ARC Raiders: How to Find Hurricane Secret Caches & Get Ultra Rare Blueprints
Since the release of ARC Raiders' Shrouded Sky update, Hurricane map conditions have become the most sought-after opportunity for players chasing ultra-rare loot. These dynamic weather events spawn exclusive Hurricane Secret Caches-also known as First Wave Caches-that hold some of the game's most valuable rewards, including ultra-rare blueprints for powerful weapons like Tempest, Bobcat, and Vulcano. While these caches are not easy to find, mastering their spawn patterns, cues, and farming strategies will turn you into a blueprint-collecting expert.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to locate Hurricane Secret Caches efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize your chances of securing those elusive ultra-rare ARC Raiders BluePrints. Whether you're a seasoned raider or new to the game, these tips will help you make the most of every Hurricane event.
What Are Hurricane Secret Caches in ARC Raiders?
Hurricane Secret Caches (First Wave Caches) are elite loot containers introduced in the Shrouded Sky update, exclusive to maps under the Hurricane condition. Unlike standard Raider Caches, these special containers spawn only during active hurricanes and offer far better rewards.
Visually, they resemble silver or brownish relic suitcases, often partially buried in dirt or sand-distinct enough to stand out from regular loot boxes but easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Their true value lies in their contents: ultra-rare blueprints, premium mods, high-tier healing supplies, and even up to 500,000 credits per hour of farming.
Notably, these caches do not spawn on Stella Montis, as it is an indoor map where hurricanes cannot rage. All other maps in the Rust Belt are fair game, with some offering far higher cache concentrations than others.
Step 1: Wait for the Hurricane Map Condition
The first and most critical step to finding Hurricane Secret Caches is waiting for the Hurricane map condition to activate. These events rotate frequently across different maps, so patience is key.
You'll know a Hurricane is active when you load into a map and notice strong winds, reduced visibility, and flying debris that damages shields. The game will also display a Hurricane notification in the HUD, confirming the event is live.
Pro tip: Join active lobbies or check the in-game map rotation schedule to jump straight into Hurricane events. Late spawns (with under 20 minutes remaining) are often unproductive, as high-traffic cache zones get cleared quickly.
Step 2: Learn the Spawn Patterns & Best Maps
Hurricane Secret Caches do not have guaranteed spawns, but they follow predictable patterns. They use the same spawn points as regular Raider Caches but appear much less frequently-roughly one cache per 5 to 10 standard markers.
Certain maps are far more efficient for farming, thanks to their high cache concentrations. Focus on these top maps to maximize your loot:
Dam Battlegrounds
The best map for Hurricane Cache farming, with the highest concentration of spawn points. Key areas include the Power Generation Complex (6 caches), Controlled Access Zone, Electrical Substation (3 caches), Water Treatment Control (4 caches), and Red Lakes (4 caches).
The Controlled Access Zone, home to the building with the Rocketeer Chandelier, is a guaranteed high-density spawn area-always check here first.
Buried City
A close second, with numerous cache spawns near key landmarks. Focus on the city's central ruins and surrounding areas, where caches often spawn in clusters. The map's compact layout makes it easy to rotate between spawn points quickly.
Blue Gate
Favored by the ARC Raiders community for its high cache density, though most spawns are outdoors-meaning you'll need to stay alert for Arcs. Check the Olive Grove (between twisted trees) and Pilgrim's Peak (below the white lookout tower) for consistent spawns.
Spaceport
Less efficient due to its open layout and strong wind resistance, but still worth farming for blueprints. Caches spawn near small houses and marked locations, with audible cues to guide you. Avoid lingering here, as long rotations slow down farming speed.
Step 3: Use Audio & Visual Cues to Locate Caches
Hurricane Secret Caches are designed to be found with sensory cues, as the storm reduces visibility. Master these cues to find caches quickly:
Audio Cues
The most reliable cue is a distinct mechanical and electric hum (or high-pitched rhythmic beeping) that grows louder and faster as you get closer. Headphones are essential here-they let you pinpoint the cache's location even when it's out of sight.
Note: Once a cache is looted, the sound disappears. If you reach a spawn point and hear nothing, another player has likely already taken the loot.
Visual Cues
When you're within 20 meters of a cache, a red signal icon will appear on your HUD, pointing toward the ground. This icon is especially helpful in heavy storms, where visibility is low.
Keep an eye out for the cache's physical appearance: partially buried relic suitcases with a metallic sheen. They often blend in with dirt or sand, so scan the ground carefully as you move through spawn zones.
Step 4: Optimize Your Loadout for Farming
Farming Hurricane Caches requires a loadout focused on speed, survival, and looting efficiency. Here's what to equip:
Light or no shield: Hurricanes shred shields over time, so ditching heavy shields reduces risk and keeps you mobile. Use the Safe Keeper looting augment to protect your main weapon and boost inventory space.
Adrenaline shots and bandages: Prioritize mobility and healing-adrenaline shots keep you moving fast, while bandages fix damage from flying debris. Skip heavy ammo and gear; loot these from caches instead.
Looting augment: A green looting augment increases your looting speed, letting you open caches faster and move to the next spawn point quickly. This is critical for competing with other players in busy lobbies.
Step 5: Maximize Ultra Rare Blueprint Drops
Hurricane Secret Caches have a 57% blueprint drop rate per cache, with 70% of those being ultra-rare options like Tempest, Bobcat, and Vulcano. Use these tips to boost your chances:
Farm solo or in small duos: Larger groups mean more competition for caches. Solo runs let you clear spawn zones at your own pace without sharing loot.
Rotate quickly: If you don't hear the audio cue within a minute of checking a spawn point, move on. Wasting time on empty locations reduces your overall cache count per hour.
Focus on high-density zones: Stick to the key areas mentioned earlier (e.g., Power Generation Complex in Dam Battlegrounds) instead of wandering the entire map. This concentrates your efforts on the most productive spots.
Farm during Expedition Season: Blueprint drop rates spike during this period, making it the best time to chase ultra-rare options like Tempest, which was previously nearly unobtainable.
Troubleshooting: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make mistakes when farming Hurricane Caches. Avoid these pitfalls to save time and frustration:
Ignoring audio cues: Relying solely on visual cues will cause you to miss caches, especially in heavy storms. Always wear headphones and follow the hum.
Lingering in dead zones: If a spawn area has no caches after a quick check, move on. Lingering wastes time that could be spent looting productive zones.
Overloading on gear: Carrying heavy weapons and shields slows you down and makes you more vulnerable to storm damage. Travel light to maximize speed and survival.
Forgetting Stella Montis: Don't waste time loading into Stella Montis-hurricanes don't spawn there, so no caches will be available.
Final Tips for Blueprint Success
Farming Hurricane Secret Caches is a mix of strategy and patience. On average, players find 8 caches per hour, yielding 4 to 5 blueprints-including 1 to 2 ultra-rare options like Bobcat or Tempest.
Keep farming consistently: Blueprint drops are random, but the more caches you open, the higher your chance of getting the ultra-rare blueprints you want. Consider stockpiling credits from caches to purchase missing blueprints if needed.
Stay updated: Developers may tweak drop rates or spawn patterns in future updates, so take advantage of the current high blueprint spawn rates while you can. Hurricane Caches remain the most efficient way to collect ultra-rare blueprints in ARC Raiders.
With these tips, you'll be able to navigate Hurricane events with confidence, find caches quickly, and build a collection of ultra-rare blueprints that will make your raider stand out. Players will thereby acquire more resources—such as cheap ARCR Items, blueprints, and coins—and enjoy a fair gaming environment and experience. Embrace the storm, follow the cues, and let the loot flow.