Arc Raiders can be confusing at first, especially when it comes to understanding the quests and what’s actually required to complete them. One quest that players often ask about is Clearer Skies, given by Shani after completing Picking Up The Pieces. In this guide, I’ll explain how the quest works in practice, what most players do, and how to handle some common issues.
To unlock Clearer Skies, you first need to complete the quest Picking Up The Pieces. Once that’s done, Shani will give you the quest automatically. Shani is a trader who can be found in any location, so you don’t need to worry about traveling to a specific map point. Most players find it easiest to track her through the quest log rather than trying to remember where she was last.
The quest has three primary tasks:
Destroy 3 ARC enemies
Collect 3 ARC Alloy for Shani
Gather additional materials including:
Hiker Backpack (Black Color)
3× Sterilized Bandage
1× Light Shield
In practice, most players prioritize destroying the ARC enemies first. This is because the enemies often drop the ARC Alloy you need, so you can complete two objectives simultaneously.
ARC enemies in this quest appear near the skylights where a swarm of disoriented Wasps crashed. In general, they are scattered but not extremely far apart. Players usually patrol the skylights methodically, moving from one crash site to another to avoid missing any targets.
A common mistake is rushing through the area. Since the enemies can respawn slowly, it’s usually better to clear them carefully, making sure each one is fully defeated before moving on.
ARC Alloy is dropped by the ARC enemies you defeat. Most players find that if you focus on taking out the enemies efficiently, the Alloy collection will happen naturally. The drop rate is not 100%, so expect that you might need to defeat slightly more than three enemies in practice.
For players who want to speed things up, some choose to grind Alloy in areas where ARC enemies spawn regularly, even outside the quest zone. However, this is generally only worth it if you have extra time, as the quest itself is usually enough to collect the required materials.
It’s also worth noting that some players look for ways to buy ARC Alloy directly, and there are online services that claim to sell it. For instance, players sometimes search for “buy ARC Raiders blueprints fast delivery on U4N.” While these options exist, the in-game method tends to be safer and ensures you understand how the materials work in practice.
After handling the ARC enemies and Alloy, you’ll need a few more items: the Hiker Backpack, Sterilized Bandages, and a Light Shield.
Hiker Backpack (Black Color): Most players acquire this by either completing side missions or looting supply caches in the environment. It’s not usually tied to combat.
Sterilized Bandages: These are commonly found in medical stations or looted from crates. Players usually stock up on these while exploring, since you’ll often need them for multiple quests.
Light Shield: This item is often purchased from Shani herself or found in environmental loot. It’s useful beyond the quest, so most players grab it as soon as it appears.
In general, combining enemy farming with scavenging these materials is the most efficient approach. Trying to do each task separately tends to take longer.
Yes, there are a few things that most experienced players do:
Plan Your Route: Since enemies and loot can be spread out, moving in a logical path prevents backtracking.
Prioritize High-Drop Enemies: Some ARC enemies drop Alloy more reliably, so focus on them first.
Bring Healing Items: Even if you’re careful, ARC enemies can deal damage, and having extra Sterilized Bandages ready saves time.
Check the Map Often: Skylight locations can be tricky, so using the map frequently helps prevent missing objectives.
Team Up if Possible: While you can complete Clearer Skies solo, most players find that having a teammate speeds up enemy clearing and reduces downtime.
Timing can vary depending on player skill and familiarity with the map. Most players report that it takes about 20–30 minutes to complete if you’re efficient. Beginners or solo players might take closer to 40 minutes.
The key factor is how quickly you can locate the ARC enemies and collect Alloy. If you spend time looting extra materials along the way, the duration can stretch further.
Enemies Not Dropping Alloy: This is usually just bad luck. Defeat a few extra ARC enemies and you’ll likely reach the goal.
Missing Materials: Make sure to check every container and loot spot near the skylights. Players often overlook crates near crash sites.
Quest Not Updating: Sometimes the quest log doesn’t immediately update. Exiting and re-entering the area usually fixes this.
Difficulty of Enemies: If ARC enemies are too tough, upgrading your weapons or teaming up can help. Most players tackle Clearer Skies at mid-game levels when they are reasonably equipped.
Once you hand in the ARC Alloy and other materials to Shani, she will give you the next quest, Off the Radar. In general, completing Clearer Skies also provides players with crafting opportunities and access to upgraded equipment. Many players treat this quest as both a material-gathering and skill-building exercise because it forces you to engage with combat mechanics and scavenging at the same time.
Clearer Skies is a straightforward quest once you understand the objectives, but it does require careful planning and attention to detail. Most players find that focusing on enemy drops while scavenging materials is the fastest approach. Efficiency comes from knowing the spawn locations, keeping extra healing items ready, and managing your movement through the skylight zones.
The quest also provides a good sense of how Arc Raiders balances combat, resource gathering, and exploration. By following the tips outlined above, players can complete it reliably without wasting time or resources.
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