Unlocking ARC Raiders’ Outpost and Research Station requires completing the Sheltered Retreat Project objectives. If you’re jumping into the Frozen Trail update, completing these tasks early gives you a clearer path to base upgrades and the new Amplified Weapons progression.
Before heading topside, check the official Frozen Trail 2.0 notes for the developer details. Then read our ARC Raiders Frozen Trail Update for more context on the recent update.
In the meantime, this ARC Raiders outpost guide covers the unlock process, base expansion, and Research Station progression, ensuring you are not sent into raids unprepared.
How to Unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders
You unlock the Outpost by reaching Raider Level 18 and completing the Sheltered Retreat Project introduced with Frozen Trail. The project involves photographing a location, gathering construction materials, and completing a combat objective.
Start the Sheltered Retreat Project
In the game’s project interface, find the Sheltered Retreat Project and review its objectives before deploying. Treat the tracker as your checklist: it shows which tasks remain and helps you avoid spending a raid collecting items you no longer need.
The project has three main stages. Plan each run around the active objective rather than trying to complete every task in a single deployment.
Complete All Three Project Objectives
Work through the project in order:
| Objective / Task | Action Items & Requirements | Operational Guidance |
| Photograph a Farmland House | CameraPhoto registration check | Head toward the Ruined Homestead area on Blue Gate and look for a suitable house to photograph. Bring your camera and check the objective tracker to confirm the photo registers. |
| Collect Construction Materials | Planks (x3)Sheet Metal (x5)ARC Alloy (x10 )Advanced Electrical Components (x3) | Verify these reported quantities against your live project tracker before committing to a run, as in-game requirements take priority over older guides. |
| Complete ARC Combat Objective | Deal 800 damage to flying ARC enemies Deal 300 damage to Bullies | Follow the project’s current damage requirement and target the appropriate ARC enemies. Check the tracker to monitor actual damage counted rather than just kill count. |
| Prepare Before Deploying | Inventory checkDestination routingExtraction stash planning | Ensure you pack your camera and leave sufficient inventory space for construction materials before dropping in, balancing gear for both loot and combat tasks. |
While gathering materials for your next Outpost upgrade, you can also review available ARC Raiders keys if you’re looking to explore additional loot opportunities during your raids.
What to Bring Before You Deploy
Use this checklist before starting an objective-focused raid:
- Camera for the photograph objective
- Current construction-material requirements from the project tracker
- A weapon and enough supplies to handle ARC enemies
- A route to the relevant objective area
- Enough inventory space for the items you need to collect
Don’t force all three stages into a single run if your loadout or inventory makes it risky. Completing objectives methodically is better than losing a raid.
How the ARC Raiders Outpost Works
After completing Sheltered Retreat, the Outpost gives you a base to develop, and its Research Station opens a separate progression path. Understanding that distinction matters: unlocking the base is the starting point, not the end of the upgrade process.
Modules, Furniture, and Base Expansion
The Frozen Trail update introduces modular Outpost expansion and Furniture Designs that players can unlock through Outpost upgrades. These systems let you develop the base beyond its initial state and provide additional progression goals after completing the project.
Don’t confuse cosmetic customization with functional upgrades. Before spending resources, review what each upgrade unlocks and decide whether you’re pursuing base customization or a gameplay benefit.
Outpost Upgrades vs. Research Station Upgrades
These systems serve different purposes:
| System | What to Focus On | Operational Scope |
| Outpost Expansion | Module & Base Development | Available modules, base development, and Furniture Designs. |
| Research Station | Tech & Gear Upgrades | Research progression and eligible weapon-related upgrades. |
| Weapon Amplification | End-Game Progression | The longer-term path toward Amplified Weapons, subject to its own requirements. |
Your priority should be to complete Sheltered Retreat and secure access to the base. Once the Research Station becomes available, review its options and requirements before deciding where to invest your resources.
How to Use and Upgrade the ARC Raiders Research Station
The Research Station becomes available after you complete the Outpost project. This will give you another progression system to work toward in the Frozen Trail update. Before spending resources, inspect the station’s available options and check which requirements you still need.
What the Research Station Does
The Research Station is part of the Outpost’s new research and weapon-progression systems. It gives you a reason to keep gathering resources after you unlock the base. That is especially true if you’re working toward Amplified Weapons.
Never assume that unlocking the station immediately unlocks every research option. Check the in-game entries and distinguish between accessing the station and meeting the requirements for a particular upgrade.
How to Progress Through Research Upgrades
| Step | Operational Action | Execution Details |
| 1 | Open the Research Station | Review the options currently available to your character. |
| 2 | Check Each Requirement | Note the materials, progression conditions, or other prerequisites shown for the upgrade you’re targeting. |
| 3 | Plan Your Next Raid | Focus your looting on the resources you actually need instead of collecting everything you find. |
| 4 | Return and Check Progress | Once you’ve collected the required items, return to the station and check whether you’ve met the conditions to proceed. |
Requirements vary depending on the upgrade you’re pursuing. Check the live game interface instead of relying on a generic materials list. This can help you avoid filling your inventory with resources that won’t help you reach your goals.
What to Prioritize First
If you’ve only just unlocked the Outpost, concentrate on understanding the available progression options before spending resources on optional base customization.
A practical order looks like this:
| Sequence | Operational Phase | Action Steps |
| First | Outpost Unlock | Complete the Sheltered Retreat Project and unlock the Outpost. |
| Second | Tech Assessment | Inspect the Research Station and identify the requirements for your intended upgrade. |
| Third | Material Harvest | Gather the specific materials you need and progress through the available research. |
| Last | High-Tier Mastery | Work toward Amplified Weapons if weapon progression is your main goal. |
There’s no need to chase every upgrade at once. Set a target, prepare for it, and make each raid count.
How to Unlock Amplified Weapons in ARC Raiders
Amplified Weapons are part of the Frozen Trail update’s weapon-progression system, but unlocking the Outpost doesn’t automatically mean you’ve met all requirements to access them. Check the Research Station and the relevant Gunsmith progression options in-game to determine your next step.
Why Amplified Weapons Are a Long-Term Goal
Amplified Weapons give players another goal to pursue after unlocking the Outpost. Don’t treat them as an immediate reward for finishing Sheltered Retreat. Think of them as a later milestone in your progression.
If you’re still working through the initial project, focus on securing access to the base first. Once you can review the relevant weapon progression options, you’ll have a clearer sense of which requirements merit your time.
What to Check Before Investing in Weapon Amplification
Before committing resources, check the following:
| Checkpoint / Category | Operational Focus |
| Station Requirements | Confirm which research or upgrade conditions you’ve already met. |
| Gunsmith Progression | Review any weapon-related prerequisites shown in-game. |
| Resource Availability | Prioritize materials needed for your chosen upgrade instead of spending them on unrelated goals. |
| Loadout Preparation | Make sure your current weapons and supplies suit the raids you need to complete. |
If you’re comparing weapon options for your next deployment, browse our ARC Raiders weapon loadouts for additional loadout ideas. Keep your focus on the actual in-game requirements, though; a stronger loadout doesn’t replace a missing progression prerequisite.
Final Thoughts
The best way to approach the Outpost is to complete Sheltered Retreat first, review your Research Station options, and build upgrades that match your playstyle. If you’re preparing for your next raid, explore our ARC Raiders equipment options and plan your loadout around the objectives you still need to complete.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you unlock the Outpost without completing the Sheltered Retreat Project?
The Outpost’s initial unlock is tied to Sheltered Retreat. Check the active project tracker for any remaining objectives before expecting access to the base.
Does the Outpost reset when you start an Expedition?
Expedition carryover rules determine what happens to your progress and possessions. Check the current rules before committing to an Expedition, and consult our ARC Raiders Expedition carryover guide for a breakdown of what to expect.
What should you do if the Outpost photo objective fails to register?
Recheck the active objective, ensure you’re using the required camera, and confirm you’re photographing the intended location. If the task still fails, consult the official update notes for known issues before repeatedly attempting the same action.
Should you upgrade the Outpost before pursuing Amplified Weapons?
Complete the initial unlock first, then inspect the Research Station and the relevant weapon-progression requirements. That gives you a clearer basis for choosing between base expansion and weapon-related goals.
