How to Get Into the Emperor in ARC Raiders: Emperor Gateway Conduit and Couplers
The fallen Emperor towers over Pendola Pass, and it is the first time you can go inside an ARC in ARC Raiders. Its interior is the game’s first dungeon and the place where Amplification Modules drop.
You need an item called the Emperor Gateway Conduit to open the door. This guide covers how to build it, where the parts come from, and what we know about the interior so far.
The interior was locked in early access, so anything we have not confirmed in-game is marked TBC. We will update it as we map the dungeon.
How to Get Into the Emperor
The route is five steps, and you cannot skip the conduit because the door at the Emperor’s base is locked without it.
- Play Pendola Pass during Redirection: Loot Emperor Payloads, which were the early-access source of the couplers. See our Redirection map condition guide for how beacons and relays work.
- Collect the three couplers: You need the ARC Conductive Coupler, ARC Insulated Coupler, and ARC Plated Coupler. Each tooltip describes them as one of three distinct couplers “combined into a singular conduit.”
- Find the blueprint: Locate the Emperor Gateway Conduit Blueprint and learn it. It was found as container loot in early access, but the exact container type is TBC.
- Craft the conduit: Make it at Workbench I using one of each coupler. Check your materials in our Workshop Planner before you queue up.
- Unlock the door: Go to the door at the Emperor’s base and use the prompt “Unlock (1/1 Emperor Gateway Conduit).”
The Three Couplers
All three couplers are Epic rarity Topside Materials. In early access, all three came out of Emperor Payloads.
| Coupler | Rarity | Weight | Listed source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC Conductive Coupler | Epic | 0.5 | ARC |
| ARC Insulated Coupler | Epic | 0.5 | ARC |
| ARC Plated Coupler | Epic | 0.25 | ARC |
The tooltips list “ARC” as the source, but the payload itself counts as ARC. We have not confirmed whether regular ARC kills can also drop them, so treat that as TBC.
The combined weight of one full set is 1.25, which is light enough to carry alongside a full kit. You can check your headroom in the Loadouts builder.
What is Inside the Emperor
The interior is a dungeon, and the layout reconfigures between sessions. A handful of key locations always appear, but the order you reach them changes.
- Dungeon design: The route is mostly linear, so you will move through it room by room rather than exploring freely.
- Danger level: The developers have framed it as somewhere Raiders are not meant to be, so expect it to be punishing.
- Amplification Modules: These drop inside, and the Frigate is the only other source. Our Frozen Trail hub tracks where Amplification Modules fit into weapon progression.
- Hydra: The three-tiered Hydra turret is listed among Pendola Pass ARC and is mainly tied to the Frigate. Whether one sits inside the Emperor is TBC.
Walkthrough
We are still running the dungeon, so this section will grow as we confirm each room. Because the layout changes between sessions, we will organize it by room type instead of a single fixed route.
Fighting the Hydra
Embark describes the Hydra as a turret split into three stacked, autonomous sections, each with its own weaponry. That means each section can target a different Raider, so you can split your attention to spread its fire.
A full Hydra fight guide is coming once we have fought one. Health values, weak points, and drops are TBC, and we will add them to our ARC enemy database.
Loot inside
Amplification Modules from Mark 1 to 5 and the “rare tech” Embark promised are the main prizes. We will list containers and drops for each section as we map them.
Climbing the Outside of the Emperor
You cannot get inside without the conduit, but you can get on top of the Emperor without one. This gives you a high vantage point over the map.
- Zipline up the leg: Place a zipline on the right side of the leg and ride it up.
- Climb to the knee joint: Climb onto the knee joint.
- Place a second zipline: Run it to the very top, the highest point on the map.
Extracting After an Emperor Run
A gondola transceiver sits in the Emperor’s shadow, and the map calls it the Reckless Transceiver. A Raider “may defy both fate and common sense” by calling a gondola there.
It is the closest way out after an Emperor run, and it is also the most exposed. You can compare it with other exits on our ARC Raiders interactive map, and check when Redirection is active on the Event Timers page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get into the Emperor in ARC Raiders?
You craft the Emperor Gateway Conduit at Workbench I and use it on the door at the Emperor’s base. The recipe needs the blueprint plus one ARC Conductive Coupler, one ARC Insulated Coupler, and one ARC Plated Coupler.
Where do you get the three couplers?
In early access, all three came from Emperor Payloads during the Redirection map condition on Pendola Pass. Whether regular ARC kills drop them is TBC.
Where do you find the Emperor Gateway Conduit Blueprint?
The blueprint was found as container loot in early access. The exact container type and drop rate are TBC.
Can you get on top of the Emperor without the conduit?
Yes. You can zipline up the leg, climb to the knee joint, and place a second zipline to reach the highest point on the map.
What drops inside the Emperor?
Amplification Modules drop inside, from Mark 1 to 5, along with the “rare tech” Embark promised. A full loot list is coming as we map the dungeon.
