If you’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a while, you’ve probably run into Celeste in the Buried City. One of her quests, Digging Up Dirt, can be confusing for new or even mid-level players because it involves scouting, exploration, and some inventory management. In this guide, I’ll break down what you actually need to do, what most players do in practice, and tips for completing it efficiently.
What is the “Digging Up Dirt” Quest?
In general, Digging Up Dirt is a follow-up quest given by Celeste after completing Tribute To Toledo. The idea is simple on paper: locate a dead drop left by a Tubes Management member inside the Santa Maria Houses in Old Town. You’ll be gathering intelligence—though in gameplay terms, it’s mostly about navigating the area and collecting a few items.
Most players don’t find this quest difficult, but it can be a bit tedious if you’re not familiar with the Buried City layout.
Where Do You Go?
The quest starts in the Santa Maria Houses, which are in Old Town inside the Buried City. Once you accept the quest, Celeste will tell you she can’t get too close herself, so you’re responsible for finding the dead drop.
In practice, the most efficient route is to enter via the alley behind the houses. This is usually the quickest path, as most players will try to avoid open areas where enemies can spot them. Once inside, there’s an indoor courtyard—this is where the dead drop is typically located.
Most players explore the courtyard carefully, checking corners and objects that might hide the drop. In general, the game places these items in spots that are noticeable if you pay attention, so you rarely need to search the entire building.
What Do You Need to Collect?
The quest requires a small set of items:

• 2x Advanced Electrical Components
• 2x Speaker Components

Most players will already have at least one of these items from previous raids or side missions, but you may need to loot a few extra from the surrounding area. In general, these components are scattered around common loot locations, so checking enemies and small crates usually does the trick.
A practical tip: always pick up extra components when you see them. Some players like to sell ARC Raiders blueprints quickly on U4N, and gathering extra components can support that without slowing down your main quest progression.
How to Complete the Quest
Once you find the dead drop in the courtyard, interacting with it completes the main objective. There’s no combat required unless the area is actively patrolled, which varies by raid instance. Most players treat this as a scouting and loot-gathering mission rather than a fight-heavy one.
Celeste’s commentary during the quest is mostly flavor text, but it can also give hints about enemy movement and lore. In general, listening to her dialogue helps with immersion and occasionally points you toward the right locations.
After you collect the drop:

• Return to Celeste in the Buried City to hand in the quest.
• She will provide feedback about the mission and hint at the Turnabout quest, which is the next step in this storyline.

Most players find that completing Digging Up Dirt takes about 15–20 minutes if they are somewhat familiar with the Buried City layout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Rushing the courtyard – Some players try to dash through the area quickly and miss the dead drop. The courtyard is small, so take a moment to check all likely hiding spots.
2. Ignoring inventory – Make sure you have the required components before accepting the quest. Otherwise, you’ll spend extra time backtracking to gather them.
3. Overlooking entry points – While the alley behind the houses is usually fastest, some players waste time entering through the front, which exposes them to unnecessary enemy patrols.
4. Not preparing for optional combat – Even if the main quest doesn’t demand fighting, some instances spawn enemies near the dead drop. A few grenades or a solid ranged weapon can save time if you get ambushed.

What Do Most Players Get Out of This Quest?
The rewards for Digging Up Dirt are mostly useful for crafting and continuing the storyline. In practice, the value comes from:

• Unlocking the next Celeste quest (Turnabout)
• Gathering components for crafting or trading
• Learning the Buried City layout, which is helpful for future raids

Most players treat this quest as an opportunity to combine story progression with practical resource gathering, rather than just a mandatory step.
Tips for Efficient Completion

• Scout first – Before moving toward the courtyard, check windows or ledges where enemies or traps could be.
• Stock extra components – Even if the quest only asks for 2 of each component, having a few extra can save you time in future crafting.
• Check your map frequently – The Santa Maria Houses are small, but it’s easy to get turned around if you’re not paying attention.
• Listen to Celeste’s hints – Her dialogue often points toward the courtyard or entry path.
• Optional combat prep – Bring ranged weapons or grenades just in case enemies spawn.

In general, most players who follow these tips can finish the quest quickly without frustration.

Digging Up Dirt is a relatively straightforward quest once you know where to go and what to collect. It’s not a fight-heavy mission, but it rewards careful exploration and attention to detail. Understanding the Buried City layout and keeping a few extra components on hand can make the experience smoother.
Most players who approach it with a methodical mindset complete it quickly and use the loot efficiently for crafting or trading, which ties into broader gameplay loops in Arc Raiders.
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