Most players will notice the Phantom Targets Project while moving between ordinary raids, when strange signals begin pulling attention away from the usual loot run. That change of pace is the point. The event asks you to investigate, interact with equipment, and handle ARC machines in specific ways rather than simply fill your bag with materials. If you want a smoother start, check your workshop before deploying and spend useful ARC Raiders BluePrints on upgrades that improve the weapons and tools you already trust. A little preparation matters here, especially when one trip can cover several objectives instead of just one.

How the First Phase Works

Part One arrived with the August 4 update and centres on Cargo Elevator antennas. Your first job is to reach the extraction points and upgrade the equipment there. Spaceport is usually the most comfortable choice. The map is compact, the routes are easy to learn, and several elevators can be linked in one run if the area stays quiet. Dam Battlegrounds and Riven Tides also count, although they can take more time when patrols or other players force you to change direction. Don't rush straight to the first elevator and leave. Look at the map, pick a loop, and try to finish two or three antenna interactions before extraction. That simple habit cuts down on repeated travel and gives you more chances to gather supplies on the way.

Turn One Raid Into Several Objectives

The missions that follow involve ARC equipment tests, enemy eliminations, and different damage requirements. They're much easier when you treat them as one shared trip. Take the device needed for the test, bring a weapon that matches the current damage task, and keep enough healing items for an unexpected fight. You don't need to force every objective into a single deployment, though. If the route looks dangerous, finish the safer interaction first and leave with your progress intact. Players often lose time by chasing one target across the whole map, only to return without enough ammunition. A better approach is to group tasks by location. Check the nearby rooms, complete any available equipment test, deal with suitable ARC units, then move towards an extraction point. You'll earn progress while still collecting crafting materials for later workshop work.

Rewards Worth Chasing

Phantom Targets has a solid reward track, so it isn't just a small seasonal distraction. The standout prizes include Legendary Jupiter, Legendary Dolabra, and Legendary Aphelion, along with a Heavy Shield Mk III for players who want more protection in difficult encounters. Combat Augments, Vita Spray, Powered Descender, Horizontal Grip, and Snap Hook add useful options for different builds and movement styles. Raider Tokens are included as well. Claim each reward when it becomes available rather than leaving everything until the end. That keeps your loadout flexible and lets you test new equipment during the remaining missions. Update 1.42 arrives on August 18 with Part Two, and the Tick Hunter Set is scheduled for the same date. It includes a Tick Hunter Outfit with colour variants, a Field Telephone Backpack, a Tick Trophy Backpack Charm, a Spider Tattoo Face Style, and 2,400 Raider Tokens. The set is cosmetic, but it fits the event's uneasy survival mood.

Get Ready for Part Two

There's no need to empty your storage just to prepare, but a sensible reserve will help. Keep ammunition, medical supplies, and common crafting materials after each successful extraction. Upgrade the workshop when you have the right materials, giving priority to gear you use often instead of spreading resources across every option. It's also worth learning the entrances and elevator routes on Spaceport before Part Two opens. Familiar paths make a bigger difference than people expect when time is short. Watch patrol patterns, listen for nearby activity, and don't assume a quiet area will stay quiet. The project's transmissions and clues suggest that the current missions are setting up broader story content later in the year. Even if you're mainly interested in the equipment, paying attention to those details may give you a better idea of where the next objectives are heading.

Final Thoughts

Phantom Targets rewards players who plan without turning every raid into a rigid checklist. Start with the Cargo Elevator antennas, use Spaceport when you want a quicker route, and combine equipment tests with suitable ARC encounters whenever the situation allows. Keep your workshop moving forward, hold onto useful supplies, and collect rewards as soon as they unlock. A reserve of currency will also make future choices easier, so consider whether it's smarter to buy ARC Raiders Coins before the next wave of equipment and cosmetic releases arrives. With Part One finished and your loadout in order, you'll be in a much better position when Update 1.42 brings the project's next chapter.