If you prefer a change of scenery, head over to the Testing Annex in the Dam Battlegrounds. It's not as large as the Hospital or Research sites, but it's packed with lootable containers, especially on ARC Raiders Coins the second floor.

This area tends to spawn a variety of Medical-related materials - from Rusted Shut Medical Kits to Antiseptic and, of course, Laboratory Reagents. Because it's smaller and more compact, you can clear it quickly and move on to your extraction point without much delay.

The Testing Annex is also conveniently located near a lift, giving you a fast extraction route once you've secured your loot.

Locations to Skip

Not every area marked with a Medical icon is worth your time. For instance:

Spaceport – No dedicated medical loot tables, mostly filled with generic crafting components.

The Blue Gate – While an interesting exploration zone, it doesn't spawn Laboratory Reagents or other Medical materials consistently.

If you're specifically hunting reagents, don't waste your time here. Stick to the three core locations mentioned above.

Farming and Extraction Tips

Even when you know where to go, RNG (random number generation) can still make farming Laboratory Reagents frustrating. Here are a few extra tips to maximize your efficiency:

Run Solo or in Small Groups – Smaller teams are quieter and less likely to draw attention. Large squads make you an easy target.

Use Augments for Safe Storage – If you find a Laboratory Reagent, stash it in a safe pocket if you have the augment. This ensures you keep it even if you die before extraction.

Prioritize Medical POIs on Fresh Servers – Entering newly reset servers increases your odds of finding untouched loot.

Keep an Eye on Audio Cues – Listen for footsteps or gunfire to avoid walking into ambushes, especially at the Hospital.

Extract as Soon as You Can – Don't get greedy. Once you have what you came for, head straight for a lift or tunnel and get out.

Final Thoughts

Gathering Laboratory Reagents in Arc Raiders can be a grind, but the payoff is worth it. These rare Medical materials are essential for upgrading your Explosive Station, unlocking stronger grenades and other destructive tools that give you an edge in combat.

Your best bet for finding them lies in the Hospital and Testing Annex, with the Research building serving as a safer alternative when things get heated. Remember: every raid is a gamble, and luck plays a big part - so if you don't find what you're looking for right away, keep running those routes.

With persistence, awareness, and a good escape plan, you'll have your Explosive Station fully upgraded - and a backpack full of dangerously unstable chemicals - in no time.

When you first unlock the Blue Gate region in Arc Raiders, you'll immediately receive a quest called "A First Foothold." This mission sends you across the map to repair and stabilize various structures, rotate satellite dishes, and activate communication terminals - all while trying not to get picked off by raiders and Arc enemies patrolling the area.

The quest is your first major introduction to exploration and teamwork in Blue Gate, but vague directions and an unfamiliar map can make it tricky. Below is a detailed walkthrough explaining how to complete each of the four objectives efficiently, whether you're running solo or with a full squad.

Before You Begin the Quest

"A First Foothold" doesn't have to be completed in a single run, nor do you need to tackle the objectives in any specific order. Each task is located in a different corner of Blue Gate, so it's best to complete them as you come across them naturally.

If you're in a three-person squad, you can save a lot of time by dividing the objectives among teammates. Since Arc Raiders credits all party members when one person finishes a task, splitting up ensures maximum efficiency. Assign one objective to each player, and once all are completed, regroup for cheap ARC Raiders Coins extraction.