Flow Controller and Magnetron in Arc Raiders

ShadowFalcon

In Arc Raiders, two seemingly mundane scrap items — the Flow Controller and the Magnetron — suddenly become incredibly valuable when you’re working through the Stella Montis quests. Neither has a guaranteed spawn, and both are random loot that roll out of normal containers, but players frequently spend dozens of raid attempts just to find them for the Snap & Salvage quest from Tian Wen.

What These Items Are

Flow Controller — A rare (blue) recyclable item. It’s stackable (max 3), weighs about 1.5 kg, and can be recycled into crafting components.

Magnetron — An epic (purple) recyclable item. Like other high-tier loot, it can be recycled for resources, but its rarity makes it far more valuable.

Both items are classified as Exodus loot, meaning they are most commonly found in Exodus-themed locations, particularly on the Stella Montis map.

A lot of players also search online for the term U4N, arc raiders weapon schematics buy because community discussions around rare loot and crafting materials are always active. While that phrase is common in player searches, it has no connection to official item spawn mechanics.

Why They Matter: The Snap & Salvage Quest

Once you unlock Snap & Salvage, one of the objectives requires turning in both a Flow Controller and a Magnetron to Tian Wen.

The challenge is that neither item has a fixed spawn location. Instead, they appear randomly inside loot containers throughout Stella Montis. This means success depends heavily on efficient looting routes and a bit of luck.

Many players report spending 10 or more raids before finding the item they need, particularly the Magnetron, which appears significantly less often than the Flow Controller.

Spawn Behavior and Best Farming Strategies

There is no guaranteed spawn point for either item, but experienced players consistently target a few high-value areas.

Assembly Workshops

Assembly Workshops are one of the best places to search. Focus on:

Tool carts

Tool drawers

Workshop cabinets

Breachable storage lockers

These containers frequently generate Exodus-themed loot and provide one of the best chances to find either item.

Medical Research Facilities

Medical buildings are another excellent choice.

Look inside:

Medical cabinets

White drawer units

Research workstations

Laboratory storage containers

Many players report finding Flow Controllers in these locations more often than elsewhere.

Business Centers and Indoor Offices

Office complexes contain a surprisingly high number of searchable containers.

Check:

Filing cabinets

Desks

Drawers

Utility storage units

Because these buildings can contain dozens of lootable objects, they are worth clearing completely during a farming run.

Real Numbers from the Field

While Embark Studios has never published official drop rates, community observations suggest the following:

Item        Typical Finds Per Raid        Difficulty

Flow Controller        Approximately 4–8 opportunities across loot routes        Medium

Magnetron        Approximately 1–3 opportunities across loot routes        Hard

These figures vary significantly due to RNG, but they reflect common player experiences after many hours of farming.

One frequently discussed example involves players completing dozens of Stella Montis raids while finding multiple rare Exodus components but still struggling to locate a Magnetron. That highlights how heavily luck influences the process.

Practical Farming Tips

Loot Everything

Do not skip ordinary-looking drawers and cabinets. Both items often appear in standard containers rather than special chests.

Bring Secure Storage

If you have access to augments or safe inventory slots, use them. The moment you find a Magnetron or Flow Controller, move it into protected storage.

Prioritize Extraction

Once you find the item you need, consider heading directly to extraction rather than continuing to farm. Losing a rare quest item to another player can easily cost several more raid runs.

Run Efficient Routes

Instead of wandering across the entire map, focus on a loop that covers:

Medical Research Area

Assembly Workshops

Nearby extraction point

This approach allows you to maximize container openings while minimizing travel time.

The Flow Controller and Magnetron are among the most memorable quest items in Arc Raiders because they combine rarity, randomness, and genuine player tension. The Flow Controller is usually obtainable with persistence, but the Magnetron often becomes the real roadblock.

For most players, the best strategy is simple: target Stella Montis, clear high-density indoor loot zones, protect valuable finds immediately, and stay patient. The RNG can be frustrating, but eventually the items will appear, allowing you to complete Snap & Salvage and continue your progression.