Spaceport Trench Tower Key: Location & Use Guide
Spaceport trench tower key is an Uncommon access key that opens secured areas inside the Trench Towers on Spaceport. Unlike ordinary loot containers, these locked rooms can contain useful equipment, electronics, valuables, and other resources that make the key worth carrying during an extraction run.
The key weighs only 0.25 kg and has a stack size of one. Its listed value is 100, so using it for access is generally more useful than selling it.
Key details at a glance
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Item | Spaceport Trench Tower Key |
| Game | ARC Raiders |
| Map | Spaceport |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Category | Key |
| Weight | 0.25 kg |
| Stack Size | 1 |
| Listed Value | 100 |
| Main Use | Trench Towers |
| Key Areas | North Trench Tower and South Trench Tower |
| Known Quest | Turnabout |
| Other Source | Switching The Supply |
| Primary Purpose | Unlock secured Trench Tower doors |
The key is especially useful because its Uncommon rarity makes it easier to encounter than many higher-tier access keys while still leading to worthwhile loot.
Where Can You Find the Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
The spaceport trench tower key does not have one guaranteed pickup location. It can appear through scavenging, meaning you need to search loot containers rather than travel to a single fixed spawn and expect the key to be waiting there.
Destructoid reports finding the key through locations such as Ruby Residence and the Research and Administration building on Dam Battlegrounds. These locations can therefore be useful targets when you are deliberately hunting for the key.
The important point is that key hunting involves randomness. You may find the item quickly, or you may need several raids before it appears.
When searching for the key, prioritize:
- Residential loot areas
- Buildings with many searchable containers
- High-density loot zones
- Cabinets, drawers, and other small containers
- Locations connected to key-related loot routes
- Quest rewards when available
Do not assume the key must be found on Spaceport. Keys can appear away from the map where you eventually use them.
Best Places to Search for the Key
If your goal is specifically to obtain a spaceport trench tower key, Dam Battlegrounds is worth checking because guides have identified Ruby Residence and Research and Administration as useful search locations.
Ruby Residence sits in the northwestern portion of Dam Battlegrounds. Research and Administration provides another potential search area, giving you more than one place to target during key-hunting runs.
However, do not treat either location as a guaranteed spawn.
A practical farming approach
- Enter a raid with enough inventory space.
- Move toward a high-density residential or administrative loot area.
- Search containers systematically.
- Prioritize smaller containers instead of rushing past them.
- Extract if you obtain the key and do not need to risk it.
- Save the key for a Spaceport run.
This approach is safer than repeatedly entering Spaceport and hoping the key appears where you need it.
How Do the Spaceport Trench Towers Work?
The Trench Towers are a group of tower structures located in the northern portion of Spaceport. The key is associated with secured doors inside these towers. Current database information identifies eight locked doors across the Trench Tower structures, with each tower containing two locked doors on the first floor and two on the second floor.
The important towers are generally referred to as the North Trench Tower and South Trench Tower.
This means you should not arrive at Spaceport and search randomly around the entire map. Instead, head toward the Trench area and identify the tower you want to raid.
Where Do You Use the Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
You use the spaceport trench tower key inside the Trench Tower structures on Spaceport. The North and South Trench Towers are located in the northern part of the map, making them the primary destinations for this key.
The North Trench Tower is particularly important because it is tied directly to the Turnabout quest.
When you reach the correct tower, look for the secured doors on the tower floors. Interact with the locked door while carrying the appropriate key.
Basic route
Spaceport → Trench area → North or South Trench Tower → Locked Tower Door → Loot Area
The exact approach can vary depending on your spawn and current raid conditions, so avoid relying on one route every time.
North Trench Tower Location
The North Trench Tower is one of the primary destinations for the key and is especially important for the Turnabout quest.
GameSpot confirms that Turnabout requires Raiders to visit the North Trench Tower and upload blackmail files for Celeste. The quest provides a Spaceport Trench Tower Key, so players completing this objective have a direct reason to visit the location.
When approaching the tower, avoid immediately opening the locked door.
First, check the surrounding area for threats and other Raiders. A quiet approach can save your entire run.
North Tower checklist
- Locate the North Trench Tower.
- Scout the surrounding area.
- Check for enemy ARC activity.
- Watch for other Raiders.
- Move toward the secured floor.
- Use the key when required.
- Complete your objective if running Turnabout.
- Loot quickly but carefully.
- Plan your extraction before becoming overloaded.
What About the South Trench Tower?
The South Trench Tower provides another location associated with the spaceport trench tower key.
If you are not completing Turnabout, the South Tower can be an attractive alternative because it gives you another opportunity to access secured loot without necessarily following the quest route.
The two towers share a similar purpose, but your choice should depend on your raid situation.
Choose the North Tower when:
- You are completing Turnabout.
- You already have a quest objective there.
- The area is relatively safe.
- You want to combine a quest with looting.
Consider the South Tower when:
- You are farming loot.
- The North Tower is heavily contested.
- Your route naturally takes you toward the southern structure.
- You want to avoid unnecessary player traffic.
Good extraction decisions often matter more than simply choosing the tower with the shortest route.
What Loot Can You Find Inside the Trench Towers?
The exact contents of a locked area can vary, so you should not enter expecting one fixed collection of items.
Guides describe the Trench Towers as useful loot locations containing electronics, mechanical resources, valuables, containers, and other worthwhile materials. Shacknews specifically highlights the combination of electronic and mechanical loot available through these locked areas.
Potential rewards can include:
- Electronics
- Mechanical components
- Valuable containers
- Equipment-related resources
- Crafting materials
- Other randomized loot
The value comes from the overall loot density rather than one guaranteed legendary item.
Is the Spaceport Trench Tower Key Worth Using?
Yes. The spaceport trench tower key is worth using when you have a practical opportunity to reach the Trench Towers safely.
Its Uncommon rarity is appealing because it does not require you to spend one of the game’s highest-tier keys. The item also weighs just 0.25 kg, making it inexpensive to keep in your inventory while you prepare for a Spaceport run.
Still, timing matters.
If you are already carrying valuable loot and the Trench Towers are surrounded by enemies, forcing the door open may not be the smartest decision.
Use the key when:
- You have enough inventory space.
- The tower area looks manageable.
- You need the quest objective.
- You want additional electronics or mechanical loot.
- You have a clear extraction plan.
Save the key when:
- Your current raid is already extremely valuable.
- You are far from the Trench Towers.
- Your inventory is nearly full.
- Strong ARC enemies control the area.
- You cannot reach extraction safely afterward.
Turnabout Quest: Why the Key Matters
The Turnabout quest is one of the clearest reasons to keep a spaceport trench tower key.
According to the current ARC Raiders Wiki, Celeste gives Turnabout after Digging Up Dirt. The objective sends you to the North Trench Tower to locate and upload blackmail files, and the quest grants one Spaceport Trench Tower Key.
GameSpot also confirms that the key must be available during the raid for the quest objective. Losing it can prevent you from completing the objective until you obtain another key.
Turnabout preparation
Before starting the raid:
- Confirm the quest is active.
- Make sure the key is in your inventory.
- Consider protecting the key in a safe pocket if appropriate.
- Leave enough inventory space for the objective run.
- Bring equipment suitable for the Spaceport environment.
- Plan your extraction route before entering the tower.
This preparation reduces the chance of completing the difficult part of the mission only to lose the required item afterward.
Best Strategy for Using the Spaceport Trench Tower Key
The smartest way to use the spaceport trench tower key is to treat it as part of your entire raid plan instead of an isolated loot opportunity.
First, decide whether your goal is quest progression, loot farming, or both. Then choose the tower that best fits your route.
Recommended strategy
1. Secure the key first
Do not rush into Spaceport without a reason. If you already have the key, build your raid around an efficient route.
2. Check the area before entering
The Trench Towers can attract players because locked rooms signal valuable loot.
3. Clear immediate threats
Do not stand in front of a locked door while enemies can easily attack you.
4. Open the secured area
Use the key once the situation is controlled.
5. Loot selectively
Take high-value items first. Do not fill your inventory with low-value materials simply because you have access to a locked room.
6. Extract intelligently
Once you have completed your objective and collected valuable loot, leaving safely becomes the priority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many failed key runs happen because the player focuses entirely on finding the locked door.
Mistake 1: Assuming the key has one fixed spawn
The key can come from scavenging, so searching one container repeatedly will not guarantee success.
Mistake 2: Confusing Spaceport keys
Spaceport contains several different keys, including the Container Storage Key, Control Tower Key, Warehouse Key, and Trench Tower Key.
They are not interchangeable.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the quest requirement
If you are doing Turnabout, the North Trench Tower matters because the quest objective is tied to that location.
Mistake 4: Opening the door while exposed
The locked room may contain valuable loot, but getting eliminated immediately after opening it turns the entire run into a loss.
Mistake 5: Ignoring inventory space
A successful key opening is not very useful if you have no room for the rewards.
Spaceport Trench Tower Key vs Other Spaceport Keys
Spaceport has several access keys, and learning their differences can prevent wasted raids.
| Key | Rarity | Main Location | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaceport Trench Tower Key | Uncommon | Trench Towers | Opens secured Trench Tower doors |
| Spaceport Container Storage Key | Rare | Container Storage | Opens secured Container Storage room |
| Spaceport Control Tower Key | Rare | Control Tower A6 | Opens a secured Control Tower area |
| Spaceport Warehouse Key | Uncommon | Shipping Warehouse | Opens secured Warehouse access |
The spaceport trench tower key stands out because it is Uncommon while still giving access to dedicated loot areas.
That makes it a useful key to keep rather than automatically selling.
Key Farming Tips for Better Results
Key hunting rewards patience and consistent searching.
If you want more access keys in ARC Raiders, focus on improving the number of containers you search per successful raid rather than expecting one guaranteed location.
Try these habits:
- Search residential interiors carefully.
- Check cabinets and drawers.
- Learn the high-density loot buildings.
- Search Research and Administration.
- Check Ruby Residence on Dam Battlegrounds.
- Complete quests that award keys.
- Extract when you obtain an important key.
- Keep your inventory organized.
- Avoid unnecessary fights while key farming.
Destructoid specifically identifies Ruby Residence and Research and Administration as places where the key has been found, while the current wiki lists scavenging and quest rewards as sources.
How to Carry the Key Safely
A key is only valuable if you can actually bring it into the raid where you need it.
If you are running Turnabout, GameSpot recommends protecting the required key because losing it can stop you from completing the quest objective on that run.
Before entering Spaceport, check three things:
- Do I have the correct key?
- Do I have enough inventory space?
- Do I have a realistic extraction route?
These three checks take only a few seconds but can prevent an avoidable failed run.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do you use the Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
You use the spaceport trench tower key at the Trench Towers on Spaceport. The North and South Trench Towers contain the secured doors associated with this key.
The North Trench Tower is especially important for the Turnabout quest.
2. Where can you find the Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
You can find it through scavenging and certain quest rewards. Current sources list scavenging as a source, while Turnabout and Switching The Supply are associated with obtaining the key.
Ruby Residence and Research and Administration on Dam Battlegrounds are also useful locations to search based on reported finds.
3. Is the Spaceport Trench Tower Key rare?
No, it is classified as Uncommon. The key has a weight of 0.25 kg, a stack size of one, and a listed value of 100.
Its relatively low rarity makes it a practical key to collect for future Spaceport raids.
4. Does the Spaceport Trench Tower Key work at both towers?
The key is associated with the North and South Trench Tower structures. Current sources describe locked doors across the Trench Tower cluster, while individual raid use depends on the specific secured door and your access situation.
If you are completing Turnabout, prioritize the North Trench Tower.
5. Does Turnabout give you a Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
Yes. Turnabout grants one Spaceport Trench Tower Key. The quest sends you to the North Trench Tower to upload blackmail files for Celeste.
Keep the key secure until you complete the objective.
6. Is the Spaceport Trench Tower Key worth keeping?
Yes, especially if you plan to run Spaceport soon. It has low weight and opens dedicated loot areas, while its Uncommon rarity makes it easier to replace than higher-tier keys.
Save it for a raid where you have enough inventory space and a safe route through the Trench.
Final Verdict: Should You Keep the Spaceport Trench Tower Key?
The spaceport trench tower key is one of the more useful Uncommon keys in ARC Raiders. It gives you access to secured Trench Tower areason Spaceport, and it also plays a direct role in the Turnabout quest.
The best approach is simple: keep the key, prepare your inventory, scout the Trench Towers, complete your objective or loot efficiently, and extract before greed turns a successful run into a loss.
If you are specifically farming the key, focus on thorough scavenging rather than chasing a guaranteed spawn. Ruby Residence and Research and Administration are useful locations to check, while quest progression can provide another reliable path to obtaining one.