Arc Raiders Digging Up Dirt Quest Guide: Treasure Map Breakdown and Hidden Rewards Tips!

In Arc Raiders, the "Digging Up Dirt" quest tasks you with finding a "dead drop" for Celeste. While the quest objective is clear, the path to the location can be a bit tricky. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully access the Santa Maria Houses building and complete the task.

Quest Overview

Key Advantage: Unlike many other quests, there is no need for an evacuation point to complete the Digging Up Dirt quest. This makes it possible to complete the task without having to worry about escaping afterward.

Gear Recommendation: It's highly recommended to enter the map with free gear to minimize the risk of losing high-tier equipment, especially if you encounter an ARC raid or other raiders along the way.

Dead Drop Location

The dead drop is located inside the Santa Maria Houses, a landmark in the southern part of the Buried City. Fortunately, this area is relatively safe in most rounds. As long as you don't cause trouble, you should avoid heavy combat encounters.

The Santa Maria Houses building in the southern Buried City

How to Access the Dead Drop

At first glance, it might seem like there is no direct entrance into the building. Don't worry—here's the step-by-step process:

Step-by-Step Access Guide

1. Climb to the Roof

   • Start by heading to the rooftop of the Santa Maria Houses
   • Look for an open window accessible from the roof

2. Enter Through the Window

   • Jump through the open window to gain entry
   • You'll land safely in the attic area

3. Reach the Attic

   • After landing, you will be in the attic
   • Locate and use the zipline to descend to the lower floor

4. Progress Through the Building

   • Continue moving along the linear path within the building
   • Follow the natural route downward through the structure

5. Find the Sandy Room

   • Eventually, you will reach a spacious sandy room on the first floor
   • This is your destination point

6. Interact with the Dead Drop

   • The dead drop will be right in the center of the room
   • Jump down and interact with it to complete Celeste's task

Visual guide showing the rooftop entry point and interior route

After Completing the Quest

Once the task is completed, it's time to plan your evacuation route. Both Southern Station and Eastern Station are not far from your location.

Evacuation Options:

⚠️ Important: The longer you wait, the higher the chance the system will spawn large groups of ARC enemies to attack you. Watch out for sneaky raiders who specialize in causing chaos during extraction.

Pro Tips for Success

🎯 Efficiency Tips

• Complete this quest during off-peak hours to avoid PvP encounters
• Use lightweight gear for faster movement through the building
• Memorize the route to minimize time spent inside

💎 Hidden Rewards

• Completing this quest unlocks additional missions from Celeste
• May trigger special vendor discounts at the Santa Maria outpost
• Potential rare crafting material drops in the sandy room

🛡️ Safety Precautions

• Always check for other players before entering the building
• Have an escape route planned in case of ambushes
• Consider bringing a teammate for cover during extraction

Treasure Map Breakdown

The "Digging Up Dirt" quest follows a classic treasure hunt pattern:

1. Location Intel: Santa Maria Houses, southern Buried City
2. Access Puzzle: Rooftop entry requiring platforming skills
3. Navigation Challenge: Interior route through attic and zipline
4. Reward Chamber: Sandy room with dead drop container
5. Extraction Phase: Choice of nearby evacuation points

Conclusion

By following this guide, you will not only complete the "Digging Up Dirt" quest efficiently but also gain hidden rewards while avoiding the dangers of unnecessary combat. The Santa Maria Houses dead drop is one of the more straightforward quests once you know the access route.

Happy treasure hunting, Raider! Share your success stories and any additional tips you discover in the comments below.