First Wave Caches are the ultimate reward introduced in the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update. These are raider cache variants that spawn under Hurricane map conditions, containing some of the most coveted loot in ARC Raiders.
These Caches reliably drop purple-tier blueprints such as Tempest, Bobcat, and Vulcano. Combined with high-tier healing items and mods, an hour of farming can yield loot worth over 500,000 credits.
This guide will detail the specific locations of First Wave Caches, how to identify them, and how to maximize your loot acquisition.
Best Map
First Wave Caches only appear on all maps except Stella Montis under Hurricane conditions. The best map is Dam Battlegrounds, which has the highest Cache spawn density and is ideal for spawn-based route planning. Its naturally open terrain also allows for faster movement.
Blue Gate has a relatively concentrated First Wave Cache spawn point; if you want to find multiple Caches in a raid, this map is the perfect choice. Spaceport is also a good option; if you spawn in a good spot, you can get a good amount of loot.
While Buried City shows a high density of loot spots on the map, they are difficult to find. The complex map layout can make loot spots hard to locate, resulting in low efficiency.
If you're just starting out with First Wave Caches, it's recommended to start with Blue Gate. Its extraction route is less tricky, offering the highest success rate for looting and a safe extraction.
If you're very adventurous, you can also go to the densely populated Dam Battlegrounds, where the chance of finding caches is highest, but the chance of encountering malicious players is also higher.
Identification Method
The most reliable way to locate First Wave Caches is by sound. These First Wave Caches emit a unique mechanical sound with an electric guitar tone, which you can clearly distinguish from regular loot crates.
When you approach a potential cache spawn point, stop moving at a distance of about 30 to 50 meters and begin identifying it. This sound travels a long distance, and using headphones allows for more accurate sound capture and precise location pinpointing.
Once you identify this sound signature, it's virtually impossible to make a mistake. Many experienced players can locate First Wave Caches solely by sound, avoiding the tedious task of searching the entire area. Especially during competitive hurricane conditions, sound detection is much faster than manually checking each marker.
Naked Farming
Due to the popularity of First Wave Caches, competition is extremely fierce during hurricanes. Caches are often quickly looted, and once activated, they stop emitting sound, causing latecomers to waste time.
Therefore, a naked farming strategy is more suitable for those just starting to farm First Wave Caches.
Before entering the map, note your spawn point and immediately check the map for the nearest First Wave Cache marker. For equipment, simply carry an empty loadout containing a Safe Pocket. Once you find Caches, immediately place the loot into Safe Pocket and then surrender instead of attempting to extract, greatly reducing your risk of being ambushed.
Because items in Safe Pocket remain after surrendering, ARC Raiders blueprints or other items will be safely returned to Speranza. Then, repeat the above steps and immediately queue for the next raid. Ideally, you can obtain a blueprint every 2 to 5 minutes, far more efficient than traditional extraction-based farming methods.
Additionally, if you spawn late or fail to find First Wave Caches quickly, don't hesitate to surrender immediately and re-queue; this is the most efficient approach.
However, during off-peak hours or when competition is less intense, the traditional search-attack-extract method is still viable.
First, pre-determine at least 5 to 7 Marauder First Wave Cache markers on the map and connect them into a search route to minimize exposure time. Note that the last marker must be close to the extraction point so you can quickly extract with your loot.
A word of caution: regardless of your strategy, you should immediately place important blueprints or loot into your Safe Pocket. A slight mistake could result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of credits.
Loot
The most attractive aspect of First Wave Caches is undoubtedly their abundant loot. Tempest, Bobcat, and Vulcano blueprints have a very high drop rate here, with Tempest appearing far more frequently than other blueprints. After a few runs, you'll accumulate more blueprints than you actually need.
While the drop rate may vary each time, extensive player testing suggests that approximately 6 out of 10 First Wave Caches will yield a blueprint.
Besides blueprints, First Wave Caches also reliably drop High-Grade Healing Items, such as Vita Shots, Sterilized Bandages, and Herbal Bandages. These supplies are valuable in themselves, whether for personal use or traded with other players.
High-level weapons are also common. Torrente III, Anvil II, Renegade, and other purple-quality weapons frequently appear. Furthermore, advanced modules such as Exodus Modules and Magnetic Accelerators always further increase the total rewards per run.
If you can search efficiently under hurricane conditions, you can easily obtain loot worth over 500,000 credits, most of which comes from First Wave Caches.
A word of caution: don't try to loot all First Wave Caches on the map at once. Once you have one or two advanced blueprints in your Safe Pocket, you should consider leaving. The event lasts a long time, and rushing might result in greater losses.
That concludes this detailed introduction to ARC Raiders First Wave Caches. It's safe to say that with enough searching, every player during Shrouded Sky will likely reap considerable rewards. Good luck with your treasure hunt!
