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Home / Blog / ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders Cargo Elevators: How to Upgrade Three During Phantom Targets

Written by:  U4N
Published: Aug 21, 2026
33

The Phantom Targets event in ARC Raiders gives players several unusual objectives to complete, and one of the earliest tasks requires you to upgrade three cargo elevators. The objective sounds simple, but it can be confusing if you are not sure what the game means by a “cargo elevator”. Players who are also collecting ARC Raiders BluePrints or preparing for the later event challenges will want to complete this step efficiently.

Fortunately, you do not need to search for a special elevator or complete a complicated repair process. The cargo elevators mentioned in the Phantom Targets objectives are actually the large extraction elevators that players already use when leaving raids. Once you know what to look for, upgrading one takes only a short interaction.

What Counts as a Cargo Elevator?

The cargo elevators are the large industrial extraction elevators found on specific maps. If you have already completed several raids, you have probably used these structures many times when preparing to return to Speranza.

The easiest way to identify a cargo elevator is to look at the upper corners of the structure. One corner has a tall antenna extending upward from the elevator. This antenna is the part you need to upgrade for the Phantom Targets objective.

You do not need to call the elevator or begin an extraction before upgrading it. Simply approach the antenna and look for the interaction prompt.

Once you are close enough, the game will give you the option to interact with the antenna. Activate the prompt to complete the upgrade, and that elevator will count toward your event progress.

How to Upgrade a Cargo Elevator

The process is straightforward once you know where to look.

First, travel to one of the maps containing cargo elevators. After reaching an elevator, approach the structure and check the upper corners for the tall antenna. Move close enough to trigger the interaction prompt.

Interact with the antenna and wait for the upgrade to register. Afterward, you can either continue exploring or extract from the area.

Most importantly, you do not have to upgrade all three cargo elevators during a single raid. Your progress carries between raids, so you can complete the objective gradually instead of taking unnecessary risks.

For example, you could upgrade one elevator during your first raid, extract safely, and then upgrade another elevator during your next deployment. After completing the third upgrade, the objective will be finished.

Cargo Elevator Locations

Cargo elevators are found on three maps: Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, and Riven Tides. Each map has a different number of elevators, and the distance between them can affect how quickly you can complete the objective.

Choosing the right map depends on whether you want to finish multiple upgrades during one raid or prefer a safer approach spread across several deployments.

Dam Battlegrounds

Dam Battlegrounds contains four cargo elevators, giving you several opportunities to complete the objective.

The lower three elevators are especially useful if you want to attempt multiple upgrades during the same raid because they are relatively close to one another. This can reduce the amount of time you need to spend traveling between locations.

However, staying close to several objective locations does not necessarily make the area completely safe. ARC enemies and other players can still create problems, particularly if you are carrying valuable equipment.

If you encounter heavy resistance, there is no reason to force the issue. Upgrade one elevator when the opportunity is safe, then extract and continue the objective during another raid.

Spaceport

Spaceport also contains four cargo elevators, making it another possible choice for completing all three upgrades in one deployment.

The main disadvantage is that Spaceport can be more dangerous. The map has significant ARC activity, while its open areas can leave you exposed to other players.

Because of the open terrain, traveling directly from one elevator to another may attract unwanted attention. If you decide to complete several upgrades here, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid unnecessary fights.

A successful extraction with one completed upgrade is more valuable than losing your equipment while trying to finish the entire objective in one run.

Riven Tides

Riven Tides has only two cargo elevators, so it is impossible to complete all three required upgrades during a single raid on this map.

However, the two available elevators are relatively close together. This makes Riven Tides a convenient option if you want to complete two upgrades during one successful deployment.

After upgrading both elevators, you can complete the final upgrade on another map during a later raid. Since the objective does not require all three upgrades to happen in the same deployment, there is no reason to avoid Riven Tides simply because it has fewer elevators.

The Safest Way to Complete the Objective

The easiest strategy is to combine the elevator upgrades with your normal extraction routes. Whenever you are already near an extraction elevator, check whether it has the antenna required for the Phantom Targets objective.

If the area is relatively quiet, approach the antenna and complete the upgrade. Once your objective progress is registered, you can continue looting or leave the raid.

There is no advantage to taking major risks just to complete three upgrades in one run. Players who prefer a cautious approach can simply complete one upgrade per raid. This method takes longer but reduces the chance of losing valuable equipment.

More experienced players can attempt to upgrade multiple elevators in a single deployment. Dam Battlegrounds is particularly convenient for this approach because it has four elevators, while Riven Tides can provide two relatively close opportunities.

Complete Phantom Targets Efficiently

After upgrading three cargo elevators, you can continue with the other Phantom Targets objectives. Some of the later requirements may involve dealing significant damage to ARC enemies with specific equipment, so completing the elevator requirement early can make the overall event easier to manage.

The elevator objective does not require a special weapon or expensive loadout. Your normal raid equipment is enough. The most important thing is recognizing the correct structure and interacting with its antenna.

If you are also preparing your inventory, gathering resources, or looking for ARC Raiders BluePrints, consider completing the elevator objective whenever it naturally fits into your route. This prevents you from wasting raids on a task that can easily be combined with regular exploration.

For players who want to spend less time gathering resources before tackling event objectives, finding cheap ARC Raiders Coins may also help with general preparation and purchases. Even so, completing the objective safely should remain the priority.

Ultimately, upgrading three cargo elevators is one of the more manageable Phantom Targets requirements once you understand what the game is asking for. Look for the large extraction elevators on Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, or Riven Tides, find the tall antenna attached to the structure, and interact with it to perform the upgrade. You can complete all three during one raid if you are confident, but spreading them across multiple raids is perfectly fine. With a careful route and cheap ARC Raiders Coins available for additional preparation, you can finish this part of Phantom Targets without taking unnecessary risks.

The U4N Team

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