Arc Raiders Communication Hideout: Red Tower Quest
To complete the Red Tower quest in Arc Raiders, you must reach the Communication Hideout, which is a specific location on the map where you interact with a terminal to upload data. This guide explains exactly where the hideout is, how to get inside, and what to do once you are there to finish the quest and claim your reward.
What Is the Red Tower Quest?
The Red Tower quest is a main story mission in Arc Raiders that tasks you with infiltrating a hostile area controlled by the AI forces. The objective is straightforward: travel to the Communication Hideout, which is located near the base of the Red Tower structure, and use the terminal inside to transmit a signal. The quest is part of the early-to-mid game progression and unlocks after you complete the preceding story mission, “Signal Intercept.”
Unlike side missions that ask you to collect scattered items, the Red Tower quest is a linear objective with a single point of interest. The hideout itself is a small underground bunker with a single entrance, and the terminal you need is in the main room. Once you upload the data, the quest completes automatically, and you receive a cache of crafting materials and a new weapon blueprint.
Where to Find the Communication Hideout
The Communication Hideout is located on the eastern edge of the map, directly at the foot of the Red Tower. You can identify the tower from a distance by its distinctive crimson antenna array and the constant electrical discharge arcing between its upper struts. The hideout entrance is a recessed metal door set into a rocky outcrop about 50 meters from the tower’s base, facing away from the main combat zone.
To reach it efficiently, follow these steps:
- From the spawn point, head east along the main road until you see a destroyed transport vehicle.
- Turn south at the vehicle and climb the small ridge; the hideout door is at the bottom of the slope.
- Look for a red blinking light above the door frame—this marks the entrance.
The door is not locked, but it is guarded by two automated turrets on either side. Destroy them before approaching, as they will shred you in seconds if you try to rush past.
How to Enter and Complete the Objective
Once you are at the door, interact with it to open it. The hideout is a single-room bunker with a computer terminal on a desk in the center. There are no enemies inside, so you can walk straight to the terminal and press the interact key (default is E on PC, Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox).
The upload takes 10 seconds, during which you must stay within 3 meters of the terminal. If you move away, the progress bar resets. There are no waves of enemies during the upload, but a nearby patrol may detect you if you left the door open. Close the door behind you before starting the upload to avoid interruption.
After the upload finishes, a short cutscene plays showing the signal being sent to your faction’s headquarters. The quest then updates to “Return to Base,” and you can either fast-travel back or simply die and respawn at the hub—dying after the upload does not fail the quest.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Players often get stuck on this quest due to a few recurring issues. The most common is not finding the door because the quest marker sometimes points to the tower itself rather than the hideout entrance. If your marker is on the tower, walk around the base counterclockwise until you see the blinking red light.
Another issue is the turrets respawning if you die and come back. They do respawn after a few minutes, so clear them again before re-entering. If the terminal does not respond, make sure you have the quest active in your log—if you abandoned it or are on a different mission, the terminal will be inert.
Finally, some players report the upload bar freezing at 90%. This is a known visual glitch; wait 5 seconds and the quest will complete anyway. The bar is cosmetic, and the actual progress is tracked server-side.
What You Get for Completing It
Completing the Red Tower quest rewards you with 1,500 experience points, a rare crafting material bundle (including 10 titanium plates), and the blueprint for the “Tower Breaker” assault rifle. The rifle is a mid-tier weapon with high recoil but excellent damage per shot, and it is a solid choice for the next story mission.
Additionally, completing this quest unlocks the “Long Range Communications” side quest chain, which gives you access to a series of optional objectives that reward cosmetic skins for your character. These are purely visual and do not affect gameplay stats.
Is It Worth Doing Early?
Yes, you should complete the Red Tower quest as soon as it becomes available. The experience points are significant for your level progression, and the titanium plates are used in nearly every mid-game armor upgrade. Delaying the quest does not make it harder—enemies scale with your level—but doing it early gives you a head start on crafting better gear.
The only reason to wait is if you are playing solo and struggling with the turrets. In that case, level up once or twice by completing side missions, which will give you enough health to survive their burst damage. Alternatively, bring a friend; the turrets have a combined health pool that scales with party size, so two players can destroy them in half the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete the Red Tower quest without killing the turrets?
No. The turrets are programmed to shoot any player who approaches the door, and they have too much health to outrun. You must destroy them. A single well-placed grenade can disable both if you throw it between them, but this requires precise timing.
What happens if I leave the hideout during the upload?
The upload cancels and you must restart it. You can leave and re-enter as many times as you want; the terminal will always be ready for another attempt. There is no penalty other than the time lost.
Is the Communication Hideout the same as the Red Tower base?
No. The Red Tower base is a large military installation with multiple floors and heavy enemy presence. The Communication Hideout is a small bunker at the tower’s base, separate from the main structure. You do not need to enter the tower itself for this quest.
Does the quest fail if I die after uploading the data?
No. The upload is the objective, and once it completes, the quest is considered finished. Dying afterward only affects your respawn point, not your quest progress. You will still receive the rewards when you return to the hub.
Why is my quest marker pointing to a different location?
This is a known bug that occurs when you accept the quest while in a party. The marker may point to a teammate’s position instead of the hideout. Leave the party, open your map, and the marker should correct itself to the actual hideout location.
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