Raider hatch keys unlock emergency escape hatches scattered across each Arc Raiders map. These hatches act as private extraction points: they don’t trigger a loud alarm and there’s no long elevator wait, which lowers the chance you’ll be third-partied while holding valuable loot. On the map, hatches are marked with an icon that resembles a downward arrow beneath a half circle.

Standard extraction points are shared and increasingly risky as match time winds down and exits close. Hatch keys give you an alternative when you need to avoid a crowded elevator or beat the clock.

How to get Raider hatch keys

Method Requirements Cost Limits and notes
Loot during matches None None Rare drop; can also be taken from downed players.
Purchase from Shani (Security Trader, Speranza) Account level 12+ 9,000 coins Purchase cooldown; only one key can be bought per 24-hour period.
Craft at the workshop Build a Utility Station: 50 Plastic Parts + 6 ARC Alloy Per key: 1 Advanced Electrical Component + 3 Sensor parts Craft as needed once the station is built.

Where and how Raider hatches work in a match

  • Look for the hatch icon on your map (down arrow with a half circle). Multiple hatches exist per map.
  • A single key opens a hatch for your entire squad to extract together.
  • Hatches do not stay open long, so regroup before using the key and move as a unit.

Because hatches are quicker and quieter than elevators, they’re ideal when you’re deep in hostile territory, low on ammo, or carrying mission-critical items and don’t want to broadcast your exit.

When to spend a hatch key

  • High-stakes objectives: Save keys for important quests or runs where losing gear would set you back.
  • Late match pressure: As standard extracts close, a hatch can prevent a forced fight at a crowded elevator.
  • Bad position: If your route to a public extract is exposed or contested, a nearby hatch is safer.
Tip: Place the key in your safe pocket before you deploy. If you die, items in that slot are preserved, so you won’t lose the key to a wipe.

Quick differences: hatch vs. elevator

  • Noise: Hatches are quiet; elevators announce your intent.
  • Speed: Hatches open promptly; elevators add wait time that invites third parties.
  • Visibility: Hatches draw less attention, reducing ambush risk at the exit.

The takeaway: hatch keys are rare and expensive for a reason. Build the Utility Station if you plan to craft regularly, buy from Shani when you need a guaranteed key, and otherwise scoop them from the field when luck allows. Use them sparingly on the raids that matter most—and keep your squad tight when it’s time to turn the key.