The Phantom Targets Project is a welcome change of pace in ARC Raiders. It asks you to look around, test equipment, follow strange signals, and handle specific enemies instead of simply filling your bag with materials. That difference matters. You can make steady progress while learning the maps, and the rewards are useful well beyond the event itself. Before heading out, it is worth checking your ARC Raiders BluePrints and improving the gear you rely on most, because a little preparation can save a lot of wasted raids. Part 1 arrived with the August 4 update, while Part 2 is scheduled to join Update 1.42 on August 18.

Start With the Cargo Elevator Objectives

The opening antenna mission sounds slower than it really is. You need to upgrade antennas at Cargo Elevator extraction points, but there is no reason to treat every location as a separate trip. Spaceport is usually the friendliest option. Its layout is compact, sightlines are easier to read, and several extraction areas can be visited during one run if your route is planned before deployment. Dam Battlegrounds and Riven Tides are also valid choices, especially if you know them well or need supplies found there. Once you spawn, check the nearest elevator first, then move towards the next one rather than wandering for loot. Keep an eye on your exit route, too. An objective only counts for your overall progress if you get out safely, so taking one extra minute to avoid a noisy fight can be the smarter play.

Combine Tests Instead of Repeating Raids

After the antenna work, the project shifts towards ARC equipment trials and enemy takedowns using different damage types. This is where many players lose time. They finish one task, return to the lobby, change their loadout, and repeat the same process for the next requirement. You can usually combine several of these jobs in a single deployment. Bring the equipment needed for the current test, then watch for suitable robotic targets while travelling through areas with useful crafting materials. Do not force every objective into one raid, though. A crowded map can turn a tidy plan into a long recovery trip. If an opportunity appears naturally, take it. If not, extract with what you have and adjust for the next run. That flexible approach feels slower on paper, but it tends to produce better results because you are not chasing a single target across half the map.

Rewards Worth Building Around

The reward track gives the project real value for players who care about long-term progression. The headline items include Legendary Jupiter, Legendary Dolabra, and Legendary Aphelion, along with the Heavy Shield Mk III. You can also earn Combat Augments, Vita Spray, Powered Descender, Horizontal Grip, Snap Hook, and Raider Tokens. Some of these rewards will immediately change how a loadout feels, while others are more useful when you are preparing for later missions. Collect them as soon as they become available rather than leaving everything until the end of the event. The August 18 update also brings the Tick Hunter Set, which includes a Tick Hunter Outfit with colour variations, a Field Telephone Backpack, a Tick Trophy Backpack Charm, a Spider Tattoo Face Style, and 2,400 Raider Tokens. It is mainly cosmetic, but the timing makes it a nice addition to the second phase.

Get Ready for Part 2

Finishing Part 1 early gives you room to prepare instead of rushing when new objectives appear. Spend your ARC Raiders BluePrints on upgrades that support the way you actually play. If you tend to take close fights, improve the weapons and defensive tools that keep you alive at short range. If you prefer moving quietly and extracting with materials, focus on capacity, mobility, and efficient crafting. Your stockpile matters as well. Ammunition, healing items, and basic components disappear quickly when a mission asks for several equipment tests in a row. Map knowledge helps just as much. Learn where the Cargo Elevators sit, note safe paths between major areas, and remember which locations regularly attract enemy patrols. The project becomes much less stressful once you stop treating every raid as a blind search. Also, keep some Raider Tokens and currency available for future equipment or cosmetics instead of spending everything the moment you return to the menu.

Final Thoughts

Phantom Targets works because it gives you a reason to explore with purpose. The missions are not just another request to gather ten more items. They encourage route planning, careful equipment choices, and a closer look at the Rust Belt. Start with the antenna upgrades, combine compatible tasks, and use Spaceport when you want the shortest travel time. Then put the stronger rewards towards a setup that suits your habits, whether that means a sturdier shield, better movement, or a more reliable weapon. With Part 2 arriving in Update 1.42 on August 18, completing the first phase now is a sensible way to stay ahead, and players looking to round out their loadouts can also buy ARC Raiders Weapons before the next set of missions puts their preparation to the test.