The Surveyor Vault is a Rare recyclable item in Arc Raiders. Most players encounter it for the first time after fighting or scavenging destroyed Surveyors in ARC zones. It does not drop from crates or normal loot containers. In general, if you want Surveyor Vaults, you need to actively hunt Surveyors or loot areas where they commonly patrol.



The item itself is simple: it weighs 1.0, stacks up to 3, and sells for 2,000 credits. What makes it important is not the sell price, but how it fits into progression, especially base upgrades.



Where Do Surveyor Vaults Come From?

Do Surveyors Always Drop Them?



No. Surveyor Vaults are not guaranteed drops. Usually, Surveyors drop standard mechanical loot, and the Vault is a rarer outcome. Most players report that they see one Vault every few Surveyor kills, not every time.



If you are farming specifically for Surveyor Vaults, expect some dry runs. This is normal. In practice, players often combine Vault farming with general scavenging so the time feels less wasted.



Best Places to Find Surveyors



Surveyors only appear in ARC-controlled areas. In general:



They patrol open spaces rather than tight interiors



They are more common in mid-to-high danger zones



They tend to show up in predictable paths



Most players learn Surveyor routes over time and check those areas first each raid. This saves time and reduces unnecessary combat.



How Dangerous Are Surveyors to Fight?



Surveyors are not the hardest ARC units, but they are punishing if ignored.



They have good detection range



They pressure you into moving



They often attract other ARC units



Most players either:



Burst them down quickly with coordinated fire



Or disengage and wait for a safer moment



Solo players usually avoid fighting Surveyors unless they are confident in their positioning and ammo. In squads, Surveyors are much easier to deal with.



What Is the Surveyor Vault Used For?

Is It Just for Selling?



Selling Surveyor Vaults is usually not recommended. The credit value is low compared to its crafting and upgrade value.



Most players keep them unless they already finished key base upgrades.



Medical Lab Upgrade Requirement



The most important use of Surveyor Vaults is upgrading the Medical Lab from Level II to Level III.



To perform this upgrade, you need:



3x Rusted Shut Medical Kit



8x Antiseptic



5x Surveyor Vault



This is a progression wall for many players. In general, the Medical Lab upgrade improves healing efficiency and recovery options, which directly affects survivability.



Most players prioritize this upgrade once they reach mid-game.



Should You Recycle Surveyor Vaults?

Recycling Results



When recycled, a Surveyor Vault gives:



2× Mechanical Components



2× ARC Alloy



These are useful materials, especially ARC Alloy, which is harder to obtain consistently.



Is Recycling Worth It?



In most cases, no — not early on.



Most players regret recycling Surveyor Vaults before finishing the Medical Lab upgrade. Once the upgrade is done and you have extras, recycling becomes reasonable.



A common pattern is:



Keep the first 5 Vaults for Medical Lab III



Recycle or sell surplus afterward



How Do Players Usually Farm Surveyor Vaults Efficiently?

General Farming Behavior



Most players do not hard-farm Surveyors in isolation. Instead, they:



Run normal scavenging routes



Detour when they hear or spot a Surveyor



Leave the area if the fight becomes noisy



This reduces risk and avoids drawing too much ARC attention.



Loadout Considerations



In general, players prefer:



Mid-range weapons with good accuracy



Enough ammo to finish the fight quickly



One mobility tool for disengaging



Heavy weapons are usually unnecessary and slow you down if other ARC units show up.



Inventory Management Tips



Because Surveyor Vaults:



Stack only up to 3



Weigh 1.0 each



They can eat inventory space quickly. Most players extract as soon as they secure multiple Vaults rather than risk losing them.



A common mistake is staying too long after getting a Vault. Many players lose them this way.



How Rare Is the Surveyor Vault Compared to Other ARC Loot?



Compared to standard mechanical components, Surveyor Vaults are clearly rarer. However, they are not as rare as high-tier weapon parts or experimental items.



In general:



You will see Vaults regularly if you fight Surveyors often



You will see almost none if you avoid ARC patrols



This makes them a targeted farming item, not passive loot.



Do You Need Surveyor Vaults Long-Term?



Once your Medical Lab is fully upgraded, Surveyor Vaults lose most of their long-term importance. At that stage, players usually:



Recycle them for ARC Alloy



Sell them if short on credits



Ignore Surveyors unless needed for other loot



Some players still collect them while looking for cheap arc raiders blueprints, since Surveyors are often encountered during deeper ARC scavenging runs.



Common Mistakes Players Make with Surveyor Vaults

Recycling Too Early



This is the most common mistake. Many players recycle Vaults early, then later struggle to upgrade the Medical Lab.



Overcommitting to Fights



Surveyors are rarely alone. Staying too long increases the chance of being overwhelmed.



Hoarding Without a Plan



Keeping Vaults forever without upgrading or recycling wastes inventory space. Most players benefit from deciding early how many they actually need.



Practical Advice from Experienced Players



If you see a Surveyor and you are prepared, take the fight



Extract once you secure multiple Vaults



Do not recycle Vaults before Medical Lab III



Treat Vaults as progression items, not profit items



In general, Surveyor Vaults are simple but important. They reward players who understand ARC behavior and manage risk instead of rushing combat.

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