Mixed Signals is a mid-game quest given by Shani in Arc Raiders. Most players encounter it after completing Dormant Barons. On paper, the objective looks simple: destroy an ARC Surveyor and retrieve a Surveyor Vault. In practice, this quest tests whether you understand how Surveyors behave, how to approach them safely, and how much risk you’re willing to take in a raid.

This quest is not about raw firepower. It’s about positioning, timing, and knowing when to disengage.

Who Gives the Quest and Where Can It Be Done?

Shani is the trader who gives Mixed Signals. The quest can be completed on any map, which usually means most players will attempt it during normal farming runs rather than dedicating a special raid just for it.

Because Surveyors can spawn in multiple locations, players often complete this quest incidentally while doing other objectives. However, trying to force it in a single raid can lead to unnecessary deaths if you rush.

What Exactly Is an ARC Surveyor?

Surveyors are large, round ARC machines that float and transmit data. They are easy to recognize once you’ve seen one, but they are not easy targets.

In general, Surveyors:

  • Detect players quickly

  • Attempt to flee rather than fight

  • Call in ARC reinforcements if alarmed

Most players fail this quest the first time because they open fire immediately. This usually causes the Surveyor to escape or trigger extra enemies.

How Do Surveyors Behave in Real Raids?

Surveyors are described as “skittish” for a reason. In practice, they:

  • Move away once they sense combat noise

  • Change altitude or direction to avoid damage

  • Become harder to track once alerted

Usually, if a Surveyor escapes your initial engagement, it’s not worth chasing it across the map. Doing so attracts other ARC units and often ends with third-party players showing up.

Experienced players treat Surveyors like ambush targets, not normal enemies.

How Should You Approach a Surveyor Safely?

The key advice Shani gives—stunning before engaging—is not optional.

Most players rely on:

  • Jolt Mines

  • EMP-based equipment

  • Coordinated timing if playing in a squad

Solo players usually plant a stun first, then unload damage quickly. Squads often assign one player to control movement while others focus on damage.

In general, you want the Surveyor disabled before it understands what’s happening. If it starts moving freely, the fight is already going wrong.

How Hard Is It to Get the Surveyor Vault?

Once the Surveyor is destroyed, you need to loot the Surveyor Vault. This is where many players die.

The explosion and sound often attract:

  • Nearby ARC patrols

  • Other players looking for PvP

  • Opportunistic squads waiting for noise

Most players don’t die to the Surveyor itself. They die while looting afterward. A common tactic is to clear the area first, loot fast, and leave immediately rather than lingering.

What Rewards Do You Get from Mixed Signals?

Completing Mixed Signals grants several useful items:

  • Surveyor Vault

  • Jolt Mines

  • Showstoppers

  • Photoelectric Cloak

  • Raider Hatch Key

These rewards are practical rather than flashy. Most players value the vault and cloak the most. Some players choose to keep these items for future quests, while others prefer to sell ARC Raiders items later once they understand their long-term needs.

The quest itself does not unlock anything dramatic, but it pushes progression forward and builds familiarity with high-value ARC targets.

Is Mixed Signals Worth Doing Early?

In general, yes—but only if you’re prepared.

Players who attempt this quest too early often:

  • Lack proper stun tools

  • Don’t recognize Surveyor spawn behavior

  • Panic when ARC reinforcements arrive

Most experienced players recommend waiting until you can comfortably handle mid-tier ARC encounters. There’s no penalty for delaying the quest, and rushing it rarely saves time in the long run.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Based on how most players fail Mixed Signals, here are the usual mistakes:

  • Shooting before stunning

  • Fighting the Surveyor in open areas

  • Ignoring surrounding ARC units

  • Looting too slowly after the kill

Another common issue is tunnel vision. Players focus so much on the Surveyor that they forget about extraction routes. Always plan your exit before engaging.

Can This Quest Be Done Solo?

Yes, but it’s harder.

Solo players usually need:

  • Good positioning

  • A stun setup prepared in advance

  • Enough damage to finish quickly

Squads have a much easier time controlling the encounter, but they also make more noise. In general, solo players succeed by being patient, while squads succeed by overwhelming the target.

How Does Mixed Signals Fit into Overall Progression?

Mixed Signals teaches an important lesson in Arc Raiders: not every enemy should be rushed.

After this quest, most players:

  • Pay more attention to enemy behavior

  • Start using utility tools more often

  • Think twice before firing immediately

It’s less about the rewards and more about training you to handle high-value ARC targets efficiently.

Final Thoughts from Long-Term Play

Mixed Signals is one of those quests that feels frustrating at first but makes sense later. Once you understand Surveyor behavior, it becomes a controlled encounter rather than a chaotic fight.

Most players who struggle early eventually realize that patience and preparation matter more than gear level. If you treat the Surveyor like a roaming boss instead of a normal enemy, the quest becomes much more manageable.

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