ARC Raiders Line in the Sand Quest Guide

If you've started working through the new Riven Tides update in ARC Raiders, chances are you've picked up the Line in the Sand quest from Celeste. At first glance, it looks like a simple investigation mission, but it quickly turns into a journey across almost the entire Buried City map.

The good news is that this quest is much easier than some of the combat-heavy objectives introduced in recent updates. Most of the objectives only require you to visit specific locations, interact with clues, and uncover the story behind a mysterious train robbery.

In this ARC Raiders Line in the Sand Quest Guide, I'll walk you through every objective, explain the safest route through Buried City, highlight a quest-breaking bug you should avoid, and show you exactly how to complete the mission as efficiently as possible.

How to Start the Line in the Sand Quest

Line in the Sand is a quest given by Celeste during the Riven Tides update.

Unlike some of the new content that sends players to coastal regions, this mission takes place entirely within Buried City, one of the most familiar maps in ARC Raiders.

The quest revolves around investigating a train that never arrived at Marano Station. As you follow the clues, you'll uncover evidence of a robbery, locate the missing thruster valves, and eventually track the stolen cargo to a hidden basement stash.

Because none of the objectives require extracting quest items, this is one of the safer missions to complete. You can even run it with a basic kit if you're confident navigating the map.

ARC Raiders Line in the Sand Quest Objectives

The quest contains four main objectives:

1. Find out why the train never reached Marano Station

2. Find out who orchestrated the robbery

3. Find out where the thruster valves were stashed

4. Search the basement of the merchant's nearby apartment

Most objectives update automatically when you arrive at the correct location.

Let's break down each step.

Step 1: Find Out Why the Train Never Reached Marano Station

Your first destination is located on the western side of Buried City.

Head toward the far southwest section of the map, south of Morirano Station. Here you'll discover several train cars partially buried beneath the sand.

The scene is impossible to miss once you're nearby.

As soon as you approach the wreckage, the objective updates automatically.

No interaction is required.

This section serves as the starting point of the investigation and reveals that the train never reached its destination because it was deliberately attacked and derailed.

Once the objective completes, your next destination appears nearby.

Step 2: Find Out Who Orchestrated the Robbery

Fortunately, the second objective is only a short distance east of the train wreck.

Look for a small structure rising above the surrounding sand and vegetation. Depending on your approach angle, it may resemble a watchtower or a partially buried utility building.

Climb inside the structure.

In one corner, you'll find an interactable clue.

Search the location and collect the Marano Market Business Card.

This item is the key piece of evidence that identifies the individuals behind the robbery.

Important Quest Bug Warning

This is the most important part of the entire quest.

After picking up the Marano Market Business Card, immediately move it into your safe pocket.

Several players have reported that dying before securing the card can cause quest progression issues.

In some cases, the objective resets and forces players to repeat earlier steps.

To avoid unnecessary frustration:

• Pick up the business card

• Place it in your safe pocket

• Continue the mission

Taking this extra precaution can save a lot of time later.

Step 3: Find Out Where the Thruster Valves Were Stashed

The third objective sends you across Buried City.

Travel toward the eastern side of the map.

Your destination is the Market Ruins, located east of the Hospital Point of Interest.

This area contains several collapsed structures and damaged buildings.

Enter the main ruined marketplace building.

You don't need to search containers or interact with any objects.

Simply entering the correct area automatically advances the quest.

This objective confirms that the stolen thruster valves passed through the market before being moved elsewhere.

Once the update appears, you're ready for the final step.

Step 4: Search the Basement of the Merchant's Nearby Apartment

From the Market Ruins, continue northeast toward Dune's End.

You'll eventually reach a large apartment complex sitting on elevated terrain.

Enter the northern apartment building.

Inside, you'll quickly spot a zipline leading downward.

Take the zipline into the basement.

Once you reach the bottom, look along the right side of the room for a stack of storage boxes.

Approach the boxes.

A prompt will appear allowing you to use your camera.

Take a photograph of the storage containers.

The moment the picture is captured, the final objective completes and the Line in the Sand quest is finished.

No extraction is required.

No additional interactions are needed.

Simply complete the photo objective and enjoy your rewards.

Best Route for Completing Line in the Sand

After running this quest several times, I've found the most efficient route follows a simple west-to-east path.

Start at the train wreck in the southwest.

Move east to collect the business card.

Travel across the map toward Market Ruins.

Finish at the apartment basement near Dune's End.

This route minimizes backtracking and keeps you moving in a single direction throughout the raid.

Because Buried City is often populated by hostile players and ARC units, reducing travel time lowers your overall risk.

Combat Tips for Buried City

Although the Line in the Sand quest focuses on exploration, surviving Buried City is still important.

Here are a few tips from a veteran Raider.

Bring Medium Range Weapons

Most engagements in Buried City happen between medium distances.

Assault rifles and battle rifles perform exceptionally well throughout the map.

Avoid Unnecessary Fights

The quest objectives themselves don't require combat.

If another squad is fighting ARC machines nearby, consider taking a different route.

Staying alive is more important than chasing loot.

Watch Rooftops and Elevated Areas

Buried City contains multiple high-ground positions.

Players often use rooftops to scout traffic moving between objectives.

Stay alert while crossing open spaces.

Manage Stamina Carefully

You'll cover a lot of ground during this mission.

Running out of stamina while escaping enemies can quickly become dangerous.

Line in the Sand Quest Rewards

Completing the quest grants several valuable rewards.

The most notable reward is:

• Magnetron

You'll also receive additional Epic Exodus crafting materials that can be used for advanced crafting and progression.

For players focused on endgame upgrades, these materials are always worth collecting.

Many experienced players use rewards from missions like this to progress toward high-tier gear and valuable ARC Raiders blueprints for future crafting projects. Some players also trade and purchase resources through marketplaces such as PvPBank to speed up progression.

Why Line in the Sand Is Worth Completing

Not every quest in ARC Raiders offers meaningful rewards, but Line in the Sand is definitely worth your time.

The mission provides:

• Easy progression

• Valuable crafting materials

• Minimal combat requirements

• Interesting world-building lore

• Fast completion time

Even solo players can finish the quest without major difficulties.

Compared to many late-game missions, this is one of the more accessible objectives introduced in the Riven Tides update.

Final Thoughts

The ARC Raiders Line in the Sand quest is one of the better investigative missions currently available in the game. It tells a compelling story, encourages exploration across Buried City, and rewards players with useful crafting materials without demanding difficult boss fights or dangerous extraction requirements.

As long as you remember to secure the Marano Market Business Card in your safe pocket, the entire quest can be completed in a single run.

If you're working through the Riven Tides content and want a straightforward mission with worthwhile rewards, Line in the Sand should be near the top of your priority list.

Line in the Sand Quest FAQ

Where does the Line in the Sand quest start in ARC Raiders?

The quest is given by Celeste and takes place entirely on the Buried City map.

Where is the crashed train located?

The derailed train can be found on the southwest side of Buried City, south of Morirano Station.

How do I find the Marano Market Business Card?

Travel east from the train wreck to a small tower structure. Search inside to locate the business card.

Why should I place the business card in my safe pocket?

A known quest bug can cause progress to reset if the card is lost before extraction. Storing it in your safe pocket helps prevent issues.

Where are the Market Ruins?

The Market Ruins are located east of the Hospital Point of Interest in Buried City.

How do I complete the final objective?

Enter the apartment building near Dune's End, ride the zipline into the basement, and take a photo of the storage boxes.

What rewards does Line in the Sand give?

Players receive a Magnetron and several Epic Exodus crafting materials upon completion.

Can I complete Line in the Sand solo?

Yes. The quest is very solo-friendly and does not require defeating bosses or extracting special quest items.