Phantom Targets opens with a task that sounds more complicated than it really is. You're told to improve Cargo Elevator antennas, so it's easy to picture a warehouse lift or some hidden industrial room. That isn't what the project means. Cargo Elevators are extraction platforms, and the antenna sits up on the structure where you can reach it. Once that clicks, the first objective becomes a quick bit of route planning rather than a long search. It's also a good moment to check your workshop and gather useful ARC Raiders BluePrints, since later stages ask for better equipment and a little more fighting.
Where the Cargo Elevators Are Found
The required extraction points appear on Dam Battlegrounds, Spaceport, and Riven Tides. You won't find a special building marked "Cargo Elevator" on the map, which is why the objective catches so many people out. Look for the familiar extraction platform instead. After you reach it, climb onto the upper section and scan around the edge for a small antenna assembly. It's usually placed where you can see the surrounding area, but the platform can leave you exposed, so don't stand around admiring the view.
Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport are usually the easiest places to work on several antennas in one deployment. The distance between extraction points is manageable, and both maps give you room to adjust your route if another squad is nearby. Riven Tides still counts, of course, and it may be the better choice if the other maps are busy. Before dropping in, check the map layout and decide which point you'll visit first. A rough plan is enough. You don't need to follow a perfect line when the raid starts.
How the Antenna Interaction Works
When you reach a Cargo Elevator, climb to the top platform and move close to the antenna. Hold the interaction button until the progress bar fills. The process only takes a few seconds, but you can't move freely while it's running, so listen for footsteps and watch the nearby approaches. Some players leave the area thinking the task failed because there's no dramatic sound or bright completion effect. That's normal. Open the Phantom Targets Project menu after the interaction and check whether the counter has moved. The menu is the reliable confirmation.
If you want to finish all three upgrades in one raid, start with the nearest elevator after spawning. From there, rotate towards the next extraction platform and avoid fights that don't help the objective. You're not required to clear every enemy in the area. Save ammunition, keep healing items ready, and don't take a risky shortcut through a crowded section just to save a minute. If you're taken out before visiting every location, the completed antenna upgrades remain registered, so the next raid can focus on whatever is left.
What to Gather Before the Later Tasks
Once the antenna work is complete, Phantom Targets shifts towards ARC components and combat challenges. Pop Triggers, Wasp Drivers, and Leaper Pulse Units are worth picking up whenever they appear during ordinary raids. You don't need to turn every deployment into a dedicated farming trip. Just check containers, search useful areas, and bring home materials when the opportunity is safe. This approach feels much less tiring than waiting until the next objective unlocks and then repeatedly visiting the same locations with nothing else in mind.
Your loadout matters more than raw firepower here. Take a dependable weapon, enough healing supplies, and gear that helps you move between platforms without getting stuck in a bad position. A shield upgrade or useful attachment can make a difference during the later encounters, while a little spare currency gives you room to replace equipment after an unlucky run. It's also worth improving workshop stations before the harder objectives arrive. Better crafting options mean fewer compromises when you need a specific item quickly.
Small Choices That Save Time
There are a few habits that make the whole project smoother. Confirm the counter after every antenna instead of assuming the interaction worked. Keep your route flexible when another player is already using an extraction point. If the area feels unsafe, wait in cover, take a different path, or leave and return later. Rushing the final platform with a full pack can cost more than it saves. The event rewards steady progress, not spectacular plays. Collecting components during regular missions also lets you keep working on workshop upgrades at the same time.
Final Thoughts
The opening Phantom Targets objective is easy to misunderstand because the name suggests a location that doesn't exist. Treat Cargo Elevators as extraction platforms, climb to the upper deck, and interact with the antenna until the bar is full. Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport are strong choices for a quick three-point route, while Riven Tides remains a useful alternative when you want a quieter run. Keep your route sensible, check the Project menu, and carry useful ARC Raiders Materials whenever you find them so the later missions don't turn into a separate chore.
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