‘Empathetic Prototypes’ quest guide for Arc Raiders

October 13, 2026

‘Empathetic Prototypes’ quest guide for Arc Raiders

The ‘Empathetic Prototypes’ quest in Arc Raiders asks you to locate android companions for Lance and recover the Project Pathos Empathy Core. Every objective must be completed during one Spaceport round.

Following the ‘Frozen Trail’ update, the mission can be awkward because its magnetic lock has two possible solutions. One requires a rare key, while the other relies on a zipline and grappling hook. This guide explains both routes.

‘Empathetic Prototypes’ objectives

There are five listed steps, but the two magnetic-lock options are alternatives. In practice, you complete four objectives in a single round:

Travel to the Trench Towers in the Spaceport Trench.
Choose one magnetic-lock solution:
- Use the terminal to disable the magnetic lock.
- Manually disable the magnetic lock on the cargo crate.
Search the cargo crate.
Take the Project Pathos Empathy Core to Lance.

For more gaming and arcade news, browse the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.

Where to find the Trench Towers

The Trench Towers sit in the northern section of the Spaceport map. Look for the North Trench Tower and South Trench Tower below the West and East Hangars, above The Trench.

The left-hand side of the image shows the player next to the terminal to override the magnetic lock in Arc Raiders while the right-hand side shows the location marked on the in-game map with a star.

Option one: use the Spaceport Trench Tower key

If you have the Spaceport Trench Tower key in your stash, place it in your safe pocket before heading to the surface. Enter the South Trench Tower with the key and interact with the terminal directly ahead. This overrides the magnetic lock without requiring the crate climb.

Keeping important quest items secure is useful in any extraction game. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide offers a different kind of planning for players building a home gaming setup.

Option two: manually override the crate

Without the tower key, bring both a zipline and a grappling hook. Find the cargo crate suspended beneath the North Trench Tower. When facing the crate, locate the ladder on its right-hand side; it leads up and out of the trench.

The left-hand side of the image shows the player standing at the bottom of a zipline that leads to the crate with the magnetic lock in Arc Raiders while the right-hand side of the image shows the location of the crate marked on the in-game map with a star.

Climb the ladder and aim the zipline at the far end of the crate’s roof. A successful placement lets you ride directly onto the top. Take care not to overshoot the opposite side. If you do, the grappling hook can pull you back into position.

The player in Arc Raiders on top of the crate to override the magnetic lock.

Once you are standing on the crate, interact with the prompt on its hinge to trigger the manual magnetic override. The crate will fall to the ground below. Use the grappling hook to descend safely, then search the crate.

Recover the Empathy Core and finish the quest

Searching the cargo crate gives you the Project Pathos Empathy Core. Put it in your safe pocket if possible, extract from the round safely, and deliver it to Lance.

Completing the quest rewards you with 5,000 XP, a Canto SMG and two stim shots. If you are planning a dedicated gaming room, you can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machines and arcade parts.