ARC Raiders Dam Battlegrounds Map Guide

Dam Battlegrounds is the first ARC Raiders map most players learn, and it sets the pace for the entire extraction loop. It’s compact, full of elevation changes, and packed with loot hotspots like weapon crates, security lockers, Field Depot tasks, and supply call stations. Because the map funnels players toward the Control Tower and the Dam Complex, knowing the layout is what keeps you alive, and lets you extract with profit instead of losing your gear.

Dam Battlegrounds Map Overview

The map is built around a central “funnel”: Control Tower - Dam Complex - Water Treatment and Swamp areas.

High-ground zones (Dam Complex, Pipeline Tower) give long sightlines, while the Swamps, Formakai Hills, and South Outpost offer safer rotations. The Field Depot on Dam Battlegrounds sits near the mid-south section, and the antenna repair objective makes this spot important for early quests. Supply call stations appear mostly around industrial structures like Water Treatment and the Dam base.

Loot Types on Dam Battlegrounds

Each area of the Dam Battlegrounds leans toward specific loot categories. Knowing what usually spawns helps you plan routes and avoid filling your backpack with items you don’t need.

Best Loot Locations on Dam Battlegrounds

Below is a more detailed look at the most valuable areas on the Dam Battlegrounds map, what they contain, and why players visit them.

South Swamp Outpost

A fast and low-risk starting point. This area has a mix of medical items, basic crafting materials, and small-value Commercial loot. It also has a chance to spawn a weapon crate in one of the domes nearby. Because it sits on the map edge, most squads pass it by, making it reliable for gathering early meds and components before moving deeper into the map.

Hydroponic Domes

One of the strongest mid-map loot zones. The Domes contain three major loot types at once: Nature, Industrial, and Security. This makes it a top target for early upgrades (Scrappy, workbench) and for finding attachments.

Two–three weapon crate spawns sit inside the domes. The downside is visibility, the glass structure and open layout make it easy for other players to push from multiple angles.

Research & Administration

Consistent, quiet, and efficient. This building is filled with Electrical and Technological loot: processors, wires, tech parts, office items, and crafting mats. On the upper level you’ll find an easy weapon crate spawn tucked between furniture.

Because it’s close to the Control Tower but not directly exposed, you can loot safely and reposition depending on where you hear gunfire.

Pale Apartments

A chill zone for early-to-mid run resource gathering. The Apartments contain Commercial and Mechanical loot, items that stack well and help craft early tools or upgrades. Most squads ignore this area because it’s slightly off-path from the core loot funnel.

Good for players who want to build inventory without taking early fights.

Dam Surveillance Room

High value, but requires key access. Inside the Water Treatment building, this locked room contains a guaranteed weapon crate plus premium Security loot like ammo, weapons, and attachments.

Because the room is small, players often camp the area outside, when opening the door, be ready for immediate contact.

Dam Complex (Upper & Lower)

Excellent for weapon cases and vantage control. The Dam itself has several loot spots: control rooms with crate spawns, breachable lockers, and scattered tech/industrial items.

The elevation gives a massive sight advantage over Testing Annex and the riverbed. However, you’re fully exposed to snipers firing from the Control Tower or the nearby hills.

Control Tower

The highest reward and highest danger on Dam Battlegrounds.

The Tower includes:

• 3–5 weapon crate spawns depending on the floor
• A locked upper room with rows of Security lockers
• Multiple angles for ambushes and third-party teams

If you win the fight here, you leave with the best loot on the map. But the density of ladders, stairs, and long sightlines makes it extremely punishing for solo players.

Supply Call Station Areas

High-risk, high-reward temporary drops. Supply Call Stations appear mostly around Water Treatment and the lower Dam base.

Activating them triggers a timed supply drop that can include rare weapons, attachments, ARC components, or high-value materials. The drop is loud and visible, so expect multiple squads to converge on the crate.

Weapon Crates on Dam Battlegrounds

Weapon crates are the most consistent way to secure strong guns, attachments, and high-value Security loot on the Dam Battlegrounds map.

Each crate spawn is fixed to a specific structure or building, but not all of them appear every raid. Some require keys, tools, or a risky climb, while others are simple grab-and-go spots.

Below is a clear breakdown of all known weapon crate locations on the map, what you need to access them, and the danger level you can expect when approaching each area.

Field Depot

Field Depots on Arc Raiders Dam Battlegrounds are small rectangular metal buildings with a radar tower on the roof and a blue tarpaulin patch on top. They appear across the entire map and Dam Battlegrounds has six known Depot locations.

You’ll run into Field Depots at:

• between Water Towers and Electrical Substation
• between Water Treatment and Research & Administration / Control Tower
• on Red Lakes Balcony
• at South Swamp Outpost
• inside the Hydroponic Dome Complex
• east of Power Generation, near Raider Outpost East

A Field Depot is used for two main purposes:

1. Off The Radar quest step

• Climb to the rooftop dish and repair it. This completes the quest instantly.
• You’re exposed during the interaction, so check surroundings first.

2. Field Crate activity (Down to Earth + repeatable loot)

• Inside the Depot is a machine that accepts Field Crates.
• If you carry a crate to it, you get extra loot.
• This feature becomes relevant after Off The Radar.

Field Depots also often contain small supplies: ammo, meds, and low-tier industrial items, enough to stabilize mid-raid.

Because most Depots sit away from the Control Tower’s traffic lanes, they work as reliable mid-map checkpoints for quiet rotations or quest runs.

Enemies & Bosses on Dam Battlegrounds

A quick overview of the main threats you can meet on Dam Battlegrounds.

If you hear heavy metallic movement or rockets, reposition immediately. Fighting bosses with low ammo means you’ll attract Raiders who clean you up.

Harvester Event

The Harvester is located near Red Lakes, next to the Queen and a large turbine structure. It’s one of the best ways to get high-value loot early but is extremely risky.

• Enter the turbine when the doors open
• Ride the internal lifts and pull canisters from breach points
• Return the canisters to the core slots in the center
• Avoid the fire bursts and periodic electrical pulses (shields get disabled)
• After all canisters are placed, destroy the yellow alarm nodes
• The turbine stops cycling damage and loot containers open

Important notes:

• The Queen will remain nearby even if you avoid direct aggro
• Plan your exit before you start the event
• Grenades speed up killing Rocketeers if they’re guarding the zone

Once cleared, the Harvester rewards some of the strongest loot you can get on Dam Battlegrounds without fighting the Control Tower.

Final Thoughts

Dam Battlegrounds plays better once you stop treating it like a random loot run and start moving with a plan.

The map has predictable routes, stable loot pockets, and clear danger zones. If you stick to the paths you know, manage your positioning, and rotate before the crowd hits the center, you’ll come out with good materials more often than not.

If you want to save time on material farming, key rooms, or high-risk rotations around the Tower and Dam Complex, you can use a ARC Raiders Dam Battlegrounds boost.