Sand: Raiders of Sophie is a new PvPvE extraction shooter where you and a crew pilot massive walking fortresses called Tramplers that battle it out in a desert filled with dwindling resources. Launched in Early Access, players can find a nice collection of resources, mech parts, and weapons throughout the different points of interest.

One of the most important is Energy Rods, which act as the fuel and power source for your mech. There are different rarities of Energy Rods, but even the most basic one is critical to your survival. After all, the last thing you want is to end up stranded in the middle of the desert. Here is where to find Energy Rods, so you can always keep your mech on the move.

Where To Find Energy Rods

If you're just starting in Sand: Raiders of Sophie, you will be given five NZ Mk2 Energy Rods, which are the most basic and common version of this fuel source. However, if you don't look for more Energy Rods, you can easily burn through all of these in a few runs — especially if you're playing the more casual Voyage mode.

If you're looking to snag Energy Rods, here is where to locate them:

  • Parts Crates
  • Rare Parts Crates
  • Very Rare Parts Crate
  • Ironclad Chests
  • Lying around at Points of Interest
  • Purchased from the shop

Of these locations, the most common places you'll find them are in Parts Crates, which can be found at lighthouses, major points of interest, or sometimes onboard the wrecked ships in the sand dunes. Parts Crates are rectangular boxes that have a big, white gear logo on the front, and the basic NZ Mk2 Energy Rod has a high chance of dropping from these.

For solo players, always consider checking the various boats, as these are typically unlooted and minimally guarded by the coral-infected zombies. They may not always have this specific chest, but it takes very little time to check an entire ship for a Parts Crate. Alternatively, perhaps the most consistent places are the named points of interest throughout the map.

These forts are guarded by an A.I. controlled mech called an Ironclad and are usually infested with zombies. While dangerous, these places have a ton of resources and are usually always worth the effort of looting them. Specifically, you will want to hone your search on any warehouses or areas near sections that look like docks.

You can also sometimes find Energy Rods just lying around in these forts. It's rare, but during some of my raids I've collected Energy Rods from cars or rolling carts just sitting on the abandoned streets (shown above). Look for the faint, distinctive purple glow, as this almost always means there's an Energy Rod nearby.

The Ironclads are also a good source of Energy Rods, as they drop metal crates upon destruction. These mechs are summoned in whenever one of those watch towers spots you and take around 5–6 shots from an 80mm cannon to bring them down. Once destroyed, look for a silver crate around the wreckage. Inside is typically an Energy Rod, some ammo, and potentially rare materials!

Finally, you can actually buy higher quality Energy Rods, but this requires you to actually unlock them first via the Tech Tree. Located in the blue Tadeusz Godlewski tree, these can be unlocked and then purchased from the shop in your Storage tab. There's even a smokeless variety at the very end of this Tech Tree, which is great for setting ambushes or traveling under the radar.

Related

Arc Raiders: All Keys And What They Open

They key has to go to something, right?

Posts 1 By  Zoë J. Osik

How To Use Energy Rods

When it comes to using Energy Rods, I typically store them in a crate near my Reactor. Just take an Energy Rod and put it in your inventory. When selected, carry the rod to your reactor and put it into the slot next to the valve that turns the Trampler on or off. Above the slot will be a fuel gauge, which you'll want to monitor so it doesn't fall into the red and your movement speed becomes drastically reduced.

Just approach the Reactor and press F when prompted to use up your Energy Rod to charge your Trampler. Unless you're planning a long voyage, you shouldn't need more than 2–4 Energy Rods for most raids. Obviously, this can change depending on if you want to PvP more, take on some of the harder challenges, or just hunt for loot.

However, given that they are the lifeblood of the Trampler, you should never leave home without some!

Next

Arc Raiders: Where To Find Spectrum Analyzers

Here's where to find Spectrum Analyzers and what materials they recycle into in Arc Raiders.

Posts By  Collin MacGregor