Untended Garden — Complete Guide: Hydroponic Dome Data Archive & Field Depot Upload
The Untended Garden quest in ARC Raiders tasks you with infiltrating the Hydroponic Dome Complex on the Dam Battlegrounds, recovering a corrupted research data archive, and performing a secure Field Depot upload. This walkthrough covers every step from spawn to upload, with optimized routes, enemy breakdowns, recommended loadouts and class choices, and both solo and group strategies to shave minutes off completion time. Whether you want a safe completion for weekly progression or a speedrun route to maximize clear-and-extract cycles, this guide shows how to finish the Untended Garden quest efficiently and reliably.
What this guide includes
Clear start-to-finish route for the Dam Battlegrounds map
How to locate the Hydroponic Dome Complex location and the data archive
Detailed enemy encounters and how to counter them
Upload mechanics and securing the Field Depot upload point
Recommended solo quest strategy and group quest strategy with role suggestions
Loadouts, gear priorities, and ability synergies for speed and survivability
Troubleshooting, common mistakes, and pro tips to reduce retries
FAQ section with quick answers for repeatable problems
Quick summary (fast-read route)
Spawn at Dam LZ, move due east along the lower river channel.
Take the southeast scaffolding to reach the Hydroponic Dome access corridor.
Clear two patrol rooms, hack the security console to reveal the archive vault.
Retrieve the Data Archive from the vault, then exfiltrate to the nearest Field Depot upload located on the dam’s upper walkway.
If swarmed, fall back to the central pump room and hold choke point near vents for defensive advantage.
Recommended classes and team composition
Solo: Tanky frame with self-healing or strong mobility (survivability > raw DPS).
Duo: One burst DPS + one support/utility (heal, revive speed, or deployable cover).
Trio/Full squad: Balanced mix — 1 Tank/Frontline, 1 High DPS (single-target), 1 Area-control/Support, optional 4th for objective denial or upload speed buff.
Why these choices matter: the Hydroponic Dome has narrow corridors and a mix of ranged and melee enemies. You’ll need someone who can hold ground while others clear rooms or secure the upload. In small teams, mobility and revive speed reduce downtime; in large teams, coordinate who mans the upload and who defends the vault.
Loadout priorities
Primary weapon: versatile mid-range assault or precision rifle — reliable against both light and armored foes.
Secondary: shotgun or SMG for close-quarter dome fights.
Utility: short cooldown mobility (dash/evade) and a deployable shield or area slow.
Mods/Gear: prioritize faster hack speed, increased upload bandwidth (if available), ammo efficiency, and armor penetration.
Consumables: one combat stim (damage or speed) and one emergency medkit.
Core reasoning: speed and the ability to survive burst damage are more valuable than max DPS here, since enemies can flood corridors and the upload is interrupted by damage or enemy proximity.
Map awareness: Dam Battlegrounds essentials
The Dam map features verticality (walkways, scaffolding) and chokepoints (pump rooms, ventilation shafts).
Hydroponic Dome Complex is central-east on many spawn variants — expect a mixed route with both open courtyard and tight maintenance corridors.
Field Depot upload locations are usually on raised walkways or safe rooms near the dam’s control tower — memorize their common spawn points for quick bindings.
Mental map: treat the Dam as three zones — Lower River Approach (spawn), Hydroponic Complex (objective), and Dam Upper Walkways (upload/exfil). Transition speed between zones is the main determinant of run time.
Step-by-step walkthrough — Start to upload
Preparation (pre-drop)
Confirm your loadout and set quick-bind for the hack tool or ability used to open the archive.
Sync with teammates on simple callouts: "Vault", "Field Depot", "Pump room fallback".
If solo, choose a path that gives early sightlines into corridors to prevent being flanked.
Insertion and approach
Land at the Dam LZ and sprint down the river channel toward the southeast scaffolding.
Use the lower maintenance platforms to avoid open courtyards where ranged enemies set up crossfires.
Keep an eye for turret emplacements on the scaffolding — a quick flank removes them before they pin you.
Tactical tip: hugging the inner wall on bridges minimizes exposure and avoids agroing distant patrols.
First contact and clearing
Push the first maintenance room methodically. Clear left flank then right to avoid getting boxed-in.
Use smoke or an area slow ability before entering the vault access corridor — enemies spawn inside if the alarm is triggered.
Disable the small security kiosks before attempting the main console to reduce reinforcements.
Combat advice: prioritize disruptive units (stunners, shielded drones) first — they force position changes that can ruin an upload.
Hacking the security console
Stand behind cover with a clear exit. Begin the hack and assign one teammate to monitor flanks.
If the hack is interrupted, immediate suppression fire or a stun will buy critical seconds.
Once hack completes, a short animation opens the archive vault.
Gameplay note: if the hack is on a timer, use the fastest-hacking mod and avoid unnecessary interactions during the sequence.
Retrieving the Data Archive
Enter the vault and pick up the Archive — movement speed may be reduced while carrying it.
Confirm that you have the objective marker and inform teammates of direction.
Expect a surge of reinforcements and potentially a mini-boss spawn when the archive is taken.
Carrying strategy: hand off the Archive to the most mobile teammate if server-side movement penalties stack. If solo, keep to cover and use mobility to kite.
Exfil and Field Depot upload
Head toward the nearest Field Depot upload on the dam’s upper walkways — use ladders and elevator shafts to avoid open ground.
If chased, use verticality (drop through grating to create obstacles) to break line-of-sight.
Begin the upload and assign teammates to defend the upload terminal — each teammate holding space reduces interruptions.
Upload mechanics tip: uploads are often interrupted by damage; assign one dedicated defender if possible.
Final extraction
After the upload completes, either extract at the central lift (if available) or push to the labeled exfil zone.
Clear remaining enemies methodically; avoid chasing lone survivors into unknown rooms.
If the run must be aborted, prioritize surviving teammates over finishing the upload to avoid a wipe.
Combat breakdown — enemy types and counters
Light grunts: spam cover fire and flank; counter with burst area damage and headshots.
Shielded brutes: close-range threats that soak damage; stun, strip armor, or use armor-penetrating shots.
Ranged snipers/drones: high-priority long-range units; use smoke/cover and suppressing fire.
Summoners or beacon units: kill or disable quickly to prevent adds.
Mini-boss (if triggered): focus fire with coordinated burst; disrupt special attacks with stuns or interrupts.
Priority targets: remove control/support units first (beacons, snipers), then focus brutes. This minimizes enemy reinforcement and reduces the chance the upload will be interrupted by multiple angles.
Solo quest strategy
Play cautiously: avoid opening multiple doors simultaneously.
Use platforms and narrow corridors to create one-on-one engagements.
Keep an escape route every time you start a hack or pick up the Archive.
Use consumables to offset the movement penalty while carrying the archive.
Solo loadout example: high-armor frame with a short dash, light automatic rifle, close-range shotgun, hack-speed mod, one medkit.
Solo tactical tip: slow and steady beats rushing — without a team, avoiding damage and preventing ambushes is the most reliable path to completion.
Group quest strategy (2–4 players)
Assign roles before insertion: Holder (carries archive when needed), Defender (stops interruptions), Breacher (opens and clears rooms), Scout (looks for alternative upload points).
Use one player to draw agro to predictable chokepoints while others flush enemies out from flanking positions.
Communicate when you start the hack and when Archive is picked up to synchronize defense.
Coordination example: while Breacher starts the console hack, Defender positions at the corridor exit, Holder waits ready to sprint with the archive upon completion, and Scout blocks potential reinforcements from behind.
Group synergy tip: stack fast-revive or revive-speed mods on at least one teammate to reduce downtime from failed defense legs.
Specific route (detailed, with waypoints)
Waypoint 1 — Dam LZ: drop, cross lower river bridge, keep left to avoid sniper line.
Waypoint 2 — Maintenance Alley: take the alley to avoid turrets. Clear two patrol points.
Waypoint 3 — Hydroponic Side Entrance: ascend scaffolding, use vents for stealth entry.
Waypoint 4 — Vault Access Corridor: clear kiosks, start console hack.
Waypoint 5 — Archive Vault: pick up Data Archive, check for secondary vault locks.
Waypoint 6 — Upper Walkway To Field Depot: use elevator shaft on the east of the vault to reach upper walkways.
Waypoint 7 — Field Depot Upload Station: initiate upload and defend.
Waypoint 8 — Extraction Lift: move to lift after upload completes and extract.
Why this route: it minimizes exposure to open courtyards and uses vertical paths to avoid heavy ranged units. The elevator shaft provides a fast, enemy-unexpected transit to the upload point.
Troubleshooting common problems
Hack interrupted repeatedly: move the console to a safer cover, assign two players to guard blind spots, and use stun grenades to block reinforcements.
Constant sniper pressure on upper walkways: use smoke, deployable shields, or approach via lower grates and climb internal ladders.
Archive carrier repeatedly downed: swap to a faster frame to kite or hand off to a dedicated tank with high HP.
Upload fails because of enemy proximity: set a perimeter before initiating upload; one player should hold an off-angle to stop flanks.
Proactive fixes: test-run the approach alone to learn likely spawn points, then refine team spacing to preempt reinforcement funnels.
Advanced tips and tricks
Use line-of-sight breaks (drop-through grates, scaffolding) to reset enemy targeting while carrying the archive.
During uploads, place a deployable or turret behind the upload terminal to slow melee approaches.
If the Dam map variant spawns the Hydroponic Complex on the northwest side, reverse-route the waypoints but keep the same verticality-first approach.
Time of day and weather can affect visibility on some map variants — prefer night runs with thermal optics if available to detect cloaked scouts.
Speedrun pro move: brief stutter-step strafing while starting the upload can sometimes glitch enemy pathing long enough to finish in heavy-traffic runs — use with caution.
Recommended weapon & mod examples
Mid-range precision rifle + AP rounds: fast single-target kills for brutes and snipers.
Close-range shotgun + spread control mod: for tight vault corridors.
Utility grenade: stun or slow to protect the hack sequence.
Armor shred mods: key for fast mini-boss kills.
Hack speed augment: reduces downtime at consoles and vaults.
Why these matter: a balanced kit lets you handle the sudden variety of encounter types inside the Hydroponic Complex without resourcing two separate builds.
Resource and progression considerations
Quest repeats: each successful Untended Garden completion may grant rep or resources. Use expedited runs when you need volume farming.
Consumables economy: track how many medkits and stims you burn per run. Small adjustments in approach and timing reduce consumable use.
Gear upgrades: prioritize mods that reduce objective interaction times and increase survivability over raw DPS if you intend to farm the quest.
Long-term advice: switch between a reliable farming build and an experimental high-speed build to keep pace with diminishing returns and map variations.
Walkthrough variations
Stealth-first approach: sneak into the Hydroponic Dome via vents, avoid heavy combat, and focus on minimal engagement. Best used solo or duo.
All-in clear: clear every room with full team coordination, then proceed to the Field Depot with minimal interruptions — higher safety but slower.
Relay carrying: in three or four player groups, stagger carriers to maintain momentum — one picks up while another shields, handing off through low-damage corridors.
Choose the variation that matches your squad’s strengths: coordination-heavy teams excel at relay carrying, while flexible solos benefit from stealth-first.
Common mistakes to avoid
Rushing open courtyards alone without clearing flanks.
Hacking in an exposed position without a dedicated guard.
Letting the archive carrier become the sole defender of the upload; split defense responsibilities.
Ignoring vertical routes and using only the main walkway.
Avoid these to reduce wipes and save valuable time on repeated runs.
Replayability and optimization
Time your runs: track how many minutes each section takes and optimize the slowest segments first.
Record and review: a quick clip of failures helps pinpoint choke points and enemy spawn behaviors.
Rotate loadouts: sometimes a small swap (dash for a shield) reduces overall completion time more than a raw damage increase.
Optimization mindset: shave 10–20 seconds off each section and those gains compound into minutes per hour of farming.
Rewards and why the quest matters
The Untended Garden quest yields research data, rep, and material drops useful for crafting and upgrades.
Completing the upload sequence may unlock additional missions or path nodes on the campaign map.
Knowing this map and its choke points makes later, harder missions much easier.
Value proposition: beyond immediate drops, mastering this quest hones map control skills that transfer to nearly every Dam Battlegrounds encounter.
Pro player checklist (pre-run)
Ammo check, medkits x1–2, one combat stim.
Quick-bind hack tool and upload key.
Clear callouts set: Vault, Depot, PumpFallback.
Assign a dedicated guard during the upload.
Verify escape path and vertical shortcuts on your HUD.
Short checklist saves time and reduces confusion during intense moments.
FAQ
What is the fastest route to the Hydroponic Dome Complex location on Dam?
Use the lower river channel, take the southeast scaffolding to the maintenance corridor, and ascend via ventilation shafts to enter the Dome from a flank rather than the main courtyard.
Can I solo this quest reliably?
Yes, with a tanky, mobile frame and careful pacing. Focus on single-file room entry, keep escape routes open, and use consumables conservatively.
Where is the nearest Field Depot upload on the Dam map?
Field Depots tend to spawn on raised walkways near the dam’s control tower or central upper walkways. Learn the three common upload spawn points on the map to cut transition time.
What stops an upload from completing?
Upload interruptions come from enemy damage or hostile presence near the terminal. Assign a perimeter guard and use stuns/smoke to reduce interruptions.
Which enemy types should I focus first?
Prioritize control and support units (snipers, beacons, summoners) before heavier brutes to limit reinforcements and additive effects.
Is there a risk of a mini-boss spawning when I pick up the Archive?
Yes — picking up objective items sometimes triggers heavy spawn waves or a mini-boss. Be prepared with armor penetration and coordinated burst to handle it.
What is the best class for speedruns?
A fast, mobile class with a short-cooldown dash and good single-target damage is ideal for speedruns; combine it with a high-precision rifle for quick kills.
How to prevent repeated hack interruptions?
Secure the immediate room before initiating the hack, assign an off-angle guard, and use area-control utilities to delay reinforcements.
Should we extract immediately after upload?
If the squad is healthy, proceed to the extraction lift. If many teammates are down or low on ammo, it's sometimes better to fight to a safe extraction or abort and preserve resources.
Any tips for reducing consumable usage?
Improve positioning and avoid unnecessary engagements. Use choke points and high-ground advantages to win fights with fewer shots and less healing.
Closing notes
Mastering the Untended Garden quest on the Dam Battlegrounds is largely about map knowledge, role discipline, and smart objective-handling. Use vertical routes and chokepoints to control enemy approaches, protect your hack and upload windows, and coordinate handoffs to minimize carrier exposure. Whether you focus on solo quest strategy for steady progression or coordinated group quest strategy for repeatable speedruns, the techniques in this walkthrough will help you finish the objective faster and with fewer wipes.
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