Surviving the Quest Broken Monument in Arc Raiders
You know what? There’s nothing quite like the sweaty-palm tension of an extraction shooter when you’ve got a backpack full of quest items and no idea where the exit is. Arc Raiders really leans into this anxiety, doesn’t it? Just when you think you’ve got the rhythm of the Dam Battlegrounds down, Tian Wen throws a curveball at you. She hands you the quest Broken Monument in Arc Raiders. And honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare if you aren’t prepared. Most quests let you chip away at objectives over multiple runs. Kill a few drones here, grab a canister there. But not this one. The Broken Monument quest demands perfection – or at least, survival. You have to grab three specific items in a single deployment and extract with them. If you die? You start over. Unless you’re rocking a high-tier rig with three Safe Pockets (which, let’s be real, most of us aren’t yet), this mission is a serious gut check. But don’t worry. I’ve run this route more times than I care to admit, mostly because I got greedy and tried to fight a Squad of ARC machines when I should have been hiding in a bush. I’m going to walk you through exactly where to find the Compass, the Tape, and the Rations, and how to get out of the Scrap Yard alive.The Setup: Dam Battlegrounds
First off, you need to head to the Dam Battlegrounds. If you spawn up north near the Power Generation Complex, you’ve got a bit of a hike ahead of you. The area we care about is the Scrap Yard, located in the southern part of the map. The Scrap Yard is exactly what it sounds like – a rusty maze of old shipping containers, broken trucks, and industrial waste. It’s a sniper’s paradise and a close-quarters deathtrap all at once. The verticality here is tricky; you can be spotted from the ridges above, so keep your head down.Why the Broken Monument in Arc Raiders Is a True Test?
The reason this quest trips so many people up isn’t the combat – it’s the navigation. The objectives Tian Wen gives you are vague. “Near broken-down vehicles.” Great, thanks Tian. The whole map is broken-down vehicles. The pressure comes from the “In One Round” requirement. You need to collect:- First Wave Compass.
- First Wave Video Tape.
- Old Field Rations.
The Quest Broken Monument in Arc Raiders: Step-by-Step Location Guide
Let’s break down the exact spots so you aren’t running in circles while a drone charges its laser. 1. The Compass (Near Broken-Down Vehicles) This is usually the hardest one to spot because it’s small. Head to the southern end of the Scrap Yard. You’re looking for a cluster of oblong, rounded trucks. There’s a blue wrecked car nearby that acts as a good landmark:- Look for: A small gap between two trucks and some cargo containers.
- The Container: It’s a small yellow box. It doesn’t glow like a neon sign, so you have to be practically standing on top of it to see the prompt.
- Pro Tip: There’s often a “screamer” car nearby – one of those wrecks that sets off an alarm if you touch it. Give it a wide berth, or you’ll ring the dinner bell for every Raider in the zip code.
- Look for: A gap between two of these large metal tubes.
- The Container: The box is sitting on the ground right there. It’s pretty exposed, so check your corners before you loot it. I’ve been camped here by a sniper sitting on the ridge, and let me tell you, it’s frustrating.
- Look for: A semi-enclosed metal structure/trailer.
- The Container: Inside, you’ll find the crate with the rations. This area is often patrolled by AI raiders, so you might have to drop a few bodies to get to it.
Looting the Broken Monument in Arc Raiders without Dying
Okay, you have the loot. Now comes the hard part: getting out. The Scrap Yard is a hot zone. Players love to rotate through here because it’s rich in industrial mats.| Threat Type | Danger Level | Description | Recommended Counter |
| ARC Drones | Medium | Flying nuisances that spot you for others. | Silenced pistol or avoid detection. |
| Raider AI | Low-Medium | Humanoid enemies with basic guns. | Headshots. Don’t let them swarm. |
| Enemy Players | High | Other Raiders looking for your loot. | Smoke grenades and erratic movement. |
| Alarm Cars | Situational | Static traps that make noise. | Don’t touch them. Seriously. |
Stealth is King
I can’t stress this enough – don’t sprint unless you’re being shot at. Sprinting makes noise, and noise gets you killed. Crouch-walk through the debris. Use the piles of tires and rusted metal for cover. If you hear footsteps, stop. Let them pass. You have three quest items in your bag; you are a loot piñata right now. You don’t need the kill; you need the extract.The Extract
Once you have all three items, open your map immediately. Look for the nearest extraction point:- North Exit: Usually past the Water Towers. It’s open terrain, so be careful of snipers.
- Elevators: There’s often one east of Water Treatment, but elevators are loud and attract attention.
- Raider Hatch: If you brought a key (and you should always try to), this is your safest bet. It’s quick and usually less camped.
Broken Monument in Arc Raiders: Detailed Rewards
Why go through all this trouble? Is it just for Tian Wen’s approval? Well, mostly. But the gear is decent for early-to-mid game progression.| Reward Item | Category | Utility |
| Arpeggio I | Assault Rifle | Solid mid-range weapon. Good handling. |
| Compensator II | Weapon Mod | Reduces recoil. Essential for rapid fire. |
| 80x Medium Ammo | Consumable | Always useful. Saves you crafting mats. |
| XP / Trust | Progression | Unlocks higher tier trades with Tian Wen. |
Advanced Tips for Solo Players
If you are running this solo, the “Broken Monument” quest is a pure stealth mission.- Bring Smoke: If you get caught in the open near the cylindrical tanks, pop a smoke grenade. It breaks the line of sight and lets you reposition.
- Decoys: If you have them, use decoys to distract AI while you loot the boxes.
- Patience: If the Scrap Yard is popping off with gunfire, just wait. Hide in a bush on the outskirts. Let the other squads kill each other, then creep in and loot the bodies or the boxes when the dust settles.
- Safe Pockets: If you do happen to have a Safe Pocket available (maybe from a recent upgrade), prioritize the Compass. It’s the most annoying one to find again if you have to restart.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to Extract: It sounds dumb, but I’ve seen people grab the items and then decide to go PvP hunting. Don’t be that guy. Get the loot, get out.
- The “One Round” Myth: Some people think you can get one item, extract, and come back for the others. You can’t. The quest log will reset if you don’t turn them all in at once.
- Inventory Space: Make sure you actually have 3 slots open in your backpack before you start looting. There is nothing worse than juggling ammo stacks while a sniper lines up a shot on your head.
The Lore Connection
Tian Wen mentions that these items – the compass, the tape, the rations – are from the “First Wave.” It adds a nice little layer of melancholy to the mission. We are scavenging the remains of the people who tried to save this world and failed. It’s a grim reminder of why we’re fighting the ARC in the first place. But hey, don’t get too sentimental; that compass is worth a new gun.
Broken Monument in Arc Raiders – The Quest’s Major Tips
- Prep: Empty 3 slots, bring a silencer and smoke.
- Drop: Dam Battlegrounds.
- Move: Head South to Scrap Yard.
- Loot: Compass (Trucks) -> Tape (Tubes) -> Rations (Shed).
- Leave: Extract immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
FAQ
Can I complete Broken Monument over multiple matches?
No, unfortunately not. You must collect the Compass, Tape, and Rations in a single deployment and extract with all of them at once.
Where is the Scrap Yard located?
The Scrap Yard is in the southern portion of the Dam Battlegrounds map, southwest of the Testing Annex.
What happens if I die with the items?
Unless you have them stored in a Safe Pocket (which requires high-level gear), you will drop the items and have to restart the quest from scratch.
Do I need a key to access the quest items?
No keys are required to loot the specific boxes for this quest, though a Raider Hatch key helps for a safer extraction.
Why can't I find the compass?
It's hidden in a small yellow box between broken trucks at the very south end of the Scrap Yard; it's easily missed in the debris.
Is this quest available in solo mode?
Yes, you can do it solo, but it's harder since you don't have teammates to cover you while you loot.
Who gives the Broken Monument quest?
The quest is given by the trader Tian Wen after you complete her initial "What We Left Behind" questline.