My first useful breakthrough in Phantom Targets came when I stopped treating the Cargo Elevator objective like a normal extraction run. The antenna is not near the doors or the usual control panel; it sits on the roof beside the radar equipment, turning a familiar landmark into a short climbing route under pressure. Raiders preparing several deployments should also review their ARC Raiders BluePrints before leaving base, because the event rewards planning more than improvisation. Part 1 is active through September 6, 2026, and its three stages connect map knowledge, ARC component handling, and precise weapon selection.

The Antenna Route Is a Navigation Test

Stage 1 asks for three antenna upgrades at different Cargo Elevators on Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, or Riven Tides. Find the low industrial extraction structure, climb one of its sloped outer sections, and move toward the rooftop radar assembly. The interaction completes only after the progress bar finishes. Check the project tracker on the map immediately afterward; the antenna may still look usable, but the tracker is the dependable confirmation.

There is no need to complete all three locations during one deployment. I prefer securing the closest elevator first, then judging the second attempt from my health, ammunition, nearby activity, and remaining raid time. A greedy route across the map can turn a simple objective into a dangerous trek through several extraction zones. Splitting the work across multiple runs is often the better progression choice, especially for players still learning the terrain. Stage 1 rewards include Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive), a Heavy Shield, and a Vita Spray, all useful when the event begins demanding more direct combat.

Stage 2 Rewards Careful Component Use

The second stage requires 50 damage from Pop Triggers, 500 from Wasp Drivers, and 1,000 from Leaper Pulse Units against ARC enemies. Put each component into a quick-use slot before entering the fight. Pop Triggers are straightforward, but similar items such as Fireball Burners do not count. Wasp Drivers need to be thrown and then shot to activate their blast, while Leaper Pulse Units have a delay that makes target positioning important.

Large ARC targets are usually the best damage partners because they survive long enough to absorb the full effect. Throwing rare components at a nearly destroyed enemy wastes both loot and time. Give each device room to work, watch the result, and only repeat the action when the target can take another hit. Water Treatment areas on Dam Battlegrounds can be a practical place to seek Pop-related encounters. Completing this stage awards 50 Raider Tokens plus the Aphelion, Dolabra, and Jupiter, creating a useful bridge into the next set of requirements.

Build the Final Loadout Around Damage Types

Stage 3 combines three different combat jobs: deal 1,500 fire damage, destroy three Bastions, Leapers, Vaporizers, or Rocketeers with qualifying energy weapons, and eliminate 20 flying ARC units with launcher ammunition. Blaze Grenades, Fireball Burners, Firefly Burners, and Flame Spray can support the fire portion. Keep enemies inside the affected area whenever possible, since durable ground targets usually provide a better damage window than fast airborne units.

For the destruction objective, Aphelion, Dolabra, Jupiter, and Equalizer are suitable energy choices. Make sure the correct weapon delivers the finishing damage rather than merely contributing earlier DPS. For flying targets, Hullcracker and Rascal are practical options, with Wasps often offering the most manageable encounters. There is no reason to force all 20 eliminations into one raid; carry the right ammunition during normal deployments and collect safe progress whenever the opportunity appears.

Why the Event Feels Better With a Staged Plan

Phantom Targets rewards Raiders who assign every item a purpose before deployment. Finish the rooftop work with a light loadout, collect the three ARC components during Stage 2, retain useful fire items, and keep the energy weapons for the heavy-target requirement. The event becomes less frustrating once each run has a narrow objective instead of an overloaded checklist. Players who need a smoother preparation path can compare options before choosing to buy ARC Raiders Bp, then return to the map with a clear loadout and enough time to verify every milestone.

Phantom Targets can get messy fast, especially when three Cargo Elevator antennas, tricky ARC components and different damage types are all on your list. U4GM keeps the planning side simple with handy Arc Raiders item info at https://www.u4gm.com/arc-raiders/items so you can sort your loadout, save time in raid and focus on the fights that actually move Part 1 forward.