ARC Raiders Pendola Pass Guide: Map, Loot & 8 Survival Tips

ARC Raiders Pendola Pass is a snow-covered map introduced in the Frozen Trail update. Its main challenges are Dynamic Loot Zones, dangerous Flash Freeze storms, limited extraction options, and the Fallen Emperor encounter. Knowing where to search and when to leave can make a big difference.

If you want to spend less time rebuilding your stash, you can also check SSEGold to buy ARC Raiders coins. This guide focuses on the map's key locations, loot mechanics, extraction methods, and practical tips for surviving a raid.

How to Unlock Pendola Pass

You can unlock Pendola Pass by completing 25 rounds on other maps. You can also enter with a squad if a teammate has already unlocked it.

The map combines snowy terrain with several distinct areas, including a town square, supermarket, observatory, and buried train depot. Vertical routes and exposed ground make movement risky, especially during Flash Freeze.

Pendola Pass Map: Key Locations and Loot

Each area offers different opportunities, so choose your route based on what you need rather than trying to search the entire map.

• Railyard and Loading Platforms: Good starting points for industrial loot and general supplies.

• Old Town: Worth checking when you need Research items and want to search buildings.

• Commissary Supermarket: A practical stop for medical supplies and container loot.

• Cielo Sereno Observatory: Check for Augment Crates and other valuable items.

• Train Station: Explore the surrounding structures and look for the locked room if you have its key.

Loot availability can vary between raids. Avoid treating any route as a guaranteed source of specific high-value items.

Understanding Dynamic Loot Zones

Dynamic Loot Zones help determine what type of loot you are likely to find in an area. The loot category remains associated with its zone, but the value of the items can change between raids.

For example, you might visit an area for a particular category of materials but find that the available items are less valuable than on a previous run. Check containers along your route and adapt when the rewards do not justify the risk.

For more general advice, see SSEGold's ARC Raiders Loot Guide.

Flash Freeze and Avalanche Shelters

Flash Freeze is one of Pendola Pass's biggest environmental threats. Staying outdoors during the storm can damage your Raider, so identify nearby shelter before the weather turns.

Avalanche Shelters, also called Storm Huts, become accessible or appear on the map when Flash Freeze begins. Their locations are fixed, but you may not see their map markers until the event starts.

Inside, you may find useful crafting materials such as Epoxy Buckets, Insulation Rolls, and Radial Presses, along with healing items and weapon cases. However, the loot is not guaranteed.

Some shelter doors freeze shut. A Flame Spray can melt the ice faster than a Raider Tool, making it useful if you plan to loot shelters during the storm.

Ballistic Gondola Extraction

The Ballistic Gondola is a distinctive extraction option on Pendola Pass. To call it, use a Gondola Transceiver. There are four transceiver locations: Northern, Glacial, Reckless, and Supermarket.

Each gondola ride has space for up to three Raiders, so extraction timing matters. Calling one can attract attention, and other players may contest the area.

Update 2.1.0 increased the gondola marker's visibility range from 120 to 175 meters. Even so, do not rely on the marker alone to keep you safe. Check nearby approaches and avoid lingering in the open while waiting to extract.

Locked Rooms on Pendola Pass

Pendola Pass has four notable locked rooms:

• Old Town Room

• Train Station Room

• Railyard Room

• Observatory Room

Keys can be found in places such as supply crates and on elite ARC enemies. If you obtain a key, consider whether its room fits your planned route. Crossing the map solely for a locked room may not be worth the extra exposure when you are already carrying valuable loot.

The Fallen Emperor, Redirection, and Frigate

The Fallen Emperor is a special encounter associated with Almatera Village. Access requires an Emperor Gateway Conduit, which can be crafted at a level 1 Workbench using one ARC Insulated Coupler, one ARC Conductive Coupler, and one ARC Plated Coupler. These materials can be obtained from Emperor Payloads during Redirection. The free Frozen Trail Reward Pass also offers a conduit at level 60.

During Redirection, Raiders can use Emperor Beacons to call Harvester Payloads down to their position. Expect competition around the event, since other players may also be seeking the payloads and their rewards.

Frigate is a separate map condition involving an airborne ship that Raiders can board via a Reclaimer drone. The ship is also associated with the Hydra, a three-part turret enemy. Neither Frigate nor Redirection should be treated as guaranteed features of every Pendola Pass raid.

The Bully and Skulker are additional enemies introduced in the Frozen Trail update. The Bully charges aggressively, while the Skulker uses cover and shadows to stalk targets. Stay alert when moving between buildings or through exposed areas.

For item and gear options, browse the ARC Raiders items.

Exploring Pendola Pass Quest

The Exploring Pendola Pass quest has several objectives:

1. Eliminate 20 ARC enemies.

2. Visit the Observatory control room.

3. Bring a Wire to repair the antenna on the tallest Railyard tower.

4. Search three containers in the Supermarket.

The listed rewards include a Breathtaking Snow Globe, Medium Shield, and Osprey I. If you are working on the quest, combine its objectives with your regular loot route to avoid unnecessary backtracking.

A Practical Pendola Pass Strategy: 8 Tips

1. Plan around your target loot. Start at Railyard and Loading Platforms for industrial loot, Old Town for Research items, or the Supermarket for medical supplies.

2. Adapt to Dynamic Loot Zones. Loot categories remain tied to zones, but item values vary. Change your route when rewards are poor.

3. Prepare for Flash Freeze. Identify nearby shelter before the storm starts.

4. Bring a way to melt frozen doors. Flame Spray opens frozen shelter doors faster than a Raider Tool.

5. Check extraction options early. Locate the nearest Gondola Transceiver and watch for Raiders before calling the gondola.

6. Use keys when the route makes sense. Search the four locked rooms if you have the right key, but avoid risky detours with a full backpack.

7. Prepare before the Fallen Emperor encounter. Gather the required ARC Couplers or obtain a conduit through the Frozen Trail Reward Pass.

8. Leave when the objective is complete. Extract with valuable loot instead of risking everything for one more container.

The most efficient Pendola Pass route depends on your mission, equipment, and the loot available that raid. A flexible plan is more useful than repeating the same route every time.

Final Thoughts

Pendola Pass rewards Raiders who manage their time and adapt to changing conditions. Learn the main loot areas, prepare for Flash Freeze, and keep an extraction plan in mind. If you are pursuing the Fallen Emperor or quest rewards, prepare the required items before entering so you can spend more time on your objective and less time backtracking.