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In Arc Raiders, quests can sometimes be more about strategy and efficiency than raw combat skill. One quest that often raises questions among players is “A Bad Feeling,” given by Celeste. In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know, how to approach it, and what common pitfalls to avoid.

What is the Objective of “A Bad Feeling”?

In general, the quest is straightforward but requires careful preparation. The main objectives are:

• Find and search any ARC Probe or Courier. These are small robotic units scattered across the map. They don’t always appear in the same locations, so most players spend some time exploring high-traffic areas or zones marked by prior quest indicators.

• Collect crafting materials: You need 10x Metal Parts, 5x Steel Springs, and 5x Duct Tape. These are standard crafting components and usually drop from destroyed ARC units, environmental containers, or sometimes from supply caches.

The underlying story is that Celeste is worried about unusual ARC behavior. While it doesn’t affect your gameplay mechanics directly, understanding this can help you anticipate why the quest is designed around exploration and scavenging.

How to Locate ARC Probes and Couriers

In practice, most players find that ARC Probes tend to patrol predictable paths, while Couriers move more erratically. Here’s a breakdown of common player strategies:

• Observation: Watch ARC movements for a few minutes before engaging. Probes often follow a looping path, and timing your approach can save you from unnecessary combat.

• High-density areas: Industrial zones or areas with heavy machinery usually have multiple ARC units. Players often prioritize these areas to maximize efficiency.

• Team coordination: If you’re playing with a squad, splitting search responsibilities can reduce travel time significantly. Each player can cover a different sector, then regroup to complete the objective.

Most players agree that patience pays off. Rushing into combat with multiple ARCs can easily lead to wasted resources or character respawns.

Collecting the Materials

The second part of the quest involves collecting materials. Here’s what players have learned about each item:

• Metal Parts (10x): Usually found on ARC Probes or Couriers after defeat. Players often combine this with scavenging in nearby wreckage to meet the requirement faster.

• Steel Springs (5x): Less common than Metal Parts. In general, these drop from slightly stronger ARC units or in abandoned structures. Players report that keeping an eye on high-level enemy patrols usually yields these faster.

• Duct Tape (5x): This is usually the easiest to find. It can appear in crates, dropped from ARC units, or occasionally in mission-specific loot containers. Most players gather this while moving between other objectives.

A tip that many players use is to clear areas systematically rather than chasing every item on sight. This minimizes backtracking and ensures you collect all materials efficiently.

How Combat Usually Works

While this quest doesn’t focus on heavy combat, you will likely encounter hostile ARCs. In general:

• Target priority: Most players aim to neutralize Probes first because they can alert nearby units. Couriers are less aggressive but can be harder to catch if ignored for too long.

• Weapon loadout: A balanced loadout usually works best. Players tend to equip one high-damage weapon for quick takedowns and a secondary weapon that conserves ammo or provides crowd control.

• Use of abilities: Abilities that slow or disable enemies are particularly useful when trying to gather items from multiple targets in one area.

Efficiency matters more than speed. Overcommitting to combat often leads to unnecessary respawns or lost materials.

Interaction with Traders

After collecting the items and completing the searches, you return to Celeste. One practical tip from experienced players is to check your inventory for surplus materials. Sometimes these items can be useful for other quests or crafting, but most players focus on completing the minimum requirements first.

A side note: some players wonder if they can arc raiders blueprints sell during quests. In general, this is possible but not necessary for completing the quest. The primary goal remains gathering the quest-specific items and completing the search objectives. Selling blueprints can be done alongside other gameplay, but it usually doesn’t speed up quest completion.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Rushing without planning: Players who try to attack every ARC unit immediately often run out of ammo or health. Observation and timing make the quest smoother.

2. Ignoring environmental loot: Some players overlook nearby containers while hunting ARCs. Combining both sources usually saves trips.

3. Not splitting objectives in squads: Teams that stick together often cover less ground. Assigning search zones speeds things up significantly.

4. Forgetting quest items: Always double-check your inventory before heading back to Celeste. Missing even one material requires returning to dangerous zones unnecessarily.

Summary of Practical Tips

• Watch ARC movements and predict their patrol paths.

• Focus on high-density or industrial areas for faster searches.

• Collect materials methodically, not randomly.

• Balance combat efficiency with safety to minimize respawns.

• If in a team, split objectives to save time.

• Inventory check before turning in is essential.

Most players who follow these strategies finish the “A Bad Feeling” quest efficiently without frustration. Understanding the patrol behavior of ARCs and systematically gathering materials are the keys to success.