The landscape of Arc Raiders has shifted significantly with the arrival of the "Frozen Trail" update, introducing fresh challenges and a new map that has players scrambling to uncover its secrets. Among the most discussed additions is the "Clean Hands" quest, a multi-stage mission that tasks players with navigating the treacherous terrain of Pendola Pass to recover a specific, mysterious item. As players descend upon the new map, they are finding that the journey is fraught with environmental hazards and the ever-present threat of opposing Raiders, making this quest a true test of both navigation and combat survival skills.
The "Clean Hands" mission is not merely a sightseeing tour; it is a high-stakes objective that requires careful planning. Players must successfully locate a nomad camp hidden beneath the Railyard, identify a contaminated item within that site, transport it to a specific landmark in Old Town, and ultimately extract from the map without losing their prize. Given the volatile nature of the Arc Raiders experience, successfully navigating these steps in a single session—often while under fire—is a feat that requires both tactical awareness and a firm grasp of the map’s layout.
Locating the Nomad Camp Beneath the Railyard
The Railyard stands as one of the most expansive and complex regions in the new Pendola Pass map. With its intricate network of tracks and imposing industrial structures, it can easily become a disorienting maze for the uninitiated. The quest requires players to venture deep into this location to find the nomad camp, a relatively small, tucked-away site that serves as the mission’s starting point.
To find the camp, players should focus their efforts on the southwestern edge of the Railyard. This area is characterized by the convergence of rail lines that eventually disappear into the underground sections of the facility. Once a player reaches this vicinity, they should look for a discreet doorway located just to the west of the subterranean tracks. Navigating through this entrance leads to a secluded path that opens up into the camp itself. Unlike the surrounding industrial decay, the camp is marked by a cluster of worn tents and scattered, abandoned belongings—a stark, quiet reminder of the nomadic groups who once occupied the space. It is a distinct area, but because of its modest size, it can be easily missed by those rushing through the Railyard’s more prominent landmarks.
Recovering the Polluted Item
Once the nomad camp has been secured, the next objective is to identify and retrieve the polluted item, which is eventually revealed to be an equatorial sundial. The item is located in the central portion of the camp, positioned with subtle environmental cues that might elude a distracted player. Near a collection of discarded supplies, including a yellow bag resting against a prominent green barrel, players will find the object.
Acquiring the sundial is a straightforward interaction, but the danger lies in the vulnerability that comes with searching the site. Because the camp is a focal point for this quest, players are advised to remain vigilant. The surrounding Railyard is a high-traffic zone, and the sound of scavenging can quickly attract unwanted attention from other players or automated Arc threats. Once the sundial is in the player’s possession, it becomes the primary target of the mission. It is highly recommended that players utilize a "safe pocket" in their loadout if one is available. This feature, designed to protect essential mission items, provides a crucial layer of security, ensuring that should a player fall in battle, the sundial is not lost, thereby preventing the need to restart the entire quest sequence from the beginning.
The Pilgrimage to the Old Town Church
The third and most climactic stage of the "Clean Hands" quest involves transporting the sundial to the Old Town. Navigating from the Railyard to the Old Town requires crossing a significant portion of the Pendola Pass map. Players must remain cautious, as the route is often exposed, and the necessity of carrying a quest-specific item makes them a prime target for opportunistic rivals.
It is important to distinguish the Old Town from the similarly named Old Hamlet located to the south. The target destination, Old Town, sits on the far western edge of the map. The church itself is situated in the very center of this settlement, serving as the focal point for the final ritual. Reaching the interior of the church is only the beginning; the objective requires players to ascend to the top of the spire. While the building’s interior design offers a zipline that can be used to quickly reach the upper levels, players should remain prepared for any defensive measures or traps that might be present in such a high-traffic landmark.
Upon reaching the top of the spire, the player must interact with the environment while facing east to hold up the equatorial sundial. This act serves as the completion of the ritual, finalizing the "Clean Hands" quest’s primary requirements.
Extraction and Rewards
The final, and often most intense, phase of the mission is the extraction. Having held the sundial and completed the required interaction at the church, the player must now successfully leave the map with the item in their possession. The ballistic gondola serves as a primary extraction point, though its accessibility can fluctuate depending on the state of the match and the presence of hostile forces.
For those who manage to navigate the gauntlet and secure a successful extraction, the rewards are substantial. Beyond the tactical satisfaction of completing a complex objective, the quest provides 5,000 XP—a significant boost that reflects the current shift in the game’s reward systems, which now place a heavier emphasis on quest completion as a primary method of progression. In addition to the experience points, players receive a selection of useful gear, including a shield recharger, a sextant, and a battered paperback. These items are to be delivered to the Nomadic Envoy stationed back in Speranza, effectively concluding the narrative thread of the "Clean Hands" mission and providing a tangible upgrade to the player’s inventory as they continue to explore the evolving world of Arc Raiders.
