Exploration and environmental puzzles are a core part of Arc Raiders, and few locations showcase this better than Blue Gate. While many points of interest across the maps rely on simple switches or obvious interactions, Blue Gate stands out by featuring multiple-layered puzzles that reward careful observation. If you've already solved the Ancient Fort puzzle in the southern section of the map, your next challenge may be the Raider's Refuge cellar door, tucked away on the western side of this lush and dangerous area. Having enough ARC Raiders Coins can be very helpful.

At first glance, the cellar at Raider's Refuge looks like a locked door you might need a keycard or special item to open. In reality, it's a location-based puzzle that requires exploration, awareness, and a bit of patience. This guide will walk you through exactly how to open the cellar door and what you can expect to find once you're inside.

Where to Find the Raider's Refuge Cellar

Raider's Refuge is a prominent point of interest on Blue Gate, consisting of a large main structure surrounded by smaller ruins and environmental clutter. The cellar door itself is positioned along the outer wall of the main building. If you approach it, you'll immediately notice four indicator lights above the door. These lights are the key to understanding the puzzle and serve as a visual tracker for your progress.

Each light corresponds to a button hidden somewhere in or around Raider's Refuge. Once all four buttons have been pressed, the lights will activate, and the cellar door will unlock automatically.

How the Cellar Door Puzzle Works

To open the cellar door at Raider's Refuge, you must locate and press four separate buttons scattered throughout the area. These buttons are not randomly placed in each match, but they do have multiple possible spawn points. Their exact positions can vary slightly, meaning you'll need to thoroughly search the area rather than rely on a single fixed route.

When a button is pressed, one of the four lights above the cellar door will illuminate. After all four buttons have been activated, the door opens, granting access to the cellar below.

Common Button Spawn Locations

Although button placement can change, the buttons consistently appear in certain types of locations. Once you learn these patterns, finding them becomes much easier in future runs. Below are the most common places you should check:

Directly in front of the cellar door: One button often spawns very close to the door itself. Occasionally, it may be knocked over or partially obscured, making it easy to miss if you rush past.

Inside the main structure: Search near furniture, shelves, and corners inside the building. Buttons can spawn behind objects or tucked next to walls.

On the roof: Climb onto the roof and explore around the bell tower or nearby ledges. Vertical exploration is essential at Raider's Refuge, and at least one button frequently appears at higher elevations.

In the attic: The attic is usually accessed by dropping down from the roof. It's a small area but easy to overlook, so make sure to check carefully.

Along the outer walls: Walk the perimeter of the main structure and inspect areas near generators, panels, and equipment. Buttons can blend into the environment here.

Nearby ruins and basements: Smaller structures surrounding Raider's Refuge can also contain buttons, including basements or partially collapsed interiors.

Because the area can attract enemies and other players, it's wise to stay alert while searching. Activating the puzzle alone is safest, but even then, lingering too long can be risky.

Entering the Cellar

Once all four buttons have been pressed, the cellar door will unlock. Inside, you'll find a ladder leading down into an underground room. The cellar itself isn't massive, but it's packed with containers and worthwhile loot.

Expect to find cabinets, drawers, and at least one Security Breach locker. While the exact loot pool varies each run, the cellar generally offers above-average rewards compared to standard containers scattered across the map.

Is the Cellar Worth Opening?

The Raider's Refuge cellar isn't the most lucrative loot spot on Blue Gate, especially when compared to higher-risk areas. However, it's still absolutely worth opening under the right circumstances. If you're in the area uncontested, low on supplies, or simply looking to maximize your run, the cellar provides a solid reward for the time invested.

Additionally, learning how to complete this puzzle efficiently gives you an advantage in future matches. Once you're familiar with the spawn locations, you can clear the puzzle quickly and move on before drawing too much attention.

Final Tips

Take your time, scan vertically as well as horizontally, and remember that button placements can shift slightly between runs. The four lights above the cellar door are your best progress indicator, so check back periodically to confirm how many buttons you've already activated.

After cracking the Raider's Refuge cellar puzzle, be sure to explore more of Blue Gate's hidden mechanics. A large number of ARCR Coins can also be very helpful.

Quests in ARC Raiders often reward players for careful exploration, but now and then, one throws in a deliberately vague step. Unexpected Initiative is a perfect example. While most of the quest objectives are clearly described, one particular task-finding the "broken rooftop gardens" at Piazza Roma-can easily leave players wandering the map unsure of where to go next.

If you've accepted the quest and hit a wall, don't worry. This guide walks you through every step of Unexpected Initiative, explains exactly where to find the broken rooftop gardens, and highlights a few important mechanics you'll want to understand before heading into a raid.

Overview of the Unexpected Initiative Quest

Unexpected Initiative is a multi-step quest that takes place in the Buried City and nearby areas. The objective revolves around gathering gardening-related equipment and materials and delivering them back to cheap ARCR Coins Tian Wen at Speranza.