Armored Transports is a mid-game quest given by Tian Wen at The Blue Gate. You only get it after finishing A New Type Of Plant and With A Trace, so most players already have some combat and map experience by the time they see it.
The quest sounds simple on paper: find a key card, go into a tunnel, unlock an armored patrol car. In practice, it often takes longer than expected because of random spawns, enemy pressure, and the risk of losing the key card.
This quest is less about fighting and more about moving carefully, checking the right places, and understanding how the checkpoint area works.
<hr> Where do you start the Armored Transports quest?The quest takes place around the Blue Gate Checkpoint. This area is usually busy, especially during peak hours, because multiple quests pass through it.
Most players start by heading to the checkpoint structures just outside the traffic tunnel. You do not need to enter the tunnel immediately. In fact, doing so too early often leads to confusion or wasted time.
A good habit is to clear nearby enemies first. Raiders and patrol units tend to respawn here, and getting interrupted while searching huts is one of the most common reasons players fail the run.
<hr> How do you find the Armored Patrol Key Card?The Armored Patrol Key Card is usually found in one of the guard huts near the checkpoint. There is no fixed hut; most players need to check several before finding it.
Things to keep in mind:
The key card is a physical quest item.
If you die while carrying it, it will drop.
If it disappears from your inventory, the game provides a backup option.
Many experienced players recommend looting the huts quickly and leaving the area once the key card is secured. Hanging around increases the risk of dying and needing to backtrack.
<hr> What happens if you lose the key card?This is where many players get stuck, especially on their first attempt.
If you die or somehow lose the key card after picking it up, a spare key card becomes available. You can find it:
Inside a guard shack just inside the right entrance of the traffic tunnel
In a box on the floor
In general, the spare key only appears if the quest is active and you already obtained the original key at least once. Players who rush straight into the tunnel without checking huts first often miss this detail.
<hr> Where is the traffic tunnel and what should you expect inside?The traffic tunnel is directly connected to the Blue Gate checkpoint. Once inside, you’ll see a pileup of vehicles, including multiple armored patrol cars.
Important details:
Not all armored cars are locked
The locked car is randomized
You usually need to check several vehicles
Most players move slowly through the tunnel, checking rear doors one by one. Sprinting through often attracts enemies or causes you to miss the correct car.
It’s still unclear whether multiple locked cars can spawn at once or whether multiple players can open the same car for quest credit. In practice, players usually assume they need to find their own.
<hr> How do you unlock the armored patrol car?Once you find the correct armored patrol car:
Go to the rear door
Use the key card
The quest objective updates immediately
There is no puzzle or timer involved. The difficulty comes from finding the correct car safely, not from the unlocking process itself.
Most players complete the quest the moment the door opens. You do not need to extract or loot everything inside for the objective to count.
<hr> What rewards do you get from Armored Transports?Completing the quest gives:
Aviator Outfit (Blue Yellow Color)
3 Smoke Grenades
3 Defibrillators
The outfit is cosmetic, but the utility items are genuinely useful. Smoke grenades help with extraction routes, and defibrillators are valuable for squad play.
Players who enjoy progression efficiency often see this quest as a stepping stone toward better gear access later on.
<hr> Is Armored Transports worth doing early?In general, yes. The quest doesn’t require high-tier weapons, but it does reward careful movement and map knowledge.
Most players complete it solo without major issues, though squads can make it easier by covering angles while one person checks cars.
Some players also mention that unlocking armored transports ties into broader progression, including crafting paths and blueprint planning. This is why discussions sometimes drift toward topics like how to buy ARC Raiders blueprints cheap with U4N deals, even though that’s not directly related to finishing this quest.
<hr> Common mistakes players make during this questBased on typical player behavior, these are the most frequent problems:
Rushing into the tunnel before finding the key card
Dying with the key card and not knowing about the spare
Assuming the first armored car is the correct one
Ignoring enemy patrols in the checkpoint area
Slowing down and double-checking locations usually saves more time than rushing.
<hr> Practical tips from experienced playersClear enemies before searching huts
Secure the key card, then head straight to the tunnel
Check the right-side guard shack if the key card is missing
Move methodically through the tunnel
Don’t assume another player opened the correct car for you
Most players who follow these steps finish the quest in one or two runs.
<hr> Final thoughts on Armored TransportsArmored Transports is a good example of how Arc Raiders designs its quests. The objectives are simple, but execution depends on awareness, positioning, and understanding how systems behave after death.
Once you know where to look and what to expect, the quest becomes straightforward. For new players, it’s a lesson in patience. For experienced players, it’s a reminder that locked doors usually guard something worth checking.
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