The Phantom Targets Project gives ARC Raiders players a welcome change of pace. It is not just another run for materials. You will be following strange signals, repairing equipment, testing ARC technology, and taking down machines under specific conditions. That mix makes the event feel closer to a field investigation than a standard checklist. It also rewards a bit of planning. Before heading out, take a moment to review your gear, check your workshop needs, and spend any useful ARC Raiders BluePrints where they will make the biggest difference. Part 1 arrived with the August 4 update, while Part 2 is scheduled to arrive with Update 1.42 on August 18, so there is a good reason to get ahead of the work.

Start With the Cargo Elevator Antennas

The opening antenna task sounds simple, but many players lose time by treating each extraction point as a separate trip. The antennas are found at Cargo Elevator extraction locations on Spaceport, Dam Battlegrounds, and Riven Tides. Spaceport is usually the most comfortable choice. Its layout is tighter, the routes are easier to remember, and you can often visit more than one elevator before deciding whether to leave. That does not mean you should rush blindly. Listen for nearby machines, check the approach before interacting with an antenna, and keep an exit route in mind. A single successful run can cover several locations if your path is planned around the map rather than chosen at random. You will quickly notice that the project rewards clean movement more than needless fighting.

Pair Objectives During the Same Raid

Once the antenna work is done, the project shifts towards equipment trials and enemy encounters. This is where a lot of time can disappear. Instead of choosing one task, entering a raid, and returning to the menu, bring a loadout that covers two or three requirements at once. If a device test calls for a certain type of damage, carry the matching tool and look for suitable ARC targets while you explore. You can also gather ammunition, medical supplies, and crafting components during the same trip. There is no need to force every objective into one dangerous run, though. If the area becomes too busy, extract and keep the progress you have earned. A steady series of useful raids is usually quicker than one overloaded attempt that ends with nothing.

Rewards Worth Planning Around

The reward track is a major reason to finish the project instead of stopping after the story details. Available items include Legendary Jupiter, Legendary Dolabra, Legendary Aphelion, Heavy Shield Mk III, Combat Augments, Vita Spray, Powered Descender, Horizontal Grip, Snap Hook, and Raider Tokens. The value depends on your play style, but the equipment rewards can change how you approach later runs. A stronger shield may give you more room to recover from a bad angle, while movement tools can make extraction routes less awkward. The Tick Hunter Set also arrives on August 18 with Update 1.42. It includes a Tick Hunter Outfit with colour variants, a Field Telephone Backpack, a Tick Trophy Backpack Charm, a Spider Tattoo Face Style, and 2,400 Raider Tokens. It is cosmetic-focused, but it fits the rough, improvised feel of the current season.

Prepare for Part 2

Finishing Part 1 early gives you breathing room before the next missions open. Use that time sensibly. Improve workshop stations that support the weapons and tools you actually use, rather than spreading every resource across upgrades you rarely touch. Keep a reserve of ammunition, healing items, and common crafting materials. It is also worth learning the quieter routes between extraction points. Knowing where patrols tend to pass can save more time than carrying another high-end weapon. Keep some Raider Tokens available as well, since future equipment and cosmetic releases may arrive alongside the next story beat. The project's surveillance signals and scattered clues suggest that this is setting up something larger for later in the year. Whether that means new missions, broader systems, or another seasonal activity remains unclear, but the staged release makes the current objectives feel purposeful.

Final Thoughts



The Phantom Targets Project works best when you treat it as a route-planning exercise, not a race through isolated tasks. Begin with the Cargo Elevator antennas, use Spaceport when you want shorter travel, and combine equipment trials with normal exploration. Do not sacrifice a strong run just to finish one extra objective. The Legendary rewards, defensive gear, movement tools, and Raider Tokens make the effort worthwhile, while Update 1.42 gives the event a clear second chapter. If your workshop still needs attention, this is a good time to improve it and consider where you might buy ARC Raiders Station supplies for future loadouts. Arrive on August 18 with sensible equipment, familiar routes, and enough resources to adapt when the new missions appear.