"Reduced to Rubble" is a key progression quest in ARC Raiders BluePrints, unlocked immediately after finishing the "First Foothold" mission. Given by Shani in the security area, this quest takes place entirely on the Blue Gate map and focuses on exploration and investigation rather than intense combat. While it sounds straightforward, many players struggle with its vague objectives and location triggers. This guide breaks down every step, from preparation to quest completion, ensuring you finish it efficiently-even solo.

Pre-Quest Preparation: What You Need to Know Before Deploying

Before jumping into the Blue Gate map, a little preparation goes a long way. Unlike many Arc Raiders quests, "Reduced to Rubble" does not require you to extract any items or survive until the end. Your progress saves between raids, so you can exit or even die and pick up where you left off in a later run.

It's recommended to use a free loadout if you're new to the Blue Gate map. The area is filled with roaming ARC enemies, and losing valuable loot is unnecessary here. You don't need any specific items for this quest-no cameras, special weapons, or tools are required. The only thing you need is patience and a keen eye for interaction prompts.

Combat is optional, but it's smarter to avoid unnecessary fights. Blue Gate can get crowded with ARC units, and careless movement can quickly turn a simple exploration mission into a deadly encounter. Stick to cover, watch patrol routes, and prioritize traversal over confrontation whenever possible.

Step 1: Photograph the Collapsed Highway (No Camera Required)

The first objective of "Reduced to Rubble" is to "take a photo of the collapsed highway." Don't worry-Arc Raiders does not have a camera item or photo mode tied to this quest. The objective is misleading; what you actually need to do is trigger an interaction prompt by standing in the correct location.

The collapsed highway is located in the southern region of the Blue Gate map, marked as the "Highway Collapse" point of interest (POI) on your map. Zoom in on the lower-left area near the southern checkpoint, and the label will appear once you're close enough.

When you arrive, look for the section where the highway has buckled into a ravine-one end sits high, while the other slopes down toward the ground. The interaction prompt is not on the asphalt but near the debris at the lower end of the broken span. Drop into the gully under the angled road, and a yellow "Take Photo" prompt will appear on your screen.

Press the appropriate button to trigger the interaction. There are multiple valid spots in this area, both on the ground and the collapsed highway itself, so if you don't see the prompt right away, move around the POI until it appears. Once you complete this step, your quest log will update with the next objective.

Step 2: Travel to Broken Earth and Follow the Trail of Destruction

After taking the photo, your next task is to "go to Broken Earth" and "follow the trail of destruction." Broken Earth is not a descriptive phrase-it's a named POI on the Blue Gate map, located northeast of the collapsed highway across the olive grove and fields.

The quest mentions "following the trail of destruction," but you don't need to navigate the entire trench network. This is a common source of confusion for players, but the trail is simply a guide to point you toward the next objective. You can take a direct route to Broken Earth without following every inch of the damaged terrain.

As you move northeast through the olive grove, be cautious-this area is more populated with both ARC enemies and other players working on the same quest. Give fellow raiders a friendly wave and keep moving; there's no need to interact with them unless you want to team up for extra safety.

Once you enter the Broken Earth POI, your quest will automatically update. You don't need to interact with anything here-just crossing into the area is enough to progress to the final step.

Step 3: Investigate the Unknown ARC Machines to Finish the Quest

The final objective is to investigate the unknown ARC machines in Broken Earth. These machines are hard to miss-look for a massive, destroyed ARC structure east of the maintenance bunker and southwest of Ridgeline. It's a large, broken structure that stands out against the surrounding terrain, and you can spot it from a distance if you know where to look.

Approach the base of the downed ARC machine carefully. ARC enemies often patrol nearby, so check your surroundings before interacting. Look for a glowing yellow "Investigate" prompt near the bottom of the wreckage-this is where you need to interact to complete the investigation.

Once you trigger the interaction, the quest will be marked as complete. You don't need to extract or survive any longer-you can exit the map immediately or stay to loot the area for buy ARC Raiders Trinkets extra resources. Either way, the quest will count as finished, and you can turn it in to Shani for your rewards.