Steel Cables can be a frustrating material to collect when you need them for your next Outpost upgrade. Instead of searching random containers across multiple areas, our team recommends starting with the Observatory at Pandola Pass. In our recorded run, this location produced several Steel Cables alongside other useful crafting materials, making it a worthwhile stop for players who want to get more value from a single raid. You can also browse our guide to ARC Raiders Items when planning your next equipment and loot run.
The key to this route is not simply reaching the Observatory. You also need to judge whether your spawn is close enough, bring a suitable movement tool, and enter the room without triggering the more dangerous approach. The route is especially useful when you can reach the building quickly and search its containers before spending too much time on the rest of the map.
Why the Observatory Is Worth Checking
The Observatory at Pandola Pass is the main target in this route. During the recorded run, we found multiple Steel Cables in the same room, along with Adrenaline Shots, Epoxy Buckets, and Calculators.
That variety makes the location useful even when Steel Cables are not the only materials on your checklist. You can search for your main upgrade requirement while collecting additional items that may help with other progression tasks.
However, keep your expectations realistic. One successful run does not establish a guaranteed drop rate, and the contents of containers can vary. Treat the Observatory as a promising farming location rather than a guaranteed source of a fixed number of Steel Cables.
The Observatory is a promising Steel Cables farming location, but a successful run does not guarantee the same loot every time. Focus on reaching the room efficiently, searching the main containers, and leaving once you have the materials you need.
Choose Your Loadout and Check the Spawn
You do not need a highly specialized loadout for this run. Our priority is to bring a Snap Hook or Grappling Hook, since the tool helps you access the Observatory room through its windows.
Before committing to the route, check how far away the building is from your spawn.
| Spawn situation | Recommended approach | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Observatory is relatively close | Head there early and prioritize the target room | High |
| Observatory is around 600 meters away or less | Consider the run if the route is clear and you can arrive quickly | Situational |
| Observatory is significantly farther away | Usually skip it unless you have a good reason to make the trip | Low |
Terrain, enemy pressure, and your actual travel time can change whether the detour is worthwhile. We would rather abandon a poor route early than spend most of a raid reaching one room.
Enter Through the Windows
Once you reach the Observatory, equip your Snap Hook or Grappling Hook and look for an accessible window on either side of the building. Use it to enter the target room instead of forcing your way through the main doors.
The reason is straightforward: the original route identifies a Shredder on the other side of the doors beyond the ice. Breaking through that entrance can add an unnecessary fight to what should be a quick material run.
Entering through a window helps you reach the loot area more directly. It does not make the room completely safe, though. Stay alert for other enemies, check your surroundings before looting, and avoid getting stuck searching containers while a threat is nearby.
Search the Kitchen and Every Nearby Container
After entering, move toward the back of the room and start with the kitchen. Search the cabinets and drawers carefully before moving to the other containers.
During the recorded run, the kitchen alone yielded several Steel Cables. The wider room also provided additional materials, so do not leave immediately after finding your first cable.
| Search area | What to look for | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets and drawers | Steel Cables and other useful loot | High |
| Nearby tables and chairs | Additional containers and small loot opportunities | Medium |
| Dustbins | Possible extra materials, including a Steel Cable in the recorded run | Quick check |
| Remaining searchable containers | Any missed materials before leaving | Check if safe |
The same room may also contain Adrenaline Shots, Epoxy Buckets, Calculators, Thermal Shakers, or Mini Pumps. These are useful secondary finds, but your search should stay focused on Steel Cables if the Outpost upgrade is the reason you came here.
We recommend using a simple rule: search the target containers first, then sweep the nearby area once. Rechecking the same container or spending too long on minor loot can reduce the efficiency of the entire raid.
Watch for Enemies and Plan Your Exit
The Observatory route works best when you can get in, collect the materials, and leave without turning the run into a prolonged fight.
We run mentions a possible Fireball inside the room and a Shredder near the door approach. These encounters may vary, so do not assume every visit will play out the same way.
Before leaving, check that you have searched the main containers and collected the Steel Cables you need. Then use the available exit, drop down carefully, and continue toward your chosen extraction point.
Keep these priorities in mind:
- Avoid unnecessary fights. Your goal is to collect materials, not clear the entire building.
- Do not overstay. Once you have the required Steel Cables, extra looting is optional.
- Keep your exit in mind. A good loot route is only efficient if you can leave with what you collected.
- Adjust to the situation. If enemies block your route or the building is too dangerous, survival matters more than completing the search.
If you are gathering several crafting resources in the same raid, our ARC Raiders Materials can help you plan your next collection goal without losing sight of your immediate objective.
Summary
The Observatory at Pandola Pass is a promising place to search for Steel Cables, particularly when your spawn allows you to reach it quickly. Bring a Snap Hook or Grappling Hook, enter through an accessible window, and start with the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Check nearby containers, including dustbins, before leaving.
The original run collected more Steel Cables than the player needed, but that result should be treated as an example rather than a guaranteed outcome. Judge the distance, avoid unnecessary fights around the Shredder, and extract once you have enough materials. For this route, efficient entry and a focused search matter more than clearing every room.
FAQ
Where can you find Steel Cables in ARC Raiders?
We recommend the Observatory at Pandola Pass. Search the kitchen cabinets and drawers first, then check nearby containers for additional materials.
Do you need a Snap Hook or Grappling Hook?
The route recommends bringing one of these tools to help you enter through a window. This avoids the slower, more dangerous approach through the doors described in the original run.
How many Steel Cables can you get in one run?
The recorded run yielded at least five Steel Cables, but this is not a guaranteed amount. Loot can vary, so plan around the materials you actually find rather than expecting the same result every time.
Should you visit the Observatory if your spawn is far away?
We suggest reconsidering the route when the Observatory is more than roughly 600 meters away. Use that as a practical guideline, not a fixed rule: terrain, enemies, and travel time can all affect whether the trip is worthwhile.
