The Converging Paths Project is one of Arc Raiders’ most substantial endgame activities, tasking players with collecting artifacts, trinkets, and crafting materials across multiple challenging stages. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to complete all six stages before the July 27, 2026 deadline, including exact item counts, reward breakdowns, and insider strategies the competition does not want you to know.
Table of Contents
What Is the Converging Paths Project?
The Converging Paths Project is a multi-stage collection and crafting challenge introduced in Arc Raiders’ Live Update 1.33.0. Unlike standard raids, this project requires you to gather specific trinkets, relics, and ARC drops while exploring various map regions including the notorious Dam Battlegrounds swamp area.
The project represents one of the most significant time investments in Arc Raiders’ endgame loop, demanding approximately 8-12 hours of focused gameplay depending on your RNG luck and play efficiency. Players who approach this project strategically will find it significantly more manageable than those who dive in without a plan.
Upon completion, you will receive the Surge Coil blueprint and numerous high-value crafting materials including Arc Performance Steel, Arc Coolant, and Arc Synthetic Resin. The project is accessible through your Raiders tab under the Project Page, where you can track progress across all six stages simultaneously. Each stage unlocks upon accepting the project, allowing you to work toward multiple objectives in parallel rather than sequentially.
All Stages at a Glance
| Stage | Name | Required Items | Primary Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secure Safe Passage | 8 Trinkets + 3 Common Relics | Combat MK.3 (Flanking) Augment |
| 2 | Collect Supplies | 15 ARC Drops + 5 Uncommon Relics | Photoelectric Cloak |
| 3 | Procure Relics | 12 Rare Relics + 4 Epic Relics | Rascal II Grenade Launcher |
| 4 | Create Emergency Caches | 8 Mines + 8 Traps | Bobcat II Weapon |
| 5 | Finish Cabinet of Curiosities | 5 Legendary Trinkets | Arc Thermo Lining |
| 6 | Use Nomad Tactics | 30 ARC Drops + 10 Rare Relics | Arc Performance Steel + Arc Coolant + Arc Synthetic Resin |
Understanding Trinkets, Relics, and ARC Drops
Before diving into the stage breakdowns, it is essential to understand the three primary item categories you will be collecting throughout this project.
Trinkets
Trinkets are small collectibles scattered throughout all playable regions. They range in rarity from Common to Legendary, with each rarity tier having distinct spawn locations and rates. The trinket rarity system follows a standard progression: Common (white), Uncommon (green), Rare (blue), Epic (purple), and Legendary (orange). Higher rarity trinkets naturally have lower spawn rates, making Stage 5’s legendary requirement particularly challenging.
Relics
Relics are more substantial artifacts that often have historical or aesthetic significance within the Arc Raiders universe. Like trinkets, they follow a rarity system. Common and Uncommon relics can be found relatively frequently in residential and commercial areas, while Rare and Epic relics require deeper exploration into more dangerous territories such as the Dam Battlegrounds swamp.
ARC Drops
ARC Drops are materials harvested from defeated ARC enemies. These mechanical adversaries spawn throughout all regions but are particularly concentrated in the Dam Battlegrounds zone. Unlike trinkets and relics, ARC drops are not bound by spawn RNG; you receive them consistently for each enemy defeated, making their collection a matter of time investment rather than luck.
Stage 1: Secure Safe Passage
Requirements
- 8 Trinkets (any rarity)
- 3 Common Relics
Where to Find Trinkets
Trinkets spawn across all playable regions with varying rarity distributions. The most efficient farming locations include:
- Residential Areas: Grandioso Apartments and Santa Maria Houses offer consistent common and uncommon trinket spawns. These areas have moderate enemy presence, making them ideal for newer players or those looking to farm without excessive risk.
- Commercial Districts: Plazas Rosa provides moderate spawn rates for uncommon and rare items. The open layout can sometimes result in longer travel times between spawn points, but the overall efficiency is comparable to residential zones.
- Hotel Zones: Panorama Azzurro hotel is excellent for rare trinket hunting. The vertical nature of the hotel means you will be checking multiple floors, but the concentration of rare spawns makes this worthwhile.
Pro Tip: Close Scrutiny Map Condition
When playing Stage 1, prioritize maps with the “Close Scrutiny” condition. This modifier increases trinket spawn rates significantly, making your 8-trinket collection substantially faster. The swamp region in Dam Battlegrounds also has elevated spawn rates, though the terrain damage requires careful navigation. Players report that combining Close Scrutiny maps with the swamp region yields the fastest results for this stage.
Rewards
Combat MK.3 (Flanking) Augment
The Combat MK.3 augment with Flanking specialization is particularly valuable for players who prefer aggressive playstyles. It increases damage when attacking enemies from behind or the sides, making it essential for tackling higher-difficulty content later in the game.
Stage 2: Collect Supplies
Requirements
- 15 ARC Drops
- 5 Uncommon Relics
Where to Find ARC Drops
ARC drops come from defeating ARC enemies throughout any raid. Focus on:
- Dam Battlegrounds: High ARC density, especially in the swamp region. The Dam itself offers numerous vertical vantage points where you can pick off ARCs from relative safety.
- Extraction points: ARCs frequently spawn near extraction zones, particularly when the extraction timer is running. Position yourself strategically near these points during the final minutes of a raid.
- Emergency event enemies: These drop guaranteed ARC materials and often appear in clusters. Prioritize emergency events when they spawn.
Forgotten Relics Event Connection
The Forgotten Relics event runs concurrently with Converging Paths. By participating in this event, you earn Merits that can be exchanged for rare trinkets and relics. This is the most efficient way to source Uncommon and Rare Relics without spending excessive time in raids. The Merits system rewards consistent play across both events, making simultaneous participation highly recommended. Players who ignore the Forgotten Relics event often find themselves spending twice as long on relic-dependent stages.
Rewards
Photoelectric Cloak
The Photoelectric Cloak provides passive energy regeneration and is particularly popular among players who rely on ability-heavy builds. Its synergy with other energy-focused equipment makes it a cornerstone piece for many endgame builds.
Stage 3: Procure Relics
Requirements
- 12 Rare Relics
- 4 Epic Relics
Where to Find Rare and Epic Relics
Relic rarity increases with map difficulty and region danger levels:
- Dam Battlegrounds: Best location for Epic Relics, particularly in the deeper swamp sections. The elevated enemy difficulty in these areas directly correlates with better drop rates.
- Raid difficulty scaling: Higher difficulty raids drop higher rarity relics more frequently. If your equipment allows, tackling Nightmare or Insane difficulties can cut your farming time significantly.
- Display Case farming: Some players report higher epic rates when opening Display Cases in residential zones. While not confirmed by official sources, the anecdotal evidence is consistent enough to warrant inclusion in your farming strategy.
Rewards
Rascal II Grenade Launcher
The Rascal II is a powerful explosive weapon that excels in crowd control situations. Its area-of-effect damage makes it particularly useful during Stage 6 when you will be facing large numbers of ARCs simultaneously.
Stage 4: Create Emergency Caches
Requirements
- 8 Mines (any type)
- 8 Traps (any type)
Available Mine Types
- Pulse Mine: Electromagnetic pulse that disables multiple ARCs temporarily, allowing for safe repositioning or focused elimination
- Jolt Mine: Electrical discharge that chains between nearby enemies, effective against clustered groups
- Explosive Mine: Traditional explosive that deals high damage in a radius, best used as a trigger for chokepoints
Available Trap Types
- Lure Grenade Trap: Deploys a enticing grenade that draws ARCs toward it before detonating
- Smoke Grenade Trap: Creates a cloud of obscuring smoke that provides tactical advantage and escape opportunities
- Blaze Grenade Trap: Sets an area on fire, dealing continuous damage to enemies passing through
Pro Tip: Save Mines and Traps for Stage 6
Many players recommend using your accumulated mines and traps during Stage 4 to complete it quickly, but this is a mistake. Stage 6 requires you to fight significantly more ARCs than any other stage (30 ARC Drops). Save your highest-tier mines and traps for Stage 6 to make that final push much more manageable. The strategic difference between using them early versus saving them cannot be overstated. Players who follow this advice consistently report completing Stage 6 in roughly half the time compared to those who depleted their resources on earlier stages.
Rewards
Bobcat II Weapon
The Bobcat II is a versatile secondary weapon that complements the Rascal II from Stage 3. Together, these weapons provide excellent coverage for both single-target and crowd-control scenarios.
Stage 5: Finish Cabinet of Curiosities
Requirements
- 5 Legendary Trinkets
Legendary Trinket Locations
This is the most challenging stage due to legendary trinket scarcity. Key locations include:
- Dam Battlegrounds swamp region: Highest legendary spawn rate in the game. The harsh environment keeps most players away, but those willing to brave the terrain damage are rewarded with better drop rates.
- Panorama Azzurro hotel: Secondary legendary location. The hotel’s multiple floors each have independent spawn tables, meaning multiple runs through the building can yield multiple chances at legendary drops.
- Event-exclusive spawns: During the Forgotten Relics event, some legendary locations have increased spawn rates. Check the event calendar to align your farming sessions with peak event periods.
Legendary Trinket Examples
- Colorful Shoes (Legendary) – A vibrant cosmetic trinket that has become something of a status symbol in the Arc Raiders community
- Elephant Obelisk (Rare, but often found in same locations) – Despite being rare-tier, this item shares spawn tables with legendary locations
- Vintage Steering Wheel – A nostalgic item that suggests pre-collapse automotive culture
- Tellurion – A mechanical globe showing the world before the ARC invasion
- Sextant – Navigation equipment that implies survivors are still exploring
Trash Bin Farming Trick
Several players have discovered that searching trash bins in residential areas can yield surprising results. The Grandioso Apartments complex has multiple trash bin locations that have a small chance of spawning rare and epic trinkets. While not reliable as a primary farming method, checking these bins during your raids can supplement your legendary hunt. Notably, players have reported finding both Tellurion and Train Model in a single trash bin search session. This technique costs no additional time if you are already running through residential areas for other purposes.
Rewards
Arc Thermo Lining
The Arc Thermo Lining is a crafting material used in high-level equipment fabrication. Its inclusion as a reward reflects its significant value in the current crafting meta.
Stage 6: Use Nomad Tactics
Requirements
- 30 ARC Drops
- 10 Rare Relics
Why This Is the Hardest Stage
Stage 6 requires more ARC Drops than any other stage combined (Stage 2 only needs 15). The 30 ARC drops requirement means extended raids or multiple runs. Deploy your saved mines and traps here to maximize efficiency and minimize risk. This stage separates casual players from dedicated ones, requiring both time investment and strategic resource management.
Nomad Tactics Strategy
- Lure Grenade Traps pull ARCs into clustered groups for efficient farming. Position these at chokepoints where multiple enemy paths converge.
- Pulse Mines disable multiple ARCs simultaneously. Save these for emergency situations when you are overwhelmed.
- Smoke Grenade Traps provide escape routes when overwhelmed. Deploy these along your retreat path, not just your advance path.
- Blaze Grenade Traps offer area denial and continuous damage. These are particularly effective at holding corridors against ARC pushes.
Rewards
Arc Performance Steel Arc Coolant Arc Synthetic Resin
These three crafting materials represent the most valuable reward package in the entire project. Combined, they are worth more than all other stage rewards combined, making Stage 6 the most important milestone for serious crafters.
Forgotten Relics Event and Saltwalker Outfit
The Forgotten Relics event runs alongside the Converging Paths Project, creating a synergistic relationship between the two activities. Players who engage with both events simultaneously maximize their Merits earnings, which can be redeemed for exclusive items.
One highly sought-after reward from this event cycle is the Saltwalker outfit. This cosmetic set is only available during the Forgotten Relics event window, making it a strong incentive to complete Converging Paths before the July 27, 2026 deadline. The Saltwalker outfit provides no gameplay advantage but remains a prestigious cosmetic among the Arc Raiders community.
Merits System Overview
- Earn Merits by completing raids and collecting forgotten relics scattered throughout the game world
- Merits can be exchanged for rare trinkets and relics at the event vendor, providing a guaranteed alternative to RNG farming
- Higher difficulty raids yield more Merits per completion, incentivizing players to push their equipment limits
- Plan your weekly schedule to maximize Merit gains alongside Converging Paths progress
- Merits cap at a weekly threshold, so consistent daily play is more efficient than weekend marathons
Pro Tips Summary
- Save mines and traps for Stage 6 to handle the 30 ARC Drop requirement efficiently. This is the single most important strategic advice in this entire guide.
- Use Close Scrutiny maps for Stage 1 to boost trinket spawn rates. The modifier difference is substantial enough to cut your farming time significantly.
- Try trash bin farming at Grandioso Apartments for supplemental rare trinket drops. The RNG chance is low but the time cost is negligible.
- Participate in the Forgotten Relics event to earn Merits for additional relic sources. The dual event structure rewards coordinated play.
- Focus on Dam Battlegrounds swamp region for legendary trinket hunting. Despite the terrain hazards, the spawn rates justify the effort.
- Complete all stages before July 27, 2026 to be eligible for the Saltwalker outfit and other event-exclusive rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the Converging Paths Project?
Completion time varies significantly based on your play schedule and RNG. Casual players typically need 2-3 weeks of consistent play, while dedicated players can complete it in 1 week. The Stage 6 requirement of 30 ARC Drops is typically the biggest time sink, followed closely by Stage 5’s legendary trinket hunt. Players with optimized strategies and good RNG can finish faster, but expect at minimum 8-10 hours of focused gameplay.
Can I work on multiple stages simultaneously?
Yes. You can progress all six stages at the same time. Items collected that match multiple stage requirements will be counted for each appropriate stage automatically. This parallel progression system is one of the most helpful aspects of the project, allowing you to make efficient use of every raid rather than grinding one stage at a time.
Do trinkets and relics disappear if I do not collect them?
No. Trinkets and relics persist in the world until you pick them up or the raid ends. There is no decay or disappear mechanic in Arc Raiders, meaning you can take your time exploring without fear of missing out on spawns you passed earlier in the raid.
What is the best map for farming legendary trinkets?
The Dam Battlegrounds swamp region has the highest legendary trinket spawn rate in the game. The Panorama Azzurro hotel serves as a solid secondary location with slightly lower spawn rates but less environmental hazard. Experienced players often cycle between these two locations based on current server population and competition for spawns.
Are the mines and traps consumed when used in the raid?
No. Unlike some crafting games, mines and traps in Arc Raiders are equipment abilities that recharge between raids. They are not consumed when deployed, making Stage 4’s requirement purely a collection milestone rather than a resource management challenge. You only need to have unlocked these items through normal progression, not sacrifice them.
What happens if I miss the July 27, 2026 deadline?
The Converging Paths Project is a limited-time event. If you miss the deadline, you will not receive the Saltwalker outfit or any event-exclusive rewards. However, the crafting blueprints and materials from each stage may become available through alternative means at a later date, though typically at a higher cost or requiring additional completion of harder content.
Does the Forgotten Relics event have the same deadline?
Yes, both events share the same deadline of July 27, 2026. This is intentional, as the events are designed to be completed in parallel, with the Merits system providing supplementary resources for Converging Paths completion. The dual event structure means players cannot afford to ignore either event if they want the full reward set.
Is there an optimal order to complete the stages?
While you can complete stages in any order, most experienced players recommend prioritizing Stages 1-3 first to build up your resource pool. Save Stage 4 (mines and traps) for when you have accumulated extras, and dedicate your best equipment to Stage 6 when tackling the 30 ARC Drop requirement. The progressive difficulty curve of the stages aligns well with natural resource accumulation.
What is the Sextant trinket used for?
The Sextant is a legendary-tier navigation trinket that some players speculate is connected to hidden content or future updates. Currently, it serves primarily as a cosmetic Display Case item, but the community consensus is that it may unlock additional functionality in future content updates.
Conclusion
The Converging Paths Project is a rewarding but demanding endgame activity that tests your raiding efficiency and resource management. By following this guide, you now have the knowledge to optimize your approach: target high-spawn locations like the Dam Battlegrounds swamp, leverage the Close Scrutiny map condition, employ the trash bin farming trick at Grandioso Apartments, and most importantly, save your mines and traps for Stage 6.
With the July 27, 2026 deadline approaching, start planning your sessions now. The combination of the Converging Paths Project and Forgotten Relics event offers an unprecedented opportunity to earn the Saltwalker outfit and stock up on high-value crafting materials. Whether you are a casual player looking to dabble in endgame content or a dedicated raider aiming for the complete reward set, this guide provides the roadmap you need to succeed.
Happy raiding, and may your RNG be ever in your favor.