Trader Celeste’s Root of the Matter quest might seem cryptic at first—finding a mysterious “room with a great view” doesn’t exactly scream helpful directions. But once you know where to look in Buried City’s Research Building, this exploration mission becomes one of the quickest ways to earn 1,000 coins and a unique backpack charm.

Let’s break down everything you need to complete this quest efficiently and safely.

Arc Raiders Essentials at a Glance

Element	Details
Quest Giver	Trader Celeste
Location	Research Building, Buried City
Primary Objective	Retrieve seeds from vault
Rewards	1,000 Coins + Succulent Backpack Charm
Difficulty	Easy-Medium

Finding the Research Building

Start your raid and head straight to Buried City’s eastern section. You’re looking for the Buried Properties POI, where you’ll find the Space Travel building as your landmark. The Research Building sits directly left of it—impossible to miss once you’re in the right area.

Safety First: Before rushing inside, scan for patrolling ARC enemies around the perimeter. These mechanical threats can quickly ruin your stealth approach. Consider observing their patrol patterns for 30-60 seconds, then slip past during gaps or eliminate threats quietly if you’re equipped for combat.

Navigating to the “Room with a Great View”

Here’s where Celeste’s cryptic clue makes sense. Enter the Research Building through the southern window near the sand dunes. This unconventional entry point gives you direct access to the main hallway while avoiding heavily guarded entrances.

Once inside, proceed straight down the corridor. Check the left-side room—you’ll recognize it immediately by the massive window opening that overlooks a distant building surrounded by trees. That scenic vista is your “great view.”

Combat Alert: Small ARC units occasionally patrol these interior spaces. Stay alert with your weapon drawn, but prioritize stealth over engagement when possible.

Securing the Seed Vault

Against the room’s wall, you’ll spot a distinctive yellow container—that’s your target. Interact with it to collect the seeds and complete the primary objective.

Pro Strategy: Immediately place the seeds in your Safe Pocket after collection. This Arc Raiders mechanic protects critical quest items even if you’re eliminated before extraction. It’s insurance you don’t want to skip.

Safe Extraction Tips

Getting back to Speranza alive is half the battle. Plan your exit route before collecting the seeds:

Use the same southern window for a quick escape
Avoid the main entrances where enemy density is higher
Mark the nearest extraction point on your HUD
Move between cover systematically

If you encounter hostile Raiders on the way out, remember that discretion beats valor—your objective is extraction, not elimination. For more survival tactics, check out our Arc Raiders beginner’s guide on TechnoSports.

Maximizing Your Rewards

The 1,000 coins from this quest significantly boost your early-game economy, perfect for purchasing better gear from traders. The Succulent Backpack Charm adds personality to your loadout while showing off your quest completion achievements.

Trader Celeste offers several profitable missions—completing Root of the Matter unlocks access to more challenging quests with even better rewards.

FAQs

What should I do if I die before extracting with the seeds?

If you stored the seeds in your Safe Pocket before death, you’ll retain them when you return to Speranza, and the quest will complete successfully. Without using Safe Pocket, you’ll lose the seeds and must restart the entire mission from the beginning. This makes Safe Pocket usage absolutely critical for quest items—treat it as mandatory insurance rather than optional security.

Can I complete Root of the Matter with a squad, or is it better solo?

Both approaches work perfectly fine. Solo players enjoy faster navigation through the Research Building without coordinating movements, making for quick in-and-out missions. Squad play provides combat support if you encounter heavy ARC resistance or hostile player teams. The Research Building’s compact layout doesn’t favor either approach significantly, so choose based on your playstyle preference and available teammates.