Looking to master the art of farming Spotter Relays in Arc Raiders? You’ve come to the right place! As someone who’s spent countless hours perfecting the art of Relay farming, I’m here to share everything you need to know about these valuable components that are crucial for the Trophy Display Project.
Quick Reference: Spotter Relay Essentials
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Value | 2,000 Raider Coins |
| Stack Size | 3 |
| Weight | 1.0 kg |
| Primary Source | Destroying Spotter Drones |
| Best Map | Blue Gate (NW Section) |
| Recycling Value | 2x Electrical Components + 1x ARC Alloy |
| Cannot Be Salvaged | ✓ True |
Why You Need Spotter Relays in 2026?
With the Headwinds update (released January 27, 2026), Spotter Relays have become essential for progression. Here’s what you need them for:
- Combat Recon Quest: 2 Spotter Relays (give to Shani)
- Trophy Display Project Stage 2: 10 Spotter Relays (rewards: 3x Vita Sprays)
- Total Needed: 12 Spotter Relays for completionist progress
Understanding Spotter Drones: The Key to Efficient Farming
Before diving into farming strategies, let’s understand your targets:
Spotter Drone Characteristics
- Flying ARC enemies that detect and mark your position
- No offensive capabilities – they only laser-designate targets
- Always spawn in pairs with a Bombardier ARC
- Core located in center – aim here for quick kills
- Quick respawn – new pairs appear after elimination
- Guaranteed drop – each destroyed Spotter gives 1 Spotter Relay
The Bombardier Connection
Spotter Drones never spawn alone. They’re always accompanying a Bombardier ARC, one of the deadliest enemies in Arc Raiders. This relationship is crucial to understand for efficient farming.
Best Maps for Spotter Relay Farming for 2026
Based on extensive testing and community feedback, here are the top locations ranked by reliability:
1. Blue Gate (Top Choice)
Best Location: North-west section below village area around Raider’s Refuge and Trapper’s Glade
Why It’s Best:
- Consistently spawns Bombardiers that haven’t been killed
- Church building in Raider’s Refuge provides excellent cover
- Less contested than other maps
- Multiple spawn points in close proximity
2. Buried City
Prime Locations:
- Parking Garage (top floor – guaranteed spawn)
- Hospital (Northeastern side)
- South of Marano Park
- Main Street inside Old Town
3. Spaceport
Best Spot: Between Shipping Warehouse and South Trench Tower during Night Raids
4. Dam Battlegrounds
Primary Location: Primary Facility in the center of the map
5. Stella Montis
Spawn Areas: Near Raider’s Refuge and Gate Control Room
Optimal Loadout for Spotter Relay Farming
Success in Spotter Relay farming depends heavily on proper preparation. Here’s my recommended loadout:
Weapons
- Primary: Anvil I or Anvil II (heavy weapon for quick Spotter kills)
- Secondary: Your preferred precision weapon
Grenades
- Wolfpack Grenade or Trailblazer Grenade (essential for Bombardier damage)
Support Items
- Adrenaline Shot (crucial for quick rotation between spawn points)
- Shield Recharger (for sustain during extended farming sessions)
- Bandage (basic healing)
- Raider Hatch Key (for fast, safe extraction when carrying valuable loot)
Why This Loadout Works?
The Anvil heavy weapon allows you to one-shot Spotters, while grenades prepare you for Bombardier encounters. Adrenaline Shots maximize your farming efficiency by reducing travel time between locations.
Step-by-Step Farming Strategy
Step 1: Preparation and Map Selection
- Choose Blue Gate for highest reliability
- Load your optimal farming loadout
- Bring a Raider Hatch Key for safe extraction
- Check server population – less crowded servers mean more available spawns
Step 2: Locating Your Targets
- Head to the north-west section of Blue Gate
- Look for Bombardier activity – Spotters will be nearby
- Use the church building in Raider’s Refuge for observation
- Listen for Bombardier sounds – they indicate nearby Spotters
Step 3: The Farming Technique
- Spot the Bombardier first – Spotters will be flying around it
- Take cover behind the church or other solid structures
- Wait for Spotters to approach your position
- Aim for the center core of each Spotter
- Use your Anvil heavy weapon for one-shot kills
- Loot immediately after each kill
- Repeat until Bombardier is destroyed or you have enough Relays
Pro Tips for Maximum Efficiency
- Don’t attack the Bombardier until you’ve farmed enough Spotters
- Move immediately when marked by a Spotter’s red laser
- Break line of sight to avoid Bombardier grenade attacks
- Use Adrenaline Shots to quickly rotate between spawn points
- Farm during off-peak hours for less competition
Advanced Farming Strategies
The “Lure and Eliminate” Method
- Position yourself near cover with clear sightlines
- Make minimal noise to avoid alerting the Bombardier
- Let Spotters approach your position
- Eliminate them quickly when they’re in range
- Retreat to cover if the Bombardier engages
The “Night Raid Advantage”
- Play during Night Raids on Spaceport
- Reduced visibility works in your favor
- Bombardiers spawn more consistently between Shipping Warehouse and South Trench Tower
- Less player competition during off-hours
The “Server Hop” Technique
- Farm all available Spotters on your current server
- Extract safely using your Hatch Key
- Switch to a different server
- Repeat the process for maximum efficiency
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Attacking the Bombardier Too Early
This is the biggest mistake new farmers make. Once the Bombardier is destroyed, no more Spotters will spawn in that area.
2. Ignoring Cover
Spotters mark you for the Bombardier’s devastating grenades. Always have cover available.
3. Using the Wrong Weapons
Light weapons may require multiple hits, giving Spotters time to mark you and alert the Bombardier.
4. Not Bringing Extraction Keys
Dying with a full inventory of Spotter Relays is devastating. Always have an escape plan.
5. Farming During Peak Hours
High server populations mean more competition for Bombardier spawns.
Maximizing Your Profit: Beyond the Trophies
While you’re farming for the Trophy Display Project, you can maximize your profits:
Recycling Strategy
- Keep 12 Relays for quests and projects
- Recycle excess Relays for 2x Electrical Components + 1x ARC Alloy each
- Sell components or use them for crafting
Bombardier Cell Farming
- Destroy Bombardiers after farming Spotters
- Collect 8x Bombardier Cells needed for Trophy Display Project Stage 5
- Each Bombardier can drop multiple cells
- Also yields ARC Performance Steel as bonus loot
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: No Spotters Spawning
Solution:
- Check if Bombardiers have recently been killed on the server
- Try server hopping or returning later
- Visit multiple spawn locations
Problem: Constantly Getting Killed
Solution:
- Improve your loadout with better healing items
- Focus on using cover more effectively
- Practice the “lure and eliminate” technique
- Consider bringing a teammate for support
Problem: Low Drop Rates
Solution:
- Ensure you’re actually destroying Spotters, not just damaging them
- Check that you’re looting the wreckage properly
- Verify you’re at the right spawn locations
Community Tips and Strategies
Based on community feedback from Reddit and Discord, here are some additional pro tips:
- “Try not to hit them more than once so they can get close enough to drop at your feet” – Reddit user
- “I got all mine from electromagnetic storms, in the downed arc couriers” – Facebook group member
- “The top floor of the Parking Garage is a guaranteed spawn” – Sportskeeda community
Future-Proofing Your Farming
With the Headwinds update bringing renewed focus on Spotter Relays, expect:
- Increased demand as more players progress through the Trophy Display Project
- Potential price increases in the player market
- New farming strategies as the meta evolves
Stay ahead by mastering these techniques now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Spotter Relays do I need total?
You need 12 Spotter Relays: 2 for the Combat Recon quest and 10 for Trophy Display Project Stage 2.
What’s the fastest way to get Spotter Relays?
Blue Gate’s north-west section is the most reliable location, with consistent Bombardier spawns and excellent cover options.
Can I craft Spotter Relays?
No, Spotter Relays cannot be crafted. They can only be obtained by destroying Spotter Drones or scavenging Arc Couriers.
Do Spotter Relays respawn?
Yes, as long as the Bombardier remains alive, new pairs of Spotters will continue to spawn.
What’s the best weapon for killing Spotters?
Heavy weapons like the Anvil I or Anvil II are ideal for one-shotting Spotters.
Can I sell Spotter Relays?
Yes, each Spotter Relay sells for 2,000 Raider Coins, but they’re more valuable for quest progression.
Do Spotter Relays expire?
No, Spotter Relays don’t expire, but the demand for them may change with future updates.
What happens if I die with Spotter Relays?
You’ll lose all carried Spotter Relays unless you extract successfully. Always use a Raider Hatch Key when carrying valuable loot.
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