ARC Raiders Buried City Residential Master Key – How to Get & Where to Use It
In ARC Raiders, keys are more than simple collectibles — they’re opportunities. Among the most reliable and profitable keys available to players is the Buried City Residential Master Key, a versatile item that can unlock multiple loot-heavy locations on a single map. Knowing where to find this key and, more importantly, where to spend it can significantly improve your raid efficiency and long-term progression.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know: how to obtain the Buried City Residential Master Key, the exact places it can be used, and strategic tips to maximize its value — especially during high-risk Night Raids.
Table of Contents
What Is the Buried City Residential Master Key?
The Buried City Residential Master Key is an uncommon-tier key tied specifically to residential-style buildings across the Buried City map. Unlike epic or ultra-rare keys that open only one room, this master key can be used on three separate locked locations, making it one of the best risk-to-reward items you can carry.
Because of its rarity tier, it appears more frequently in loot pools than higher-end keys, which makes it realistic to farm rather than relying purely on luck.
How to Get the Buried City Residential Master Key
The key does not have a guaranteed spawn point. Instead, it drops as random loot within residential environments. This means repeated exploration and smart routing are essential.
Best Places to Search
You’ll want to prioritize locations that feature apartments, houses, and personal storage containers. The key commonly appears in:
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Drawers and filing cabinets
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Wardrobes and cupboards
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Suitcases and duffel bags
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Open shelves in abandoned homes
Dam Battlegrounds (Low-Risk Farming)
If you’re looking for safer runs, Dam Battlegrounds is an excellent starting point. Residential clusters here are typically located toward the edges of the map, which reduces early PvP encounters.
Focus your searches on:
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Multi-floor apartment blocks
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Isolated houses away from central objectives
These areas are ideal for solo players or anyone trying to stockpile keys before committing to high-stakes raids.
Buried City (High Traffic, High Reward)
The Buried City itself offers a higher concentration of residential loot but comes with increased danger. Raider activity is noticeably heavier, especially around major landmarks and apartment complexes.
If you’re confident in combat or running with a squad, this map provides the best overall chance of finding not only the Residential Master Key but other valuable items at the same time.
Where to Use the Buried City Residential Master Key
Once you have the key, you’ll want to save it for the Buried City map, where all three compatible doors are located. Each locked area offers different loot density and risk levels.
1. Main Street Apartment
This is the most accessible of the three locations.
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Entry point: Street-level door along Main Street
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Interior: Two floors of residential rooms
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Loot quality: Moderate
This apartment is a solid option if you’re already nearby or need a quick loot stop without committing too deeply into hostile territory. Containers here can drop crafting components, consumables, and occasionally rare blueprints.
2. Grandioso Apartments Locked Room
This is widely considered the best use of the key.
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Location: Inside the Grandioso Apartments complex
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Access: Enter the building, descend via the elevator shaft to the lowest level
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Layout: Multi-room apartment with balcony access
The locked unit here consistently spawns high-value containers. Make sure to fully clear the apartment — including breaking balcony glass — as players often miss secondary loot spawns.
This area shines during Night Raids, where loot tables are significantly improved.
3. Red Tower Residential Room
The third location is hidden beneath the Red Tower district and is easy to overlook.
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Entry: Through broken windows leading into a damaged building
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Interior: One locked room near a staircase
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Loot type: Residential containers and cabinets
While slightly smaller than the Grandioso apartment, this room is still worth opening if you’re rotating through the area. It’s also less frequently contested, making it a good fallback option when other zones are too hot.
When Should You Use the Key?
Timing matters almost as much as location.
Night Raids are strongly recommended when using any master key. During these raids:
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Loot quality is higher
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Blueprint drop rates improve
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Rare materials appear more often
If you’re carrying the Buried City Residential Master Key, extracting without using it during a Night Raid is usually a missed opportunity — unless survival is at serious risk.
Improving Efficiency
If you’re struggling to farm keys consistently, survive Night Raids, or safely clear high-traffic areas like Grandioso Apartments, ARC Raiders Boosting at GladiatorBoost can help streamline your progress. With experienced players handling difficult runs, you can secure rare keys, extract valuable loot, and unlock progression milestones without the frustration of repeated failed raids.
This option is especially useful for players short on time or those looking to fast-track access to blueprints and high-tier resources while still enjoying the core gameplay loop.
Final Tips for Maximizing Value
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Don’t rush the first door you see — plan a route that includes the most valuable locations
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Always clear surrounding enemies before unlocking doors
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Listen for nearby players before interacting with locked rooms
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If possible, bring extraction tools or mobility gear to escape quickly
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