out entire lobbies, but fear not—getting past her isn’t as difficult as it may seem.

Tip: Sneak past the enemies by waiting for the Queen to be on the opposite side of the Harvester before you approach. There are three vents that lead into the structure, and you can choose the one that’s farthest from the Queen to maximize your chances of getting inside undetected.

2. Entering the Harvester and Surviving the Hazards

Once you’ve found the Harvester and are ready to enter, you’ll need to breach one of the vents with your pickaxe. It’s a good idea to remove your shield at this point, as you’ll encounter electrical interference inside, and keeping your shield could lead to unnecessary damage. The right ARC Raiders Items can also be very helpful.

Inside, you’ll find a central column with three elevators surrounding it. This column will flash periodically to indicate an incoming danger:

Orange flashes: A pyro blast will soon ignite the entire area. When this happens, run to one of the vents that will open (preferably the one farthest from the Queen) and wait until the flames subside.

Blue flashes: An electrical shock will stun you temporarily. You don’t need to run outside for this, as long as you’ve removed your shield to prevent being stunned.

These hazards are just a minor inconvenience compared to the loot you’ll gain, so make sure you’re aware of the flashing column and adjust your strategy accordingly.

3. Solving the Harvester Puzzle

Once inside the Harvester, the real challenge begins: the puzzle. Your main task is to gather three cylindrical fuses and insert them into the correct locations to proceed. Here’s how to complete the puzzle:

Step 1: Find the Fuses

The fuses can be obtained from various breachable vents located throughout the Harvester. Two fuses will pop out of these vents, and one will already be lying on the floor of the Harvester. Make sure you collect all three fuses.

Step 2: Place the Fuses

Once you’ve gathered all three fuses, head back to the center column of the Harvester. At the base of the column, you’ll see three interactable crevices. These are the containers where the fuses need to go.

Warning: The pyro barrage will periodically trigger during this phase, ejecting the fuses from the containers. If this happens, don’t panic—just pick up the fuses again and place them back into the containers once the flames subside. The puzzle progress will not reset.

Step 3: Destroy the Buttons

After successfully inserting all three fuses, a set of yellow buttons will appear on the walls and floors of the Harvester. You’ll need to destroy these buttons to complete the puzzle.

We recommend using your pickaxe to destroy the buttons to avoid drawing attention from the Queen. On the ground floor, use an overhead swing to destroy the buttons, and for those on the upper floor, use a normal swing. Keep an eye out for the flames and EMP shocks that will continue to disrupt the area. When the flames begin, the buttons will retract into the walls, only to return once the barrage ends.

Step 4: Finishing the Puzzle

Once all of the buttons are destroyed, you’ll hear a confirmation sound, signaling that the puzzle is complete. At this point, the central column will extend, and small barrels containing legendary loot and blueprints will appear for you to claim.

4. Escaping the Harvester

Your mission isn’t over just yet. After claiming your loot, you’ll need to safely exit the Harvester. Just like when you entered, you’ll need to wait for the Queen and other enemies to be distracted, then quickly leave through one of the three vents.

Tip: Be patient and wait for the right moment when the Queen is not looking at your exit route. This will ensure you make a clean escape with all your hard-earned loot.

5. Final Thoughts: The Rewards of the Harvester Puzzle

Successfully completing the Harvester puzzle in Arc Raiders is no small feat. It requires a mix of stealth, puzzle-solving, and quick thinking to avoid the dangers of pyro blasts, electrical shocks, and the formidable Queen ARC. But the rewards are well worth the effort.

After completing the puzzle and collecting your legendary loot, you’ll gain access to valuable blueprints, high-tier ARCR Items, and other essential resources that will help you progress through the game. These rewards are crucial for upgrading your loadout and preparing for even tougher challenges ahead.

Tips for Success:

Be stealthy: Sneak around the Queen and her ARC minions by waiting for them to turn away before making your move.

Stay alert: Always be prepared for the periodic pyro blasts and EMP shocks. Know when to run and when it’s safe to continue.

Use your pickaxe: Destroying the buttons with your pickaxe helps avoid unnecessary noise and reduces the chance of attracting the Queen’s attention.

Exit strategically: Just as you entered, leave through one of the vents at the right time to escape with your loot intact.

By following these strategies, you’ll be able to complete the Harvester puzzle successfully and earn top-tier loot to help you on your journey in Arc Raiders. Good luck, and may the loot be with you!