Looting Sophie's surface means nothing if you never make it off. SAND: Raiders of Sophie is built around a PvPvE extraction loop where you pilot a giant walking base called a Trampler, fill it with resources, fight rival crews, and then actually leave with your haul intact. That last part trips up more players than the combat does. Miss the evac rope, leave cargo loose on the deck, or park your Trampler on a slope, and a great run turns into nothing.
How do you find extraction points on the map?
Extraction points are not guaranteed to show up the moment a match starts. If you open the map early and see no extraction icons, that is normal. In storm-based runs especially, exits tend to become active as the match progresses and the danger zone tightens.
When they do appear, look for large white extraction-style icons on the map. The temptation is to head for the closest one, but proximity is not the only factor worth considering. A nearby extraction point surrounded by enemy Tramplers or sitting in an exposed area is a worse pick than a slightly farther one with a clean approach.
Extraction point on the map
Here is how to approach it:
- Open the map once the raid has progressed far enough for exits to appear.
- Identify the white extraction icon and assess the route, not just the distance.
- Avoid points near active fights or visible enemy Tramplers.
- Start preparing your cargo and positioning your Trampler before entering the extraction zone.
How to extract with your Trampler: step by step
The full extraction sequence has four stages. Skipping or rushing any one of them is how runs fall apart at the finish line.
Step 1: Park your Trampler correctly
Drive into the extraction zone and park near the radio tower. Flat ground is non-negotiable here. Rocks, slopes, and uneven terrain make it harder for your crew to reach the evac rope when the ship arrives. Keep the Trampler level and leave a clear path from the hull to the rope drop point.
Step 2: Call evacuation from the radio tower
Leave the Trampler and climb the standing radio tower at the extraction site. Interact with the radio and hold the required key to call in the evacuation. Once the call goes through, green smoke rises from your Trampler, confirming the sequence has started.
Calling evac from the radio tower
Step 3: Survive until the ship arrives
The extraction ship takes time to reach your location. That wait is when you are most exposed. Do not reorganize loot, do not wander, and keep at least one player watching the approach routes. Watch high ground around the extraction zone and stay close enough to reach the rope the moment it drops.
Evac ship inbound
Step 4: Grab the rope and leave
When the aircraft arrives, a rope hangs from the front of the ship. Move toward it immediately and grab it to zip up and complete the extraction. Your character does not leave by sitting inside the Trampler. The ship pulls the Trampler separately while you exit via the rope. Keep fighting until you are actually pulled clear.
How to store loot before extraction
Loot must be properly secured before the ship arrives. Items left loose on the Trampler floor or deck are not protected. The safe storage options are your personal inventory, a box held in your hands, or dedicated Trampler storage such as boxes, racks, and shelves.
For more on converting extracted loot into currency and restocking between runs, the buy and sell items guide covers the full shop process.
What loot should you prioritize extracting?
Cargo space fills up fast. When you have to make cuts, focus on items that generate Crowns, support Tech Tree progress, or help you recover after a rough run. Filling racks with low-value clutter when you already have high-tier loot on board is a common mistake that costs real progress.
If you want to build out your Trampler's capabilities between raids, check the full breakdown of Tech Tree upgrades to know exactly which materials are worth hoarding.
What happens if your Trampler is destroyed before extraction?
Losing your Trampler does not automatically end the run. The extraction rope is still the key. If you can reach the extraction zone and grab the rope when the ship arrives, you can still escape even without your Trampler. The ship pulls the Trampler separately from your character, so the two exits are independent. Getting to the zone on foot and surviving the wait is harder, but it is not impossible.
For everything else you need across all aspects of the game, the full SAND: Raiders of Sophie strategy guide collection has you covered from loadouts to Red Box items and beyond.