The Outstanding Balance quest in Arc Raiders is one of those missions that looks simple on paper but can send you scrambling if you head in unprepared. You are hunting across two separate zones on the Blue Gate map — in a single raid — while ARC machines patrol every corridor. One wrong move and you lose everything and start from scratch.
This guide gives you a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of how to finish Outstanding Balance efficiently, along with loadout tips, exact location details, and everything you need to know about the rewards waiting at the end.
What Is the Outstanding Balance Quest?
Outstanding Balance is a mid-chain quest in Arc Raiders assigned by Tian Wen, Speranza’s gun-shop owner. She had a deal lined up with a trader named Dodger — a Bastion Cell in exchange for supplies — but Dodger has gone quiet and is now considered MIA. With money and materials on the line, Tian Wen turns to you.
Your job is to travel to the Blue Gate map, track down what Dodger left behind, and bring back the evidence. There are three objectives to complete, and all of them must be finished in a single raid. Dying mid-quest or extracting early resets your progress entirely.
This quest is part of Arc Raiders’ Flashpoint update, which expanded the Blue Gate map and introduced new enemy types including Shredders. If you want context on how much the game has grown since launch, check out our breakdown of the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update, which is shaping up to be the biggest content addition yet.
Before You Load In: Preparation Checklist
Do not just sprint into Blue Gate unprepared. Outstanding Balance punishes carelessness hard. Here is what to sort out before you deploy:
1. Bring an Augment With a Safe Pocket
This is the single most important preparation tip for this quest. The second objective gives you Dodger’s Note, a physical quest item you must carry to extraction. If you die with it in your standard inventory, the item is gone and the quest resets.
An augment with a Safe Pocket slot keeps items protected even on death. Grab one from your Workshop or purchase it from Shani in Speranza before loading in.
2. Pack Enough Consumables
The Traffic Tunnel, your first destination, is a high-density ARC zone. Standard patrols include Comets, Pops, and Fireballs. In the post-Flashpoint version of Blue Gate, Shredders have also been added to the underground section. A Bastion or Bombardier can occasionally be lurking in the central area as well.
Stock up on Shield Rechargers, Bandages, and Adrenaline Shots before entering. For more on dealing with Bastions specifically, check out our dedicated guide on how to kill a Bastion in Arc Raiders.
3. Consider a Stealth Option
If your build allows it, a Photoelectric Cloak can help you slip through the tunnel’s most dangerous stretches without triggering every ARC unit in the area. It is not required, but it makes the run significantly cleaner.
4. Know Your Extraction Route
Because this quest requires you to extract alive with Dodger’s Note, plan your exit before you go looking for the objectives. Blue Gate uses Cargo Elevators as its primary extraction method, and those elevators trigger a loud alarm when activated. If you need a breakdown of all extraction options available in the game, our full guide on how to extract in Arc Raiders covers every map and method in detail.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete Outstanding Balance
Objective 1 — Search Dodger’s Cache in the Traffic Tunnel
Your first stop is the Traffic Tunnel, found underground in the northern section of the Checkpoint POI on Blue Gate.
How to get there:
There are two main routes into the tunnel. You can enter through the main Checkpoint gates — large industrial doors that lead underground — or use one of the ladders that descend into the northern area of the map. The ladder routes are faster and draw less attention.
Finding the Cache:
Once inside, hug the left side and follow the main road northwest. Stay on the primary road past the central roundabout and continue toward the back wall at the far end of the tunnel.
You are looking for a metal trolley stacked with cardboard boxes, positioned against some orange crates on the right side near the northwest corner. It sits under a blue tarp, which makes it harder to spot in the dim tunnel lighting. The small campsite and abandoned truck nearby are the best navigation landmarks.
Interact with the stash to trigger the Dodger’s Cache search prompt.
What happens next:
Do not expect a satisfying discovery. Interacting with the cache triggers a small explosion — it will not hurt you — and a brief radio call from Tian Wen. She informs you the stash has already been cleared out and redirects you north to Dodger’s second known location: Pilgrim’s Peak.
At this point, the first objective is marked complete and your quest updates. Get out of the tunnel.
Objective 2 — Find Dodger’s Bag at Pilgrim’s Peak
Pilgrim’s Peak sits at the northernmost point of the Blue Gate map, and it is notably more exposed than the tunnel. You are trading enclosed corridors full of ARC machines for open high ground with long sight lines and rival raiders.
How to get there:
Exit the tunnel section and head north toward the edge of the map. Pilgrim’s Peak is dominated by a large radio antenna tower that rises above the surrounding area. It is the tallest visible structure once you are on the surface.
Finding the Bag:
Approach the main antenna and locate the zipline attached to the structure. Use it to ride up to the higher level of the antenna. Once up top, take the zipline again to drop down to the platform below the peak.
Between the red containers at the top of the tower, you will find Dodger’s Bag. Interact with it to search the bag and retrieve Dodger’s Note.
Immediately move the note to your Safe Pocket. Do not wait. Pilgrim’s Peak is exposed, and the moment another raider spots you, the note becomes a liability.
Objective 3 — Extract and Return to Tian Wen
With Dodger’s Note in your Safe Pocket, your only remaining task is to get back to Speranza alive.
The nearest standard extraction option from Pilgrim’s Peak is the Warehouse Airshaft to the south. If you carried a Raider Hatch Key into the raid, this is an excellent time to use it — the silent extraction draws no attention and lets you skip the elevator alarm entirely.
Once you reach a Cargo Elevator, activate it and defend the position until it arrives. The alarm will alert nearby threats, so stay mobile and keep your head on a swivel. For a full breakdown of extraction strategies, revisit our Arc Raiders extraction guide.
After returning to Speranza, speak with Tian Wen. Hand over the note and the quest completes automatically.
Outstanding Balance Quest Rewards
Completing the Outstanding Balance quest in a single run earns you three rewards from Tian Wen:
| Reward | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gothic Graffiti Aviator Color | Cosmetic (Outfit) | A visual customization unlock for your Raider’s appearance, exclusive to this quest chain |
| Extended Medium Mag II / III | Weapon Attachment | Magazine upgrade that improves sustained fire capacity for compatible weapons |
| Silencer II | Weapon Attachment | Suppressor that reduces weapon noise, improving stealth during encounters and rotations |
The attachment rewards are immediately usable and slot into standard mid-game loadouts. The Silencer II is particularly useful if you are running stealth-oriented builds, which pair naturally with the Safe Pocket augment strategy anyway.
What Comes After: Settled in Full
Turning in Outstanding Balance does not end your dealings with Tian Wen. Completing this quest immediately unlocks a follow-up mission: Settled in Full.
The new quest is more demanding. Tian Wen still wants what Dodger originally owed her — the Bastion Cell — and now she is asking you to go get one directly. That means tracking down a Bastion, killing it, and delivering the cell back to Speranza.
If you have not faced a Bastion before, our guide on how to kill a Bastion in Arc Raiders will prepare you for what is ahead.
Key Tips to Remember
Complete everything in one run. There are no partial saves for Outstanding Balance. If you extract before finishing both objectives, you start from zero on your next attempt.
The first cache is always empty. The explosion at Dodger’s Cache in the Traffic Tunnel is scripted. Do not panic — it is part of the quest, not a failure state.
Aggression-based matchmaking affects your experience. If you are consistently running into hostile players on Blue Gate, it may be worth understanding how Arc Raiders’ lobby system actually works. The game uses a behavior-based approach where your playstyle influences who you get matched with. Our deep-dive on Arc Raiders’ aggression-based matchmaking explains the system in full, including confirmed details from Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund.
The Pilgrim’s Peak section is the riskier half. The open terrain and elevated position make you visible from a distance. Move quickly once you have the note and prioritize extraction over looting.
Free loadouts are a valid strategy. If you keep failing the quest due to death, consider stripping your loadout back to the free tier. You lose less on failure and can still complete the quest. Just make sure your augment with a Safe Pocket is still in the build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Outstanding Balance be completed across multiple raids? No. All three objectives — searching Dodger’s Cache, finding Dodger’s Bag at Pilgrim’s Peak, and extracting with the note — must be completed in a single run for the quest to register as complete.
Where exactly is Dodger’s Cache in the Traffic Tunnel? At the very back of the northwest road inside the tunnel, against the far wall. Look for a metal trolley with boxes sitting under a blue tarp near orange crates. It is in the right-hand corner as you reach the back wall.
What if I die after picking up Dodger’s Note? Without a Safe Pocket augment, the note is permanently lost and you must restart the quest from the beginning. With a Safe Pocket, the note is retained even on death.
Where is Pilgrim’s Peak? At the northernmost edge of the Blue Gate map. The large radio antenna tower is the primary visual landmark. Use the zipline to access the upper level, then drop down to find Dodger’s Bag between the red containers.
What reward do I get for Outstanding Balance? You receive the Gothic Graffiti Aviator Color outfit cosmetic, an Extended Medium Mag II or III, and a Silencer II suppressor attachment.
Does completing Outstanding Balance unlock anything else? Yes. Finishing Outstanding Balance immediately unlocks the Settled in Full quest from Tian Wen, which requires you to kill a Bastion and deliver its Cell.
Outstanding Balance is a manageable quest once you know the exact locations and go in with the right preparation. The biggest trap is heading in without a Safe Pocket augment and losing the note after a long run. Gear up properly, move efficiently between both objectives, and Tian Wen’s rewards are yours.
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