If you’re struggling with the Open ARC Probes Trial in ARC Raiders, I’ve got your back. After spending countless hours perfecting my strategy and analyzing what top players are doing, I’m ready to share everything that works. This trial might seem intimidating at first, but trust me—it’s one of the easiest ways to snag those sweet 3-star rewards once you know what you’re doing.
The Open ARC Probes Trial is one of the weekly challenges in ARC Raiders that tests your exploration and looting skills. Unlike combat-focused trials, this one rewards you for finding and searching ARC Probes scattered across the map. Each probe you search nets you points toward your trial score, with 4000 points needed for that coveted 3-star reward.
What makes this trial special is that you don’t even need to be the first one to breach a probe. If another raider has already opened it, you can still search it and get full points. This game-changing detail means you’re never competing for probe spawns—just exploring efficiently.
Honestly, the Open ARC Probes Trial has become my favorite weekly challenge. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the hunt—scanning the horizon for those telltale black smoke plumes, listening for the distinctive beeping sounds, and methodically clearing areas for maximum points.
Unlike some trials that force you into risky combat situations, this one lets you play smart and strategic. I’ve completed it successfully dozens of times without firing a single shot, focusing purely on exploration and map knowledge. Plus, the loot you get from probes can be absolutely game-changing, especially when you stumble upon a high-tier courier during an Electromagnetic Storm.
Spaceport and The Blue Gate are your go-to maps for this trial. Both offer vast open areas with excellent visibility, making it easy to spot those black smoke columns from a distance. However, if you want to maximize your efficiency, timing is everything.
The Electromagnetic Storm event is your golden ticket. Not only does it give you a 2x score modifier, but it dramatically increases probe spawns. During storms, probes drop in clusters of three, turning a decent run into an absolute point bonanza. I’ve seen players pull over 60,000 points in a single storm run when working as a coordinated team.
Here’s my tried-and-tested loadout that works whether you’re going solo or with a team:
This setup gives you the mobility to cover ground quickly while maintaining enough firepower to handle any ARC threats you encounter. The Anvil IV is particularly effective for taking out medium-sized ARC that might guard probe locations.
Finding probes comes down to mastering two key indicators:
Visual: Look for thick black smoke columns rising from the ground. These are visible from impressive distances, especially on open maps like Spaceport. Probes appear as missile-like structures either lodged upright or crashed on their sides.
Audio: Probes emit a distinctive beeping sound that gets louder as you approach. I always play with headphones turned up—the audio cue is often how I find probes that are hidden behind terrain or buildings.
When I’m running solo, I follow this efficient route on Spaceport during Electromagnetic Storms:
This route typically nets me 3-4 probe clusters, easily hitting the 4000-point threshold for 3-star rewards. The key is moving efficiently and not getting sidetracked by minor loot opportunities.
Playing in a duo or trio completely changes the game. Here’s how we maximize our points:
Duo Strategy: Split the map vertically. One player takes the northern section while the other handles the south. Stay in voice chat and call out probe locations to avoid overlap.
Trio Strategy: Divide the map into three lanes. This coverage is insane—you’ll barely miss any spawns. My trio once cleared 12 probes in a single storm event, pushing our scores past 50,000 points each.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to team up with other raiders you encounter doing the same trial. Most players are friendly during probe trials since there’s no direct competition for spawns.
While there aren’t specific codes for the Open ARC Probes Trial, completing it with 3 stars guarantees an Epic-tier item from the weekly reward pool. These can include weapons, gear, or valuable crafting materials that significantly boost your progression.
The trial also contributes to your overall Trials Rank, helping you climb the leaderboards and unlock additional seasonal rewards. I’ve found that consistently completing probe trials is one of the most efficient ways to rank up each week.
As of the current season, the Open ARC Probes Trial has received some quality-of-life improvements:
These changes have made the trial significantly more accessible, especially for solo players who previously struggled with spawn rates.
After completing this trial dozens of times, I’ve picked up some advanced strategies that most players miss:
Timing Is Everything: Don’t just jump into any Spaceport match. Check the event timer and wait for Electromagnetic Storm. The 2x modifier combined with increased spawns makes it worth the wait.
Height Advantage: Use high ground to scan for smoke columns. The rooftops of Departure and Arrival buildings on Spaceport offer unparalleled visibility.
Probe Types Matter: Upright probes that airdrop during matches count just as much as crashed ones. Keep your eyes on the sky during storms—I’ve spotted probes mid-descent that other players missed.
Extraction Planning: Always know your nearest extraction point. Once you hit 4000 points, don’t get greedy—extract safely with your 3-star reward secured.
Sound Management: The beeping from probes can attract unwanted ARC attention. Clear the area quickly after searching a probe to avoid getting overwhelmed.
No! You just need to search the probe, even if someone else breached it first. This makes the trial much more cooperative than competitive.
You need 4000 points for the 3-star reward. Each probe gives 1334 points during 2x modifier events, so technically you only need to search 3 probes.
While you can do it on most maps, Spaceport and The Blue Gate are by far the best due to their open layouts and high probe spawn rates.
Yes! Any probe, whether crashed or upright, counts toward your trial progress as long as you search it.
Absolutely! It’s one of the most beginner-friendly trials since it focuses on exploration rather than combat skills.
The Open ARC Probes Trial represents everything I love about ARC Raiders—exploration, strategy, and rewarding gameplay that doesn’t force you into constant combat. Whether you’re a seasoned raider or just starting out, mastering this trial will significantly boost your weekly rewards and overall progression.
Remember to time your runs with Electromagnetic Storms, stick to Spaceport or The Blue Gate, and don’t be afraid to team up with other players. With these strategies, you’ll be acing this trial consistently and building up quite the collection of epic rewards.
Got any probe-finding tips I missed? Drop them in the comments below—I’m always looking to optimize my routes and strategies!
