A Warm Place to Rest | Buried City Survivor Search
This guide walks you through the A Warm Place to Rest quest in ARC Raiders from first approach to extraction. It focuses on the fastest routes, reliable marker interpretation, common spawn points for survivors and enemies, and proven loadouts and tactics that reduce time and risk. Whether you want a speedrun-style completion, a reliable solo attempt, or optimized co-op play, this walkthrough gives directional steps, map cues, and situational tips to get the job done quickly and cleanly.
What this quest is about
The objective: reach the Abandoned Highway Camp inside the Buried City, locate survivors, secure their safety, and extract. The environment favors high-mobility play and careful marker reading; enemies cluster around chokepoints and the camp itself. Efficient progress depends on choosing the best ingress, recognizing the red markers, and prioritizing targets to avoid being pinned down.
Recommended player experience
Comfortable with navigation in vertical, ruined-city levels.
Familiar with zipline usage, grapple points, or short-range dashes.
Knows basic enemy types and how to interrupt heavy attacks.
Can coordinate minimal in-combat revival or solo healing under pressure.
Who this guide is for
Players who want the quickest, most reliable route to the camp.
Solo raiders who prefer planning and redundancy.
Co-op groups aiming to shave minutes off time by assigning roles.
Content creators, speedrunners, and those grinding for mission-specific rewards.
Key terms used in this guide
Red marker — in-world quest markers that lead to objective zones.
Abandoned Highway Camp — the primary mission location.
Buried City — the level or region where the camp is located.
Extraction node — the final pickup point for mission completion.
High-mobility route — paths that rely on ziplines, jumps, and grapples to avoid ground combat.
Quick completion summary (fast route)
Spawn at the Buried City south approach.
Head to the nearest zipline; use it to bypass gate rooms and minimize ground skirmishes.
Follow the sequence of red markers: first along the collapsed overpass, second down to the bus graveyard, third to the highway shoulder where the camp sits.
Clear immediate hostiles using suppression and area control.
Secure survivors, place them in a safe pocket near the camp fire, and ignite smoke or healing field if needed.
Activate the extraction beacon and hold the perimeter for the timer — prioritize crowd control and choke-point defense.
Extract.
Loadout recommendations
Primary: mid-to-long range weapon with reliable hip accuracy and quick aim-down-sights (ADS) time. Assault rifles or hybrid SMGs with good range are ideal.
Secondary: short-range burst or shotgun for close-quarter defense at the camp.
Tactical: area-control device (deployable shield, stun grenade, or suppression turret) to stall enemy pushes.
Mobility: grappling hook, booster dash, or zipline kit (whatever enhances vertical traversal).
Utility: med packs or a portable healing field to keep survivors stable while safe.
Mods/perks to prioritize: movement-speed boosts, reduced reload time, extra magazine capacity, and survivability (armor regeneration or damage reduction while sprinting).
Team roles and composition
Scout (solo or small-group): fastest mover, reaches markers and scouts enemy density. Carry mobility boost and a low-weight weapon.
Breacher: clears rooms and handles close-quarter fights at the camp. Bring shotgun-style weapon and flash/stun devices.
Support: carries healing tools and area denial devices to keep survivors safe during extraction.
Anchor: holds extraction perimeter and focuses on enemy suppression and turret placement.
Preparation before you drop
Check the environment modifiers for the mission (storms, radiation pockets, etc.). Adjust resistances and healing items accordingly.
Equip the fastest mobility aug or ability you have unlocked. Mobility saves more time than marginal DPS increases here.
Load the map on-screen and set the quest objective as your waypoint so the HUD shows the red markers clearly.
If playing co-op, assign roles quickly in the spawn countdown: who zips first, who holds the rear, who tags enemies.
Getting to the Buried City — ingress options
There are three common approaches to the Buried City area. Choose one based on playstyle and enemy types.
South Approach (recommended for speed): shortest on-foot path with generous zipline opportunities to bypass heavy ground fights.
West Overpass: contains more loot but with higher enemy density and several close-quarters choke points. Best when you want items but not for fastest completion.
North Flank: stealth-oriented route that can bypass many patrols but is longer and requires patience.
For a fast completion, use the South Approach, take the first zipline you encounter, and aim for the overpass ruins visible in the distance.
Step-by-step walkthrough — detailed
Spawn to first zipline
Spawn, check your HUD for the objective marker, and orient yourself southward. Move with purpose; lingering invites patrols to re-route and flank you. Look for a half-collapsed overpass with a tactical zipline rig mounted on a lamp post — that’s your first vertical path.
Tips:
Don’t stop to loot unless you have a large time buffer.
Use short bursts to clear light patrols; heavy enemies will slow you down if engaged early.
Zipline to overpass
Ride the zipline to the overpass. At the end, land on the higher roadway to get line-of-sight into the bus graveyard below. This position allows you to scout enemy placements and pick off targets before descending.
Tactical note:
Use silencers or suppressed weapons if you want to reduce reinforcements. Otherwise, quick burst damage is better than trying to snipe.
Identify the first red marker
From the overpass, the first red marker sits near a collapsed highway sign. It’s not the camp, but an objective trigger that nudges the story forward and reconfigures some barricades nearby. Interact or move close to trigger the marker and watch for changes in the enemy patrol patterns.
Descend to the bus graveyard
Drop down toward the bus graveyard using available ladder shafts or a second zipline. Enemies congregate around overturned buses and supply piles. Clear a small corridor through the buses toward a side alley; that corridor leads to the highway shoulder where the second marker awaits.
Tactical engagement:
Use fragmentation or stun grenades to push enemies out of cover.
Keep moving; enemies with area damage will punish stationary players.
Second red marker and the highway shoulder
The second marker sits next to a rusted lamppost where survivors were last seen. Expect a medium enemy cluster with a mini-boss or elite unit nearby. Priority: neutralize elites quickly and sweep for survivors lying behind debris.
Survivor interaction:
Survivors may be injured; place a med kit or healing pulse to stabilize them for transport.
If survivors are non-combatant NPCs, guide them into a sheltered alcove near the camp perimeter rather than moving them long distances.
Approaching the Abandoned Highway Camp
From the highway shoulder, you’ll see the camp across a small collapsed section of road. The camp is partially hidden beneath a tent canopy and marked by a small fire pit and wreckage. The third red marker is embedded in the camp area. Usually there are two to four hostiles and one scrapper or elite guarding the area.
Approach tactics:
Take high ground and sweep with an assault rifle for cross-cover.
Use suppression devices on heavy enemy types to reduce incoming damage during extraction prep.
Clearing the camp interior
The camp interior often has crates with minor supplies and two survivor NPCs clustered near the fire. Clear the perimeter first — enemies will rush in from both the overpass and the bus graveyard if left unchecked. Lay down a temporary cover and move survivors into a protected corner.
Order of operations:
Neutralize ranged enemies on the overpass.
Suppress incoming reinforcements from flanking alleys.
Move survivors into the safe pocket near the camp fire.
Place a healing field or call in a small turret to protect survivors while you ready the extraction beacon.
Activating the extraction beacon
Once survivors are secure, approach the beacon console and initiate the countdown. Extraction requires defending the area for a fixed period. Make sure survivors are behind cover and that your team has lines of sight for choke points.
Defense tips:
Place area denial devices at the main approach (usually the bus graveyard route).
Keep a player mobile to intercept any elite units trying to flank.
Save high-damage cooldowns for waves that include armored or heavy units.
Extraction and holdout
When the timer starts, enemies will spawn in waves. Focus on crowd control and preventing any unit from reaching the survivors. If you have a teammate with revives, place them slightly behind the front line to reduce the chance of enemy pathing trapping them.
Key priorities:
Kill priority: heavies > elites > ranged mobs.
Don’t chase lone runners off the map — keep the main area secure.
If a survivor is downed, rescue them in short windows between waves; consider a pull-back if the fight becomes too heavy.
Extraction complete
Once the timer expires and the extraction ship picks you and the survivors up, the mission ends. If you need to do a fast repeat run, head immediately to the nearest spawn point and re-equip mobility and suppression items so you can replicate the route.
Detailed movement and traversal tips
Using ziplines and grapple points efficiently
Pre-plan your zipline chains: some ziplines place you directly on the overpass with a line-of-sight advantage. Using two short ziplines in succession is faster than one long descent with ground movement.
Use grapples to cross small gaps rather than dropping — this saves the recovery animation and reduces exposure.
Vertical advantage
High ground provides both range and safety. From the overpass you can suppress the bus graveyard and eliminate threats before they engage survivors. Always clear elevated ledges before making a ground approach.
Avoiding common traps
Don’t enter narrow alleys alone; they’re favored for ambushes.
Watch for electrified puddles or environmental hazards — they often sit in low-visibility spots near wreckage.
Avoid looping back into previously cleared areas without checking for respawn triggers.
Enemy types and how to handle them
Light Grunts: weak but numerous. Suppress or sprint past if not mission-critical.
Ranged Marksmen: prioritize for removal with short, hard bursts from cover.
Scrappers/Heavies: use stun, suppression, or armor-piercing weapons. Try to isolate them before they reach survivors.
Elites: high damage and health. Save heavy weapons or coordinated team bursts for them.
Weapon and tactic pairings:
Shotgun + flash grenades for room clears.
Assault rifle + suppression turret for mid-range fights.
Sniper or designated marksman for high-overpass targets.
Survivors and interactions
Survivors can behave unpredictably in combat — some may stand up and attempt to flee or take cover. Your job is to stabilize and keep them safe until extraction.
Survivor management checklist:
Stabilize with med items.
Guide survivors into a small, defensible area — near crates or behind a low wall works best.
Keep the survivor group as small and compact as possible to reduce enemy target spread.
If a survivor is downed during the holdout, prioritize revival only if safe to do so; sometimes abandoning and extracting with the remaining survivors is the faster path.
Speedrun optimizations
Use the South Approach every run. It has the cleanest zipline chain and the fewest mandatory engagements.
Avoid any detours for loot — they kill time.
Assign one player to always ride first zipline and mark enemy positions via ping; the rest follow along the same path.
Use reload-cancels and weapon swaps between rooms to shave fractions of a second that add up over multiple runs.
Common problems and fixes
Problem: Enemy respawns overwhelm extraction. Fix: Move survivors into a deeper, more protected alcove and place area-denial items at the main spawn corridor.
Problem: Survivors keep getting downed by stray heavy attacks. Fix: Shift the defensive line to buy more time, use suppression on heavies, and keep a healer dedicated to survivors.
Problem: Your team gets split during the zipline phase and misses the marker. Fix: Pause at waypoint points and confirm everyone lands; assign a player as the walker who waits 2–3 seconds before moving on.
Map-specific tricks
Bus graveyard cover: use bus roofs for temporary high ground; you can avoid most patrols by bucking between roofs and ziplines.
Collapsed bridge overhead: enemies patrolling the bridge often ignore players below — use the vertical angle to pick them off before descending.
Night-time or low-visibility runs: stick to brighter paths and rely on thermal or pinged markers to keep track of the route.
Solo vs Co-op differences
Solo:
Be stingy with engagements; mobility is your friend.
Carry two sources of self-heal.
Use stealth tools or suppression devices to manage waves.
Co-op:
Assign a reviver and a protector to avoid being wiped.
Use one player to keep survivors safe while others clear spawn points.
Push for synchronized heavy-weapon uses to remove elites quickly.
After-mission checklist
Review collected loot and prioritize mobility mods for the next run.
If farming XP or currency, tweak difficulty or modifiers to balance time versus reward.
Track mission modifiers that change spawn or extraction window times — they matter for speed runs.
Alternative strategies (high risk / high reward)
Aggressive push: dive into the camp early, clear all hostiles fast, then hold. High risk because you’ll be exposed to multiple angles, but if you can burst elites quickly this can shave significant time.
Stealth-clear: pick off enemies from above and bypass most groups, relying on the environment to funnel enemies away. It’s slower overall but reduces revives and consumables used.
Mission repeatability and grind tips
If you’re repeating for a specific drop, keep a consistent loadout that favors the enemy type that drops the loot.
Rotate team roles to keep runs fresh and to allow players to experiment with mobility and crowd-control tools.
Accessibility and UI tips
Increase HUD contrast if you’re having trouble spotting survivors against rubble.
Use the ping system liberally to mark red markers or survivors for teammates.
If playing with reduced audio, rely on visual cues for extraction countdown and enemy spawn alerts.
Troubleshooting unusual bugs
If a marker doesn’t register, move a short distance away and return; sometimes mission triggers are proximity-based and need a fresh trigger.
If enemies get stuck in geometry and block progression, lure them to a cleared space and finish them there.
If the extraction countdown doesn’t start, ensure all survivors are inside the beacon zone; some mission scripts require precise positioning.
Quick-reference checklist (printable)
Spawn: pick South Approach.
Primary goal: reach Overpass zipline, then bus graveyard.
Marker order: overpass marker → bus graveyard marker → highway shoulder marker (camp).
Secure survivors, place healing field, start beacon.
Holdout: priority targets = heavies → elites → ranged → grunts.
Extract.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way to reach the Abandoned Highway Camp?
Use the South Approach and chain two ziplines to bypass ground routes. From the final zipline landing, move directly to the overpass marker and drop into the bus graveyard — that sequence is the shortest and exposes you to the fewest patrols.
Can you complete this quest solo?
Yes. Equip maximum mobility, two healing items, and a suppression or stun device to handle elites. Avoid extended fights and prioritize stabilizing survivors quickly.
Do survivors give any reward when rescued?
Rescuing survivors completes the objective and may increase mission reputation or grant mission-specific rewards depending on mission modifiers and difficulty level.
How many waves of enemies are there during extraction?
Typically the extraction triggers 2–4 waves depending on mission difficulty. Waves increase with higher mission tiers or special modifiers.
What if a survivor dies during extraction?
You can sometimes revive survivors during downtimes between waves. If a survivor cannot be revived, mission completion is still possible if remaining objectives are met but may reduce specific mission rewards for “all survivors saved” bonuses.
Is there an optimal weapon for this mission?
No single weapon dominates; hybrid play is best. For speed, a mid-range assault rifle and a close-quarters secondary are balanced and flexible.
How do I avoid being overwhelmed by heavies?
Use suppression, stuns, and high-damage burst weapons on heavies. Lure them into bottlenecks where your team can focus fire without being flanked.
What environmental hazards should I watch for?
Collapsed edges, electrified pools, and rubble that blocks lines of sight. Use ziplines to navigate around the most dangerous ground hazards.
Any tips for repeated farming runs?
Standardize your loadout for speed, record the route for visual memory, and tweak difficulty for balance between speed and reward.
Final notes and quick tips
Mobility saves more mission time than marginal DPS increases. Prioritize speed-enhancing mods.
Always scout from high ground before committing to camp entry. A few seconds of scouting prevents costly engagements.
Keep survivors in a compact, defended pocket and use area-control devices to buy time during extraction.
If speedrunning, practice the zipline chain until it becomes muscle memory; consistent landings are the difference between a good and great run.
Timed Speedrun Script with Segmented Goals and Target Times
Notes before starting
Run this on a clear server or private instance to minimize unexpected player interference.
Practice the zipline chain and landing points until consistent — execution is the main time saver.
Targets assume competent movement and one dedicated pilot for ziplines; adjust +/- based on team size and skill.
Goal: Complete objective and extract with survivors in under 5:30 (target times listed per segment). Fast runs often land between 4:30–5:30 depending on enemy RNG.
Segment 0 — Loadout & Spawn Ready (00:00 — 00:20)
Target time: 00:20
Actions: equip mobility aug, mid-range primary, close secondary, two med items, one area-control gadget. Quick role call in spawn: who zips first, who holds rear, who carries beacon.
Key outcome: everyone ready and facing South Approach.
Segment 1 — South Approach to First Zipline (00:20 — 01:05)
Target time: 00:45 (cumulative 01:05)
Actions: sprint to approach, clear a single light patrol on route if necessary, mount first zipline. Scout lands and pings immediate threats.
Key outcome: all players ride first zipline and land on overpass within window.
Segment 2 — Overpass Sweep and First Marker Trigger (01:05 — 01:40)
Target time: 00:35 (cumulative 01:40)
Actions: from overpass suppress visible marksmen and elites; move to first red marker and trigger it. Avoid extended fights; pre-fire and finish quickly.
Key outcome: first marker tripped, path to bus graveyard opens.
Segment 3 — Drop to Bus Graveyard and Clear Corridor (01:40 — 02:25)
Target time: 00:45 (cumulative 02:25)
Actions: descend via second zipline or ladder, sprint through bus roofs, clear minimal enemies blocking corridor to highway shoulder. One player (Scout) pings survivor location immediately.
Key outcome: corridor to highway shoulder open, survivor(s) located.
Segment 4 — Highway Shoulder Engagement and Second Marker (02:25 — 03:10)
Target time: 00:45 (cumulative 03:10)
Actions: neutralize medium cluster quickly—focus heavy if present. Stabilize any injured survivors with quick med use or healing pulse. Trigger second marker.
Key outcome: survivors stabilized; route to camp visible.
Segment 5 — Approach Camp and Secure Interior (03:10 — 03:50)
Target time: 00:40 (cumulative 03:50)
Actions: use high-ground suppressive fire; one Breacher drops in for camp interior clear. Move survivors into compact safe pocket near camp fire. Place healing field or med.
Key outcome: survivors in protected pocket; extraction beacon available.
Segment 6 — Activate Beacon and Initial Hold (03:50 — 04:20)
Target time: 00:30 (cumulative 04:20)
Actions: Beacon initiated. Deploy area denial at main spawn corridor. Anchor holds main line; Support sets healing coverage. Scout keeps perimeter clear of flankers.
Key outcome: beacon countdown active; team in defensive formation.
Segment 7 — Main Wave Defense (04:20 — 05:10)
Target time: 00:50 (cumulative 05:10)
Actions: Prioritize heavies and elites. Use stuns/suppression on heavies; coordinate ultimates on elites. Rotate ammo and healing roles as needed. If any player downed, perform quick revive during low-spawn windows.
Key outcome: survive 2–3 waves; extraction ship arriving.
Segment 8 — Extraction and Exit (05:10 — 05:30)
Target time: 00:20 (cumulative 05:30)
Actions: keep survivors inside beacon zone, clear final stray enemies, hold until extraction confirmation. Grab any high-value loot only if it doesn’t delay extraction.
Key outcome: mission complete, survivors extracted.
Timing adjustment notes
If encountering heavy RNG (multiple elites), skip optional engagements and retreat to tighter choke to buy time.
Solo runs should add ~1:00–1:30 to each wave-defense segment.
Practice fast reload cancels and weapon swaps to shave 2–6 seconds per segment.
Co-op Role Assignment Sheet with Per-Role Loadouts and Priority Targets
Overview
Recommended team size: 3–4 players. Roles are Scout, Breacher, Support, Anchor. For 3 players, combine Anchor and Support duties into a single role.
Role: Scout
Primary objective: fastest route execution, marker triggering, early enemy marking, and survivor location.
Suggested loadout: lightweight assault rifle or SMG; mobility aug; one smoke or flash; single med kit.
Gadgets: scanner/ping tool (if available), mobility boosters.
Priority targets: roaming marksmen on overpass; flankers trying to cut zipline exits.
Playstyle: move first, ping enemy clusters, avoid prolonged engagements, return to assist after markers are triggered.
Role: Breacher
Primary objective: close-quarters clearing at camp and bus-graveyard corridor.
Suggested loadout: shotgun or high-damage close burst weapon; stun grenades; armor-piercing rounds.
Gadgets: short-throw stun or flash; barricade deployable.
Priority targets: scrappers/heavies in camp; elite units guarding survivors.
Playstyle: lead drops into tight spaces, clear interior quickly, and create a protected pocket for survivors.
Role: Support
Primary objective: survivor stabilization, healing coverage, and area control during extraction.
Suggested loadout: mid-range rifle; healing field or med-beacon; suppression turret or deployable heal station.
Gadgets: healing field device; area-denial turret; extra med kits.
Priority targets: enemies attempting to reach survivors; ranged snipers on high ground.
Playstyle: hang slightly behind Breacher, stabilize survivors, and manage cooldowns for healing during waves.
Role: Anchor
Primary objective: maintain extraction perimeter and deter major enemy pushes.
Suggested loadout: heavy rifle or grenade launcher for crowd control; armor mods; long-duration suppression tools.
Gadgets: deployable shield; heavy suppression turret; EMP or stun for crowd control.
Priority targets: heavies and spawn-wave elites; rushers trying to break the choke.
Playstyle: hold main choke points, coordinate with Support on turret placement, and call out heavy spawns for coordinated bursts.
Combined role tips (3-player teams)
Scout = Scout, Breacher = Breacher, Support+Anchor = hybrid: carry mid/close kit, one heavy suppression gadget, and healing. Prioritize staggered ability use to avoid ability downtime.
Per-role tactical checklist (use as quick reference)
Scout: ride zipline first, ping enemies, confirm marker trigger, fall back to assist Breacher.
Breacher: clear interior quickly, use flash/stuns, move survivors to safe pocket.
Support: drop healing field; place area-denial at main approach; prioritize med usage on survivors.
Anchor: deploy shield/turret at choke, use heavy bursts on elites, and maintain line of sight on overpass approaches.
Communication and timing cues
Zipline shout: "Zip 3, go" — synchronized departure reduces split times.
Marker trigger call: "Marker 1/2/3 done" — prevents accidental backtracking.
Beacon call: "Beacon active — 60s" — initiates defensive setup.
Elite spawn call: "Elite north/south" — all heavy weapons focus fire.
Ammo, consumables, and economy
Scout: carry light ammo packs for rapid engagements.
Breacher: extra close-range ammo and one armor-penetration mod.
Support: stock extra med kits and healing field charges.
Anchor: carry heavy ammo and one emergency smoke/flash to break charge attempts.
Positioning diagram (textual)
High-ground overpass: Scout and Anchor for overwatch.
Bus graveyard corridor: Breacher leads path clearing.
Camp interior safe pocket: Support places med field; survivors cluster here.
Main choke (highway shoulder): Anchor and Support set turrets and shields.
Revive and casualty protocol
If a player is downed during the zipline phase, abort aggressive push and regroup at nearest high-ground within 10–15 seconds.
During extraction waves, only attempt revive in low-spawn windows; otherwise assign one player (Support) to attempt quick revive while Anchor holds the line.
Extra-role variants
Speedrun variant (4 players): Add a second Scout who rushes ahead to ping locations and mark hazards while the rest follow.
Looting variant: Swap Support for Loot Runner who detours for caches but returns before Beacon activation. Not recommended for speedruns.
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