Let me tell you something – after spending countless hours diving into ARC Raiders’ latest Headwinds update, the On Deaf Ears quest has become one of my absolute favorite challenges. This Stella Montis adventure isn’t just another fetch quest; it’s a thrilling test of your navigation skills, combat readiness, and strategic thinking that’ll reward you handsomely if you know what you’re doing.
The On Deaf Ears quest is part of the Headwinds update that dropped recently, and it’s given by Lance, one of the key traders in Speranza. This quest sends you to the notoriously dangerous Stella Montis map – a snow-draped research facility that’s become a hotbed for both ARC machines and rival raiders. Your mission? Track down a mysterious researcher’s data by interacting with computers and collecting printed logs across four different locations.
What makes this quest special is that it’s not just about following waypoints – it’s about surviving one of the most hostile environments in ARC Raiders while piecing together a larger story about what happened at this isolated facility.
Honestly, there’s something incredibly satisfying about navigating Stella Montis. I remember my first time attempting this quest – I went in cocky with my best gear, got absolutely wrecked by a squad camping the Medical Research area, and lost everything. But that’s the beauty of it. Each attempt teaches you something new about map layouts, player behaviors, and the importance of tactical positioning.
The quest design is brilliant because it forces you to explore different POIs (Points of Interest) that you might otherwise skip. You’ll discover hidden loot rooms, learn the fastest routes between locations, and develop that sixth sense for when other players are nearby. Plus, the rewards are actually worth the effort – we’ll get to those in a bit.
First things first – spawn into Stella Montis and head straight for the Lobby POI. You’ll want to look for the Reception area near the Security Bridge on the fourth floor. There’s a bank of computers here, and you’ll see one with the “Send Data to Lance” prompt.
Pro tip: I always recommend doing this quest with a Free Loadout initially. Since you don’t need to extract with anything valuable, there’s no point risking your best gear while you learn the routes.
Once you interact with the computer, Lance will update your objectives. Take a moment to scan the area – this is usually a relatively safe spot, but I’ve learned the hard way that safety is never guaranteed in ARC Raiders.
This is where things get interesting. From the Reception area, head straight through the Business Center and look for stairs leading up. The Auditorium is located between the Lobby and Cultural Archives POIs. You’ll find another computer terminal here – it’s usually near the back wall of the lecture hall.
Navigation hack: Instead of taking the main door (which is often watched by camping players), I’ve found a side entrance that’s less trafficked. Go through the Lobby, head upstairs, and enter through the checkpoint there. Much safer approach.
The computer here will have the same “Send Data to Lance” prompt. After this, you’re halfway through the quest, and this is where I usually take a break to either extract or push forward depending on how the round is going.
Now we’re heading to the other side of the map. Medical Research is easily one of the most contested areas in Stella Montis, so this step requires extra caution. I recommend approaching from the North Wing entrance – it’s less obvious than the main approaches.
Inside Medical Research, you’ll find several computer terminals. Any of them will work for this objective, but I usually go for the one in the central chamber of the first platform room. It’s relatively defensible if you need to hold your position for a moment.
Combat strategy: Keep your shotgun ready. Most encounters in Medical Research happen at close range, and the tight corridors favor weapons with high close-quarters damage. I’ve had great success with the Stitcher or Bobcat here.
The final objective takes us to the Assembly Workshops, located north of Medical Research. This is where things can get buggy, so pay close attention. You’ll need to go upstairs in the Assembly Workshops and look for a cardboard box on top of a desk.
Critical bug warning: Many players (myself included) have encountered a bug where searching the box resets the animation without completing the objective. If this happens, you need to extract successfully and try again. Don’t get knocked out or surrender – extract cleanly to reset the bug properly.
Once you successfully search the box, the quest is complete! Head back to Speranza and talk to Lance for your rewards.
After dozens of runs through this quest, I’ve picked up some strategies that’ll save you a lot of frustration:
Timing is everything: I’ve found that completing this quest during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) significantly reduces the chance of running into full squads. The quest objectives persist between rounds, so there’s no rush.
Sound discipline: Stella Montis has excellent acoustics. I always turn on the Night Mode audio setting and listen carefully for footsteps, door sounds, and distant gunfire. Knowing where other players are before they know where you are is half the battle.
Route optimization: Learn the shortcuts! There’s a maintenance tunnel between Lobby and Medical Research that cuts your travel time by nearly half. It’s risky but worth it if you’re confident in your combat skills.
Free Loadout strategy: Since you don’t need to extract with anything, I recommend running a lightweight setup focused on mobility. A good SMG plus a shotgun, minimal armor, and plenty of healing items. You’ll be faster and more agile than players carrying heavy gear.
Once you complete On Deaf Ears, Lance hooks you up with some seriously useful rewards:
What makes these rewards particularly valuable is that they’re all consumables that can give you a tactical edge in future raids. The Lure Grenades alone have saved my skin multiple times when I needed to extract under pressure.
Based on my experience, here’s my optimal loadout for On Deaf Ears:
Primary Weapon: Stitcher SMG or Bobcat shotgun – both excel in the close-quarters combat you’ll encounter Secondary: A reliable pistol with good accuracy for medium-range encounters Tactical: Noisemakers and healing items – you’ll want to create distractions and sustain yourself Armor: Light to medium – prioritize mobility over heavy protection
The key is balancing combat effectiveness with mobility. You’ll be doing a lot of running between objectives, and being able to quickly reposition is often more valuable than extra armor.
Nope! One of the best things about this quest is that your progress saves between rounds. I usually tackle 1-2 objectives per run depending on how the match is going.
Absolutely! In fact, I prefer running it solo. You’re quieter, more mobile, and less likely to attract attention. Just be extra cautious and use sound to your advantage.
Since you should be running a Free Loadout, there’s no penalty for death other than losing your current round’s progress. Your quest objectives remain completed.
As of the latest patch, the bug can still occur. The workaround is to extract cleanly if it happens, then retry the final objective in a new match.
Definitely! The consumables alone are valuable for future raids, and the Navy Blue color is a nice cosmetic bonus that’s actually pretty rare.
The On Deaf Ears quest represents everything I love about ARC Raiders – it’s challenging, rewarding, and teaches you valuable skills that transfer to all other aspects of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned raider or just starting out, this quest offers something for everyone.
What I appreciate most is how it encourages exploration of Stella Montis, a map that many players tend to avoid due to its difficulty. By the time you complete this quest, you’ll have intimate knowledge of the map’s layout, common player routes, and the best loot spots – knowledge that will serve you well in all future raids.
So grab your gear, head to Stella Montis, and give On Deaf Ears a shot. Trust me, the rewards are worth the challenge, and the experience you’ll gain is priceless. Happy raiding!
