A Toxic Trail in Arc Raiders – Complete Quest Walkthrough
A Toxic Trail Arc Raiders – Full Quest Guide
A Toxic Trail is a narrative investigation quest in Arc Raiders introduced alongside the Cold Snap update. It sends players back to a familiar contaminated zone and expands the story behind the illegal toxic dumping first discovered earlier in the campaign. While the quest itself is not mechanically difficult, it requires careful exploration and correct interaction order, as missing steps may reset progress.
This guide provides a complete walkthrough of A Toxic Trail in Arc Raiders, including where to go, what to interact with, how to avoid common mistakes, and what rewards you can expect upon completion.
A Toxic Trail Arc Raiders Key Takeaways
A Toxic Trail is a story-driven quest added with the Cold Snap update
The quest takes place in Dam Battlegrounds near Water Treatment Control
Players must investigate toxic dumping evidence, not just locate the barrel
All objectives should be completed in a single run to avoid resets
The quest can be completed solo or with a squad
No special gear or combat requirements are needed
Often active alongside The Clean Dream and Paving the Way quests
How to Complete A Toxic Trail in Arc Raiders
A Toxic Trail builds directly on the events of Source of Contamination, but instead of simply locating toxic waste, your goal is to uncover who dumped the barrel and why. This involves inspecting environmental clues and gathering evidence tied to the dumping operation.
The quest unfolds across three main objectives, all located within close proximity. While the path is straightforward, skipping interactions or leaving the area too early may prevent completion.
Main objectives:
Return to the Water Treatment Control building
Investigate the toxic barrel beneath the pipes
Locate the truck in the swamp and collect evidence
Below is a detailed breakdown of each step.
Return to the Water Treatment Control Building
Your first objective sends you back to Dam Battlegrounds, specifically the Water Treatment Control area. This location is found on the northern side of the map, where large industrial pipes extend into the surrounding swamp.
Approach the structure carefully, as the area may still contain hostile ARC units or environmental hazards depending on your run. You are looking for the water intake section beneath the pipe network.
Once there, move under the pipes and inspect the partially submerged toxic barrel sitting in murky water. Interact with the barrel to confirm its presence and advance the quest. This interaction is mandatory and must be completed before proceeding further.
Tip:
If the interaction prompt does not appear, reposition slightly and ensure you are directly beneath the pipes.
Search the Swamp for a Car with Barrels
After confirming the barrel’s location, the quest directs you to search the nearby swamp for additional evidence. From the Water Treatment Control building, head northwest toward the shallow river area.
You do not need to travel far. The target is a truck stuck in the swamp, visibly carrying multiple barrels similar to the one you inspected earlier. This vehicle is the key piece of evidence linking the dumping operation to its source.
At the truck, complete the following actions in order:
Take photos from three marked angles around the vehicle
Carefully circle the truck to trigger all photo prompts
Once photos are complete, interact with the truck door
Make sure all three photo interactions are registered. Missing even one may prevent the final objective from activating.
A Toxic Trail Arc Raiders Completion and Rewards
After photographing the truck, search the truck door to collect the final piece of evidence. This reveals information about the saboteur responsible for the dumping and completes the investigation.
Upon completion, you will receive the Spaceport Warehouse Key. This key must be extracted successfully to secure the reward and finalize the quest.
Important notes:
Extraction is required to complete the quest
Dying before extraction may require repeating objectives
The key can be used later for additional progression
Once extracted, A Toxic Trail will be marked as completed in your quest log.
Tips for Completing A Toxic Trail Smoothly
Complete all objectives in one run to avoid resets
Do not leave the area before interacting with the truck door
Move slowly around the truck to trigger all photo prompts
Clear nearby threats before starting interactions
If playing in a squad, coordinate so no one triggers extraction early
Although combat is minimal, environmental awareness saves time and prevents unnecessary backtracking.
A Toxic Trail Arc Raiders FAQ
Where does A Toxic Trail take place in Arc Raiders?
The quest takes place in Dam Battlegrounds, near the Water Treatment Control building and the nearby swamp area.
Do you need to visit a new location for A Toxic Trail?
No. The quest returns you to the same zone used in Source of Contamination, with objectives located close together.
Can A Toxic Trail be completed solo?
Yes. The quest is fully solo-friendly and does not require squad coordination or special gear.
What reward do you get from A Toxic Trail?
Completing the quest rewards you with the Spaceport Warehouse Key, which must be extracted to keep.
Can quest progress reset?
Yes. Leaving the area or missing interactions may prevent completion, requiring another run.
Final Thoughts
A Toxic Trail is a compact but meaningful Arc Raiders quest that expands the game’s environmental storytelling. While mechanically simple, it rewards careful exploration and attention to detail. Completing it efficiently sets you up for future progression while tying together the Cold Snap narrative threads.
With the correct route and interaction order, the quest can be finished quickly and without risk, whether you play solo or with a squad.