The Assessor Matrix is one of the trickier crafting materials to track down in Arc Raiders, and that's entirely by design. It only drops from Arc Assessors, which only appear under a specific map condition, and those Assessors are surrounded by hostile flying enemies that will ruin your run if you're not careful. This guide covers everything you need to know: when to go, where to look, how to breach without dying, and what the material is actually for.
What is the Close Scrutiny event?
The Close Scrutiny event is a timed map condition in Arc Raiders that fundamentally changes how a raid plays out. According to details confirmed across multiple sources, this condition is active for roughly one hour on most maps, with Stella Montis being the only exception where it does not appear.
During Close Scrutiny, two major changes kick in:
- Valuable loot becomes scarce across the map, and locked doors that normally require keys become inaccessible
- Arc Assessors spawn at random locations, marked directly on your map
The game is essentially trading one type of loot opportunity for another. You give up normal scavenging routes, but the Assessors offer higher-value rewards, including the Assessor Matrix, if you can breach them successfully.
Close Scrutiny map condition active
How to find Arc Assessors
Once Close Scrutiny is active, Arc Assessors are marked on your map, so you won't be wandering blind. As you close in on one, look up. Three red beams shoot into the sky from each Assessor, making them visible from a significant distance even if your map marker isn't precise.
Assessors are the focal point of the Close Scrutiny condition, designed to pull players toward a concentrated high-risk, high-reward encounter rather than spreading them across the map.
Red beams mark each Assessor
How to breach and loot Arc Assessors
Each Arc Assessor has three separate containers that can be breached and searched. Here's the catch: these structures don't wait around. If you take too long, the Assessor launches into the sky and disappears, taking all the loot with it. Speed matters.
The bigger problem is the guards. Arc Assessors are protected by flying Arc enemies, including the Vaporizer, a new enemy type introduced with the Flashpoint update. Fighting them head-on, even with a full squad, is a bad trade. The loot isn't worth the resources you'll burn through in a prolonged firefight.
Stealth approach
The most reliable method works like this:
- Approach the Assessor carefully and wait for the platform to extend
- Throw a smoke grenade before climbing up to mask your position from the flying Arcs
- Climb the platform and breach the container quickly
- Grab the loot, then activate the Photoelectric Cloak gadget to move to a safe position without triggering the surrounding enemies
- Repeat for the remaining two containers
If you're running with a squad, one or two players can draw the Vaporizers' attention while the others focus on breaching. This split approach works, but the solo stealth method is actually more consistent because it avoids spawning additional enemies through combat.
What can drop from Arc Assessors?
The Dolabra shotgun blueprint can also drop from Assessor containers. If you're farming for the Assessor Matrix, keep an eye out for it as a bonus.
What is the Assessor Matrix used for?
Right now, the primary confirmed use for the Assessor Matrix is completing stages of the High-Gain Antenna player project. This project runs across three stages, and according to Destructoid's coverage of the Flashpoint update, the Assessor Matrix is required specifically for stages two and three. Stage one can be completed without it.
Given that it's tied to a named player project with multiple stages, expect to need several Assessor Matrix units across a full playthrough of the project. A single run through Close Scrutiny may not be enough, so plan to repeat the event across multiple sessions.
For more Arc Raiders strategies and the latest on the Flashpoint update, browse the full guides collection at GAMES.GG to stay current on everything dropping in the game.
