The Sheltered Retreat project, introduced in ARC Raiders’ big new update, kicks off your topside base building, and the very first hurdle on the checklist—Research Topside Living Conditions—demands a photo of a farmland house around the Ruined Homestead. Because the landmark label only appears when you zoom in close enough on the map, it can be hard to find and might confuse you. Here’s the exact location of Ruined Homestead, along with how to gear up so you do not drop into the raid empty-handed.
How to Get a Camera in ARC Raiders
Gone are the days when you can take a photo in ARC Raiders by holding down an interact prompt on an objective marker. Cameras are now physical items in your inventory, so free recruit loadouts will not cut it for photo gigs. You can obtain a camera through one of these ways before launching topside:
- Craft it at Workbench: Costs 8 Plastic Parts and 1 Wire. You can buy wires from Celeste in Speranza if your stash is bone dry.
- Buy it from Shani: Sells for around 1,900 Coins.
- Claim it from Quests / Passes: Accepting the quest Sizing Things Up gives you a camera immediately. It is also available early on Level 2 of the free Frozen Trail pass.
Tip: Place the camera into your Safe Pocket so even if you get ambushed by ARCs or opponent raiders camping the extracts, you will not lose your gear.
ARC Raiders Ruined Homestead Location
You can find the Ruined Homestead in the southern sector of The Blue Gate map, just southeast of Olive Grove (the usual gathering spot for lemons and olives) and northwest of Ancient Fort. Move south toward the Olive Grove flats, and the Homestead is right along the trail flanked by damaged brick buildings, stone walls, and overgrown farmland plots.
Take a Photo of a Farmland House
Once you arrive at the Ruined Homestead:
- Open your inventory and move the camera from your Safe Pocket or backpack into an open Quick Use slot (or pull it up via your quick wheel).
- Equip the camera.
- Aim down sights (Right Mouse Button / Left Trigger) and frame any of the farm structures or buildings into your viewfinder.
- Press the fire button (Left Mouse Button / Right Trigger) to take the picture.
The challenge banner will pop up immediately confirming the objective is checked off, though you don’t need to extract with the photo. Take down any roaming ARC bots, head to the nearest raider hatch to extract to Speranza to claim your rewards, which include the Advanced Camera Blueprint needed for subsequent Outpost building steps, and unlock the next phase: collecting building materials to assemble your base.
