How to Unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders: Ruined Homestead Location and Requirements

The Frozen Trail 2.0 update has added a major new feature to ARC Raiders: the Outpost. This gives players a personal space on the surface that they can expand, customize, and decorate with furniture and other items.

However, the Outpost isn't available immediately. Players must complete the Sheltered Retreat Project, which requires exploration, gathering materials, and dealing damage to ARC machines.

How to Unlock the Outpost in ARC Raiders

To unlock the Outpost, open the new Outpost section and begin the Sheltered Retreat Project. The project consists of three main stages.

Step 1: Visit the Ruined Homestead

The first objective is called Research Topside Living Conditions.

You need to travel to the Ruined Homestead on the Blue Gate map and take a photo of any farmland house in the area. The Ruined Homestead is located in the southern part of Blue Gate, near the Olive Grove.

You will need a camera for this objective. Cameras can be purchased from Shani, crafted at a workbench, or obtained through certain quests.

Once you reach the Ruined Homestead, equip the camera and photograph one of the farm buildings.

Step 2: Collect the Building Materials

After completing the photography objective, you'll need materials to prepare the Outpost.

The required resources include:

• 3x Planks
• 5x Sheet Metal
• 10x ARC Alloy
• 3x Advanced Electrical Components

These resources can be collected through exploration, salvaging ARC machines, crafting, trading, and searching industrial areas.

Sheet Metal, for example, can be found in industrial areas, while ARC Alloy can be obtained through ARC salvage.

Step 3: Protect the Building Site

The final stage requires you to protect the construction area while dealing with ARC machines.

Current guides report objectives involving damage to flying ARC enemies and the new Bully enemy introduced with the Frozen Trail update.

Once you complete the required combat objectives, the Outpost becomes available.

What Can You Do With the Outpost?

The Outpost isn't simply a new location. It acts as a customizable personal space where you can unlock additional modules and decorate the environment.

The Frozen Trail update adds Designs, which function similarly to blueprints and allow players to craft furniture for their Outpost. Embark says the update includes 100 furniture Designs, with some found Topside and others unlocked by upgrading the Outpost.

Unlocking the Outpost also gives players access to a Research Bench, adding another useful progression feature to the new home base.

Quick Outpost Unlock Checklist

If you want to unlock the Outpost as quickly as possible:

1. Start the Sheltered Retreat Project.
2. Travel to Blue Gate.
3. Find the Ruined Homestead near the Olive Grove.
4. Bring a camera and photograph a farmland house.
5. Collect the required Planks, Sheet Metal, ARC Alloy, and Advanced Electrical Components.
6. Complete the combat objectives at the building site.
7. Return and unlock your new Outpost.
8. Start collecting Designs to customize it.

Final Thoughts

The Outpost is one of the biggest additions in ARC Raiders' Frozen Trail update, giving players a new long-term progression system beyond raids and equipment. Once unlocked, you can expand the location and decorate it with furniture Designs discovered during your adventures Topside.

If you're struggling with the first objective, remember to bring a camera before entering Blue Gate. Without one, you won't be able to complete the Ruined Homestead photography requirement.