ARC Raiders: Dog Collar Location - Upgrade Scrappy Guide
Embark Studios' new extraction shooter, ARC Raiders, throws players into a hostile, post-apocalyptic world where survival depends on scavenging and smarts. While battling rogue machines and rival players, you have a helpful companion back at your base: Scrappy. This loyal robotic friend helps you gather resources passively, but to maximize his potential, you'll need to find specific upgrade items. One of the most crucial early items is the Dog Collar, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find it and put it to good use.
Who is Scrappy in ARC Raiders?
Scrappy is your personal Workshop companion in ARC Raiders. Unlike a pet that follows you into combat, Scrappy works for you behind the scenes. Between raids into the hazardous zones, Scrappy ventures out on his own to find and collect scrap and other essential resources. This passive income of materials is vital for crafting, upgrading your gear, and progressing through the game.
To make Scrappy more efficient, you need to upgrade him. By improving his level, you increase the quantity and potentially the quality of the resources he brings back from his excursions. This is where special items, like the Dog Collar, come into play.
What is the Dog Collar and Why Do You Need It?
The Dog Collar is a key upgrade component specifically for Scrappy. Think of it as a quest item you must find out in the world to unlock his next level of effectiveness, likely his Level 2 upgrade. While it may seem like a simple trinket, its function is purely mechanical, allowing you to invest in your companion to get a better return on his scavenging efforts.
Finding this item should be a high priority for any new player. The sooner you upgrade Scrappy, the faster you'll accumulate the materials needed to build better weapons, armor, and tools, giving you a significant advantage in your future raids.
How to Find the Dog Collar Location
Unlike a main story quest with a clear waypoint, finding the Dog Collar in ARC Raiders requires exploration, luck, and a keen eye. It is a lootable item that can spawn in various locations within the game world, meaning there isn't one single guaranteed spot to find it. However, you can significantly increase your chances by searching specific types of areas.
Key Areas to Search:
- Residential Buildings: The most logical place to find a domestic item like a Dog Collar is in abandoned houses, apartments, and residential districts. Search through bedrooms, living rooms, and utility closets.
- Commercial Shops: Look for old pet stores, general supply shops, or convenience stores. These locations are prime candidates for this type of specific loot.
- Duffel Bags and Containers: The Dog Collar will likely be found inside a lootable container. Prioritize searching duffel bags, cabinets, desks, and toolboxes. Don't just run through an area; take the time to open every container you see.
- Abandoned Outposts: Military or civilian outposts often have living quarters. These areas are dense with lootable containers and personal effects, making them a good place to hunt for rare items.
The key to finding the Dog Collar is persistence. Treat every raid as an opportunity to search thoroughly. Don't get discouraged if you don't find it on your first few runs. As an extraction shooter, the loot is randomized to keep each deployment fresh and unpredictable. Focus on looting efficiently and methodically, and you will eventually come across it.
How to Use the Dog Collar to Upgrade Scrappy
Finding the Dog Collar is only the first step. Because ARC Raiders is an extraction shooter, you must successfully extract from the raid with the item in your inventory. If you are eliminated by enemies or other players before reaching an extraction point, you will lose the item and have to find it again.
Steps to Upgrade Scrappy:
- Find the Dog Collar: Search the high-probability locations listed above until you find the item.
- Secure the Item: Once the Dog Collar is in your possession, your primary objective should shift to survival. Avoid unnecessary conflicts and make your way toward the nearest extraction point.
- Successfully Extract: Get out of the raid alive. Once you're back in the safety of your base, the item will be permanently added to your inventory.
- Apply the Upgrade: Navigate to your Workshop or the specific in-game menu related to Scrappy. There should be an option to upgrade him, which will now be unlocked since you possess the required Dog Collar. Use the item to complete the upgrade.
After using the collar, Scrappy will be more effective, bringing you more valuable resources after each raid you complete. This investment will pay for itself many times over throughout your time in the game.
ARC Raiders Dog Collar FAQ
What does the Dog Collar do in ARC Raiders?
The Dog Collar is a special upgrade material used to level up your Workshop companion, Scrappy. Upgrading him increases the amount and quality of the passive resources he gathers for you.
Is the Dog Collar a guaranteed spawn?
No, the Dog Collar is not a guaranteed spawn in a single location. It is a rare loot item that can be found in various containers and buildings throughout the game world, with its location randomized in each raid.
What happens if I die while carrying the Dog Collar?
If you are eliminated during a raid while the Dog Collar is in your backpack, you will lose it. You must successfully extract from the raid with the item to secure it for upgrading Scrappy.