Arc Raiders Digging Up Dirt Quest Guide: Find the Santa Maria Houses Dead Drop (2025)

November 10 , 2025Author | Sywyw

Arc Raiders' "Digging Up Dirt" quest sends players on a stealthy reconnaissance mission through the ruins of Buried City, tasking them with retrieving critical intelligence from a hidden dead drop. While the objective seems straightforward, navigating the Santa Maria Houses and avoiding enemy patrols can prove tricky for new and veteran raiders alike. This step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to complete the quest efficiently, from preparation to extraction.

Quest Overview: What You Need to Know

Initiated by Celeste at the Base Camp, "Digging Up Dirt" targets a secret dead drop left by Tubes Management operatives in the Santa Maria Houses—a residential zone in Buried City's Old Town . The mission blends exploration and tactical combat, requiring players to locate the hidden cache while evading or eliminating Arc enemies and rival raiders. Unlike extraction-focused quests, you won't need to escape with the loot to earn credit, but proper planning still prevents unnecessary gear loss .

Key rewards for completion include:

· 4x Speaker Components (vital for crafting communication devices)

· 2x Advanced Electrical Components (used in high-tier weapon modifications)

These materials are particularly valuable for early-to-mid game progression, making this quest a priority for players upgrading their loadouts .

Pre-Quest Preparation: Gear & Strategy

Before heading to Old Town, optimize your loadout to balance mobility and survivability:

· Equipment Choice: Use a free loadout to avoid losing rare gear if you die—enemy patrols and rival raiders pose significant risks . Equip a close-range weapon like a shotgun or SMG for indoor encounters, and bring a throwable utility (e.g., flashbangs) to disorient foes.

· Stealth Focus: The Santa Maria Houses are guarded by small Arc patrols and occasional Tubes Management operatives. Prioritize stealth over direct combat to conserve resources—use cover and elevation to bypass enemies when possible .

· Map Marking: Activate the quest waypoint immediately after speaking to Celeste. The Santa Maria Houses are clearly marked on your map, located northwest of Main Street in Old Town, identifiable by their distinctive old-world architecture and a prominent bell tower .

Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Locating the Dead Drop

1. Navigate to Santa Maria Houses

From Base Camp, fast-travel to the Old Town checkpoint or traverse the Buried City terrain. Keep an eye on your minimap to avoid wandering into high-danger zones. The Santa Maria Houses are bordered by major streets, and the bell tower landmark is visible from miles away—use it to orient yourself .

2. Access the Restricted Courtyard

The main entrance to the housing complex is often blocked by debris, so take the alternate route:

· Circle around the eastern side of the building to find a climbable section of the roof.

· Enter through the open attic window (marked by broken glass and exposed rafters) .

· Inside the attic, use the zipline to descend to the second floor—this avoids ground-floor patrols entirely .

3. Clear or Evade Enemies

As you navigate the linear interior, watch for Arc drones and Tubes Management scouts. These enemies patrol in tight groups, so:

· Use doorways and collapsed walls for cover.

· Eliminate isolated foes first to avoid alerting the entire group .

· If detected, fall back to the zipline area—its elevated position gives you a tactical advantage .

4. Find the Hidden Dead Drop

Proceed to the ground-floor courtyard, a large open space covered in sand and scattered with crates. The dead drop—a small metallic case—rests in the center of the courtyard, often partially hidden under a toppled statue or broken pillar . Look for the glowing interaction prompt, then press (E) to retrieve the intelligence.

5. Extract Safely (Optional but Recommended)

While quest completion doesn't require extraction, lingering increases your risk of encountering late-game Arc swarms or rival raiders. The nearest extraction points are:

· Southern Station (5-minute walk southeast)

· Eastern Station (7-minute walk northeast)

Prioritize the Southern Station for faster evacuation, and loot surrounding crates before leaving—they frequently contain extra crafting materials like metal components .