Introduction
Learning a new map in any competitive game is a difficult thing; it’s a hassle to know the good spots in a map, where you and your friends could go and do stuff without getting spotted or getting into a place with no good loot. You also need to know angles, high grounds, and other structures to have an upper hand in fights.
Learning a new map takes time, active observation, and most importantly, mental toughness because making mistakes and doing the same thing over and over again without getting bored is actually a lot tougher than it might look on the outside.
Quick Tip:
Understanding Buried City before repeated drops can save multiple failed raids and unnecessary gear losses.
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Related Guides:
- ARC Raiders Trials Guide 2026
- ARC Raiders Spaceport Map Guide
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Winning More Raids
Map Learning Context & Navigation Goals
In this blog, we are going to talk about one of the maps of Arc Raiders. In this blog i am going to tell you the best way to navigate through the map, it’s high interest areas, as well as the best loot points it has. So after reading this blog, you won’t need another trial run in the map because you’ll actively know a lot about it already.
Things to Keep in Mind
Verticality & Map Layers
So there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, firstly, the verticality matters, the map is not just its flat streets, it has different building, their rooftops, stairwells, underground paths, broken overpasses. So think about the map in layers and not just in directions. The more you abuse the position of verticality and use the higher ground, the more advantage you’ll have in fights.
Supporting Insight:
Buried City heavily rewards players who control elevation. Rooftops and stairwells often decide fights before they begin.
Sound Awareness
In any competitive game, sound is as important as the visual cues, so focus on your hearing and have a good pair of headphones with spatial audio, because it will allow you to hear gunfires and ARC movements. It will help you in winning a lot more fights than just relying on your raw aim and movement.
Player Tip:
Footsteps and ARC movement sounds often echo through Buried City’s structures, giving early warning if you listen carefully.
Cover, Choke Points & Ambush Risk
The map has inconsistent Cover and a lot of choke points, which means that not only will you have a tough time finding adequate cover to fight enemies, but there are a lot of angles in the game in which a lot of raiders will already be waiting for you, so you could expect ambushes from them as well as pre-aim and instant headshots.
Underground Routes & Close-Quarter Combat
The best bet you have is to take underground routes because that way you’re not going to be encountering ARCs, and even if you do, the number of ARCs would be a lot less. But you’re going to face a lot of close-quarter fights in the underground, so make sure you have close-range weapons like The Smgs or shotguns.
Expert Note:
Underground routes trade ARC safety for PvP pressure. Loadouts optimized for close combat outperform long-range builds here.
High Loot Zones & Extraction Timing
Lastly, in the high loot areas, getting fights with third parties is a commonality, and not only that, there’s an added pressure of overlapping with ARCs, which makes the high loot zones. Intensely crowded and high risk high reward areas. Extraction time is super critical; the later you are, the riskier it gets, both from other raiders and increased ARC pressure, so if you have looted enough, then dip as soon as you can, do not get greedy.
If repeated late extractions are causing losses, improving route planning and extraction timing can significantly increase survival rates.
Best Loot Areas
I will list down all of the best areas that have good loot, and some of the areas have great loot.
Loot Area Overview
| Location | Loot tier |
|---|---|
| Research | Medium loot |
| Space Travel | High loot |
| Town hall | High loot |
| Library | Medium loot |
| Hospital | High loot |
| Plaza roza | Medium loot |
What this shows:
This table highlights where players can expect higher-value loot and which areas carry increased risk.
Other Points of Interest
Apart from loot, you could also go into different locations of the map to do other things, have a few fights, or just get more loot if you can get your hands on it. So here are some of those Points of interest:
Points of Interest Breakdown
| Location | Why go there? |
|---|---|
| Western Village | The location has good weapons as well as some utility crates. |
| Northeastern Rooftop Hole Room | The location has good loot, and it is less crowded since not a lot of players know about this location |
| Under the Parking Lot | It has breachable contracts as well as health packs and has a zipline exit. |
| Red Tower | It can have high-value containers, but the location |
| Building near Highway Camp | It has weapon crates, health pack and file drawers. |
What this shows:
These locations provide alternative objectives, safer rotations, and situational advantages beyond standard loot runs.
First-Hand Experience: In-Game Observations
From live Buried City runs, players who treat the map as layered instead of flat extract more consistently. Early positioning, disciplined looting, and timely extractions outperform aggressive late-game pushes almost every time.
FAQs
Is Buried City a difficult map for new ARC Raiders players?
Yes. The vertical layout, choke points, and overlapping ARC pressure make Buried City challenging, especially for players unfamiliar with its routes.
What is the safest way to move through Buried City?
Underground routes reduce ARC encounters, but players should be prepared for close-quarter fights and ambushes from other raiders.
Which areas have the best loot in Buried City?
Space Travel, Town Hall, and Hospital offer high-tier loot but also attract more players and ARC activity.
When should I extract from Buried City?
Extraction becomes riskier the longer you stay. If you’ve secured good loot, extracting early is usually safer than pushing for more.
Is Buried City good for solo players?
It can be, but solo players need strong map awareness, careful sound usage, and disciplined extraction timing to avoid third-party fights.
Conclusion
Buried City is one of ARC Raiders’ most demanding maps, rewarding players who understand its vertical structure, sound cues, and risk-reward balance. By learning its loot zones, underground routes, and extraction timing, players can significantly improve survival rates and raid success. Treat the map as a layered battlefield, stay disciplined with loot decisions, and prioritize smart positioning over aggression.