The Cargo Elevator stage of the Phantom Targets Project is one of those ARC Raiders missions that can waste a lot of time if you misunderstand the objective. Players working on ARC Raiders BluePrints may initially assume they need to treat the elevators like normal extraction points, but the actual task is much simpler. You need to upgrade the communication antennas mounted above three different Cargo Elevators.

The mission rewards the Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive) augment, a heavy shield, and Vita Spray, so it is worth finishing even if your main focus is collecting ARC Raiders BluePrints, materials, or other useful loot. The trick is to approach the mission as a short navigation challenge rather than a combat assignment.

Dam Battlegrounds Is The Best Starting Point

There are Cargo Elevators on several maps, including Dam Battlegrounds and Riven Tide Spaceport. Both can be used for the mission, but Dam Battlegrounds is particularly convenient because several elevator locations can be connected during the same deployment.

The Central Swamp Lift, Water Treatment Elevator, and Xfells are the main locations worth remembering. You do not have to complete all three in one raid, but knowing where they are gives you more options when planning your route.

Riven Tide Spaceport is still a useful alternative. If you know the port well, its extraction elevators can provide another straightforward way to work on the mission.

Look Above The Extraction Point

The most important detail is that the antenna is not sitting next to the normal extraction interaction.

When you reach a Cargo Elevator, look at the structure itself. Search for diagonal metal beams, sloping supports, or ladders that can be used to climb upward. Follow the structure until you reach the upper area.

The antenna is mounted near the top. You need to get close enough for the interaction prompt to appear.

This is also why the mission can feel confusing during the first attempt. A player who arrives at the elevator and sees the extraction prompt may assume the location is not related to the quest. In reality, the objective is simply positioned higher up.

Watch For The Progress Bug

Once you reach the antenna, hold the interaction key. PC players using the default controls should use E.

There is a known visual issue that can make the interaction look as if it has stopped working. The progress bar may freeze, or the animation may fail to finish normally.

Do not immediately climb back down and try again. First, check your quest progress. The upgrade may already have been recorded in the background.

This is a small detail, but it can save a surprising amount of time. If the counter has moved forward, you are done with that antenna regardless of whether the visual effect looked perfect.

Keep Your Gear Cheap

A major advantage of this mission is that you do not need to build around combat. Your priority is reaching the elevator, climbing the structure, and interacting with the antenna.

For that reason, a free loadout is perfectly reasonable. You can even enter with a very basic setup if you are comfortable doing so.

This is especially useful when completing the mission through several separate raids. There is no reason to risk an expensive weapon or valuable equipment just to climb an elevator and press an interaction button.

Of course, other Raiders can still make the objective dangerous. Listen for nearby movement and avoid making unnecessary noise when approaching an elevator.

Progress Does Not Require Extraction

The fastest strategy is based on one important mechanic: antenna progress saves when the interaction is completed.

You do not need to successfully extract from that Cargo Elevator afterward. Once the counter confirms the upgrade, you can leave the raid however you choose.

Some players can use this to speed up the entire mission. Enter with a basic loadout, reach an elevator, upgrade the antenna, confirm the progress, and then surrender. Queue again and target the next location.

This approach may feel unusual compared with normal ARC Raiders gameplay, but it makes sense when the only goal is completing the Phantom Targets objective.

Try A Three-Stop Route

If you would rather stay in the same raid, Dam Battlegrounds offers a practical opportunity to chain several objectives.

Start at the Central Swamp Lift and move toward the Water Treatment Elevator. If conditions are favorable, continue toward another Cargo Elevator and complete the third upgrade before extracting.

The key is flexibility. Other players may already be fighting around one of the elevators, and an exposed climb is not the best place to start a confrontation. If the area is too busy, leave and complete the next antenna in another raid.

Once all three upgrades are registered, the Cargo Elevator portion of the Phantom Targets Project is complete. From there, you can continue with the rest of the project and make use of the rewards rather than spending another raid searching for objectives that you have already finished.

For players considering ARC Coins as part of their broader progression plans, efficient missions like this are a good reminder to avoid wasting valuable resources. A low-cost loadout and a planned route can accomplish the objective without putting expensive gear at unnecessary risk.

The Cargo Elevator Missions are ultimately about knowing where to look and understanding what the game counts as progress. Climb the structure instead of extracting, interact with the antenna, verify the quest counter, and move on. Once those steps become familiar, this part of the Phantom Targets Project becomes a quick and manageable task.