The Arc Raiders Shared Watch Event Guide covers everything you need to complete the game’s first PvE-focused live event. Learn how the merit system works, how many merits are required to unlock all 21 rewards, and the fastest ways to earn progression by fighting ARC enemies. This guide also breaks down the full Shared Watch rewards track—including the Blue Glow and Grey Yellow Slugger variants—the Vulpine “Huntsman” set, Cold Snap mechanics, and key Patch 1.15.0 changes so you don’t miss a single reward before the event ends.
Close Scrutiny is an ARC Operation map condition in ARC Raiders that replaces standard loot distribution with a centralized objective. Instead of scattered resources, all meaningful rewards are concentrated inside Assessors — large ARC probes that land dynamically and attract both enemy forces and other players.
This guide breaks down how Close Scrutiny works, what changes when it is active, and how to approach it efficiently without losing gear to avoidable mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- How Close Scrutiny changes raid structure, loot economy, and enemy density
- Where the condition appears and how its rotation works
- How Assessors function, including spawn behavior and navigation
- Step-by-step Assessor breaching mechanics and timing rules
- Full loot breakdown, including blueprints and crafting materials
- Enemy threat priorities, with focus on Vaporizers and Surveyors
- PvP patterns specific to Close Scrutiny and how to avoid common ambushes
- Recommended loadouts for consistent survival and efficient clears
Dive deeper into the article to find a special promo code for a discount to save on all your boosts.
Close Scrutiny Quick Guide
- Close Scrutiny is the first ARC Operation — a new category of map condition above standard weather modifiers, combat-focused around a central objective
- Active for roughly one hour at a time on Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate — not available on Stella Montis
- When active: ambient loot slashed, locked doors disabled, ARC patrol density spikes dramatically
- Assessors are large three-legged ARC probes that land dynamically — each emits a red sky beam that’s visible from across the map
- Three containers per Assessor, breached by climbing each leg — breaching makes noise and attracts more ARC immediately
- Multiple Assessors land over the course of the raid; later ones have the same loot without the initial crowd
- All the best loot is inside Assessors: Dolabra blueprint, Canto blueprint, Assessor Matrix crafting material
- Vaporizers and increased Surveyor patrols guard every Assessor
- Trials challenges give double points during Close Scrutiny
What Is Close Scrutiny?
Close Scrutiny is the first map condition to fall under the new ARC Operations category — a designation that sets it apart from weather-based modifiers like Cold Snap or Electromagnetic Storms. Where those conditions change your environment, Close Scrutiny changes the entire economy and threat structure of the raid. Standard ambient loot is gutted. Locked doors are disabled. ARC patrols triple in density. And a brand-new type of ARC machine makes a controlled landing on the map.
It’s explicitly designed as an endgame modifier. Dropping into Close Scrutiny with a budget loadout is a fast way to lose it. The official patch notes put it plainly: bring your best gear and ready up for a fight.
What Changes When Close Scrutiny Is Active
| Factor | Normal Raid | Close Scrutiny |
| Ambient loot | Standard | Significantly reduced |
| Locked doors | Active | Disabled |
| ARC patrol density | Normal | Dramatically increased |
| Assessors | Not present | 3 per operation, more land over time |
| Vaporizer presence | None | Heavy — guard every Assessor |
| ARC loot | Standard | Increased — focus on ARC kills |
| Trials challenge points | 1x | 2x |
The trade is deliberate: scatter loot is gone, but reward density is concentrated in one place. Every squad on the server is pointed at the same objective. Plan for that.
Where Does Close Scrutiny Appear?
Close Scrutiny is available on Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. It does not appear on Stella Montis — the indoor bunker layout doesn’t support the Assessor’s open-air landing mechanic. Each session of the condition runs for roughly one hour before cycling off.
What Are Assessors?
Assessors are large three-legged ARC probes that descend from orbit and land on the map during Close Scrutiny. They’re not aggressive — they don’t shoot at you, don’t chase you, don’t react to you. The danger is everything surrounding them.
Each Assessor emits three red beams that shoot straight up into the sky when it lands. These beams are visible from across the map and are your primary navigation tool — follow the beams, find the Assessor. The probe icon also appears on your map, but the sky beams give you a directional fix from anywhere on the map before you’ve confirmed the icon.
Three Assessors land at the start of a Close Scrutiny session, and additional units continue descending over the course of the raid. The first one draws every squad on the server. The second and third have the same loot pool with less competition — patience is a legitimate strategy, even if it’s not the aggressive one.
How to Breach an Assessor
Each Assessor has three separate containers accessed by climbing its three legs. Walk up to a leg, interact with the container at the top, and breach it. The platform needs to fan out before the legs become fully climbable. If you arrive early, wait for the deployment animation to complete.
The critical rule: once you start breaching, the Assessor emits loud sounds that immediately attract more ARC. Clear the Vaporizer patrols before you touch the legs. Starting a breach with active Vaporizers overhead is effectively committing your squad to a wipe. Clear first, breach fast.
If you take too long, the Assessor relaunches and disappears with all its loot. Speed matters once you start.
What Drops From Assessors
| Item | Type | Rarity | Priority | Notes |
| Dolabra Energy Shotgun Blueprint | Weapon Blueprint | Rare | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Top-tier reward; primary reason to run Close Scrutiny |
| Canto SMG Blueprint | Weapon Blueprint | Uncommon | ⭐⭐⭐ | Solid mid-tier weapon; easier to obtain |
| Assessor Matrix | Crafting Material | Special | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Required for multiple upgrade paths; consistent value |
| Vaporizer Regulators | ARC Component | Variable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High-demand crafting material from Vaporizer units |
| High-Tier ARC Components | ARC Components | Variable | ⭐⭐⭐ | Includes rare drops tied to ARC enemies |
The Dolabra blueprint is the headline chase item. It’s rare by design — Embark built Close Scrutiny around it being a multi-session pursuit rather than a single-run unlock.
Enemy Threats in Close Scrutiny
| Enemy | Threat Level | Key Danger | When They Appear | Counter Strategy |
| Vaporizers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Energy shields + precision laser attacks | Always near Assessors | Break shield first, then burst core with grenades |
| Surveyors | ⭐⭐⭐ | Call reinforcements when spotting players | Throughout raid, increased density | Eliminate quickly before they alert other ARC |
| Standard ARC Patrols | ⭐⭐⭐ | Overwhelming numbers due to density spike | Everywhere during Close Scrutiny | Avoid unnecessary fights; conserve ammo |
Two enemy types define the danger level of a Close Scrutiny run. Everything else is standard ARC patrols, which are already dramatically increased from normal.
- Vaporizers are the primary aerial threat — fast flying ARC units with energy shields and precision laser attacks. They patrol the areas surrounding each Assessor in groups. Full breakdown in the Vaporizer guide below, but the key point for Close Scrutiny specifically: do not breach an Assessor while Vaporizers are still active overhead. The noise from breaching makes a bad situation unmanageable.
- Surveyors spawn in increased numbers during Close Scrutiny. They’re the ground-level intelligence units — if they spot you, they escalate patrol response. Clear them before they can call in reinforcements, especially when approaching an Assessor.
PvP Dynamics in Close Scrutiny
Close Scrutiny concentrates every squad on the server toward the same two or three points on the map. Combined with gutted ambient loot making the Assessor the only real reward source, the human threat becomes as significant as the ARC threat.
A few patterns to expect:
- The 25% ambush — most PvP aggression spikes when an Assessor is nearly fully breached. Squads who waited out the ARC fight converge on the objective when the hard work is done. Keep someone watching angles while the breach finishes.
- Hot extraction points — with no ambient loot worth running, extraction points near Assessors become contested as squads try to cash out high-value components. If you’re extracting with rare materials, consider moving to a quieter extraction point further from the Assessor zone rather than the nearest one.
- Later Assessors — the second and third Assessors that land during the session attract far less traffic than the first. If the initial landing site is swarming with both ARC and other squads, tracking a later Assessor often gives you a cleaner breach with the same loot pool.
Recommended Loadout for Close Scrutiny
Close Scrutiny is not a casual-gear map condition. Bring what you’d bring to a Matriarch fight, add aerial threat coverage, and pack more healing than you think you need.
| Slot | Best Option | Alternative | Purpose |
| Primary Weapon | Hullcracker | Dolabra / Anvil | High ARC armor damage; essential for heavy units |
| Secondary Weapon | Aphelion Energy Rifle | Canto SMG | Precision vs Vaporizers or close-range PvP defense |
| Healing | Herbal Bandages / Vita Spray | — | Sustain during prolonged Assessor fights |
| Utility | Shield Recharger | — | Critical for surviving ARC bursts and PvP pressure |
| Deployable | Surge Coil | — | Area control during Assessor breaches |
| Grenade | Wolfpack Grenades | — | Massive damage during Vaporizer core phase |
| Grenade (Control) | Showstopper | — | Stuns Vaporizers before damage window |
Promo code: Dina_Blog
Use this discount as my thank you for your attention!
- Primary weapon — Hullcracker for maximum ARC armor damage, or the Dolabra if you already have the blueprint. The Anvil works as a budget option for forcing Vaporizer altitude drops with consistent heavy fire.
- Secondary weapon — Aphelion Energy Rifle for precision rotor targeting on Vaporizers, or Canto SMG for CQB against Raiders who push you mid-breach.
- Consumables — pack Herbal Bandages or Vita Spray, Shield Rechargers, and at least one Surge Coil to deploy at your back during Assessor breaches.
- Grenades — Wolfpack Grenades for Vaporizer core phase (after shield drops), Showstopper for stunning the Vaporizer before committing Wolfpacks. Do not throw Wolfpacks while the Vaporizer’s energy shield is active — wasted consumables.
Author
Epiccarry: best wow boost and coaching services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Close Scrutiny in ARC Raiders?
Close Scrutiny is the first ARC Operation map condition introduced in the Flashpoint update. A large ARC machine called the Assessor lands on the map, ambient loot is drastically reduced, and Vaporizer patrols guard the Assessors, which contain the best loot in the game.
What maps does Close Scrutiny appear on?
Close Scrutiny appears on Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. It does not occur on Stella Montis due to its indoor layout.
How do you find an Assessor during Close Scrutiny?
Follow the red sky beams — each Assessor emits three vertical beams visible from across the map. A probe icon also appears on your map when one lands.
How do you breach an Assessor?
Climb each of the three legs and interact with the container at the top. Wait for the platform to fully deploy first. Clear all Vaporizer patrols before starting, as breaching creates noise that attracts additional ARC enemies.
What loot drops from Assessors?
Assessors drop the Dolabra Energy Shotgun blueprint (rare), Canto SMG blueprint, Assessor Matrix crafting material, and high-tier ARC components such as Vaporizer Regulators.
Is Close Scrutiny playable solo?
Yes, but it is designed for coordinated teams. Solo players face significantly higher risk due to Vaporizer patrols and increased enemy density.
Do Trials challenges give bonus points during Close Scrutiny?
Yes. All Trials challenges grant double points while Close Scrutiny is active.
How often does Close Scrutiny appear in ARC Raiders?
Close Scrutiny runs in timed rotations, typically active for about one hour at a time before cycling off the map condition.
Are Assessors always present during Close Scrutiny?
Yes. Three Assessors land at the start of the session, with additional probes appearing over time during the raid.
Why is ambient loot reduced in Close Scrutiny?
The mode is designed to concentrate all high-value rewards inside Assessors, forcing players into contested objective zones instead of traditional scavenging routes.
What are Vaporizers in Close Scrutiny?
Vaporizers are flying ARC enemies that guard Assessors. They have energy shields and deal high precision damage, making them the primary threat during breaches.
When is the best time to engage an Assessor?
Later Assessors are usually safer. The first landing attracts most players, while second and third probes offer similar loot with less PvP pressure.
What is the biggest risk during Close Scrutiny runs?
The highest risk comes from combined pressure: Vaporizer patrols, increased ARC density, and PvP ambushes when an Assessor is nearly breached.
Can you extract safely during Close Scrutiny?
Yes, but extraction points near Assessors are often contested. Moving to a more distant extraction zone reduces the chance of PvP encounters.
What is the best strategy for Close Scrutiny?
Focus on clearing Vaporizer patrols before breaching, coordinate with your team, and prioritize later Assessors for safer and more consistent loot runs.
Comments
