ARC Raiders Phantom Targets What to Do Before Update 1.42

Phantom Targets is currently one of the main things ARC Raiders players should be working on before Update 1.42 arrives. The first part of the Player Project is already available, giving players several objectives to complete along with useful rewards, including three Legendary weapons.

The next major step is coming with Update 1.42, which is scheduled to bring Phantom Targets Part 2 and the larger Phantom Targets Event. That gives players a little time to finish the current content, organize their Stash, and decide which materials are worth holding onto before the next part goes live.

If you have not started Phantom Targets yet, here is what you need to know about Part 1, the important materials, and how to prepare for Update 1.42.

What Is Phantom Targets?

Phantom Targets is a Player Project started by Shani after unusual signals begin appearing on her radar. The signals are difficult to identify, so Raiders are sent out to repair antennas, investigate the strange activity, and test different ways of dealing with ARC machines.

The project is split into multiple parts, with Part 1 already available and Part 2 scheduled to arrive with Update 1.42.

Unlike a simple collection quest, several of the current objectives require you to actually use specific items or damage types against ARC enemies. That makes preparation a little more important, especially once you reach Stage 2.

Phantom Targets Part 1 Rewards and Objectives

Part 1 is divided into three stages, and each one has a different type of objective.

The biggest reason to finish the project is the Legendary weapon rewards from Stage 2. Aphelion, Dolabra, and Jupiter give players three additional Legendary options, while the other stages provide useful gear, attachments, and Raider Tokens.

Stage 1 Is Easy to Knock Out

The first stage requires you to repair three antennas at the top of the Cargo Elevator.

Dam Battlegrounds is a good place to work on this objective, although the main challenge is simply reaching the required area and surviving long enough to complete all three repairs.

There is no complicated material farming involved here, so this is a good objective to complete early. Once the antennas are repaired, you can move on to the more involved parts of the project.

Stage 2 Is the One to Prepare For

Stage 2 is where Phantom Targets starts asking for something different from the usual ARC Raiders missions.

Instead of simply killing enemies, you need to use specific ARC Raiders Items to deal a certain amount of damage:

Pop Triggers: 50 damage
Wasp Drivers: 500 damage
Leaper Pulse Units: 1,000 damage

This is why you should avoid automatically recycling every ARC component you find. If you already have any of these items in your Stash, keeping them until the objective is complete can save you from having to search for them again later.

The important thing is that the items need to be used as part of the damage objectives rather than simply collected and turned in.

How to Make Stage 2 Easier

The easiest approach is to prepare the required items before going into a raid and then look for safe opportunities to use them against ARC machines.

You don't necessarily need to complete all three objectives in one run. In fact, trying to force everything into a single raid can make the process more difficult than it needs to be.

Take your time, isolate ARC enemies when possible, and use the required items when you have a safe opportunity. This is especially useful for the larger Leaper Pulse Unit damage requirement, since you want to make sure the item is actually being used effectively rather than wasting it during a chaotic fight.

If you are already close to completing one of the damage requirements, focus on that objective first instead of trying to farm all three simultaneously.

Stage 3 Requires a Different Loadout

The final stage of Part 1 moves back toward traditional combat objectives, but it still asks you to use specific types of damage and weapons.

The objectives include:

Deal 1,500 fire damage
Kill three high-level ARC enemies using energy weapons
Kill 20 flying ARC using launcher ammunition

This stage is easier if you plan your loadout before entering the raid. If you already have an energy weapon and launcher ammunition available, you can work on several objectives during normal gameplay instead of creating separate farming runs.

Fire damage can also be progressed naturally if you are already using weapons or equipment that apply it.

Should You Stockpile Materials for Part 2?

Requirements can change before the content goes live, so these materials should be treated as possible preparation items rather than confirmed requirements.

If you already have some of these materials, keeping a reasonable amount is a sensible option. There is no need to immediately sell or recycle everything, especially if your Stash has enough room.

At the same time, don't fill every available Stash slot with materials based solely on leaks. If the final objectives change, you could end up with a lot of items you never actually need.

Update 1.42 and Phantom Targets Part 2

The main reason to prepare now is that Phantom Targets Part 2 is scheduled to arrive with Update 1.42.

Part 2 will continue the Phantom Targets storyline and expand the content around the project. The larger Phantom Targets Event is also expected to become available around the same update.

The exact final objectives and requirements should be checked once the update is live. This is particularly important if you are using community data-mined information to decide what to stockpile.

For now, the safest preparation is to finish Part 1 and keep some useful ARC components rather than trying to predict every requirement for the next stage.

Tick Hunter Set Is Also Coming

Update 1.42 is also bringing attention to the Tick Hunter Set, which is scheduled to arrive alongside the upcoming content.

The set includes four outfit color variations, a Field Telephone backpack, a Tick Trophy backpack charm, a Spider Tattoo face style, and 2,400 Raider Tokens.

For players who care about cosmetics, this will be another reason to check the store when the update arrives. The Raider Tokens also give the bundle some additional value for players who regularly spend them on cosmetic items.

What Should You Do Before Update 1.42?

There are a few simple things worth doing before the update arrives.

First, finish Phantom Targets Part 1. The three Legendary weapons alone make the project worth completing, and you will also pick up Raider Tokens, attachments, and other useful rewards.

Second, keep useful ARC components. If you have Pop Triggers, Wasp Drivers, or Leaper Pulse Units and haven't finished Stage 2 yet, don't get rid of them. They are directly tied to the current objectives.

Third, leave some room in your Stash. Even if you want to prepare for Part 2, don't fill your entire storage with rumored materials. Keeping some free space will make it easier to handle new rewards and items after the update.

Finally, keep an eye on the confirmed requirements. Data-mined information can be useful for preparation, but it should not be treated as final until the content is officially available.

Phantom Targets is already giving ARC Raiders players something useful to work toward before Update 1.42, and there is little reason to leave Part 1 unfinished if you are actively playing the game.

The first stage is straightforward, while Stage 2 is where most players will want to pay attention to their inventory. Saving the required ARC components can make the damage objectives much easier, and Stage 3 can be handled with a little loadout planning.

Finish Part 1, keep useful materials, clear some Stash space, and don't spend all your resources based on unconfirmed leaks. Once Update 1.42 goes live, you will be in a much better position to jump straight into the next part of Phantom Targets.

The U4GM Team