How to Complete the Sparks Fly Mission in ARC Raiders: A Step-by-Step Guide

ARC Raiders is full of dangerous missions that reward players with gear, blueprints, and other essential equipment for surviving Topside. “Sparks Fly” is one of the most challenging and risky missions for new players, and many players struggle to complete it.

In this guide, we’ll cover the mission’s objectives, the best strategy for completing it, and how to avoid an annoying progress-blocking error.

How to complete the “Sparks Fly” mission for Apollo in ARC Raiders

After completing a series of research missions for Shani and Celeste, players will receive a series of tests from Apollo. He wants the Raiders to test all of his explosives against ARC forces. One of these missions is the infamous “What Goes Around,” and the next one is “Sparks Fly.” The goal is to destroy Hornets using a “Trap Grenade” or a “Flash Grenade.”

But to do this, you’ll have to survive under the Hornet’s sights, which is challenging enough. Especially if there are other ARC enemies flying around, like Wasps or, even worse, Rocketeers. You’ll also need to be extremely careful not to attract the attention of other players, who might start hunting you while you’re focused on the mission.

If you use the Trap Grenade

Make sure the Hornet is destroyed by a grenade explosion, not by colliding with a wall or the ground—otherwise, your progress won’t count. Follow these steps:

• Go to the door and make sure there is a Hornet nearby.
• Get his attention with a shot, preferably with a silencer.
• Wait for the Hornet to approach the door and start shooting.
• Use the door frame as cover and quickly prepare a Trap Grenade.
• Aim at the bottom of the drone (belly) and attach a grenade to it.
• Close the door and activate the detonator to destroy the target.

There was previously a bug that prevented the quest from being completed, but it has now been fixed. If the Hornet isn’t destroyed by the explosion, you can first weaken it with a few shots and then throw a grenade.

If you use Instant Grenade

Take at least two of these grenades with you, just in case. Try to keep the Hornet away from walls or rooftops to prevent the impact of the explosion from knocking it back or causing a fatal collision with an obstacle—otherwise, the mission won’t count. Follow these steps:

• Approach the Hornet while it’s distracted and attach the Flash Grenade to its underside.
• Immediately fire one shot from the Anvil or Ferro and wait for the grenade to go off.
• Use two Instant Grenades in a row to guarantee the drone’s destruction.

Remember that everything needs to be done very quickly so that the drone does not have time to crash into a wall or the ground before the explosion.