How to use the Dockmaster's Detector in Arc Raiders
The detector is tied to the Beachcombing map modifier for Riven Tides
The Arc Raiders Dockmaster's Detector is a metal detector tied to the Beachcombing map modifier event on Riven Tides. Finding and using these things isn't hard once you know what's going on, but Arc Raiders never clear about anything and that's just the case here. So, whatever you want to know, I can fully explain the Dockmaster's Metal Detector, and how it ties to the Beachcombing event below. Just be warned that you won't always find something good - there's a risk to digging up treasure here.
How does the Dockmaster's Detector work in Arc Raiders?
To use the Dockmaster's Detector you need to bring it to the Riven Tides map during the Beachcombing map modifier, and do the following:
- Head to the sandy beach areas to the North.
- Equip the Dockmaster's Detector and trigger it, rotating around to check all angles. If there's no light or noise from the detector, move to a different area of the beach.
- Once it makes a noise, hold down the button to keep it running then move around, waving the detector to home in on the signal. The light should flash faster and the beeping get higher as you get closer to what's buried.
- When you find the right spot, the light should turn full green and an interaction icon will come up: Dig.
- Trigger the interaction to dig up a random object from the sand.
You can repeat this process as much as you like across the beach, Just remember that other people can dig things up first (you'll see empty containers left where things were dug up if that's the case). The beach is a large flat area with a range of arc patrolling - mainly Wasps, Hornets and Fireflies, with a few comets and surveyors around the crane areas. I've never seen an Arc Raiders Arc Turbine land on the beach so far, so at least that's not a pressing threat.
Beachcombing rewards in Arc Raiders
While the Beachcombing rewards are just as random as most loot drops in the game, there appear to be four basic options and it seems to be a good source of Arc Raiders Ship Models, especially the higher rarities. Overall I've found the following items and more while digging up loot on the beach:
- Suitcases of random items, resources and ship collectibles
- Arc Ticks that attack the player
- Live mines which explode if you don't hit the 'disarm' prompt quickly
- Single items and resources
How to get a Dockmaster's Detector in Arc Raiders
The Dockmaster's Detector is a common random drop in all containers as well as a reward for certain quests - you'll get one for completing the first stage of the Arc Raiders Avian Alarm project, for example. I found red lockers were especially good for spawning Detectors inside, though I also found them in plenty of other containers, to the point where I had six or seven without much difficulty (not that anybody would need that many).
What to do when the Dockmaster's Detector breaks in Arc Raiders
Eventually the Dockmaster's Detector will break when you use it enough, and you'll see the message 'broken item'. While it's tempting to dump it to make some inventory space for more loot, if you keep it and make it back to Speranza you can repair it. It only costs three batteries to fix it so if you haven't got any spares left you might want to hang on to it to fix up later.
Arc Raiders Waking the Grid: Set up the power supply
Arc Raiders Shoring Up Defenses: Repair the Riven Tides coastline
Arc Raiders Battening Down: Find the oil leak
Arc Raiders Line in the Sand: Explore Buried City and find the key points
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Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.
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