Mastering Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells in ARC Raiders

The Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells contract in ARC Raiders can be confusing the first time you encounter it, mainly because the objective description is brief and the game does not clearly mark every step. Understanding how Bastion Cells spawn, where to look for them, and what to expect from the enemy presence goes a long way toward turning this contract from a frustrating time sink into a reliable source of currency and loot. This guide breaks the task into clear stages, explaining how to start the contract, interpret the map cues, track down the target locations, and leave the area with your rewards intact.

Part 1: How the Find and Destroy Bastion Cells Contract Works

The Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells contract typically appears on your job board alongside other PvE objectives. Once accepted, it tasks you with locating and dismantling a small number of Bastion Cell sites within a highlighted region. These sites function as mini-outposts for ARC forces, each one anchored by a central structure that acts as the main objective for the contract. Your progress is tracked in the HUD, so you always know how many remain.

Crucially, the game does not necessarily place a marker on top of each Bastion Cell from the start. Instead, you receive a broad search zone on the map. Inside this area, you must look for subtle environmental clues that reveal the presence of a Bastion Cell nearby. Understanding what those clues look and sound like is essential, because wandering the entire zone at random wastes time, draws additional patrols, and increases the risk of being overwhelmed before you finish the contract.

Part 2: Locating the Contract and Target Area on the Map

To begin, head to the contract board in the hub and look for Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells under the available missions. Accepting it updates your mission tracker and adds a highlighted radius to your world map, usually encompassing a wide stretch of terrain. This radius is your hunting ground; all required Bastion Cells will spawn somewhere inside this region for the duration of the contract.

When you deploy, open the tactical map and study the highlighted sector before moving. Check for points of interest such as factories, comms towers, or fortified roadblocks. Bastion Cells are more likely to appear near man-made structures, roads, or defensible terrain rather than empty fields. Planning a route that chains together these potential hotspots keeps your search efficient and minimizes unnecessary combat during your approach.

Part 3: Visual and Audio Cues for Bastion Cell Sites

Once you are inside the designated area, focus on recognizing the visual and audio indicators associated with a Bastion Cell. You will often notice distinctive ARC constructions such as metallic platforms, scaffolding, barricades, or angular structures that do not match the surrounding environment. These outposts can also feature energy effects, cabling, and small lights that stand out against natural terrain, especially at dusk or nighttime.

Audio cues are just as important. Listen for mechanical humming, rhythmic servo noises, or robotic chatter that grows louder as you approach. Drones may be circling overhead, and patrols will cluster more densely around these sites than in open countryside. If you suddenly encounter several enemies grouped together with defensive positioning, you are likely very close to a Bastion Cell and should start scanning your surroundings for the core structure.

Part 4: Recognizing the Bastion Cell Core Structure

At the heart of each Bastion Cell is a core structure that you must neutralize to progress the contract. This centerpiece is usually a sturdy ARC construct with a noticeable energy source or power conduit, often taller or more prominent than the surrounding barricades. It may be flanked by smaller devices, crates, or scaffolding, making the entire area look like a temporary but fortified forward base.

When you approach the core, your mission tracker should update to confirm that you have reached an objective. You may also see an interaction prompt or a health bar appear on your HUD, indicating that you can damage or sabotage it. Confirm you are targeting the correct structure before committing your resources; expending heavy ordnance on random scenery slows you down and may leave you underprepared when enemy reinforcements show up.

Part 5: How to Neutralize the Bastion Cell Safely

Neutralizing the Bastion Cell core usually means dealing enough damage to trigger its destruction or interacting with it while under fire. Before engaging, quickly survey the area for enemy positions and cover options. Identify elevated spots, solid walls, or wreckage you can use to break line of sight, and mark any explosive containers that might help thin out resistance. A calm, methodical approach prevents you from getting pinned in open ground when the fight escalates.

Coordinate with your squad so that one or two teammates focus on the core while the others manage incoming hostiles and watch flanks. Grenades, heavy weapons, or high-damage abilities can shorten the time spent near the objective. Once the core reaches its destruction threshold, be ready for a brief chaos spike—energy surges, additional spawn waves, or a shockwave effect can disrupt your positioning. As soon as the core goes down, reposition behind cover and start clearing remaining threats instead of standing in the collapsing objective area.

Part 6: Handling Enemy Waves and Reinforcements

Every Bastion Cell you approach will attract attention from ARC forces in the vicinity, and destroying the core usually prompts an extra wave of defenders. Expect mixed groups of ranged attackers and close-range units, along with drones or heavier platforms depending on your current difficulty and progression. Keeping track of spawn directions is vital; enemies often arrive from roads, nearby ravines, or paths that connect to other ARC positions.

To avoid being surrounded, establish a defensible line before you commit to the main objective. Choose a section of the outpost with solid cover behind you and clear lanes of fire in front. From there, focus on high-threat targets first—snipers, explosive units, shielded foes—then mop up smaller enemies. If things become overwhelming, fall back out of the Bastion Cell perimeter to reset the engagement, then re-engage from a new angle once pressure drops.

Part 7: Tracking Progress and Finding Remaining Bastion Cells

After you neutralize your first Bastion Cell, check the contract tracker to confirm how many remain. The mission UI will usually display a count such as “Bastion Cells Destroyed: 1/3,” letting you know how many more sites are required before the contract is complete. The original search radius does not usually shrink, so the remaining locations are still somewhere inside that same highlighted zone.

Use the knowledge gained from the first site to speed up your search: gravitate toward similar terrain, man-made structures, or map landmarks that match the pattern. If you discovered the first Bastion Cell near a road intersection and industrial buildings, there is a good chance the rest follow comparable logic. Keep your ears tuned for mechanical audio cues and watch for unusual lighting or architecture on the horizon as you circle the zone.

Part 8: Extracting and Claiming Rewards After Completion

Once you have cleared the required number of Bastion Cells, the contract will mark itself as complete in your HUD. However, you still need to survive long enough to extract and secure your rewards. ARC Raiders relies heavily on extraction mechanics, so losing focus at the end can cost you materials and progress. Before you leave the region, quickly scavenge any accessible loot crates or downed enemies, but do not linger if you hear more patrols closing in.

Navigate to a safe extraction route, ideally avoiding the heaviest conflict zones you passed through earlier. If your squad is exhausted on ammo or healing items, take a slower, more cautious path back, using cover and avoiding unnecessary engagements. Once back at the hub, turn in the contract to receive your payout of currency, materials, and reputation, and consider how efficiently you completed the run so you can refine your approach next time.

Part 9: Recommended Loadouts for Bastion Cell Runs

Because Bastion Cell objectives involve both base dismantling and wave defense, a flexible loadout makes the contract far smoother. Bring at least one weapon that excels at sustained mid-range engagements, such as an accurate rifle or light machine gun, to manage the steady stream of standard enemies. Pair it with a high-impact secondary—shotguns, heavy pistols, or launchers—to burst down priority targets or rapidly damage the core structure when you have a clear window.

On the support side, healing devices, deployable shields, or crowd-control gadgets are extremely valuable. Items that slow or disorient clusters of foes create brief breathing room while you focus fire on the Bastion Cell core. Utility tools that reveal enemy positions or extend your awareness also help prevent flanks, which are a common cause of failed attempts. Keep your loadout balanced so that you are not forced into close range if your team prefers to fight from a distance.

Part 10: Solo vs. Squad Strategies for Bastion Cells

Approaching Bastion Cells solo demands a more cautious, hit-and-run style. You will want to scout carefully, mark enemies mentally, and pull small groups away from the core rather than engaging the full outpost at once. Stealthy movement, precise shots, and conservative ammo usage are essential, since you do not have allies to revive you or compensate for misplays. When you commit to damaging the core, do it in short bursts, then retreat to cover before the response escalates.

With a coordinated squad, you can tackle Bastion Cells much more aggressively. Designate roles—one player focuses on suppression, another handles drones or turrets, while a third prioritizes the core objective. Voice communication or quick pinging keeps everyone aligned on target priority and movement. In co-op, stagger your heavy ordnance and special abilities to maintain constant pressure instead of using everything at once and leaving the team exposed during long cooldown windows.

Part 11: Maximizing Efficiency and Farming Bastion Cell Contracts

If you plan to run Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells repeatedly for resources, efficiency becomes just as important as survival. Begin by learning the typical spawn patterns of Bastion Cells on each map, noting which landmarks frequently host them. Over time, you can craft a standard route that sweeps through the most likely hotspots first, cutting down on dead travel time significantly. Keeping a mental or written record of good paths helps you and your friends clear contracts much faster.

Time management also matters. Avoid over-looting every single defeated enemy or side structure when you are primarily interested in contract completion. Instead, prioritize high-value chests, rare drops, and any items that restore your combat readiness. The quicker you can complete each contract and reset back at the hub, the more attempts you can squeeze into a session, greatly increasing your overall income of currency and materials.

Part 12: Common Mistakes to Avoid During Bastion Cell Missions

One frequent mistake is rushing straight into the center of a Bastion Cell as soon as you spot it. Charging the core without checking the perimeter often results in crossfire from multiple angles and unexpected reinforcements. Always take a lap around the outpost from a safe distance, mark enemy positions in your mind, and clear isolated threats before you touch the objective. Another error is ignoring verticality—enemies on rooftops or raised platforms will shred your team if left unchecked.

Another common issue is overstaying after the core goes down. Many players remain in the blast area to pick up loot, only to be caught by late-arriving reinforcements. As soon as the structure is about to collapse, back off to a defensible position and secure the zone first. Loot can wait a few seconds; survival cannot. Finally, resist the urge to split the squad too far apart in pursuit of multiple Bastion Cells at once, since separated players are much harder to rescue if something goes wrong.

Part 13: Preparing for Higher Difficulty Bastion Cell Variants

As your account progresses and your gear improves, you may encounter Bastion Cell contracts on higher difficulties or in more dangerous regions. These variants typically feature denser enemy groups, tougher elites, and more lethal environmental hazards around the objective. Before queueing, ensure your equipment tier is appropriate and that you have upgraded weapons, armor, and gadgets to handle incoming damage effectively. Entering under-geared turns every encounter into a slog and makes extraction far riskier.

On tougher modes, communication and coordination become non-negotiable. Plan in advance how you will rotate defensive tools, healing items, and high-damage bursts against the core. Consider assigning one teammate to watch for incoming patrols while the rest concentrate on dismantling the outpost. Treat each Bastion Cell as a mini-raid: clear, set up, execute, regroup, and then move out. With that mindset, even the most challenging versions of Find and Destroy: Bastion Cells become manageable and highly rewarding activities in ARC Raiders.