Harvesting Hazard: How to Complete the “New Strain Discovery” Quest in Arc Raiders

• Author
• Recent Posts

Valencia

Guide Curator at GladiatorBoost

I’m the voice behind the blogs here at GladiatorBoost—diving deep into the gaming world to bring you guides, updates, and stories that actually help (and maybe even entertain a little). Whether it's breaking down the latest boosts or highlighting cool moments in your favorite games, I’m here to make the digital grind a little more fun.

Latest posts by Valencia (see all)

The world of Arc Raiders is full of unpredictable ruins, emergent threats, and the occasional task that feels surprisingly simple compared to the chaotic firefights surrounding it. The “A New Type of Plant” quest—often referred to informally as the Plant Near Baron Husk objective—is one of those straightforward missions that players sometimes overlook. Despite its brevity, it provides useful rewards and adds an extra layer of world-building to the devastated regions of the game.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to complete the quest efficiently, including how to find the plant, what dangers to avoid, and how to extract safely. It also includes helpful context and advanced tips for newer players who may still be acclimating to the maps.

How to Start the “A New Type of Plant” Quest

You can pick up the quest from Lance, who provides a steady supply of exploratory and resource-collecting tasks throughout the game. Unlike many quests that require heavy combat or multi-step navigation, this one is refreshingly direct—making it ideal to complete between more intense missions or when you need a break from high-risk ARC patrols.

After accepting it, you only have one goal:

Locate and collect the Possibly Toxic Plant from the Dam Battlegrounds.

Despite the ominous naming, the plant itself is harmless to pick up. The real threats come from the region surrounding it.

Choosing Your Loadout for the Mission

Since the mission is extremely short, you’ll want to consider your loadout carefully:

• Free Loadout: Perfect if you’re only hopping in to grab the plant and leave. If something goes wrong, you lose nothing.

• Standard Loadout: Good if you plan to farm ARC enemies or loot while you’re there.

For most players, the free loadout is ideal because the quest doesn’t require combat or prolonged exploration unless you choose to engage.

Traveling to the Old Battleground

Load into the Dam Battlegrounds, one of the more compact but densely populated areas in the game. From your spawn point, head toward the Old Battleground, located on the western side of the map. This zone is close to one of the extraction elevators, making it particularly convenient for quick mission completion.

The Old Battleground is small, but it’s also known for having a moderate concentration of ARC enemies, especially patrol units that roam between nearby debris clusters. Stay mobile, keep to cover, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

Identifying the Baron Husk and Area Hazards

Once you enter the zone, look for a Baron Husk, a large metallic shell resting among the rubble. This is a notable landmark—not only because it marks the general area where the plant spawns, but also because the husk holds optional loot.

If you choose to breach the Baron Husk:

• Expect an eruption of fire as the husk vents its interior.

• Make sure you are not standing on top of it, as the flame does damage over time.

• The fire plume alerts nearby ARC units, which may converge on your location.

Unless you’re planning to fight or farm, skip breaching the husk and move straight to the plant.

Finding the Possibly Toxic Plant

Near the Baron Husk, you will notice several orange-tinted flora sprouting from the ground. These plants glow faintly and stand out against the muted debris tones of the battleground. Approach one and interact with it to harvest the Possibly Toxic Plant, completing the quest objective.

The collection is instant and doesn’t require any secondary steps—no scanning, no special tools, and no harvesting animation that leaves you vulnerable. However, be mindful of:

• ARC patrol routes that sometimes cut directly through the area

• Nearby raiders who may also be exploring or looting

• Noise from other players that may attract enemies toward your location

Once you have the plant, your job is done.

Extracting Safely

With the plant in your inventory, head back toward one of the nearby exit points:

• The elevator south of the Old Battleground is the closest extraction point and safest for solo players.

• The Raider Hatch to the north can also be used if you possess a Raider Hatch Key. This is ideal if ARC patrols are especially active near the elevator.

If resistance is heavy, it may be safer to wait for patrols to drift further east before making your move. Staying low and avoiding noise-generating gear (like heavy jump jets) helps prevent unnecessary conflict.

When you return to the main menu, simply turn in the quest to complete it.

Quest Rewards

Upon turning in the collected plant, you receive:

• Vita Shot x1

• Antiseptic x5

Antiseptics are particularly valuable for progression, as they are required to upgrade the Medical Lab to Level 3. Even after this quest, you’ll want to keep gathering Antiseptics to avoid bottlenecks in your crafting or medical upgrades later on.

Why This Quest Matters

While the task itself is quick and easy, it introduces players to the importance of resource gathering in Arc Raiders. Many later upgrades require medical or chemical components that aren’t always easy to obtain. Familiarizing yourself with plant locations, material nodes, and side-objective zones allows for smoother progression and far less grinding.

Additionally, the Dam Battlegrounds is a useful map to learn thoroughly. Its compact design makes it ideal for gaining experience navigating under pressure, avoiding patrols, and locating chokepoints. Missions like this help build map familiarity without requiring a fight.

Fast Forward Progress

If you find yourself struggling with resource farming, map navigation, or higher-tier challenges, Arc Raiders Boosting at GladiatorBoost offers a reliable way to accelerate your progress. Their experienced players handle difficult tasks, assist with complex farming routes, and help you secure rare materials or complete challenging objectives efficiently. It’s an excellent option for players who want to stay competitive, save time, or simply enjoy the game without the grind.

Final Thoughts

The “A New Type of Plant” quest may be one of the simplest objectives in Arc Raiders, but its rewards and efficiency make it a worthwhile task every player should complete. Whether you’re gathering materials for upgrades or just aiming to clear your quest log, this short mission fits perfectly into any play session. With the right route and a quick extraction, you can finish the entire quest in minutes and move on to bigger challenges with better resources in hand.