A lot of players get tripped up by the Old Town damage Trial because the game never really spells out where that district begins. You can spend ages fighting machines in the wrong part of Buried City and get nothing for it. If you're trying to finish it without wasting another raid, it helps to know the exact line you need to cross and what enemies are worth your ammo, especially if you're already stocking up on ARC Raiders Items and planning cleaner runs ARC Raiders Coins.
Where Old Town actually starts
The easiest marker is the bridge near Grandioso Apartments. That's the bit most people miss. Stay on the north side and you're still in West Village. Push across to the south and the game shifts you into Old Town. It's not a tiny pocket either. The area runs out toward Red Tower and covers a fair chunk of the southeastern side of Buried City. If you're unsure, slow down for a second when crossing over. The district name flashes on screen for a moment, usually around the left side, and that's your confirmation that any damage you deal from there on will count.
What to look for once you're inside
Old Town has a different feel straight away. The place looks buried, broken, and worn down, with older buildings half-covered by sand and debris. That's usually how I know I'm in the right spot even before the location tag appears. A common mistake is starting fights too early, right near the border, then wondering why the Trial barely moved. Don't do that. Step properly into the district first, then start shooting. It's a small thing, but it saves a lot of frustration when you're trying to stack progress in a single raid.
Best enemies for fast progress
If your goal is pure damage, Bombardiers are the best target in this zone. They show up often enough, and more importantly, they soak up a lot of punishment. That's good news for this kind of objective. You don't need quick kills. You need targets that stay alive long enough to feed the counter. Spotters help too, even if they drop fast. Bombardiers tend to bring them into the fight, so you can squeeze out extra damage while managing the main threat. Just be careful not to tunnel vision. Old Town can get messy fast, and if another squad rolls in, your easy farm turns into a scramble.
Getting out before it all goes wrong
Once you've got the numbers you need, don't hang around longer than you have to. That's usually when a good raid falls apart. Keep the Old Town Hatch in mind on the western side of the district, and bring a hatch key if you've got one. It makes the whole run less stressful. You can finish the Trial, grab what you can, and leave before the timer or another fight ruins it. If you like going in prepared, it also helps to buy ARC Raiders gear ahead of time so you're not forcing this objective with a weak loadout and no exit plan ARC Raiders Items.