You unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders by finishing its three-stage project: photograph a farmland house, hand in a set of building materials, then protect the building site by damaging ARC. Accept the project’s quest before you deploy and pack a Camera, because the first stage cannot be completed without one, and Embark’s own patch notes single that out as the step players miss.
The Outpost arrived with Frozen Trail, the 2.0 update that went live on October 8, 2026, and it is far more than a decorated room. It is where the new Research Station lives, and the Research Station is the road to blueprint research and Amplified Weapons. Below we cover each stage, where players are completing it, and what to do once the Outpost is yours.
What the Outpost Is
Embark pitches the Outpost as an extension of your Raider Den: a home “nestled between the Rust Belt and the perilous mountain range” that Celeste offers to raiders who answer her call to explore Pendola Pass. According to Embark’s Frozen Trail patch notes, the Outpost:
- is unlocked by completing a project, found under the Outpost tab;
- unlocks access to the Research Station the moment you unlock it;
- can be expanded with different modules;
- holds furniture crafted from Furniture Designs. There are 100 Designs in the game: 73 found Topside, 22 unlocked by upgrading the Outpost, 4 in the Frozen Trail Pass and 1 in the Collector Set DLC.
Embark calls the Outpost “the start of a feature we hope to develop much further,” so expect it to grow in later updates.
Before You Start
Three things save you a wasted raid:
- Check your level. Embark’s notes do not state a level requirement, but launch-week player guides consistently list Raider level 18 for the Outpost project. If you cannot start the project, that is the most likely reason.
- Get a Camera. Embark says the Camera “can be purchased at Shani’s, crafted at the Workbench, or found Topside.” Shani’s offers now cost Coins and include Cameras, so buying one is the quickest route. Frozen Trail added both a Basic and an Advanced Camera, and nothing in Embark’s notes says the project needs the Advanced one.
- Accept the quest first. The patch notes put it plainly: “Remember to accept the quest and bring your camera!” Guides warn that a photo taken before you accept will not count.
Step-by-Step: How to Unlock the Outpost
Stage 1: Research Topside Living Conditions
Embark confirms that this first step “requires you to take a photo of a farmland house.” Player guides from launch week all point to the same place: the farmland around Ruined Homestead on Blue Gate.
- Open the Outpost tab and accept the project.
- Put your Camera in a quick-use slot and deploy to Blue Gate.
- Head to Ruined Homestead and photograph one of the farmland houses.
- Extract, then return to the Outpost tab to complete the stage.
One known issue to watch: Embark lists that “the Outpost tab lacks the orange dot indicator after completing first stage objectives.” Do not wait for the notification. Open the tab yourself after you extract.
Stage 2: Gather the Building Materials
Several launch-week guides list the same delivery for this stage:
- 3 Planks
- 5 Sheet Metal
- 10 ARC Alloy
- 3 Advanced Electrical Components
Planks are the one that catches people out. Embark says Celeste “now trades new materials used in crafting furniture,” and players report buying Planks from her rather than finding them. Guides also report that Advanced Electrical Components can be refined from Wires and Electrical Components at the Refiner, so check your stash before you farm.
Stage 3: Protect the Building Site
The last stage is a damage task. Guides report it asks for 800 damage to flying ARC and 300 damage to Bullies. The Bully is one of the new ARC Embark placed on Pendola Pass, an aggressive machine that “gallops upon your position.” Embark’s advice for it is simple: “Use cover, time your response, and hit your shots.”
Frozen Trail also reworked explosive damage against ARC. Explosive weapons like the Hullcracker now deal over 50% more damage to armor plates but around 30% less to fragile parts, so they are a good tool for chipping armored targets.
What the Outpost Unlocks
Finishing the project gives you the Outpost and its Research Station (Embark uses both “Research Station” and “Research Workstation”). Embark says it lets you “investigate new elements of the world” and reach “higher levels of weapon customization and modding.”
Three things follow from it:
- Research. The station spends Research Points on blueprints, Furniture Designs and, at its top level, weapon perks.
- Amplified Weapons. Embark’s preview says a fully upgraded Research Workstation opens “a fifth quality level for a range of guns,” starting with 15 weapons.
- Furniture and modules. Designs you loot Topside become craftable furniture. Owners of the Frozen Trail Collector Set DLC also get an exclusive Retro Sofa for the Outpost, as our Reward Pass breakdown covers.
Community trackers add that each Research Station level requires a matching Outpost level, so you will upgrade the two together.
Tips Most Players Miss
- New players can reach Pendola Pass early. Embark says newcomers can enter the new map “if teamed up with other players who have already unlocked” it. A veteran squadmate is the fastest way to the Bullies for Stage 3, as our Frozen Trail free weekend story explains.
- Low shadows break the lighting. Embark lists that lighting in the main Outpost building “is corrupted when the Shadow quality is set to Low.” Raise it if the base looks wrong.
- Expect some furniture bugs. Embark’s known issues include furniture clipping through walls and blocking slots. It says most fixes are already in the works for an upcoming Live Update.
- Bring a squad for Stage 3. Bullies are far easier to damage safely when a squadmate is drawing their attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do you need to unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders? Embark has not published a level requirement, but launch-week player guides consistently list Raider level 18.
Where do you take the farmland house photo for the Outpost? Embark only says “a farmland house.” Players are completing it at Ruined Homestead on Blue Gate. Accept the quest before you go, since guides warn an earlier photo will not count.
Where do you get a Camera in ARC Raiders? Buy one from Shani for Coins, craft one at the Workbench, or find one Topside. Frozen Trail added a Basic and an Advanced Camera.
Does the Outpost unlock the Research Station? Yes. Embark’s patch notes say unlocking the Outpost unlocks access to the Research Station, which is where research and weapon amplification happen.
Do you need the Collector Set DLC for the Outpost? No. The Outpost is part of the free Frozen Trail update. The Collector Set only adds cosmetics, including the Retro Sofa for your Outpost.
Can you play Frozen Trail content in PvE? Embark’s PvE toggle is a one-week test, not a mode, and our PvE toggle story explains what it does and does not include.