Phantom Targets asks ARC Raiders players to think beyond ordinary extraction runs. The project rewards investigation, antenna upgrades, and unconventional damage testing, so the strongest approach is not simply bringing your best gun. Players planning future progression should also protect useful
ARC Raiders BluePrints and crafting resources, because several objectives are easier when your loadout is built around a specific experiment rather than general combat.
Plan Around the Active Objective
Phantom Targets began with Update 1.40 and is structured as a sequence of objectives rather than a single donation task. Each stage unlocks only after the previous one is completed, which makes checking the Projects menu before every deployment more important than memorizing a full checklist.
The opening requirement involves upgrading three antennas positioned on top of Cargo Elevators. These structures appear on Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, and Riven Tides. Reaching the roof is usually more important than fighting every nearby ARC, so avoid turning a simple interaction into an expensive engagement. Complete the upgrade, extract if the route is safe, and verify progress from the Raider menu.
One interface issue can create unnecessary confusion: the antenna interaction may still appear after a successful upgrade. That does not automatically mean the objective failed. The project tracker is the reliable confirmation, and checking it prevents players from repeating a risky trip for an action that already counted.
Use ARC Parts With Purpose
The combat stages are designed to test ARC parts rather than conventional weapon damage. Pop Triggers, Wasp Drivers, and Leaper Pulse Units can behave less predictably than firearms, especially in open terrain where a target can move away or the effect can be wasted.
This is where positioning becomes a resource-management decision. Enclosed spaces and predictable enemy routes reduce missed attempts, while smaller ARC targets can make repeated testing easier. Community experience points to Shredders and similarly readable targets as practical choices because their movement is easier to control than a chaotic multi-enemy encounter.
Bring only the ARC part required by the current stage.
Test it against an isolated target instead of starting a full fight.
Use cover or confined terrain to limit movement and wasted charges.
Check the project tracker before extracting or repeating the attempt.
Match Gear to the Damage Test
Later objectives introduce requirements involving fire damage, energy weapons, launcher ammunition, and flying ARC. These tasks favor flexible, inexpensive kits over premium builds. Spending high-value ammunition on a test that could be completed with basic equipment lowers the long-term value of the project.
Flying targets are particularly sensitive to arena choice. Limited ceilings and predictable flight paths create more reliable firing windows, while open areas invite missed shots and third-party pressure. Players who are still learning the maps should prioritize survival and repeatability; experienced squads can combine the requirement with normal farming, but only when the extra gear does not compromise extraction.
Separate Progression From Profit
Phantom Targets is most efficient when treated as a series of controlled field tests, not a challenge that must be completed in one raid. Save relevant ARC parts when storage allows, but do not keep every item indefinitely if it damages your normal crafting economy. The right balance depends on whether you are still building a basic kit or already farming late-game resources.
Part 2 became available on August 18 with Update 1.42 and continues the investigation, alongside the separate Phantom Targets Event. Early datamined requirement lists should not be treated as final, since placeholder objectives may differ from the live version. Check the Projects menu after the update instead of planning around unconfirmed materials.
Use low-cost equipment for unfamiliar damage requirements.
Reserve valuable ammunition for objectives that specifically need it.
Return to Speranza and claim rewards before beginning the next stage.
Do not sell useful ARC parts until the active requirements are confirmed.
The project is worthwhile for players who want event progression without undermining their regular farming route. It is less attractive to risk-heavy players who insist on carrying premium gear for every experiment. Before the next deployment, compare the objective against your current stockpile and future crafting needs, and consider
ARC Raiders BluePrints for sale only as part of a broader progression plan rather than an excuse to overspend on a temporary task.