Headwinds marks the first major update to ARC Raiders in 2026, and with it comes new content. Along with the new Trophy Display Project and Solo vs Squads Matchmaking Option, a host of new Quests have been added to the game.
One of the first ones you’ll acquire is ‘A Prime Specimen,’ from Shani, the Security Trader. She wants you to go to Blue Gate and investigate an ARC Deforester, but as is common with ARC Raiders Quests, she doesn’t specify exactly where to go, making it easy to get lost.
If you’re looking to complete ‘A Prime Specimen’ and don’t know where to go, then you’re in the right place. This guide will explain how to complete the ARC Raiders Quest, as well as explain where you can find ARC Deforesters.
How To Complete ‘A Prime Specimen’ Quest In ARC Raiders
To complete ‘A Prime Specimen’ in ARC Raiders, you need to head to an ARC Deforester on The Blue Gate map.
Overall, there are three steps to the Quest, and they must all be completed in one round to be successful. The steps are listed below:
- Obtain two ARC Powercells
- Interact with any ARC Deforester
- Loot an ARC Deforester
It sounds fairly simple, but finding an ARC Deforester can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for, as they aren’t marked on the map. Luckily for you, Insider Gaming knows exactly where you need to go, and it’s marked on the image below.
With that location in mind, follow our step-by-step guide to complete ‘A Prime Specimen’ Quest in ARC Raiders:
- Load into The Blue Gate.
- Make your way to the ARC Deforester, which is marked in the image above.
- On your way, acquire two ARC Powercells by either looting First Wave Husks or shooting down Wasps and Hornets.
- Once you’re at the Deforester, interact with it. It will consume one of the ARC Powercells, and fire will begin to flicker.
- Run through the fire when it dies down, and interact again, using the second ARC Powercell.
- Now, you need to exit the ARC and climb up to the platform above.
- You need to run through the fire again and breach the container: This stops the flames and deactivates the Deforester.
- This will complete the Quest, and you’ll be free to extract.
All Rewards For ‘A Prime Specimen’ Quest In ARC Raiders
When you complete ‘A Prime Specimen,’ head back to Speranza, where Shani will reward you with three Door Blockers and a Patrol Car Key.
It might seem underwhelming at first, but for the simplicity of the Quest, it’s actually a deceptively good reward. Whilst the Door Blockers aren’t anything to write home about, the Patrol Car Key definitely is.
This key opens the military cars on The Blue Gate map, and inside each one lies a Weapon Case ripe for the taking. While the likelihood is that you’ll find an Arpeggio or Burietta inside, there’s always the chance that a Bobcat or Volcano could be hidden within—why not take the chance?
What do you think of Headwinds so far? Is there enough content to keep ARC Raiders fresh? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
For more ARC Raiders, check out Insider Gaming’s weapon tier list, as well as the two new Epic Augments.
