Arc Raiders: Dam Battlegrounds Nøkkelguide

Arc Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter where keys in Dam Battlegrounds play a crucial role. They provide access to locked rooms with valuable loot or allow for safer extraction from the map. Knowing which keys exist, where to find them, and how to use them effectively gives you a significant advantage in raids.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the keys in Dam Battlegrounds, their functions, vendor prices, and tips for using them efficiently.

Where to look for keys and how to obtain them

Most of the keys are located on the Dam Battlegrounds map, primarily around Ruby Residence and the Research & Administration Building. These areas serve as the main spawn points, so it’s worth checking every room, crate, table, and locker carefully. The best strategy is to focus on residential and administrative buildings, as the drop rate for keys tends to be higher there. Since loot respawns after completing missions, make a habit of revisiting Ruby Residence from time to time. Additionally, some keys can occasionally drop from Arc enemies, especially those guarding restricted zones.

Types of Keys in Dam Battlegrounds

On the Dam Battlegrounds map, several keys can be found that unlock doors or special passages. The main ones include:

These keys allow players to access locked areas with higher-tier loot compared to standard locations.

Dam Staff Room Key

This key unlocks a door inside the Research & Administration complex. To reach the correct location, cross the bridge leading to the building next to the Control Tower. After entering through the main entrance, you’ll find the locked room on the ground floor — it’s located directly in front of you and stands out among the other doors.

Here’s what the door itself looks like:

Dam Surveillance Key

Find the Water Treatment Control building on the southern side of the area. Enter through the southern entrance, move forward, then take the first right after the desk, and turn right once more. The locked room will be in the corner.

Here’s what the door itself looks like:

Dam Control Center Tower Key

The Dam Control Center Tower Key unlocks a door inside the Control Center Tower building. The door is located on the upper floor of the tower — you’ll need to use a zipline or stairs to reach it.To access the tower, follow the route through the northeast corner as mentioned in the guide. From there, you can enter the structure and use the pipe or zipline to move from the base up to the top level.

Here’s what the door itself looks like:

Dam Testing Annex Key

The key unlocks two doors inside this building — both located on the ground level. The first door is on the southern side of the structure, while the second is on the eastern side.

When approaching the Testing Annex, focus on the southern and eastern sides — that’s where the doors are located. Be cautious, as the area can be active with bots and other players. If you’ve found the key but don’t plan to explore the building, you can sell it for credits, just like other keys.

Here’s what the door itself looks like:

How to Use Keys (and When to Apply Them)

Keys such as Dam Staff Room, Surveillance, Control Center Tower, and Testing Annex provide access to rooms with mid- to high-level loot, but these areas are often located in high-activity zones guarded by enemies or robots. Use the key if there is a safe opportunity to enter, but if the risk is too high, it may be wiser to sell it instead. The Raider Hatch Key is particularly valuable, as it opens an alternative extraction route that is especially useful when carrying heavy loot or avoiding the main extraction point, saving time and reducing the chance of encountering enemies. If a key is not needed — for example, the room has already been accessed or no relevant door is nearby — selling it can be the better option. Standard door keys typically sell for around 100 Creds, while the Raider Hatch Key is worth roughly 1000 Creds due to its high utility.

Tips and Strategies

Each key in ARC Raiders is designed to unlock only one specific door and disappears from your inventory once used. To make exploration easier, it’s best to mark door locations on your map and return to them in future raids. Always try to use keys before extracting to minimize the risk of losing them if the run fails. Each Dam Battlegrounds key grants access to stashes with valuable loot, including rare weapons, blueprints, crafting resources, grenades, ammo, consumables, and rare components like Sensors, Advanced Electronics, and Mechanical Parts. Based on player experience, using keys is always worthwhile—it's uncommon for the game to reward you with anything less than useful or expensive loot, so don’t ignore these opportunities; when you find a key, visit the location when ready and claim your rewards.

Dam Battlegrounds keys open access to additional zones that make ARC Raiders far more interesting and profitable. Use them wisely, thoroughly scan the map, and check the attached screenshots of locations — each of these doors holds something valuable for your progress. If you want to explore more hidden areas, also check out our detailed Arc Raiders: Blue Gate Keys Guide, which covers another region filled with locked rooms and high-tier loot waiting to be discovered.