Raider Hatch Keys are consumable items in ARC Raiders that provide access to emergency escape hatches across the game's maps. These keys enable a safer extraction method compared to standard elevator exits, making them valuable for players who want to secure their loot with reduced risk.
What Are Raider Hatch Keys?
In the high-stakes world of ARC Raiders, extraction points become battlegrounds where players compete for limited exit opportunities. Raider Hatch Keys unlock private emergency hatches that offer an alternative to the chaos of standard extractions, providing both tactical advantages and peace of mind when you're carrying valuable loot.
Why Use Raider Hatch Keys?
Raider Hatches offer several advantages over traditional extraction methods that make them worth the investment when the stakes are high:
- No alarm system alerts other players
- Instant extraction with no waiting period
- Located away from high-traffic zones
- One key allows entire squad extraction
- Reduces encounters with extraction campers
- Expensive to acquire (9,000 coins)
- Single-use only, consumed on activation
- Grants slightly less bonus experience
- Limited 15-second extraction window
- Cannot be used while downed
How to Identify Raider Hatches on Maps
Raider Hatches appear as specific icons on your in-game map. The icon displays as a downward arrow combined with a half circle symbol. Each map in ARC Raiders contains multiple Raider Hatch locations spread across different areas. These extraction points remain available throughout the match, though they require a Raider Hatch Key to access.
Obtaining Raider Hatch Keys
Players have three distinct methods to acquire Raider Hatch Keys in ARC Raiders:
Method 1: Purchase from Trader
Vendor: Shani (Security trader at Speranza)
Cost: 9,000 coins
Level Requirement: Players must reach Level 12 before this purchase option becomes available
Purchase Limit: A 24-hour cooldown restricts players to buying one Raider Hatch Key per day
This method guarantees access to a key but requires significant currency investment and patience due to the daily purchase restriction.
Method 2: Looting and Scavenging
Raider Stashes: Raider Hatch Keys can spawn randomly in Raider Stashes located throughout surface maps. These are rare finds, making this method unreliable for consistent key acquisition.
Defeated Players: When players eliminate rival Raiders, they can search corpses for Raider Hatch Keys. However, if the defeated player stored their key in Secure Pockets, it cannot be looted.
Looting provides free keys but depends entirely on luck and combat success.
Method 3: Crafting
Crafting Raider Hatch Keys requires preparation but offers the most consistent long-term access.
| Component | Quantity Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Parts | 50 | Utility Station Upgrade |
| ARC Alloy | 6 | Utility Station Upgrade |
| Advanced Electrical Component | 1 | Per Key Crafted |
| Sensor Parts | 3 | Per Key Crafted |
Resource Acquisition:
- Plastic Parts: Found on surface maps or obtained by salvaging components
- ARC Alloy: Obtained by salvaging ARC Motion Cores
- Advanced Electrical Components and Sensor Parts: Specific acquisition methods not detailed in source material
Crafting becomes viable once players establish resource gathering routines and complete the Utility Station upgrade.
How to Use Raider Hatch Keys
Learning the Basics
Players naturally learn Raider Hatch mechanics by completing the Hatch Repairs Quest provided by Shani. This quest introduces the extraction method within the game's progression system.
Step-by-Step Usage
- Ensure you have a Raider Hatch Key in your inventory, preferably stored in your Secure Pockets to prevent loss if you're defeated during the match.
- Open your map to locate extraction points. Raider Hatches display as icons with a downward arrow symbol.
- Navigate to a Raider Hatch location on the map. You'll find a manhole and a control panel at these sites.
- Interact with the control panel while possessing a Raider Hatch Key. The key is consumed immediately upon activation.
- Interact with the manhole to extract from the map. No timer delay occurs—extraction happens instantly.
Important Usage Details
Key Consumption: Each use consumes one Raider Hatch Key. The key cannot be reused or recovered.
Squad Extraction: One key allows an entire squad to extract together, but coordination is critical. Raider Hatches don't remain open for extended periods, so squad members must stay close and communicate clearly when initiating extraction.
Limitation: Players in the downed condition cannot use Raider Hatches. Only conscious players with keys can access this extraction method.
No Alert System: Activating a Raider Hatch does not alert other players to your extraction, maintaining operational security until you've left the map.
Strategic Recommendations
When to Use Raider Hatch Keys
High-Value Loot Runs: Reserve keys for matches where you've collected particularly valuable resources or completed important quest objectives. The safety they provide justifies the cost when stakes are high.
Contested Extraction Situations: When standard extraction points show heavy player activity or camping, Raider Hatches offer alternative routes that avoid direct confrontation.
Time-Critical Extractions: As match timers count down and extraction points begin closing, having a Raider Hatch Key provides backup options when primary exits become unavailable.
Storage Best Practices
Always store Raider Hatch Keys in your Secure Pockets. This inventory section protects items from being looted if you're defeated during a match. Given the cost and effort required to obtain keys, losing them to death represents a significant setback.
Cost Considerations
Raider Hatch Keys represent a substantial investment through any acquisition method:
- Purchasing costs 9,000 coins with a 24-hour cooldown
- Crafting requires rare materials and Workshop upgrades
- Looting depends on luck and combat success
Players should evaluate whether the safety benefits outweigh these costs for their specific situation. For routine extractions with lower-value loot, standard elevator extractions may prove more economical despite increased risk.
Map Application
Raider Hatches exist on all maps in ARC Raiders, though specific locations vary by map. Players should familiarize themselves with Raider Hatch positions on maps they frequent to enable quick navigation during critical extraction moments. The Dam map serves as one example location where multiple Raider Hatches provide extraction options across different areas.
Summary
Raider Hatch Keys function as premium extraction tools in ARC Raiders, trading economic cost for enhanced safety and convenience. Players can acquire them through purchase, looting, or crafting, with each method presenting different trade-offs regarding reliability and resource investment. Understanding when to deploy these keys versus using standard extractions forms part of effective resource management in the game. For players prioritizing loot security over experience gains, Raider Hatches provide the safest exit route from dangerous situations.