'Empathetic Prototypes' quest walkthrough in Arc Raiders

Link copied to clipboard

Published Oct 12, 2026, 9:46 AM EDT

How to disable the magnetic lock

Image: Embark Studios via Polygon

The "Empathetic Prototypes" quest in Arc Raiders is one that is proving to be incredibly difficult for players following the "Frozen Trail" update, because while there are two ways of completing it, you either need a rare key, or some serious acrobatic skills to make it work. This quest is all about searching for some android friends for Lance, and it all must be completed in one round on Spaceport.

Here's a full walkthrough for the "Empathetic Prototypes" quest in Arc Raiders, including where to find the terminal and how to disable the magnetic lock on the crate.

'Empathetic Prototypes' quest steps in Arc Raiders

The "Empathetic Prototypes" quest has five steps in total, although you must choose between two of them, so there are only four to complete, and it all must be completed in one round.

Reach the Trench Towers in the Spaceport Trench.
Complete either:
1. Find the terminal and disable the magnetic lock.
2. Find the magnetic lock on the crate and manually disable it.
Search the cargo crate.
Deliver the Project Pathos Empathy Core to Lance.

Where to find the crate and how to disable the magnetic lock at the Trench Towers

The Trench Towers are on the northern side of the map, but you're specifically the North Trench Tower and the South Trench Tower. They're just below the West and East Hangar, and 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.

However, there are two key items you'll need for this quest. If you have the Spaceport Trench Tower key in your stash, put it in your safe pocket and head topside. This will make the quest a hundred times easier for you. Enter the South Trench Tower with the key, and you'll find a terminal in front of you. Interact with it to override the magnetic lock.

If you don't have the key, instead, you should bring a zipline and a grappling hook. Find the cargo crate hanging below the North Trench Tower, because you need to get on top of it. When looking at the crate, to the right should be a ladder up 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 this, then aim the far end of the zipline to the very top of the crate. If done correctly, you should be able to use the zipline to get straight on top of it. Just be wary of flying off the other side; this is where a grappling hook is handy, because you can pull yourself back up.

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

When you're on the crate, interact with the prompt on the hinge to perform the manual magnetic override. This drops the crate to the ground below. Safely descend using the grappling hook, then search the crate at the bottom to find the Project Pathos Empathy Core. All you need to do now is extract it safely — I'd recommend putting it in your safe pocket — and deliver it to Lance. He'll reward you with 5,000 XP, a Canto SMG, and two stim shots.