Alright fellow Raiders, let’s talk about one of the most nerve-wracking early-game hurdles in ARC Raiders: Tian Wen's Outstanding Balance quest. If you've been grinding out missions in Speranza, you know this one comes with a brutal catch. You have to check off two entirely separate map objectives within a single, seamless raid on the Blue Gate map. Fall to a rogue ARC drone or get ambushed by a sweaty squad of Raiders before extracting, and all your hard work vanishes instantly. It's back to square one.

Because the stakes are this high, lingering around hot zones is a recipe for disaster. You need a fast, calculated route to hit both spots and get out alive. Here is the optimized speed-run path that will get you through the Traffic Tunnel, up Pilgrim's Peak, and safely back to base in record time.

Crucial Rules of Engagement

Both map objectives must be completed in the exact same raid. If you get the tunnel stash but die on the peak, your progress resets completely. Move fast, stay low, and only take fights you absolutely cannot avoid.

Phase 1: Hit Dodger's Stash (Traffic Tunnel)

First stop is underground. The Traffic Tunnel is a dark, claustrophobic spot, but it is much safer to tackle first before you give away your position on the surface.

1. Drop and Run: As soon as you deploy into Blue Gate, ignore the surrounding loot and bolt straight toward the Checkpoint entrance that leads underground.

2. Hug the Left Wall: Once inside the Traffic Tunnel, push hard toward the northwest. Keep yourself tightly glued to the left wall. This lets you bypass unnecessary AI skirmishes and keeps you out of standard sightlines if another player happens to drop down behind you.

3. Spot the Blue Tarp: Keep running until you hit the absolute back (the northernmost edge) of the tunnel. Look for a raised platform covered by a distinct blue tarp. That is your target.

4. Interact and Evade: Interact with the crate. Your character will be locked into a brief animation—similar to planting a bomb. The second the interaction bar finishes and registers, step back immediately to regain full mobility. Don't linger to look at the scenery; it's time to move.

Phase 2: Push to Dodger's Deal Spot (Pilgrim's Peak)

Now that the underground portion is clear, it's time to head to the highest point on the map. This is where things get risky, so keep your ears open for gunfire.

1. Head for the Antenna: Exit the tunnel heading north and make a direct line for Pilgrim's Peak in the northeast sector of the map. You can't miss it—just look up and spot the massive antenna tower dominating the skyline.

2. Locate the Zipline: Approach the base of the antenna tower. Navigate to the furthest northwest corner of the structure to find the zipline. Hook on and take the ride up.

3. Dismount at the Middle Level: Do not ride the zipline all the way to the top of the tower; doing so leaves you completely exposed to snipers and kills your momentum. Instead, get ready to jump off halfway up, onto the generator/middle level floor.

4. Grab the Note: As soon as your boots hit the floor on the middle level, hang a sharp right. Tucked tightly against the large cargo containers, you will see a small, yellow tool bag/backpack. Search it quickly to loot Dodger's Note.

Phase 3: The Extraction Strategy

Getting the note is only half the battle. Now you have to lock it down and leave.

• Pro-Tip: Use Your Safety Pocket: The absolute first thing you should do after looting Dodger's Note is open your inventory and drag it straight into your Safety Pocket. If a squad ambushes you or an ARC unit pins you down on your way to the extraction point, the note stays safe even if you drop. You won't have to redo the run.

• Extract: With the note securely tucked away, check your map for the closest active extraction point. Drop down from the tower carefully, avoid any hot chokepoints where players like to camp extracts, and call in your ride out.

• Turn It In: Once you are back in the safety of Speranza, head over to Tian Wen and turn the quest in. Completing Outstanding Balance permanently clears this hurdle and immediately unlocks her next major narrative step: the Bastion Cell side quest.