ARC Raiders Phantom Targets Guide: How to Complete All Stages Fast (Part 1 & Part 2)

The clock is ticking. The Phantom Targets Player Project runs only from August 4 to September 6, a 33-day window that closes whether you are ready or not. Part 2 stays locked until Update 1.42 drops on August 18, so the smart play is not grinding blindly but front-loading Part 1's antenna repairs and ARC-part farming now, while you have time. This guide lays out the fastest route strategy, the best loadout for resource efficiency, and exactly what to do before the August 18 update so you finish Phantom Targets without wasting ammo, meds, or time.

Phantom Targets 101: Timeline, Prerequisites, and Rewards

Phantom Targets launched with Store Update 1.40.0 on August 4 and runs through September 6, 2026, 33 days total, per the official ARC Raiders patch notes. The event is split into two parts. Part 1 has three stages live at launch, while Part 2 is locked until Update 1.42 on August 18. If you are hunting for Part 2 missions now, stop. They are not in the current client.

Before you can even touch Phantom Targets, there is one hard gate: Projects unlock permanently once your Raider reaches level 20. If you are below that threshold, the project will not appear on your list, so prioritize leveling first if you are new to ARC Raiders.

Rewards currently available span weapons, Raider Tokens, and cosmetics. The Tick Hunter bundle arrives alongside Update 1.42, but it is a paid add-on, not part of the Phantom Targets reward track. Embark has also teased a further October update on its official roadmap; treat that as future content rather than part of the current project.

The narrative frame gives the grind some flavor. Shani, Speranza's head of security and resident ARC expert, flagged discrepant surveillance data, and that anomaly starts the investigation. You are following a lead, not just completing chores.

Part 1 Stage-by-Stage: Fastest Order to Complete

Part 1 has three core objectives: repair faulty antennas on cargo elevators, deal damage with special devices, and eliminate specific ARC enemies. The order matters more than you might think.

Tackle antenna repairs first. Repairing antennas unlocks more efficient map movement and lets you combine repair runs with farming routes in a single pass. It is the foundational objective that makes everything else faster.

For the special-device damage objective, carry a device that also helps in ARC fights. That way, every encounter contributes to two objectives at once, you are not choosing between progress and survival.

For ARC eliminations, focus on the named targets: Pop Triggers and Wasp Drivers. They appear most consistently in high-activity ARC zones, so check the tac map for dense threat markers and observe patrol routes from a distance before engaging. Intercepting them at chokepoints is faster than chasing them across open ground. Spawn positions shift by map region and session, so treat the tac map as your live reference rather than relying on a fixed coordinate list.

The golden rule across all three stages: do multiple objectives in a single run instead of re-running the same areas. A match where you repair two antennas, tag several ARCs with your device, and extract with parts is worth three matches of single-objective grinding.

Fastest Antenna Locations and Efficient ARC-Part Farming Routes

Because antenna positions rotate per match and map, the fastest route is not a set of static map pins. It is a loop that connects the nearest antenna, the nearest ARC spawn zone, and the nearest extraction point in as few passes as possible.

At the start of each drop, pull up the tac map and tag the three cargo elevator antennas closest to your spawn. Plot a path that hits all three in sequence. If one antenna sits on the far side of a high-activity ARC corridor, do not detour around it, clear the corridor on the way and count the kills toward the elimination objective. For example, a strong opener on the current rotation is to repair the southern industrial elevator first, move to the antenna cluster near the central power station, then finish at the northern elevator before extracting through the nearest east-side evac. Each leg passes through ARC spawns, so you collect parts while the repair timer runs. If the map rotates, the logic stays the same: choose the nearest chain, not the guide's favorite location.

When it comes to ARC parts, know which enemies drop what you need. Different ARC units drop different components, and the objective panel lists exactly which parts are active for the current stage. Focus your farming on the units tied to Phantom Targets rather than killing every patrol you see. To trigger more efficient spawns, remember that high-activity zones respawn faster: clear an area, take a short detour to another objective, then circle back instead of waiting in place.

Common time sinks will eat your run if you let them. Over-looting is the biggest one. You do not need every scrap of salvage on the ground. Take what the project requires, grab anything high-value on the direct path, and move on. The second biggest is unnecessary fights. If an ARC squad is not between you and your next antenna, you do not have to engage.

Squad composition matters too. A coordinated two- or three-player squad can split antenna tasks across different elevators and regroup for ARC kills. Communication cuts completion time by a massive margin versus solo play, provided everyone knows their assignments before dropping in.

Best Loadout for Speed and Resource Conservation

Your weapons and gear choice directly affect how fast you complete Phantom Targets. For special-device damage, equip a device you would use anyway. In the current meta, that means a special device with damage-over-time or an area effect, something you can drop into an ARC squad and still count toward the objective. Pair it with a primary weapon that uses common ammunition so you can stay in the field without resupply runs. A mid-tier assault rifle or battle rifle with a standard magazine is a solid baseline; avoid rare-ammo weapons unless they are the only way you can bring down the named targets.

For gear, prioritize light armor over heavy plating. Lighter builds move faster between antennas, and that movement speed compounds across a full run. If you want survivability, bring one medkit or two low-tier bandages, not a full stack. Let passive regen carry you through minor scrapes. Healing items are expensive and finite, and the second half of Phantom Targets will likely demand more resources than Part 1. Burning everything now on small damage is a recipe for a stalled run later.

One counterintuitive tip: avoid over-armor. The time saved by sprinting between objectives often outweighs the damage reduction of a heavier suit, especially if you play smart with positioning. A light tactical build with a good special device will clear antennas faster and still hold its own in ARC fights.

Prepping for Part 2: What to Do Before August 18

Part 2 unlocks with Update 1.42 on August 18, and no amount of grinding will open it early. Use the interim to bank resources so you can sprint through the new stages on day one. The last thing you want is to spend the first hours after the update farming basic components you could have collected during downtime.

A concrete checklist to work toward before August 18:

• Bank at least 50 ARC parts, or as many as your group inventory reasonably allows.
• Stockpile 10 repair kits and 20 low-tier consumables.
• Save 3 Raider Tokens if you plan to unlock new gear quickly.
• Finish Part 1's three stages early so you enter Part 2 with a clean slate.
• Check the official 1.40.0 patch notes before committing to any long-term strategy. Community reports can drift, and the official notes are the ground truth for what the current build actually contains.

The Tick Hunter bundle arrives alongside Update 1.42, but it is separate from the Phantom Targets reward track. Budget for it if you want it, but do not expect it to drop from completing project stages. The teased October update is another reason to keep resources banked beyond this event, ARC Raiders is in an active content cycle, and what you save now may carry value later.

Crossing the Finish Line with Time to Spare

Phantom Targets is a marathon with a deadline, but the runners who win are the ones who pace smartly. Complete Part 1's antenna and ARC-farming objectives now, keep consumable spending low, and you will be standing at the starting line for Part 2 the moment Update 1.42 arrives. Stick to the route strategy and loadout above, verify the official patch notes, and the September 6 deadline becomes more than enough time, you will have finished early, with resources to spare.

Final checklist:

• Complete Part 1's three stages before August 18.
• Bank ARC parts, repair kits, and Raider Tokens.
• Keep healing and ammo expenditure minimal.
• Mark August 18 on your calendar and check back here for the full Part 2 walkthrough once Update 1.42 is live.