I stopped treating the Buried City like a normal FPS the moment I realised the streets are basically a trap. You can have decent aim and still get melted because you're moving where everyone can see you. The real game is vertical. Rooflines, ledges, awkward little balconies—those are your lanes. If you're trying to build a repeatable loot run, I like keeping a mental note of ARC Raiders BluePrint routes so I'm not improvising while an ARC patrol is stomping around the corner.

1. Red Tower Roof Entry

The Red Tower is the fastest way to go from "pistol and panic" to "okay, we can fight." It's central, just under Town Hall, so it's rarely quiet. That's why you don't want the front door. Grapple up, climb, whatever it takes—get to the roof first. Once you're up there, there's a tucked-away room that feels almost rude with how much it can hold: red lockers and standard weapon cases close together. One catch, though. Sometimes those lockers want a Security Breach, and if you didn't pack the right utility you're just standing there, staring at a payday you can't cash in.

2. Marano Station High Ground

If mid-map is turning into a war zone, I swing west to Marano Station. Same rule: start high. A weapon case often shows up right on the top, and that early pickup changes everything. You're armed, you've got sightlines, and you can clear downward instead of fighting uphill through doorways. People creeping around the Warehouse side usually look forward, not up, and you'll catch them hesitating in the open. Take your time here, but not too much time—Marano can feel "safe" right until it isn't.

3. Library Roof Sweep Near Hospital

Over east, the Library plays a little meaner. There's a weapon case on the roof, but it's not always sitting in the same obvious spot, so you'll need to loop the edges and check the awkward corners. The problem is the neighbourhood: the Hospital pulls PvP and heavy PvE like a magnet. Grab the crate, don't start a sightseeing tour, and leave before you get sandwiched. If you hear fighting nearby, that's your cue to go quiet and stay above street level.

Keeping the Loop Fast

The run that's worked best for me is simple: begin at Marano or the Library depending on spawn and noise, get one solid weapon, keep your inventory tidy, then converge on the Red Tower when the timing feels right. Don't over-loot early—carry what helps you win the next fight, not what looks shiny. And if you're short on key kit like breach tools, ammo, or upgrades, a lot of players fill gaps by picking up supplies through trading sites that specialise in game items and quick delivery, like U4GM, then they get back to practising the route instead of gambling every drop.