If you’re playing Arc Raiders, you’ve probably noticed that the game has a mix of exploration, combat, and resource-gathering missions. One of the quests that can be confusing for new and even intermediate players is Unexpected Initiative, given by the NPC Tian Wen in Buried City. I’ve spent some time running this quest in multiple raids, so I’ll break down how it works in practice and what most players do to complete it efficiently.
What is the Unexpected Initiative Quest?
In general, Unexpected Initiative is a follow-up quest that only becomes available after you’ve completed two other quests: Echoes of Victory Ridge and Industrial Espionage. The quest revolves around helping Tian Wen set up a greenhouse to improve food production in Buried City. While the story might seem minor, the quest gives useful items like Il Toro I, shotgun ammo, and a Shotgun Choke II, which are helpful for mid-game players.
Most players approach this quest not for story purposes, but because it’s a straightforward way to get these rewards while exploring key areas of Buried City.
How Do I Start the Quest?
You can pick up the quest from Tian Wen, who is located in Buried City. Once you accept it, you’ll notice that the objectives involve collecting two special meters:
Moisture Meter – located on the rooftop of the Grandioso Apartments.
Nutrient Meter – found in the broken rooftop gardens at Piazza Roma.
In practice, the quest feels like a mini scavenger hunt. Most players check the rooftop locations first because they’re usually free of heavy enemy patrols, and the items spawn in predictable spots.
Navigating the Quest Objectives
Reaching the Grandioso Apartments
The first step is to reach the Grandioso Apartments. The rooftop isn’t tricky to access if you’re familiar with Buried City’s layout. Most players use the central stairwell and then climb a set of ladders to reach the top. Once there, the Moisture Meter can be picked up immediately.
Tip: Watch for small ambush points. Even though the rooftop is usually quiet, a few NPCs or environmental hazards can make the climb risky if you rush.
Heading to Piazza Roma
After you have the Moisture Meter, the next location is Piazza Roma. Here, you’ll find the Nutrient Meter in a damaged rooftop garden. In general, players approach this area slowly because enemies often patrol the rooftop bridges. Using cover and staying aware of line-of-sight is usually enough to grab the item without a full fight.
Once both meters are collected, you return to Tian Wen to complete the quest. In most runs, this step is simple, and the NPC dialogue is brief.
Rewards and Practical Value
The main rewards for completing Unexpected Initiative are:
1x Il Toro I – a solid weapon for mid-game raids.
40x Shotgun Ammo – helpful if you’re using shotguns frequently.
1x Shotgun Choke II – a nice upgrade that increases damage or spread control.
These items are particularly useful for players who focus on short-range combat. In general, most players find the ammo and choke more valuable than the weapon itself unless they specifically want to use Il Toro I for builds.
Common Player Strategies
Efficient Route Planning
Most players run this quest in a single round by hitting the Grandioso Apartments first and then Piazza Roma. It’s usually faster because both locations are on opposite sides of the central city area, and grabbing the items in this order minimizes backtracking.
Combat Approach
In general, you don’t need to fully clear enemies at either rooftop. Most players adopt a hit-and-run style: take cover, pick up the quest items, and retreat if necessary. This approach reduces resource use, especially if you’re conserving health packs or ammo.
Item Management
If you’re running multiple quests, it’s important to manage your inventory. Some players like to buy arc raiders items in bulk before starting their runs so they have enough ammo and consumables for multiple objectives. This can make the raid smoother and prevent unnecessary trips back to the trader.
Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping prerequisite quests – Remember, you need Industrial Espionage and Echoes of Victory Ridge completed. Attempting Unexpected Initiative before finishing them will make the quest unavailable.
Ignoring environmental hazards – Rooftops in Buried City can have holes, broken ladders, or weak structures. Jumping recklessly often leads to wasted runs.
Overloading on combat – Some players get caught up trying to fight every enemy on the rooftops. In practice, it’s usually better to focus on objectives and avoid unnecessary fights.
Unexpected Initiative is a mid-level quest in Arc Raiders that is simple but requires some planning. Most players treat it as a combination of scavenging and light combat rather than a heavy fight. Efficient route planning, careful item collection, and minimal combat usually lead to the fastest completion.
The quest also rewards useful items that can support other raids or improve combat efficiency. In general, if you follow the rooftop paths and pay attention to hazards, you’ll finish the quest without major issues.
In-Depth Review: Get Professional ARC Raiders Boosting at U4N
