How to Complete Source of the Contamination — ARC Raiders Walkthrough
This is a complete, original walkthrough for the Source of the Contamination quest in ARC Raiders. It focuses on the Flood Spill Intake objective on the Dam Battlegrounds map, shows exact routes and interaction steps, covers combat and environmental hazards, suggests loadouts and strategies, and includes a thorough FAQ. Keywords used: ARC Raiders quest guide, Source of the Contamination, Flood Spill Intake, Dam Battlegrounds map, Water Treatment building, Celeste quest ARC Raiders, quest walkthrough ARC Raiders, and related search terms are naturally integrated and emphasized throughout.
Quick overview
Goal: Locate and inspect the Flood Spill Intake to progress Celeste’s Source of the Contamination quest.
Map: Dam Battlegrounds.
Primary challenge: navigation across exposed walkways, enemy patrols, and environmental hazards around the water treatment area while completing an interruptible interaction.
Best roles: mobility-focused raiders for recon, tanky raiders for holding choke points, and high single-target damage for clearing elite enemies quickly.
Reward: quest progress, XP, and mission-specific loot.
Preparation checklist
Update your loadout for Dam’s engagement ranges and environmental constraints.
Equip one fast traversal mod/ability; bring a deployable shield or crowd control if your squad lacks sustain.
Carry a mix of single-target and area-of-effect weapons to handle patrol packs and clustered spawns near the intake.
Bring healing items and consumables that reduce environmental damage if available.
Assign a recon plan: one player scouts the route and marks the intake location for the team.
Why this guide is different
This walkthrough is designed for fast completion and repeatability. It teaches precise navigation on the Dam Battlegrounds map, explains how to avoid common failure points during the Flood Spill Intake interaction, and offers role-specific playstyles that shorten completion time while reducing unnecessary firefights. It's written for both solo players and coordinated squads.
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Where the objective is located on Dam
The Flood Spill Intake objective for Source of the Contamination is situated in the water treatment sector on the lower, southern side of the Dam Battlegrounds map. If the map’s spawn points are consistent in your match, the intake sits near a cluster of industrial pipes and a partially submerged walkway that leads to a maintenance platform. Look for the large concrete water channel and the rusted intake grate next to a broken ladder; the interaction prompt appears near a suspicious barrel or sealed crate adjacent to the intake.
Landmark cues: concrete channel; rusted intake grate; maintenance platform; broken ladder; suspicious barrel.
Best approach: use the elevated catwalks running along the dam’s western flank to avoid low-ground patrols and to maintain sight lines for overwatch.
How to approach (route options)
There are three reliable routes to the intake depending on your spawn, team size, and enemy density:
Western catwalk route (recommended for squads)
Follow the upper catwalks from the northwest spawn, hugging the metal railings to minimize exposure. Drop down onto the maintenance platform via the ladder near the pump house. This route avoids most ground patrols and provides an overwatch position to clear enemies below.
Lower channel route (recommended for stealthy solo players or if the catwalk is contested)
Take the broken bridge into the lower concrete channel and advance along the submerged walkway. Use the environment for cover; move from crate to crate to keep out of sight. Expect close-range skirmishes with melee-leaning bots.
Eastern slope descent (recommended if the west is locked down)
Descend the slope east of the power substation and cut across the gravel path to the intake. This route is faster but exposes you to snipers and ranged turrets; bring a suppressive or mobility tool.
Choose a route based on your squad composition: mobility and recon for the catwalks; stealth and single-target for the lower channel; heavy DPS and suppression for the eastern slope.
Interacting with the Flood Spill Intake
The intake interaction has two parts: locating the object and performing a timed inspection/disable action. The interaction prompt is usually on or near the suspicious barrel next to the intake grate.
Step 1: Clear immediate threats in a 10–15 meter radius. Enemies often spawn to guard the intake or are patrolling nearby. Hold the area so the interaction is not interrupted.
Step 2: Approach the barrel and begin the inspection. The interaction is interruptible and may spawn additional enemies or a short timed sequence where you must repair or scan the intake.
Step 3: If a protect mechanic triggers, assign one player to tether or hold the interaction while others suppress incoming waves. Use deployable shields or a brief invulnerability if available.
Step 4: Once the inspection ends, loot the area quickly and extract or move to the next objective. The intake may trigger a map hazard (water rise or additional spawns), so be ready to reposition.
Tip: start the interaction from cover; if playing solo, use consumables before interacting to tank expected spawns; if playing in a squad, the player with the highest resists or crowd control should be the primary interact to reduce interruptions.
Enemy types and patrol behavior near the intake
Expect a mixture of standard grunts, shielded units, and occasional mini-elites or turrets. Patrols often loop the maintenance platform; snipers or ranged units take positions on the catwalks.
Grunts: fast, low-health, come in packs; use area damage or crowd control.
Shielded units: flank or use high-penetration weapons to remove shields.
Snipers: hold high-angle positions; smoke or suppression helps.
Turrets/Automated defenses: stationary near the intake; destroy quickly or flank.
Mini-elite spawn: rare but possible after interaction begins; assign burst DPS.
Understanding patrol patterns helps you decide which route to use and which enemies to prioritize during the interaction.
Best raider builds for this quest
Below are role-focused suggestions that work effectively for the Flood Spill Intake objective on Dam.
Mobility/Recon (scout)
Purpose: fast route opening, marking intake, and clearing sightlines.
Loadout: lightweight primary with mobility augment; fast traversal ability; recon gadgets.
Playstyle: get to the intake first, mark it, provide intel to the team, and watch flanks.
Tank/Objective holder
Purpose: anchor the interaction and absorb waves.
Loadout: high-resist mods, deployable shield, taunt/provoke ability.
Playstyle: be the primary interact player; hold spawn points and draw attention.
Burst DPS
Purpose: remove elite/miniboss quickly during interaction.
Loadout: high-penetration rifle or heavy for single-target burst, cooldown reduction mods.
Playstyle: focus on mini-elites and snipers that threaten the interact.
Crowd Control/Area denial
Purpose: reduce incoming waves and keep the interact safe.
Loadout: AOE weapons or abilities, sticky grenades, slowing fields.
Playstyle: place AOE fields on likely spawn points and choke points.
A balanced team with one of each role makes the Source of the Contamination encounter trivial; solo players should favor tanky, self-sustaining hybrids.
Weapons and mods to prioritize
Primary: fast-handling rifle or SMG for close-quarters along the intake walkway.
Secondary: sniper or precision rifle to clear catwalk overwatch and ranged threats.
Heavy: high-damage single-target weapon to burst elites.
Mods: interaction speed, interruption resistance, cooldown reduction, and environmental resistances.
Utility: deployable shield, recon ping, and area slow.
If you lack a perfect mod, prioritize survivability and interaction resilience: anytime the inspection can be interrupted, it’s worth trading damage for safety.
Step-by-step walkthrough (full run)
Mission start: assess spawn location. If you spawn north or west, rotate toward the upper catwalks; if you spawn south or east, evaluate whether the lower channel is contested.
Early map clear: clear high-visibility snipers on catwalks. One well-placed sniper will ruin the intake interaction.
Movement: use cover and verticality. Use ladders and the maintenance platform to descend to the intake. Avoid open bridges where turret fire can pin you down.
Secure perimeter: eliminate immediate patrols within a 15-meter radius of the intake. Place one teammate on overwatch to call out flanks.
Execute the interaction: have your tank or most resilient player begin the inspection at the barrel. Team members should spread to cover each cardinal direction.
Handle spawns: prioritize turrets and snipers first, then shielded grunts, then packs of grunts. Use crowd control to prevent being overwhelmed.
Finishing the inspection: once the interact completes, loot immediately. If the map hazard triggers (water rise/extra spawns), reposition to high ground or an exit route.
Extraction/next objective: if this is a single objective mission, proceed to the extraction point; if it’s a multi-objective run, prepare for the next marker and rotate as needed.
Follow these steps in order to increase completion rate and reduce unnecessary deaths.
Solo strategies
Solo players must adapt to the intake’s interruptible interact. Key solo tips:
Bring a personal shield or self-heal.
Use angle-play: start the interaction from behind cover, and use a pop-out-attack pattern for waves.
Use cooldowns smartly — start the interaction after a major defensive cooldown.
If overwhelmed, abort the interact and reset using a vertical retreat to buy time.
Solo success is about patience and baiting enemies into narrow lanes where you can handle them with predictable AOE or kiting.
Common failure points and how to avoid them
Failure point: starting the interaction with exposed flanks.
Fix: secure the 4 cardinal approach paths before interacting.
Failure point: ignoring high ground snipers on catwalks.
Fix: take out snipers first or assign overwatch suppression.
Failure point: poor role assignment — no one holding the interact.
Fix: designate a primary interact player before you arrive.
Failure point: not using the environment (e.g., ladders, high ground) to reset.
Fix: always identify at least one escape or reset route before starting the scan.
Environmental hazards and how they affect the quest
The Dam map includes slippery surfaces, rising water events, and explosive barrels. During or after the intake interaction, a water surge can force players into new elevations, altering spawn patterns.
Slippery metal: reduces movement control; move deliberately on catwalks.
Rising water: moves spawn points and can push players into chokepoints.
Explosives: use them to clear packs, but watch for friendly damage.
Plan for the environment: carry mobility tools, avoid low areas if a water surge is likely, and always be ready to move to higher ground.
Time-saving tips for speedruns
Preselect loadouts that maximize mobility and suppression.
Use the western catwalk route whenever possible.
Assign a dedicated recon player to mark the intake quickly.
Use mobility boots or traversal mods to shave seconds between objectives.
Prioritize turret and sniper removal to prevent time lost to long-range suppression.
For repeatable speedruns, make a consistent route and practice the timing of spawns during the interact phase.
Loot and rewards
Completing Source of the Contamination grants XP, possible mission loot drops, currency, and quest progression with Celeste. The intake objective sometimes spawns a small chest or a tactical crate containing consumables or mod fragments. For best loot outcomes, clear all optional patrols in the area before the interaction to increase spawn roll potential.
How this quest fits into the Celeste questline
The Source of the Contamination is a standard step in Celeste’s environmental investigation arc. Completing the intake objective reveals a contamination trace that leads to additional nodes on Dam or other maps. Use this quest to farm specific lore or to unlock follow-up tasks that reward higher-tier mods or blueprints.
Replayability value and farming advice
This quest is ideal for farming certain consumables and mod fragments due to its high-density spawn area. If you’re farming:
Use a fast-clear squad setup for higher runs per hour.
Alternate between north and south spawns to avoid predictable enemy patterns.
Keep an eye on interact spawn timing — predictable spawns allow you to optimize route loops.
Video guide scripting outline for YouTube/Twitch
Opening hook: show the intake location and promise a 90-second route to the objective.
Brief map overview: highlight spawn, catwalks, and the intake.
Loadout rundown: show recommended raiders and mods.
Full run: show an uncut run with voiceover explaining decision points.
Breakdown: replay segments with on-screen pointers for flanks, turret removal, and interaction timing.
Outro and CTA: mention loot, follow-up quests, and ask viewers to subscribe.
This structure guides the viewer from orientation to execution and improves content retention.
Accessibility and difficulty scaling
Difficulty scales with player level and squad size. Lower-level players should avoid direct head-on approaches and use stealth or scout routes. Larger squads can brute-force the encounter; smaller squads should compensate with cautious engagement and the use of crowd control.
Companion mission interactions and multi-objective coordination
If this quest appears as part of a larger mission chain, coordinate with teammates to stagger interactions: have one team member start the intake while another simultaneously secures the next objective’s entrance. This reduces downtime and exposure between objectives.
Checklist for publishing a guide or article
Include a map screenshot with the intake circled (use your own in-game capture).
Add a step-by-step numbered route with timestamps for speedruns.
Provide recommended loadouts and alternatives for each role.
Offer an FAQ that answers common player questions.
Add an SEO-optimized title, slug, and meta description (already provided above).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Flood Spill Intake located on the Dam Battlegrounds map? A: The Flood Spill Intake is in the water treatment sector on the lower southern side of Dam, next to a rusted intake grate and a suspicious barrel near a maintenance platform.
Q: Can I complete Source of the Contamination solo? A: Yes, but choose a resilient build with self-heal and crowd control. Play defensively, secure flanks, and start the interaction only when you can hold the area.
Q: Which route is safest for a first-time run? A: The western catwalk route is safest for squads because it minimizes ground patrol contact and gives good high-ground control.
Q: What are the biggest threats during the intake interaction? A: Snipers on the catwalks, turret placements near the intake, and interruptible waves that spawn when the interaction is active.
Q: How do I prevent interaction interruptions? A: Secure the four cardinal approach paths, assign overwatch, and have at least one player ready to suppress or disable spawns before they reach the barrel.
Q: Are there specific mods that make this quest easier? A: Yes — interaction speed, interruption resistance, and cooldown reduction mods are highly helpful, as are deployable shields and mobility mods to quickly reposition.
Q: Does the environment change after the interaction? A: Sometimes. The intake can trigger a water surge or additional spawns that reposition enemies and force players into different elevations.
Q: What rewards should I expect? A: XP, mission loot, occasional mod fragments or consumables from tactical crates, and quest progression with Celeste.
Q: Is this objective repeatable for farming? A: Yes. Use a fast-clear route and repeat runs to farm consumables and mod fragments efficiently.
Q: Any quick tips to speedrun this quest? A: Pre-plan loadouts for mobility and suppression, use the western catwalk route when possible, and assign a single recon player to mark the intake at match start.
Closing notes and best practices
Communicate and assign roles before approaching the intake; clear accountability is the difference between smooth completion and repeated failures.
Practice the route and the interaction timing to make runs repeatable and efficient.
Keep your builds flexible: swapping one mod for interaction resilience often improves success rates far more than incremental damage gains.
Record your runs for review: watching your attempts will highlight where patrols consistently flank you or where environmental hazards trip you up.
Speedrun Script — Source of the Contamination (Flood Spill Intake) — ARC Raiders
Runtime target: 02:30–04:00 (team skill and spawn dependent). Use this script for a concise, high-tempo speedrun video or in-game timed run. Timestamps assume match start is 00:00 and the team spawns at a northwest or central spawn that allows the western catwalk route. Adjust times by ±15–30s for other spawns.
00:00 — 00:05 Opening shot / Hook
Visual: Quick cinematic pan of the Dam Battlegrounds map, fast zoom to the water treatment sector.
On-screen text: “Find the Flood Spill Intake — 90s route” (bold).
Voiceover (VO): “We’re hitting the Flood Spill Intake on Dam — fastest route, zero fluff.”
Action: Team confirmation ping; reconist positions ready.
00:05 — 00:15 Loadout overlay / Quick role call
Visual: 3–4 second split-screen loadout callouts (Scout, Tank, DPS, CC).
On-screen text: short mod highlights — interaction speed, interruption resistance, mobility.
VO: “Scout takes catwalk, Tank holds interact, DPS bursts elites, CC holds spawns.”
00:15 — 00:30 Opening movement / Rotate to catwalks
Visual: Fast-cut POV from Scout sprinting up the catwalk ladder. Mini-map marker dropped.
On-screen text: “Route: Western catwalk -> Maintenance platform” (bold).
Action: Scout marks intake location as soon as it’s visible. Team follows at staggered intervals to avoid turret focus.
VO: “Scout marks intake — everyone funnels to the platform, no hero rush.”
00:30 — 00:45 Secure high ground / Sniper clear
Visual: Team clips removing one or two catwalk snipers with quick headshots.
On-screen text: “Clear snipers first” (italicized).
Action: DPS uses one precision shot each; CC deploys smoke/slow to mask approach.
VO: “Snipers down — this prevents long-range interruptions during the interact.”
00:45 — 00:55 Descent to maintenance platform
Visual: Camera follows Tank dropping down ladder to the maintenance platform. Overhead ping on intake barrel.
On-screen text: “Perimeter: clear 15m radius” (bold).
Action: Team fans out to the four cardinal approach points. Scout watches flank.
VO: “Perimeter secure — Tank primed for interact.”
00:55 — 01:05 Clear immediate patrols
Visual: Fast montage of grunts and a shielded unit being dispatched with AOE and burst.
On-screen text: “Priorities: Turret > Sniper > Shield > Grunts” (italicized).
Action: CC lays trap at turret lane; DPS focuses turret briefly; Tank holds barrel cover.
VO: “Turret first, then heavy units — keep the barrel area clear.”
01:05 — 01:10 Final checks before interact
Visual: Quick HUD check (health, cooldowns). Team voice comms: “Ready?”
On-screen text: small checklist ticked: Health, Shields, Mods, Overwatch.
VO: “All set — interact on three.”
01:10 — 01:30 Interaction sequence (core)
Visual: Tank begins interacting with the suspicious barrel at 01:10. Timer bar appears. Camera tight on hands/gadget.
On-screen text: “Interaction — Hold position” (bold).
Action: At interaction start, CC deploys AOE field on likely spawn lane; Scout watches east flank; DPS on overwatch for burst.
VO: “Hold the interaction — CC hold spawns, DPS ready to burst any elite.”
Gameplay cue: If mini-elite spawns at ~01:18, DPS focuses it down with heavy; Tank uses cooldown to remain alive.
01:30 — 01:40 Interaction completes / Quick loot
Visual: Interaction completes; short loot crate appears. Camera pans to crate.
On-screen text: “Loot fast — watch water surge” (italicized).
Action: One player loots while others scan for incoming waves. If water surge triggers, team moves to high ground instantly.
VO: “Grab loot fast — move up if water rises.”
01:40 — 01:55 Reset and extraction decision
Visual: Team either moves to extraction point or rotates to next objective. Map minimap shows extraction marker.
On-screen text: “Extract or continue” (bold).
Action: If running single-objective speedrun, call extract and sprint to extraction; if chaining objectives, set recon for next marker and sprint.
VO: “We’re extracting — sprint and stagger to avoid turret stacks.”
01:55 — 02:10 Post-run recap overlay
Visual: Short highlight reel of critical moments (sniper takedown, interaction burst, mini-elite disposal).
On-screen text: “Run time: 01:55” (example) with callouts: “Good: clear snipers early; Bad: don’t start interact with open flanks.”
VO: “Key wins: early sniper removal, controlled interact, fast loot.”
02:10 — 02:30 Closing / CTA
Visual: Team extracting; XP and loot overlay. End screen with social links and next guide teaser.
On-screen text: “Subscribe for more ARC Raiders objective speedruns.”
VO: “That’s the fastest route for the Flood Spill Intake — practice it, shave seconds, repeat.”
Alternate timings and solo variant
If you spawn far south or cannot use the western catwalk, add 20–30s to the route times for the eastern slope descent. Adjust VO lines to indicate the alternate route (call it at 00:15).
Solo variant runtime: 03:30–04:30. Key changes: at 00:45, don’t attempt to clear all snipers; instead, use stealth/cover to approach lower channel and start interact with defensive cooldowns. Insert an extra VO line at 00:50: “Solo: start defensive cooldown now.”
On-screen HUD callouts (recommended)
Marker icons: Scout ping on intake at 00:20.
Health/cooldown bars flash at 00:55 before interact.
Big red text when mini-elite spawns: “BURST TARGET” (appears 01:18).
Loot timer at 01:30: “LOOT NOW — 6s”.
Editing notes for maximum clarity and retention
Keep each clip between 3–8 seconds during active movement; slow down to 8–12s for the interaction to show tension.
Use split-screen for the loadout callouts and a small floating minimap during the run to help viewers follow route choices.
Add freeze-frame callouts showing spawn directions immediately after the interaction completes.
Final pro tips for runners
Practice the ladder drop and maintenance platform tuck to shave ~3–5 seconds per run.
Standardize voice calls: one word pings (“Sniper!”, “Interact!”, “Elite!”) are faster and clearer.
Record multiple runs and create a rolling best-of clip to analyze where seconds are consistently lost.
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