[ARC Raiders]Unexpected Initiative Complete Strategy Guide | Thorough explanation of where to get fertilizer and water pumps in the buried city, optimal routes, and tips for clearing high difficulty levels

ARC Raiders is a PvPvE cooperative survival shooter where you compete with other raiders in a collapsed future world, collect resources, and survive in Speranza's stronghold. The appeal of this game lies in its intense raid exploration and quest system. In particular, “Unexpected Initiative'', which can be ordered from Tian Wen, is known as a highly difficult quest set on a buried city map. This quest requires you to obtain two specific items within one round and escape safely. If you fail, you will lose the item and be forced to try again, so systematic preparation and execution are essential.

This guide covers step-by-step routes, enemy countermeasures, alternate paths, and escape strategies for beginners and experts alike. It is summarized with original expressions based on verification of actual play. Proper nouns such as Grandioso Apartments and Piazza Roma are used thoroughly, and all information is described in detail.

1. Unexpected Initiative Overview and Clearing Rewards

“Unexpected Initiative” is a mission that belongs to Tian Wen's questline and can be ordered from the Speranza Trader Area. The core of this quest is to collect “Fertilizer” and “Water Pump” from two locations on the Buried City map and deliver them to Tian Wen within one round. The map is a vast area modeled after an Italian-style ruined city, and the key is vertical movement using zip lines and stairs. Due to the high difficulty level, there is a high risk of encountering other raiders, so it is recommended to focus on stealth and minimize combat.

Main features of the quest

• Difficulty: High (1 round limit, rooftop access, high raider traffic)
• Recommended number of players: Solo is possible, but parties of 2-3 are recommended (securing the role of decoy)
• Duration: 10-15 minutes on optimal route (without combat)
• Risk of failure: Items will drop when you die and the quest will be reset.

Clear reward list

reward item	Number of pieces	Detailed explanation
Il Toro I	1	A shotgun with extremely high damage. Demonstrates unparalleled strength in close combat and plays an active role in advanced raids. Recoil control is the key.
shotgun ammunition	40	It is ready-to-use as a medium-sized ammunition. Ideal for replenishing bullets for Il Toro I.
Shotgun Choke II	1	A module that improves shotgun accuracy and damage. Increases the concentration of shotguns and enables long-distance response.

After clearing it, Tian Wen's trust level will increase and the next quest “Symbol of Unity” will be unlocked. This is a high-priority quest because you can obtain even more powerful equipment through this chain. The reward, Il Toro I, is especially useful in close quarters battles in Buried City, where it can wipe out small ARCs such as Wasp and Hornet.

2. Quest order conditions and how to start

Prerequisites must be met to accept the quest. Please thoroughly check in advance to avoid unnecessary raids.

Prerequisite quest

• Industrial Espionage: Required. In Tian Wen's initial quest, complete the espionage mission in the factory area.
• Echoes of Victory Ridge: Mentioned in some places. Please proceed with the Celeste related quest line.

The quest will automatically appear when you talk to Tian Wen in the Speranza trader area. After accepting the order, select your loadout and select Buried City. Avoid map conditions (night raids, electromagnetic storms) as this will increase the difficulty level.

Checklist before you start

1. Talk to Tian Wen in Speranza and confirm the quest.
2. Equip 2 Safety Pocket Augments in the Workshop (for holding items).
3. Empty your inventory, prioritize light armor and fast movement.
4. Divide roles among party members (one person to explore, one person to guard).

If you neglect these, you will lose everything if you die after obtaining the item. Please allow less than 5 minutes from placing your order to starting the raid to avoid crowds.

3. Recommended level/equipment/augments

Level 10 or higher is recommended. Buried City is an intermediate map and has a high density of ARCs.

Recommended level and status

• Level: 12-15 (solo), 10-12 (party)
• Health: 150 or more (including shield)
• Stamina: Max (for rooftop climbing)

Optimal equipment example

slot	Item example	reason
primary	Rattler III	Excellent for medium-range sweeping and has good ammo efficiency.
secondary	Il Toro I (alternative)	It is for close combat, but if you don't have it yet, use Vulcano III.
Throwing	Smoke grenade x3	Effective for blocking visibility when escaping.
tool	Zipline kit x3	Required for rooftop access.

Required Augment

• Safety pocket x 2: Holds fertilizer and water pump in case of death. Be sure to equip it.
• Stamina regeneration: Supports continuous climbing.
• Shield Recharger: Improves survivability.

You can reduce equipment costs and challenge with free loadouts. Try to procure ammunition locally.

4. Complete explanation of the hidden city map and route planning

Buried City is a map featuring abandoned apartment complexes and plazas. Piazza Roma is in the center and Grandioso Apartments is to the southwest. The zipline network is well developed and vertical movement is fast.

Map main points

• Grandioso Apartment: Western residential area. There is a lot of loot, but there are many raiders.
• Piazza Roma: Northeast of the central square. There is less traffic.
• Escape points: Multiple metro stations. We recommend the south side.

Optimal route planning

1. Start → Grandioso Apartment (get fertilizer, 5 minutes).
2. Move northeast → Piazza Roma (water pump, 3 minutes).
3. South Metro escape (within 7 minutes).

As an alternative, there is a method of immediately escaping after fertilizing and using a water pump for re-raid, but this is risky. When in a party, use decoys to attract enemies.

5. Detailed guide to obtaining fertilizer in Grandioso Apartments

Grandioso Apartments is located in the southwest part of the map. Go straight on the zip line from the starting position.

Detailed steps

1. Arrival: South entrance of the building. Avoid the internal elevator and take the zipline to the middle level.
2. Rooftop access: Climb the stairs to the right from the inner zipline (30 seconds).
3. Fertilizer gimmick: Approach the orange flower pot and interact with it to make fertilizer appear. Pick it up instantly and store it in your safety pocket.
   Location: On the left end of the roof, next to the bucket by the fence.

Enemies and countermeasures

• Wasp/Hornet: There are 5-10. Get away with the smoke.
• Raider: Appears with high probability. Detect it by sound and prioritize avoidance.

Leave immediately after getting it. The five seconds of being defenseless in front of a flowerpot are especially dangerous. If you are in a party, one person should be on guard against surprise attacks.

6. Detailed guide to acquiring water pumps in Piazza Roma

After getting the fertilizer, move northeast for about 1 minute. Aim for the building on the south side of Piazza Roma.

Detailed steps

1. Arrival: It is a low-rise building on the south side of the square.
2. Rooftop access: via yellow ladder or internal walkway with zip line.
3. Water Pump Gimmick: Interact with the machine in the corner of the broken garden, between the large planters. The pump will fall, so pick it up and store it in your safety pocket.
   Location: Between the two rows of clay pipes.

Enemies and countermeasures

• Small ARC: Few in number. You can respond by stealth.
• Raider: The probability of appearance is low, but they are targeted at high places.

You can move quickly using ladders. When you are unprotected in the garden, please be aware of your surroundings 360 degrees.

7. Escape strategy and tips to avoid failure

After getting the items, head to the South Metro Station. Use the zipline continuously.

Escape procedure

1. Check 2 items in your inventory.
2. Deploy a smoke grenade and rush into the station.
3. Select an active station and escape.

Tips for avoiding failure (20 items)

1. Always monitor the minimap.
2. Make sure to crouch to muffle the footsteps.
3. Prioritize routes that avoid combat.
4. Thorough party communication.
5. Skip during electromagnetic storm.
6. Avoid night attacks and choose daytime maps.
7. Safety pockets are a must.
8. Manage your stamina.
9. Ammunition will be replenished locally.
10. Utilize decoy tactics.
11. Descends immediately from high places.
12. Metro will secure multiple candidates.
13. Immediately relog when you die.
14. Verify with recording.
15. Use low-cost equipment.
16. Avoid crowded servers.
17. Update your augments.
18. Always check your quest track.
19. Deliver it correctly to Tian Wen.
20. Consider selling the reward immediately.

This will give you a success rate of over 95%.

8. Summary: Benefits gained from this quest and what to do next

If you clear “Unexpected Initiative”, you can get Il Toro I and your firepower will increase dramatically. Tian Wenlein will progress and Speranza will be further strengthened. By familiarizing yourself with the buried city, the efficiency of other quests will also increase. Next, move on to “Symbol of Unity.” Take on challenges in a planned manner and aim to become the strongest raider. Please use this guide to ensure clear results.