Arc Raiders Guide: Finding the New Headwinds Epic Augments
The Headwinds update for Arc Raiders brought new weather and progression features, but the real stars of the show are two Epic Augments that the developers quietly slipped into the loot pool.
If you have been playing Arc Raiders for any amount of time, you know the pain of finding a god-tier weapon only to get sniped by a camper three meters from the extraction point. These new tools are designed to mitigate that heartbreak. The update introduced the Survivor Mk. 3 Safekeeper and the Tactical Mk. 3 Revival, both of which completely change how you approach risk management and squad support.
I have spent the last few days crawling through lockers in Stella Montis to find out exactly how these things work and, more importantly, where you can steal them.
The New Epic Augments Explained
Before you go running into an electromagnetic storm to find these blueprints, you need to know what you are actually hunting for. These aren't just stat bumps; they are mechanic changers.
The Survivor Mk. 3 Safekeeper
Let’s be real for a second. The Safekeeper is the one you actually want. The "Safe Pocket" mechanic has always been useful for keys or valuables, but the Mk. 3 version changes the game entirely.
It allows you to store any item in the protected slot. Yes, this means you can finally shove that shiny new assault rifle straight up your "prison pocket" and keep it safe even if you die. It is incredibly satisfying to know that even if a squad wipes you, you still walk away with the best piece of loot you found. Since it works with Light, Medium, and Heavy shields, there is almost no reason not to run this if you value your time.
The Tactical Mk. 3 Revival
This one is a bit more niche. It offers passive health regeneration at a rate of 1 HP every 5 seconds. The catch is that it pauses for 30 seconds if you take damage. It is useless in a firefight but amazing for saving meds between skirmishes.
The real utility here is the built-in Defibrillator slot. It frees up your inventory space, which is great for squad play. However, it is restricted to Light Shields only, which limits your build diversity significantly.
Where to Farm the Blueprints
You cannot just find these items lying around on a shelf. You need to find the blueprints and craft them. Spoiler alert: the drop rates are not generous.
Target Major Map Conditions
If you are running raids on a sunny afternoon with clear skies, you are mostly just wasting your time. You need to wait for Major Map Conditions.
Night Raids
Electromagnetic Storms
These conditions spike the loot quality across the map. The game essentially rewards you for playing in miserable visibility with a higher chance of Epic drops.
Search High Loot Zones
Once you are in a storm, head straight for the High Loot Zones. You are looking for Lockers and Cabinets. These specific containers seem to have the highest weight for dropping Augment blueprints. Do not bother with loose loot on tables; you need to be opening doors.
The Stella Montis Route
Right now, Stella Montis is the premier farming location. It has the highest density of lockers and high-value containers. The strategy is simple:
Wait for a Night/Storm condition.
Drop into Stella Montis.
Run your ass to the lobby, loot it and it’s surrounding area.
If you find a blueprint, shove it in your Safe Pocket immediately. (Please god don’t try this with a freekit if you don’t want to be heartbroken)
Extract.
Be warned that everyone else knows this too. Stella Montis is currently a warzone (Even more so than it normally already is), so bring a cheap loadout you don't mind losing, or be prepared to fight for your right to loot.
