Getting Started With Paving the Way
Paving the Way is one of the early quests in Arc Raiders that sends you exploring key locations while dodging Arc units and Raiders. The quest is split into two main parts. First you need to track down an ENELICA building, then you have to dig up some research data hidden in Buried City.
The nice part is that this quest does not require you to extract any items, so you can safely bring a free loadout and focus on getting the objectives done. You can also easily break it into two separate runs if things get too hot on the surface.
There are multiple ENELICA buildings in the game, but the easiest one to use for this quest is found in the Dam Battlegrounds region. You may even visit it naturally while working on another quest called A Toxic Trail, so you can progress both quests at once.
How to Find an ENELICA Building
The quest first asks you to go to any ENELICA building. These are special facilities scattered in a few areas, including Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, and Blue Gate. For Paving the Way the most straightforward option is the Water Treatment Control building in Dam Battlegrounds.
Here is how to complete this stage smoothly:
- Deploy to the Dam Battlegrounds region.
- Look for the Water Treatment Control complex which is marked as an ENELICA building.
- Approach the building from the south side where the main entrance is located.
- As you get close you should see ENELICA written on the wall which confirms you are in the right spot.
Once you arrive at the front entrance the quest updates and asks you to search for a notice board with a note from the researcher. Fortunately this part is very easy if you know where to look.
Stand at the main door facing into the building and check immediately to your right. There is a notice board mounted on the wall. Walk up to it and interact with it to read the note. This simple interaction completes the first half of Paving the Way.
After that the quest tells you your next objective is in Buried City. At this point you are done in Dam Battlegrounds so you can extract whenever it is safe and then prep for the next run.
Finding the Researcher’s Flat in Buried City
The second stage of Paving the Way takes you to Buried City, specifically to a section called Piazza Roma. Your next goal is to reach the top floor above the Convinio and locate the researcher’s flat to recover their data.
If you have played through the Unexpected Initiative quest, you may recognize this area since you likely visited these same buildings before. That past experience can help you move faster, but you still need to know the exact route.
Here is a clear step by step path:
- Deploy to Buried City and make your way to Piazza Roma in the southwest part of the zone.
- Look for the two large apartment buildings in the southern part of Piazza Roma. These tall structures dominate the surrounding skyline.
- Climb to the top floor of either of the buildings. One offers stairs and the other a zipline, so choose whichever route suits your loadout and threat level.
When you reach the rooftops be careful. There is often a rocketeer enemy patrolling this area and walking out into the open without checking can get you deleted fast. Clear or avoid the threat before you continue.
With the roof secure you can start hunting for the researcher’s flat. The quest objective updates to tell you to find the flat and search for research data. The location is still on the top floor but it is slightly hidden behind some scrapwork structures.
Follow these steps from the higher rooftop:
- From the upper of the two connected rooftops, drop down to the slightly lower rooftop nearby.
- On this lower rooftop you will see a makeshift scrap bridge that leads back into the building. Cross this bridge.
- Once inside, move straight through the first room you enter and continue on into the next room.
- In the southeasternmost corner of the building you will find a room filled with computer consoles.
- Look for the console marked with a yellow highlight on your right and interact with it.
Interacting with this marked terminal downloads the research data and completes Paving the Way. After that you are free to extract or continue exploring, depending on your current condition and ammo situation.
What To Do After Paving the Way
With Paving the Way finished you will be a bit more familiar with how Arc Raiders handles exploration quests. These missions often send you to recognizable landmarks like apartment blocks, control centers, and rooftops, then hide the real objective a level or two deeper.
If you enjoyed this quest there are several other objectives and side missions that make use of similar mechanics. Some of the quests you can look into next include:
- Tracking down Field Depots across the surface and looting them safely.
- Locating and opening Field Crates which often require you to understand their special usage rules.
- Story style quests like A Reveal in Ruins or The Root of the Matter that have you searching Buried City for specific interiors and vantage points.
- Combat focused tasks that send you after armored transports and patrol cars for extra loot.
- Experimenting with your build using recommended skills to improve your odds on the surface.
Each quest you complete not only rewards you with gear and resources, it also helps you learn the layout of key regions like Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City. Over time that knowledge makes every future run easier, whether you are chasing specific quest objectives or just grinding for loot with your crew.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/arc-raiders-paving-the-way-enelica-building/
