Both components must be in your inventory when you return to ARC Raiders Coins Tian Wen. Losing them means resetting your progress, forcing you to re-loot the items from scratch.

Completing the Quest

Once you've photographed the Rover, collected the checkpoint documents, and secured both the Flow Controller and Magnetron, return to Tian Wen in Speranza. Turning everything in completes Snap and Salvage and opens the door to more of Tian's quests as you continue uncovering the mysteries of Stella Montis.

ARC Raiders: How to Complete the Unexpected Initiative Quest
The Unexpected Initiative quest in ARC Raiders takes players into the shifting ruins of the Buried City and tasks them with recovering two essential items: Fertilizer and a Water Pump. Although the objectives are straightforward, both items are located in different areas of the map, and you'll need to reach each one within the same raid for the quest to register properly. Fortunately, the two locations are close enough that you can complete the mission in a single, efficient route-provided you know exactly where to go.

This guide will walk you step-by-step through locating the Fertilizer and Water Pump, navigating the safest routes, and extracting with your quest ARC Raiders Items intact. Whether you're approaching the mission solo or running with a squad, this walkthrough ensures a smooth and successful completion of the Unexpected Initiative quest.

Before You Begin - Essential Prep

Although you can technically turn in Fertilizer and Water Pump items from your stash, the game still requires you to physically loot both items during one Buried City raid for the quest objectives to update. That means you must:

Visit both locations

Interact with each item

Extract safely afterward

To avoid losing either component to a rogue raider or unlucky encounter, it's highly recommended to bring:

An augment with two safe pockets - so you can secure both quest items

A mid-range weapon - Buried City encounters frequently occur between buildings

Healing Items - the route can be contested by other players

Once you're geared up, head into Buried City and begin your run toward the first objective.

Where to Find the Fertilizer - Grandioso Apartments

Your first destination is the Grandioso Apartments, a major point of interest on the western side of the Buried City. This towering residential complex is popular among raiders due to its solid loot drops, which means the area is often contested. Move cautiously and check corners as you navigate the grounds.

Finding the Entrance

Grandioso Apartments features multiple access points, but the most efficient route to the Fertilizer is:

Approach the building's lower courtyard.

Look for the inner zipline located near the entry area.

Ride the zipline upward to reach the top floor interior walkway.

From there, climb the nearby staircase up to the roof.

Locating the Fertilizer

Once on the roof, look for several orange planting pots grouped together. The Fertilizer is located inside these pots.

Interact with the pot

Collect the Fertilizer

Immediately place it into a safe pocket to protect it

With the first objective complete, it's time to travel to the second location. Luckily, it's not far from here.

Where to Find the Water Pump - Broken Rooftop Gardens at Piazza Roma

The next stop is Piazza Roma, located a short distance northeast of Grandioso Apartments. This section of Buried City features multiple tall structures, but the one you're looking for has a distinct rooftop garden space where the Water Pump is located.

Compared to Grandioso, Piazza Roma sees less raider traffic, which gives you a more relaxed window to complete the objective-though it's still wise to stay alert.

Finding the Correct Building

When you reach Piazza Roma, identify the building shown in the original quest screenshot or map marker. It is recognizable by:

A garden rooftop

Clustered planters

A clear path to a higher ledge

Climbing to the Rooftop

The most efficient way to reach the Water Pump is via:

A yellow ladder is located between the target building and the structure beside it

This ladder climbs multiple levels and takes you directly to the roof. You can traverse the building internally, but the ladder is significantly faster and safer.

Locating the Water Pump

Once on the roof:

Head toward the corner with the large planters

Look for a small, box-like machine connected to pipes

Interact with it to loot the Water Pump

Stow this item in your second safe pocket before preparing to extract.

Extracting Safely After Collecting Both Items

With both quest ARCR Items secured, you only have one task remaining: escape Buried City in one piece.

Choosing the Best Extraction Route

Depending on your position after looting Piazza Roma, the closest active metro stations may include:

The western station near Grandioso

The central Buried City station

The northeastern access station

Check the map for which stations are currently open. Prioritize routes with:

High cover density

Multiple escape paths

Low expected raider traffic

Move quickly but carefully. Buried City is notorious for ambushes near train platforms.

Securing Your Extraction

Once you reach an active station:

Activate the metro console

Take cover until the train arrives

Board quickly and interact with the onboard extraction terminal

If you placed the Fertilizer and Water Pump in safe pockets, even an end-of-run ambush shouldn't ruin your progress.

Turning In the Quest

Return to Speranza and speak with the quest giver to buy ARC Raiders Coins finish Unexpected Initiative. Completing this mission advances you further into the Buried City questline and unlocks additional objectives tied to its world-building and faction developments.