U4GM's Arc Raiders Guide to Phantom Targets

[luissuraez798]

Phantom Targets rewards Raiders who treat a deployment like a test range, not a checklist. Part 1 is live as of August 7, 2026, and its three stages push you from Cargo Elevator antennas to improvised ARC weaponry, then into a mixed-damage grind. Keep your ARC Raiders Items organized before queueing, because this project punishes the usual habit of carrying one comfortable gun and hoping every objective happens naturally.

What You Can Finish Right Now

The current Player Project has three stages, with Part 2 scheduled for the 1.42 update on August 18. Stage 1 asks for three upgraded antennas on Cargo Elevators; Stage 2 tracks damage from Pop Triggers, Wasp Drivers, and Leaper Pulse Units; Stage 3 mixes fire damage, energy-weapon kills, and launcher kills against flying ARC. The rewards are useful enough to shape your loadout, especially the Aphelion, Dolabra, Jupiter, Powered Descender, Horizontal Grip, and Snap Hook.

Stage Main task Useful reward angle
1 Upgrade three Cargo Elevator antennas Combat Mk. 3 augment, Heavy Shield, Vita Spray
2 Deal ARC-part damage Aphelion, Dolabra, Jupiter, Raider Tokens
3 Use fire, energy, and launcher damage Powered Descender, Horizontal Grip, Snap Hook

Stage 1: Build a Route, Not a Checklist

Dam Battlegrounds is usually the cleanest starting point because its Cargo Elevator paths are easier to connect than the spread-out options in Riven Tides and Spaceport. You can upgrade more than one antenna in the same raid, so check the map before loading in and decide which elevator comes first. At each platform, scan rooftops and approach lanes before interacting. The progress bar leaves you exposed, and finishing the prompt means little if another Raider or ARC unit already has the angle.

The ARC Parts Need Their Own Raid Plan

Stage 2 is where casual progress tends to stall. Pops provide Pop Triggers, Wasps provide Wasp Drivers, and Leapers provide Leaper Pulse Units, but collecting a part isn't enough; you must deal damage with it. Showstoppers help by creating a short opening against moving machines. From what I've seen, Bombardiers and other predictable targets are better practice than chasing a Leaper across open ground. Carry more than one part when possible, and leave after meaningful progress instead of turning a good extraction into a desperate DPS contest. Players who prefer a prepared inventory can also compare their options through ARC Raiders Bp for sale before committing valuable gear.

Find the part first, then choose a controlled target.
Use Showstoppers before attempting awkward ARC-part hits.
Keep distance from Pops while setting up their damage.
Search Water Treatment or Red Lakes for Leapers only when the area is manageable.
Extract after a strong set of hits instead of forcing every requirement at once.

Stage 3 Is a Loadout Check

Fire damage totals 1,500, energy weapons must destroy three Bastions, Leapers, Vaporizers, or Rocketeers, and launcher ammunition must destroy 20 flying ARC units. Blaze Grenades, Fireflies, Fireball Burners, and Flame Sprays cover the fire portion, while the Aphelion, Dolabra, and Jupiter give you clear energy options after Stage 2. For launcher kills, Hullcracker or Rascal ammunition is better spent on smaller aerial units that commit to a predictable path. Don't fire at every distant Wasp; wait for a hover, narrow approach, or attack animation.

The Mistake Most Raiders Make

Trying to complete all three stages in one heroic deployment sounds efficient, but it creates bad inventory decisions. Use one modest antenna run, one collection-and-combat run for Stage 2, and a purpose-built Stage 3 loadout with fire gear, an eligible energy weapon, and launcher rounds. That split protects your loot, gives each objective room to breathe, and lets you learn which ARC encounters fit your playstyle before Part 2 arrives on August 18.

Welcome to U4GM, your handy stop for Arc Raiders tips and practical Phantom Targets guidance. Need help with antenna runs, ARC parts, fire damage, energy weapons, or launcher kills? Check https://www.u4gm.com/arc-raiders/items for useful item options, then head back into the raid with a clearer plan. Play smart, extract safely, and make every run count.