Close Scrutiny is the first ARC Operation in Arc Raiders, introduced with the Flashpoint update (patch 1.22.0). Unlike weather-based map conditions such as Hurricanes or Cold Snap, ARC Operations are combat-driven modifiers built around a central objective. In Close Scrutiny, that objective is the Assessor — a massive three-legged ARC probe that lands on the map carrying rare loot, guarded by some of the most dangerous enemies in the game.
Quick answer: Assessors spawn a few minutes into any Close Scrutiny raid on exterior maps. Look for red beams of light shooting into the sky, approach the three-legged probe, and breach its three containers by walking up its legs. Breaching triggers an alarm that spawns additional ARC enemies, so clear nearby Vaporizers first or use a Photoelectric Cloak to sneak in and out.
Close Scrutiny Map Condition Effects
| Effect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Assessors spawn periodically | Large ARC probes land throughout the match, each containing rare loot |
| Increased Vaporizers and Surveyors | New flying laser drones and scout units patrol the entire map |
| No active locked doors | All doors are open, removing locked-door loot gating |
| Decreased overall loot value | Standard civilian crates and ambient loot are significantly reduced |
| Increased ARC loot | Robot parts and ARC-specific materials drop more frequently |
The trade-off is straightforward. Standard scavenging yields far less than a normal raid, but ARC-related rewards — especially from Assessors — are substantially better. If you're hunting for robot components or endgame weapon blueprints, Close Scrutiny is where you want to be. If you need general supplies, pick a different map condition.
Maps Where Close Scrutiny Appears
Close Scrutiny can appear on four of the five current maps. Stella Montis is excluded because it's an indoor bunker environment that doesn't support the Assessor's open-air landing mechanic.
| Map | Close Scrutiny Available |
|---|---|
| Dam Battlegrounds | Yes |
| The Blue Gate | Yes |
| Spaceport | Yes |
| Buried City | Yes |
| Stella Montis | No |
How Assessors Work
Assessors are not present when a Close Scrutiny raid begins. They start landing a few minutes into the match and continue to arrive periodically throughout the session. When one touches down, it emits three tall red beams of light visible from a considerable distance, and its landing area is marked on your map with a probe icon.
Each Assessor is a dark grey, three-pronged structure sitting on a tripod of legs. It has three breachable containers, one accessible from each leg. You walk up a leg to reach and breach a container. If the platform hasn't fully fanned out yet after landing, you'll need to wait before the breach points become accessible.
Assessor Loot and Rewards
The contents of Assessor containers make the risk worthwhile, especially for endgame progression.
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Dolabra blueprint | Legendary energy shotgun with a variable focus mechanic; rare drop |
| Canto SMG blueprint | New submachine gun that uses medium ammunition |
| ARC materials | Wide variety of robot parts and crafting components |
| Assessor Matrix | Epic-rarity crafting resource required for the High-Gain Antenna project |
The Dolabra blueprint is notably rare, so expect to breach multiple Assessors across several raids before it drops. Materials gathered during Close Scrutiny also contribute to the High-Gain Antenna Project, a community-driven initiative from the Flashpoint update. Contributing to this project is the path to earning Raider Tokens and unlocking permanent crafting bench upgrades.
Key Threats During Close Scrutiny
Vaporizers are the defining danger of this ARC Operation. These flying drones use high-tracking laser attacks that deal heavy damage and can shred your shields and health almost instantly. They patrol in groups around Assessors and are far less predictable than Bombardiers — standard dodge-roll timing is unreliable against them. Fighting Vaporizers in open ground is a quick way to die. Use rooftops, overhangs, and any vertical cover you can find to break their line of sight.
Shredders, previously confined to Stella Montis, now roam freely across all four Close Scrutiny maps. They punish stationary play, which is a problem when you're trying to hold position near an Assessor. Listen for their distinctive mechanical skittering sound — it's often the only warning you'll get before they flank you.
Surveyors also appear in increased numbers, scouting the map and calling in reinforcements if they detect you.
Strategies for Successful Assessor Runs
Close Scrutiny functions as an endgame modifier. Dropping in with a basic loadout and no plan will end badly. Here are the most effective approaches to looting Assessors.
Stealth approach: Activate a Photoelectric Cloak before approaching the Assessor. Breach a container, grab the loot, and cloak again to slip away before the alarm draws too many enemies. Smoke grenades thrown during the breach can further obscure your position from ARC tracking. This method works best for solo players or small groups who want to avoid prolonged fights.
Combat approach: Clear the Vaporizer groups guarding the Assessor before you start any breach. Attempting to breach while Vaporizers are still active overhead is extremely dangerous because the alarm will pull even more enemies to your location. Weapons like the Hullcracker, Dolabra, and Wolfpacks are strong choices for dealing with armored ARC units. A Surge Coil deployable placed near your cover position can electrify the ground and stop Shredder flanks while you focus on aerial threats.
PvP Pressure Around Assessors
Because ambient loot is gutted during Close Scrutiny, the Assessor becomes the only high-value target on the map. Every squad knows this, which turns each Assessor into a PvPvE hotspot. A common pattern emerges: rival squads will hold back and let you burn through resources clearing the ARC patrols, then rush in once you've done the hard work.
This tends to happen most frequently when you're deep into the breach process and already committed. Keep a squad member watching your flanks rather than having everyone focused on the Assessor. After securing loot, consider extracting from a quieter point farther from the Assessor rather than fighting through a second engagement while your supplies are depleted.
Close Scrutiny is a deliberate endgame challenge. The reduced ambient loot means there's little reason to drop into this map condition unless you're specifically chasing Assessor rewards, Dolabra or Canto blueprints, or materials for the High-Gain Antenna Project. Bring your best gear, bring friends, and treat every Assessor approach like a boss encounter — because between the Vaporizers, Shredders, and other Raiders circling the same prize, it effectively is one.