If you love big explosions and crafting the most devastating grenades possible, upgrading your Explosive Station in Arc Raiders should be one of your top priorities. This upgrade path unlocks new and improved explosive options — but to reach Explosive Station III, you’ll need to gather a tricky late-game material: Laboratory Reagents.

These chemical bottles aren’t the easiest resources to come by, and their spawn rate can be unpredictable. But with the right knowledge of where to search and how to handle each area’s hazards, you can streamline your farming runs and get back to blowing up ARCs in no time. This guide covers the best locations, farming tips, and strategies to safely collect Laboratory Reagents in Arc Raiders. Having enough ARCR Coins will also be a great help to you.

What Are Laboratory Reagents?

Laboratory Reagents are classified as Medical materials. That means you’re most likely to find them at medical-themed Points of Interest (POIs) marked by a plus (+) sign on your map. These bottles of chemical compounds are essential for upgrading your Explosive Station, particularly when progressing from level II to level III.

You’ll need three Laboratory Reagents to complete that final upgrade, but depending on your luck and competition from other players, it might take several runs to collect them all.

Best Locations to Find Laboratory Reagents

There are three main hotspots worth checking out when searching for Laboratory Reagents:

Hospital (Buried City)

Research (Buried City)

Testing Annex (Dam Battlegrounds)

Each of these areas has its advantages and drawbacks, so it’s worth understanding what makes them unique before you plan your route.

1. Hospital – Buried City’s Top Medical Farm

If you’re serious about finding Laboratory Reagents quickly, the Hospital in Buried City is your best bet. It’s currently the only major Medical-only location in the game. Unlike other POIs that mix loot types, the Hospital’s loot pool is entirely focused on Medical materials — meaning your chances of finding Laboratory Reagents, Antiseptic, or other medical supplies are significantly higher here.

However, popularity comes with risk. The Hospital is one of the busiest hotspots in Arc Raiders, and it’s not unusual to encounter several other players combing through the area. The good news is that the Arc Raiders community tends to be relatively cautious, especially in solo runs.

If you’re playing solo, you’ll often find that other players prefer to avoid conflict and focus on looting quietly. Still, always keep your weapon ready and your ears open — you never know when a nervous trigger finger might turn your peaceful scavenging trip into a deadly standoff.

On the other hand, trios running in the Hospital tend to devolve into chaos quickly. Multiple squads fighting in tight hallways rarely end well for anyone, so consider solo or duo play if you’re strictly farming materials.

Pro Tip: Both the Hospital and the nearby Testing Annex have extraction points conveniently located nearby — including lifts and tunnels that allow for a fast escape. Once you’ve found what you need, don’t linger. Deposit your loot in a safe pocket and head for extraction immediately.

2. Research – A Quieter Alternative in Buried City

If you’d prefer a less contested location, the Research POI in Buried City is a solid alternative. The building features multiple lootable floors, each containing drawers, bins, and cabinets with potential Medical item spawns.

Research isn’t quite as dense with Medical loot as the Hospital, but it has two big advantages: fewer enemies and fewer players. ARC patrols are relatively light here, and the vertical layout makes it easier to control encounters.

While Plaza Rosa also carries a Medical icon, many players report inconsistent drops there — often finding no Laboratory Reagents at all. Worse, it’s frequently surrounded by ARC units patrolling the exterior, making it far riskier for little reward.

3. Testing Annex – A Compact but Rewarding Loot Spot

For many raiders, the Testing Annex in the Dam Battlegrounds is the sweet spot between safety and reward. Though smaller than the Hospital, this two-story facility offers dense loot spawns, especially on the second floor, which is packed with medical drawers and desks.

The Testing Annex’s mix of lootable containers makes it a great place to collect Laboratory Reagents, Rusted Shut Medical Kits, and Antiseptic. Its compact layout also makes it easier to loot quickly and extract before anyone else arrives.

The ARC presence here can vary — sometimes the area is eerily quiet, while other times, drones and patrols might sweep the perimeter. Move cautiously, check corners, and always listen for audio cues that might give away nearby enemies or players.

Areas to Avoid

Not every zone in Arc Raiders is worth your time if you’re specifically farming Medical materials. In particular, Spaceport and The Blue Gate have no dedicated Medical loot spawns. While they’re great for scavenging general resources, they’re a waste of time for anyone hunting Laboratory Reagents.

Stick to the three Medical hubs listed above if you want to maximize efficiency.

Farming Tips for Laboratory Reagents

Bring a Safe Pocket Augment – Always store your Laboratory Reagents in your safe pocket the moment you pick them up. If you die before extraction, you’ll still keep them.

Use Headphones and Night Mode – Sound is crucial for avoiding ambushes. Night Mode helps boost subtle noises like footsteps and ARC drones.

Go Solo for Efficiency – Solo runs often yield more loot per minute with fewer player conflicts.

Check Second Floors First – In both Hospital and Testing Annex, upper levels tend to contain denser medical loot spawns.

Don’t Rely on RNG Alone – Even with perfect conditions, Laboratory Reagents aren’t guaranteed. Some runs will simply be unlucky — persistence is key.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your Explosive Station in Arc Raiders is one of the most rewarding crafting goals for demolition-minded players, and Laboratory Reagents are an essential part of that journey. Whether you’re methodically combing through the Hospital’s hallways, sneaking through the quieter Research building, or making quick raids at the Testing Annex, knowing where to look will save you hours of frustration.

Remember: in Arc Raiders, surviving long enough to extract with your loot is half the battle. Be patient, plan your route, and keep your wits about you. Having sufficient ARC Raiders Coins will also be of great help to you. With a bit of luck (and maybe a few explosions along the way), you’ll have all the Laboratory Reagents you need to build the ultimate explosive arsenal.