ARC Raiders The Root of the Matter Quest Walkthrough

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

In ARC Raiders, “The Root of the Matter” is a multi-step Raider quest about investigating a damaged root system and collecting evidence in the field. Complete its listed objectives in the required area, then return to the quest giver to claim the reward; check the in-game quest tracker for the exact current objective wording, since locations and requirements can change between updates.

What the quest involves

The Root of the Matter is an exploration-and-objective quest, not a crafting recipe or a standalone puzzle with a separate answer code. Its main challenge is reaching the relevant point of interest, finding the quest interaction or item, and getting out safely with progress recorded. As with other ARC Raiders quests, the objective is completed during a raid, while turning it in happens back at the hub.

Quest text is the most reliable guide. Read each instruction from the quest menu before deploying: it identifies the map or area to visit and what counts as progress. If the task asks you to inspect, interact with, or retrieve something, simply reaching the named landmark may not be enough. Look for the highlighted prompt or quest marker and complete the interaction.

Walkthrough: complete it step by step

Accept and track the quest. Speak to the character who offers it at the hub, accept The Root of the Matter, then track it in your quest log. Tracking helps display relevant objectives during a raid.
Read the active objective carefully. Confirm the required map and the precise action. The quest may contain more than one objective, and the next step can appear only after the previous one is registered.
Choose a suitable loadout. Bring equipment you can afford to lose, enough ammunition for likely encounters, and space in your inventory if the objective requires carrying an item. You do not need to over-prepare for a simple investigation, but arriving without room for a quest pickup can be inconvenient.
Deploy to the specified map. Navigate toward the named area using the map and environmental landmarks. Avoid assuming that a map pin alone completes the task: inspect the surroundings for a specific object, interaction prompt, or evidence marker.
Complete every required interaction. Approach the objective and use the on-screen interact prompt. Pause briefly to make sure the quest tracker updates. If the tracker still shows the task as incomplete, check nearby objects and entrances rather than leaving immediately.
Extract if the quest requires you to bring something back. A field objective and a successful return are different things. If you picked up a quest item, use an available extraction route and survive the trip to the hub. Do not assume that a raid objective is safely banked until the game registers it.
Return to the quest giver. Once the objective is complete, go back to the hub and speak to the relevant character to finish the quest and collect the displayed reward.

Keep the tracker open if you are unsure whether a step has counted. A marker can point to a broad location, while the actual interaction may be inside a structure, beside a damaged section, or at a nearby object. Search the immediate area before spending another raid repeating the route.

Where to look and how to avoid a wasted raid

Quest locations in ARC Raiders sit within active maps, so the route is not a protected mission instance. Other players and ARC machines can interrupt an investigation, and the safest path is not always the shortest. Move with a clear plan: approach from cover where possible, avoid unnecessary fights, and leave once the tracker confirms the objective.

Check the quest log before every deployment, especially if you have completed one step already.
Use the map’s named areas and visible landmarks to orient yourself; do not rely only on a marker if it overlaps several buildings or paths.
Look for an interaction prompt at the objective. Being close to an item or location is not always enough.
Listen and watch for nearby threats before interacting, since the prompt may leave you exposed for a moment.
If a raid ends before you complete the objective, return to the log and see what progress was saved before trying again.

Exact routes can be less useful than objective wording because spawns, encounters, and map conditions can vary. Treat a walkthrough as guidance to the target, not a guarantee that every raid will have an identical approach.

Rewards and what to verify

The quest’s reward is shown in the quest interface or when you turn it in. Check that screen for the actual reward and any associated progression before claiming it. Reward details can be affected by game updates, and players may encounter different quest states if they have already completed part of the chain or are looking at information from another build.

It is better not to rely on an unverified list of item names or quantities. The dependable way to confirm your payout is to open The Root of the Matter in your quest log and read its reward panel, then check your inventory or progression screen after turning it in. If a reward does not appear, confirm that the quest is marked complete and that you spoke to the quest giver rather than only finishing the field objective.

Common problems and fixes

The objective marker is missing: Make sure the quest is accepted and tracked. Read the log for a prerequisite or earlier step that must be completed first.

I reached the location, but the quest did not advance: Search for the specific interaction or object. Move around the marked area and check nearby entrances, walls, and equipment rather than assuming the map location itself is the objective.

The interaction prompt will not appear: Check that you are close enough and facing the correct object. If enemies are interrupting you, create space or return when the area is clearer. If the prompt still fails, leave the raid and retry after checking for an update or known issue.

I completed the raid objective but cannot claim the reward: Return to the hub and speak to the quest giver. Some objectives require a successful extraction, and field progress is not the same as turning in the quest.

I lost the quest item: Review the tracker to see whether the objective remains complete. If it does not, you may need to repeat that step; if it does, continue with the next instruction rather than searching for the item again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start The Root of the Matter in ARC Raiders?
Accept it from its quest giver in the hub, then track it in the quest log. If it is unavailable, check whether a prerequisite quest or progression step is still outstanding.

Does the quest have to be completed in one raid?
Do not assume so. The tracker indicates what remains, and some progress may persist between raids. Check the quest state after returning to the hub or after a failed run.

Do I need to extract to finish the quest?
If the objective involves bringing back a quest item, you need to extract for it to reach the hub. For other objective types, follow the wording in the tracker and confirm the completion state after the raid.

Why is the quest marker not enough?
A marker generally identifies an area, not necessarily the exact interaction. Search the vicinity for a prompt or a particular object, and make sure the quest is tracked.

What are The Root of the Matter rewards?
The reward is displayed in the quest interface or at turn-in. Use the current in-game reward panel as the source of truth because reward details can change with updates.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.