Snap & Salvage Quest in ARC Raiders Guide (June 2026)

The Snap and Salvage quest in ARC Raiders is the third mission from Tian Wen in Stella Montis, requiring you to photograph Rovers, find security papers, and locate two rare Exodus materials: a Flow Controller and Magnetron. This four-part quest tests your navigation skills and patience with RNG-based loot drops, but rewards you with a Burletta III weapon, Silencer II attachment, Extended Light Mag, and 100 Light Ammo upon completion.

Quick Reference

Objective	Location	Item Type	Difficulty
Photo Rover	Sandbox (center)	Quest Item	Easy
Find Papers	Security Checkpoint	Quest Item	Easy
Flow Controller	Medical Research/Security	Rare Material	Medium
Magnetron	Assembly/Atrium	Epic Material	Hard

Step 1: Take a Photo of Rovers in the Sandbox

Your first objective sends you to the Robotic Sandbox, located near the center of Stella Montis on the bottom layer. You’ll find two sand-filled rooms containing dune buggy-like Rover vehicles. Simply walk up to either Rover and interact to take a photo – no special camera mechanics required.

Veteran Tip: Enter the Sandbox from the southern side for a calmer approach. Most players congregate on the west and north corridors, making the south entrance less contested. Common enemies in this area include Shredders, Fireballs, Pops, and Sentinels, so move quickly and quietly.

Step 2: Search Papers in Security Checkpoint

Head to the upper floors where the Lobby meets the Security Bridge. Look for the door marked “Security Restricted Access” on the east side of the lobby. You may need to breach this door if it’s locked. Inside, descend to the ground floor and find a small office with a slitted window overlooking the lobby. The papers you need are on a three-sided desk in this room.

Critical Warning: Crossing the metal detector will trigger an audible alert that can attract nearby ARC units and Raiders. Consider using side routes or entering from the top floor to avoid unnecessary combat.

Step 3: Find a Flow Controller (Rare Material)

The Flow Controller is a rare-tier Exodus material, making it more common than the Magnetron but still RNG-dependent. Here are the best locations to search:

Top Flow Controller Locations:

1. Security Checkpoint First Floor – Check desk drawers in the office area
2. Medical Research Labs – Search carts and medical bays throughout the facility
3. Assembly Workshop Upper Rooms – Look in storage compartments and cabinets
4. Lobby-Adjacent Offices – Check drawers and containers in side offices

Pro Strategy: The Security Checkpoint first floor desk drawers are consistently reported as the most reliable spawn location. Multiple players have found their Flow Controllers here, making it your primary target.

Step 4: Find a Magnetron (Epic Material)

The Magnetron is an epic-tier Exodus material, making it significantly rarer and harder to find. This is where most players get stuck in the quest.

Best Magnetron Farming Locations:

1. Security Checkpoint Interior – High-tier loot area with multiple container types
2. Atrium-Lobby Connecting Corridors – Check storage units and side rooms
3. Assembly Workshop – Search tool carts, cabinets, and work stations on all floors
4. Side Offices Near Arena – Often overlooked but can spawn epic materials
5. Storage Closets and Maintenance Rooms – Thoroughly check every container

Personal Discovery: I found my Magnetron in a large gray storage container in a side room near the Atrium-Lobby corridor. Other players report similar success in the Assembly Workshop’s metal drawers and tool cabinets.

Essential Survival Strategies

Safe Pocket Management

CRITICAL: Neither the Flow Controller nor Magnetron auto-registers for the quest. You MUST carry both items in your safe pocket to ensure they return to your stash even if you die. Many players make the mistake of finding both items only to lose them to a random Fireball on the way out.

RNG Mitigation Techniques

1. Run Solo – Control loot distribution and avoid competition
2. Play Off-Peak Hours – Early morning or late night runs have less player traffic
3. Systematic Sweeping – Search from bottom to top, checking every container
4. Extract Immediately – Don’t get greedy – extract the moment you find your target items
5. Reset When Necessary – If you don’t find materials in one run, extract and try again

Loadout Recommendations

Bring one high-precision primary weapon for dealing with Sentinels at medium range, and one close-quarters backup for Shredders in tight rooms. Since you’re gathering, not clearing, avoid unnecessary engagements that could waste precious time and resources.

Enemy Behavior and Avoidance

Sandbox Enemies

• Shredders: Patrol in predictable patterns, avoid direct confrontation
• Fireballs: Highly aggressive, use cover and move quickly
• Pops: Small but dangerous in groups, prioritize elimination
• Sentinels: Call for backup, take down quickly with precision shots

Security Checkpoint Hazards

The metal detector creates noise that travels far, potentially attracting multiple enemy types. Use alternative entry points and move silently through this area to minimize attention.

Quest Completion and Rewards

Once you have both the Flow Controller and Magnetron safely stored in your safe pocket, return to Tian Wen in Stella Montis to complete the quest. Your rewards include:

• 1x Burletta III – Versatile primary weapon
• 1x Silencer II – Tactical attachment for stealth gameplay
• 1x Extended Light Mag II – Increased ammunition capacity
• 100x Light Ammo – Immediate combat readiness

These rewards provide excellent momentum for upcoming encounters and experimentation with new weapon configurations.

Advanced Tips for Speed Runs

Route Optimization

1. Start with the Sandbox (easiest objective)
2. Move to Security Checkpoint (combine with Magnetron farming)
3. End with Medical Research for Flow Controller hunting
4. Always have an escape route planned

Community Resources

• Join the official Discord community for real-time location updates and team coordination.
• The Reddit community offers excellent player-shared strategies and spawn location reports.
• For official announcements and updates, follow ARC Raiders on Twitter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not using a safe pocket – The #1 reason players fail this quest
2. Fighting unnecessary battles – You’re a scavenger, not a soldier
3. Ignoring container types – Exodus materials almost always spawn in containers, not on the ground
4. Staying too long – Greed runs cost lives and lost materials
5. Playing during peak hours – More competition equals less loot opportunity

Platform-Specific Considerations

The quest mechanics remain consistent across all platforms (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S), but controller players may want to adjust sensitivity for precise interactions with Rovers and document searches. PC players have the advantage of quicker inventory management for safe pocket usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Snap and Salvage quest take?

Quest completion time varies dramatically based on RNG luck. Best-case scenarios finish in 30-45 minutes, while unlucky players may need 3-5 hours across multiple runs.

Can I complete this quest with a squad?

While possible, solo runs are recommended for better loot control. If running with a squad, communicate clearly about material needs and avoid “loot goblins” who grab everything without consideration.

Do the items respawn in the same locations?

No, both Flow Controllers and Magnetrons have randomized spawn locations within their designated areas. This is why systematic searching of all containers is essential.

What happens if I die with the materials?

If not stored in your safe pocket, both materials will be lost upon death. Always secure items in your safe pocket immediately upon finding them.

Is this quest worth the time investment?

Yes, the rewards provide significant early-game advantages, and completing the quest unlocks access to more advanced Stella Montis content and trader options.

Conclusion

The Snap and Salvage quest represents ARC Raiders’ core gameplay loop: risk versus reward, strategic planning, and adaptation to RNG mechanics. Master this quest, and you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges that await in deeper Stella Montis expeditions. Remember to stay patient, search systematically, protect your materials, and extract smartly.

For the latest updates on spawn locations and community strategies, bookmark this guide and join the official ARC Raiders communities. The Rust Belt awaits, Raider – make every extraction count!