Keys are one of the most important progression tools in ARC Raiders. Locked doors can lead to higher loot density, safer extraction routes, and faster exits, but keys are consumable, unpredictable, and easy to lose if you don’t manage risk properly. In the current meta, knowing which keys to chase — and when to walk away — matters far more than simply opening every locked door you find.
This guide is written to clarify how keys actually work in ARC Raiders, where they come from, and what value they provide, so you can make informed decisions instead of gambling your runs on bad odds.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- How keys work, including rarity tiers, consumable rules, and death penalties
- The best locations and activities for finding keys consistently
- Crafting, vendors, and guaranteed quest-based keys
- A complete breakdown of Topside keys and what each one unlocks
- Which keys are worth using, which are situational, and which to skip
- Common mistakes that cause players to lose keys — and runs — unnecessarily
TL;DR — ARC Raiders Keys
- Keys unlock high-value loot areas and fast extraction routes.
- Most keys are random drops in residential or admin areas.
- Raider Hatch Keys are top-tier utility; they provide fast, quiet extractions.
- Keys are consumable — once used, they’re gone.
- Protect keys using the Safe Pocket (or the Safekeeper augment for high-tier protection).
- Some keys are guaranteed quest rewards or craftable at the Utility Station.
- Not all keys are equal — rarity tiers (Rare/Epic) signal their strategic importance.
How Keys Work in ARC Raiders
Keys are special loot items found topside that open locked doors, rooms, bunkers, and hatches. These locked areas almost always contain better loot density than open structures, which is why keys are so valuable.
There are a few important rules to remember:
- Keys disappear after use.
- You can lose them on death.
- PvP hotspots often overlap with key locations.
- The Safe Pocket can protect a key from being lost. Note: The Headwinds update introduced the Looting Mk.3 Safekeeper augment, which provides expanded secure storage for keys and high-value items at the cost of using an augment slot.
While keys don’t have fixed spawn points, their effective rarity varies by zone and player traffic. Keys tied to residential and admin interiors are common, while bunker, annex, or extraction keys (labeled Rare or Epic) appear less frequently and carry a higher opportunity cost.
Note on Security Codes: Some modifiers introduce temporary security code items (often called “code keys”). For example, the Ancient Fort Security Code (Blue Gate) is a temporary security code item used during the Locked Gate modifier; it occupies an inventory slot and can be extracted, but it functions as a code for a specific gate rather than a permanent door key.
Best Places to Find Keys in ARC Raiders
While most keys are random drops, they’re not evenly distributed. Keys most commonly drop from residential buildings, research & administration buildings, cabinets, drawers, and desks, and occasionally from other players.
Crafting & Vendors
You don’t always have to rely on RNG. The Raider Hatch Key (Rare) can be purchased from Shani or crafted at Utility Station 2 using 1× Advanced Electrical Components and 3× Sensors. Keys obtained through quests or crafting follow the same consumable rules as loot drops, but they remove RNG from the equation—making them more reliable, but often more expensive in time or resources.
All Arc Raiders Keys and What They Unlock
Not every key below offers the same return — some improve extraction safety, others increase loot density, and a few mainly exist to funnel players into contested spaces.
This guide focuses on the main Topside keys for Dam, Spaceport, Buried City, and Blue Gate. If you’re looking for a specific key not listed here (e.g., Stella Montis keys), it likely belongs to another location or modifier rotation and will be added as coverage expands.
Dam & Spaceport Keys
| Key name | Rarity | Where to find it | What it unlocks |
| Raider Hatch Key | Rare | Purchased, crafted, or quest reward | Hatch exits for fast, quiet extraction |
| Dam Surveillance Key | Uncommon | Residential buildings (Dam) | Water Treatment Control (South side / 1st floor) |
| Dam Utility Key | Uncommon | Dam Admin buildings | Closets and small utility rooms |
| Dam Staff Room Key | Uncommon | Research & Admin building | Staff room near the Control Tower |
| Dam Control Tower Key | Epic | Reward: “The Trifecta” | Control Tower entrance (top floor) |
| Dam Testing Annex Key | Rare | Reward: “A Lay Of The Land” | Testing Annex loot rooms |
| Spaceport Container Storage Key | Rare | Residential areas | High-loot storage room |
| Spaceport Control Tower Key | Rare | Residential areas | Control Tower B6 (ARC-guarded) |
| Spaceport Trench Tower Key | Uncommon | Reward: “Turnabout” | Trench tower interiors |
| Spaceport Outskirts Bunker Key | Rare | Residential cabinets | Hidden bunker west of the map |
| Spaceport Warehouse Key | Uncommon | Admin & residential | Upper-floor warehouse loot |
Buried City Keys
| Key name | Rarity | Where to find it | What it unlocks |
| Buried City Hospital Key | Rare | Residential & admin areas | Upper hospital floors |
| Buried City Town Hall Key | Epic | Reward: “Our Presence Up There” | Front door of Town Hall |
| Buried City Residential Master Key | Uncommon | Admin building | Multiple apartment doors |
| Buried City JKV Employee Access Card | Uncommon | Residential areas | Parking garage steel door |
Blue Gate Keys
| Key name | Rarity | Where to find it | What it unlocks |
| Communication Tower Key | Rare | Pale Apartments | Tower entrance (north) |
| Confiscation Room Key | Epic | Pale Apartments, Ruby Residences | Reinforced underground loot room |
| Cellar Key | Rare | Residential & Spaceport offices | Underground cellar |
| Village Key | Uncommon | Residential & admin areas | Large village double doors |
| Patrol Car Key | Uncommon | Residential, Checkpoint booths | Armored patrol car storage |
Which ARC Raiders Keys are Actually Worth Using
Not all keys justify the risk. As a general rule:
High Value
- Raider Hatch Key: Top tier. These have no exit countdown and can be activated immediately. Once opened, they stay active for around 10–15 seconds (varies by build) before closing. They are quieter and safer than standard extractions and sell for 2,000 credits.
- Residential Master Keys: Great for loot density in dense zones like Buried City.
- Bunker / Annex keys: Often hide Rare-tier loot and offer more safety than open-air POIs.
Situational
- Tower and Control keys: Good for tactical positioning and high-ground advantage.
- Confiscation Room keys: High risk, high reward (Epic rarity loot potential).
Low Priority
- Single-room keys in high-traffic PvP zones where you can easily be cornered.
- Value also depends on timing. Using a high-tier key early in a raid can attract attention, while holding it too long increases death risk.
Common Mistakes Players Make with Keys
Even experienced raiders mess this up:
- Entering locked rooms without clearing nearby players.
- Forgetting keys are consumable.
- Carrying multiple keys without Safe Pocket/Safekeeper protection.
- Chasing loot while ignoring extraction timing.
- Using rare keys on low-value rooms.
- Treating keys as mandatory objectives instead of optional advantages.
Is Key Farming Worth it in ARC Raiders?
Yes — but only with intent.
Keys reward players who approach them deliberately by:
- Planning routes based on the keys in their Safe Pocket.
- Reading map conditions and avoiding high-traffic POIs if a key isn’t worth the fight.
- Knowing when to extract early using a Hatch rather than pushing for more loot.
If you treat keys like lottery tickets, you’ll lose them. If you treat them like objectives, they become one of the most reliable ways to upgrade your runs.
In Arc Raiders, locked doors don’t just hide loot. They test whether you know when to open them — and when extracting safely is the real win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are keys used for in ARC Raiders?
Keys are used to unlock locked doors, rooms, bunkers, and hatches that contain higher-tier loot, safer extraction routes, or restricted access areas. Most locked locations offer better loot density than open areas, making keys a major progression tool.
Are keys consumable in ARC Raiders?
Yes. Keys are single-use items. Once a key is used to open a locked door, room, bunker, or hatch, it is permanently consumed and removed from your inventory. Even if the unlocked area turns out to be low value, the key cannot be recovered, which makes choosing when to use a key an important risk decision.
Can you lose keys when you die in ARC Raiders?
Yes. Any keys carried in your regular inventory are lost on death, just like weapons and loot. Only keys stored in the Safe Pocket or protected through the Safekeeper augment will survive a failed extraction, making inventory management critical when carrying rare or high-value keys.
How do you protect keys from being lost?
Keys can be protected by placing them in your Safe Pocket. The Looting Mk.3 Safekeeper augment further expands secure storage, allowing you to protect more high-value items at the cost of using an augment slot.
Where do keys usually drop in ARC Raiders?
Keys most commonly drop as random loot from residential buildings, research and administration buildings, desks, cabinets, and drawers. They can also occasionally be looted from other players.
Are key drops random or fixed?
Key drops are fully random, with no guaranteed spawn points. However, certain building types—such as residential apartments, research offices, and administration buildings—have a higher chance of spawning keys due to their loot tables. Planning routes through these structures improves consistency without relying on fixed locations.
Are some keys rarer than others?
Yes. Keys are assigned rarity tiers such as Uncommon, Rare, and Epic. Higher-rarity keys typically unlock more valuable areas, safer extraction options, or restricted locations with better loot density. These keys also appear less frequently, increasing both their value and the risk associated with carrying them.
What is the best key in ARC Raiders?
The Raider Hatch Key is widely considered the best key. It provides fast, quiet extractions with no countdown timer, significantly reducing exposure to PvP and ARC enemies. It also has a high vendor sell value.
How long does a Raider Hatch stay open?
Once activated, a Raider Hatch remains open for approximately 10–15 seconds, depending on the current build. During this window, any nearby player—not just the one who used the key—can extract through the hatch. This makes timing and positioning especially important when using Hatch Keys.
Can keys be crafted in ARC Raiders?
Yes, but crafting options are limited. The Raider Hatch Key can be crafted at Utility Station 2 using Advanced Electrical Components and Sensors. Most other keys cannot be crafted and must be obtained through loot drops or as quest rewards.
Are any keys guaranteed rewards?
Yes. Some keys are guaranteed rewards from specific quests, such as the Dam Testing Annex Key or the Buried City Town Hall Key. These keys remove randomness from acquisition but still behave like normal keys: they are consumable and can be lost if not protected.
What are security codes, and how are they different from keys?
Security codes—often referred to as code keys—are physical inventory items tied to specific gameplay modifiers, such as Locked Gate events. While they occupy inventory slots and can be extracted like keys, they function as temporary access codes for specific gates rather than permanent door keys tied to a map location.
Are all keys worth using?
No. Some keys provide consistent value, while others expose you to significant risk for limited rewards. Single-room keys in high-traffic PvP areas are often less efficient than extraction keys or multi-door keys. Evaluating map conditions and player activity is essential before committing to a key use.
Is key farming worth it in ARC Raiders?
Key farming is worth it if done intentionally. Players who plan routes, avoid unnecessary fights, and extract early with valuable keys tend to see consistent progression. Randomly chasing locked doors often leads to losses.
Should you sell keys or use them?
It depends on your current needs and the type of key. High-utility keys like the Raider Hatch Key can be sold for a large credit payout if you need currency, while other keys may offer better long-term value when used strategically to access rare loot or safer extraction routes.
