ARC Raiders Straight Record Quest Guide: Old EMP Trap & Victory Ridge Locations

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Valencia

Guide Curator at GladiatorBoost

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The Straight Record quest in ARC Raiders is one of those missions that tests your map knowledge more than your firepower. Your objective sounds simple—shut down an old EMP trap—but the execution can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the Dam Battlegrounds region or Victory Ridge itself.

This guide breaks everything down clearly: how to reach Victory Ridge, where to find the Old EMP Trap, and how to solve the power switch puzzle without having to reset it multiple times.

What the Straight Record Quest Is About

During Straight Record, you’re tasked with disabling a malfunctioning EMP device that’s interfering with raider communications. The trap is located at Victory Ridge, a lesser-known area that’s easy to miss if you haven’t explored the Dam Battlegrounds in detail.

Unlike combat-heavy quests, this one emphasizes navigation, environmental awareness, and puzzle sequencing—making preparation and patience key.

Where to Find Victory Ridge

Victory Ridge sits between the West Broken Bridge and Ruby Residence within the Dam Battlegrounds zone.

Important things to note:

• Victory Ridge does not appear on the map at the default zoom level.

• You must zoom in at least one level further to see the location clearly.

• Alternatively, if the quest is active, you can follow the quest marker directly.

If you’re navigating manually, stick to elevated terrain and ridgelines—Victory Ridge lives up to its name and sits slightly higher than the surrounding area.

Locating the Old EMP Trap

Once you arrive at Victory Ridge, look for:

• Scattered debris on the ground

• A tall electric pole emitting a distinct yellow glow

This pole is the Old EMP Trap. Interacting with it begins the puzzle sequence, but do not rush—activating it prematurely without knowing switch locations can lead to unnecessary resets.

Understanding the Power Switch Puzzle

After interacting with the EMP trap, you’ll need to disable three power switches in a specific order. These switches are small yellow electrical boxes scattered around the ridge.

⚠️ Critical Warning:
If you activate the switches in the wrong order, the puzzle fails and you must return to the EMP pole to restart it.

Power Switch #1: The Hilltop Switch

The first switch is the easiest to find:

• From the EMP pole, look toward the nearby hill

• Climb upward until you spot a yellow electrical box

• Interact with it to turn it off

This switch is intentionally placed close to the trap to establish the correct direction for the sequence.

Power Switch #2: The Broken House Interior

The second switch is more hidden and often missed:

1. Head downhill from the first switch

2. Locate a damaged house structure

3. Climb over the generator outside to access the second floor

4. Enter the back room—this is where the switch is tucked away

Because it’s indoors and elevated, many players walk past this one without realizing it’s accessible.

Power Switch #3: Follow the Fallen Cable

For the final switch:

• Return toward the EMP pole

• Move down the road on the southern side

• Look for a fallen electrical cable stretched across the road

• Follow the cable to its source to find the third yellow switch box

This environmental clue is subtle but consistent—following cables often leads directly to interactive objectives.

Disabling the Old EMP Trap

With all three power switches successfully deactivated in order, return to the Old EMP Trap and interact with it again. This time, the system will shut down completely, marking the Straight Record quest as finished.

At this point, your objective updates—now all that’s left is extraction.

Quest Rewards and Extraction

Safely extract back to Speranza to finalize completion. Once turned in, you’ll receive:

• 5× Medium Gun Parts

• 3× Advanced Mechanical Components

These rewards are particularly useful for mid-game weapon upgrades and crafting progression.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

• Scout before activating the EMP trap so you know where each switch is

• Avoid sprinting blindly—Victory Ridge can attract hostile encounters

• If the puzzle fails, don’t panic—just reset it at the pole and try again

• Bring lightweight gear to stay mobile while navigating elevations

Progress Faster

If exploration-heavy quests like Straight Record slow down your progression, many players opt for ARC Raiders Boosting at GladiatorBoost to stay competitive. From quest completion assistance to faster progression and resource optimization, GladiatorBoost helps players bypass repetitive hurdles while still enjoying the core gameplay loop. It’s a practical option for raiders who want efficiency without burnout.

Why Straight Record Matters in ARC Raiders

Straight Record is a great example of ARC Raiders’ design philosophy—blending environmental storytelling with light puzzle mechanics instead of relying solely on combat. Learning how to read terrain, follow visual cues, and manage objectives under pressure becomes increasingly important as quests scale in complexity later in the game.

Mastering missions like this not only improves your rewards but also sharpens the skills you’ll rely on throughout the Dam Battlegrounds and beyond.