Arc Raiders Field Depots & Dam Battlegrounds
Arc Raiders’ Field Depots are marked supply caches that spawn in set locations around the Dam battleground, and they do not appear on the main minimap until a player gets close or activates a radar ping. This guide covers where they spawn, how to find them off the radar, and what to expect when looting them.
Background: What Field Depots Are
Field Depots are mid-tier loot containers introduced in Arc Raiders’ closed tests. They are distinct from standard supply crates because they hold better weapons, armor mods, and crafting materials, and they require a short interaction time to open. The Dam is one of the early battlegrounds in the game, a large map centered around a hydroelectric dam with multiple elevation levels, tunnels, and water channels. Depots are placed in high-risk areas, often near contested objectives or choke points, so they are not meant to be free loot.
How Field Depots Appear on Radar
Field Depots do not show a permanent icon on the main map. Instead, they appear as a faint yellow diamond on the minimap when you are within roughly 50 meters. If you are outside that radius, the depot is completely invisible on your HUD. Some depots are also marked by a visible beacon of light that can be seen from a distance, but this beacon is only active after the depot has been discovered by any player in the match. This means you can find a depot by spotting the beacon, but you cannot see it on the map until you are close.
Known Field Depot Locations at the Dam
Based on community mapping and in-game observation from the beta, the Dam battleground has a set of fixed spawn points for Field Depots, though not all of them are active in every match. The game typically spawns 3-4 depots per match, chosen randomly from a pool of about 8-10 possible locations. The most commonly reported spots are:
- Inside the maintenance tunnel on the east side of the dam, near the water intake pipes.
- On the catwalk above the turbine hall, accessible via a ladder from the lower service floor.
- In the small control room at the base of the west tower, behind a locked door that requires a keycard.
- Under the bridge on the south approach, hidden behind a stack of concrete barriers.
- On the roof of the pump station, reachable by climbing the exterior pipes.
- In the flooded basement of the northern warehouse, partially submerged.
Note that the exact coordinates are not officially published, and the spawn pool may change with patches. The best strategy is to learn the general areas and check them quickly at the start of a match.
How to Find Depots Off the Radar
If you want to find a Field Depot without relying on the minimap, you need to use visual and audio cues. The beacon of light is the most reliable indicator: it appears as a vertical column of yellow light that is visible from up to 200 meters away, but only after the depot has been activated by any player. If you see the light, head toward it, but be aware that other players will also see it. Another method is to listen for the hum of the depot’s power core, which is audible within 20 meters. Finally, you can use the game’s ping system: if you have a recon class or a drone, you can mark the depot from a distance, but this only works if you already know where it is.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that Field Depots are always guarded by AI enemies. In reality, they are not automatically defended; the danger comes from other players who are drawn to the same location. Another issue is that depots can be looted by multiple players, but once the first player opens it, a 10-second timer starts before the contents are available to everyone. If you are not the first to open it, you may still get some loot, but the best items are usually taken first. Also, depots do not respawn during a match—once looted, they are empty for the rest of the session.
Comparison with Other Loot Sources
Field Depots sit between regular loot crates and the rare airdrops in terms of quality. Regular crates give common weapons and basic materials, while airdrops contain legendary items but are marked on the map for all players. Depots offer a middle ground: they are not marked globally, but they are still findable, and they contain blue and purple rarity items. This makes them a good target for solo players who want better gear without the high risk of an airdrop. However, airdrops are still the only source of some exclusive cosmetics, so depots are not a complete replacement.
Safety and Strategy Tips
When approaching a Field Depot, always assume you are being watched. Use cover to scout the area before moving in, and consider setting up a trap or a mine near the depot to catch other players who come after you. If you are playing with a squad, assign one person to loot while the others cover the entrances. Also, be aware that opening a depot makes a loud noise that can be heard from a distance, so you may want to open it and then back off, returning only after the noise has stopped. Finally, do not linger after looting—the longer you stay, the more likely you are to be ambushed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Field Depots show on the map for everyone?
No. Field Depots are only visible on the minimap when you are within about 50 meters. They do not appear on the main map at all, and there is no global notification when one is discovered.
How many Field Depots spawn per match on the Dam?
Typically 3-4 depots spawn per match, chosen randomly from a pool of 8-10 possible locations. The exact number can vary based on game mode and player count.
Can you loot a Field Depot more than once?
No. Once a depot is opened and its contents are taken, it becomes empty and will not respawn during the same match. The next match will have a new set of depots.
Are Field Depots always guarded by enemies?
No. They are not automatically guarded by AI. The main threat is from other players who are also looking for the depot or who see the beacon of light.
What is the best way to find a Field Depot without a radar?
Look for the vertical yellow beacon of light that appears once a depot is discovered. You can also listen for the hum of the power core, but that only works at close range. Learning the fixed spawn points is the most reliable method.
Do Field Depots require a keycard to open?
Some do. A few locations, like the control room in the west tower, require a keycard that can be found on enemies or in other loot containers. Most depots, however, can be opened without a keycard.
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