Venturing into the hostile world of ARC Raiders is a high-stakes game of risk and reward. While every expedition offers chances for salvage, the most valuable treasures are often secured behind locked doors. One of the most sought-after early-game prizes is hidden within the Dam Battlegrounds, guarded by the elusive Dam Surveillance Key. This guide will walk you through exactly how to find this key and claim the lucrative loot that awaits.
The Quest for the Dam Surveillance Key
Unlike items with fixed spawns, the Dam Surveillance Key operates on a dynamic loot system, meaning its location changes with every match. This randomness can be frustrating, but you can significantly increase your odds by focusing your efforts.Your primary strategy should be to thoroughly scavenge 
Medium and High-Value Loot buildings. These structures, often more dangerous and contested, have a much higher chance of spawning rare items like keys. Remember to check every corner, container, and corpse—the key could be anywhere.Crucially, the Dam Surveillance Key can be found on any map, not just the Dam Battlegrounds. So, if you come across a key while exploring a different location, be sure to hold onto it for your next run to the Dam!
The Guaranteed Method: Celeste's Questline
For players who prefer a sure thing, there is one guaranteed way to acquire the Dam Surveillance Key. Simply accept the quest 
"Celeste's Greasing Her Palms" from the vendor Celeste in your home base. The mission involves accessing the very room the key unlocks, so she provides you with one upon starting the quest. This is the most reliable method and a perfect objective to pursue for a targeted loot run.
Where to Use the Key: Locating the Surveillance Room
Finding the key is only half the battle; you need to know where to use it. The only door this key opens is located inside the Water Treatment Control building on the southern end of the Dam Battlegrounds map.
Here is a step-by-step path to the locked room:
Head to the large Water Treatment Control building in the southern sector of the map.Enter through the southern entrance.Once inside, immediately take a right, passing a large table or work area.Take the very next right into a narrower corridor.The locked door will be tucked away in the corner on your left.Reaping Your Rewards
Once you're inside the Surveillance Room, prepare for a haul. The room ispacked with multiple high-tier loot sources, including lockers, duffelbags, and items scattered across the dashboards.
Pro-Tip: Before you even set out for the Dam, try to clear as much inventoryspace as possible. This room is a bonanza, and you'll want to carry outevery piece of valuable gear you find. Given the high value of the loot, your next priority should be a swift and stealthy extraction. Avoidunnecessary fights and head for an extraction point before you attractthe attention of enemy Raiders or ARC forces.
Now that you're equipped with this knowledge, your next run to the DamBattlegrounds can be your most profitable yet. Good luck, Raider
  Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S
Genre(s): Third-person shooter
Developer(s): Embark Studios
Publisher(s): Embark Studios
Release date: October 30, 2025
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