Arc Raiders: Prescriptions Of The Past Quest Guide

Prescriptions Of The Past is a mid-tier story quest in Arc Raiders that provides both a solid gameplay challenge and critical story progression. This mission becomes available after completing A Warm Place To Rest and is given by Lance, the grizzled medic operating out of the resistance base camp. Unlike early fetch missions or low-level objectives, this quest introduces players to more tactical decision-making, enemy awareness, and squad coordination, while simultaneously expanding on the game's rich lore surrounding the Arc infestation and the collapse of human civilization.

At its core, Prescriptions Of The Past revolves around scavenging medical records from the derelict Spaceport facility. These records may hold clues about pre-cataclysm medical supplies, experimental treatments, and, intriguingly, early Arc exposure protocols. Completing this quest not only provides valuable loot but also contributes to understanding the origins of the Arc infestation-an essential story thread for any player invested in the narrative.

The quest is designed as a single-round extraction, meaning all objectives must be completed and the team must successfully exfiltrate in one life. This format raises the stakes compared to standard missions and provides an ideal learning curve for players transitioning from early main-story quests to high-threat endgame runs. The challenge level is calibrated to sit between beginner-friendly story missions and the more punishing high-tier operations, making it a perfect mid-game checkpoint for players leveling into more powerful gear.

Quest Giver & Prerequisites

NPC: Lance (base camp medic)

Unlocks After: Completing A Warm Place To Rest

Recommended Level: 18-22 (enemy difficulty scales slightly with party average)

Group Size: Solo is possible, but 2-3 players are strongly recommended

The quest is designed to be approachable for solo players, but having a small squad significantly improves survivability during the extraction phase, especially if random enemy patrols or other players are present in the Departure Building.

Objectives (Complete in One Round)

1. Visit the Departure Building in Spaceport

The first objective requires you to locate and enter the Departure Building in the Spaceport. This building is one of the tallest structures in the central-north sector and is easily recognizable thanks to its shattered glass facade and the faded "DEPARTURES" sign above the main entrance.

Players can choose to enter through the front doors or take one of the broken side windows. Caution is advised: the main lobby often becomes a choke point with raiders or scavenger squads engaging in combat. Entering through side routes can reduce unnecessary confrontations, especially when operating solo or with a small team.

2. Find the Medical Exam Room

Once inside, you must navigate to the Medical Exam Room on the second floor in the northwest section of the building. There are two primary routes to reach it:

Central escalators: Faster, but often guarded by enemy patrols.

Service stairwell on the east side: Longer route, but safer for careful players.

After reaching the second floor, stick to the northwest corner and look for hallways marked by faded red-and-white medical signage. Overturned gurneys and scattered medical debris help indicate that you're approaching the correct location. The Medical Exam Room itself is the third door on the left, distinguished by a partially open metal door with a biohazard symbol and a small window.

Inside, you'll find examination tables, scattered syringes, and a locked terminal, all atmospheric touches that reinforce the post-cataclysm setting.

3. Search for the Records

Interacting with the glowing orange clipboard or medical folder on the center table initiates a short 8-12 second search animation, leaving players vulnerable during this period. To succeed:

Assign one player to guard entrances while others focus on the search.

Solo players should deploy a turret or shield for protection.

Be prepared for enemy spawns: 1-2 Strays are common, and roaming Slashers may appear when the interaction begins.

Proper positioning and situational awareness are crucial. The game punishes overzealous players who rush in without checking corners or planning for ambushes.

4. Completion & Extraction

After securing the records, the quest updates to "Return to Lance". The records are a quest-specific item and cannot be dropped, sold, or lost. Dying during extraction resets the quest, requiring the player to repeat the run. Extraction is just as critical as obtaining the records-careful planning and knowledge of exit routes make the difference between success and failure.

Rewards

Completing Prescriptions Of The Past provides a mix of gear and consumables designed to enhance survivability and utility in future missions:

1× Heavy Shield: Level-appropriate rare shield with strong durability and a slight ricochet chance.

1× Tactical Mk. 3 (Healing): An improved field medkit that heals 65% health over 4 seconds with 2 charges.

3× Adrenaline Shots: Provide instant 40% health recovery and a brief sprint/movement speed buff.

These rewards are particularly valuable for solo raiders or players still equipped with green or blue-tier gear. The medkit and shield upgrade offer both offensive and defensive flexibility, while Adrenaline Shots can turn the tide in tight combat encounters.

Tips & Strategies

Loadout Recommendations:

Suppressed primary weapon for stealth and range.

Fast-handling sidearm for close-quarters combat.

Healing consumables and shields for survivability.

Flashbangs or EMP grenades to clear rooms and disable turrets or other electronics.

Enemy Threats:

Second floor spawns 2-4 Strays and often an elite enemy such as a Slasher or Gunner.

Audio cues are vital-Slashers scream when they detect players, providing a crucial early warning.

Hot Zone Warning:

The Departure Building is a high-traffic landmark. Expect other player squads camping lobbies or staircases. Move quietly, check corners, and avoid unnecessary engagements if possible.

Fast Route Tip:

Service stairs → second floor east hallway → northwest corner → Medical Exam Room.

This avoids most lobby combat and reduces exposure to patrolling enemies.

Why This Quest Matters

While Prescriptions Of The Past may appear to be a simple fetch mission, its narrative significance is far-reaching. The flavor text on the medical records hints at early Arc exposure experiments and failed containment protocols by the pre-cataclysm medical corps. Completing this quest contributes to the larger story arc, revealing subtle connections to the Arc infestation and setting up future lore-heavy missions.

From a gameplay perspective, the rewards provide a noticeable gear spike, improving survivability and combat efficiency in subsequent main quests. Successfully completing the mission allows players to transition confidently into more challenging content while also gaining insight into the events that led to humanity's near collapse.

Prescriptions Of The Past is a quintessential mid-game quest in Arc Raiders, blending tactical gameplay, team coordination, and lore enrichment. Its single-round extraction format encourages careful planning, strategic engagement, and effective use of both cover and consumables. Whether playing solo or with a small squad, mastering this quest prepares players for higher-tier operations while offering an engaging narrative glimpse into the early days of Arc exposure.

Completing it cleanly not only yields powerful gear(rare ARC Raiders BluePrints/Items and ARC Coins), but also deepens your understanding of the story-putting you one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the Arc infestation and the secrets left behind in humanity's ruins.

MMOexp ARC Raiders Team