The ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint is a random scavenging drop on Stella Montis. Patch 1.7 moved it out of the Matriarch’s direct loot pool, so hunting the Matriarch for the schematic is outdated advice. After learning the recipe, the Legendary Aphelion needs 3 Magnetic Accelerators, 3 Complex Gun Parts and 1 Matriarch Reactor at Gunsmith Level 3.
The Matriarch still matters because its Reactor is used to craft the weapon. But its Reactor and the permanent blueprint are different targets with different farming methods. Here’s where to search for the recipe, how to gather the crafting ingredients and which Amplified upgrades are available after Frozen Trail 2.0.
ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint location: Stella Montis
Search loot containers throughout Stella Montis. The ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint is listed in the map’s wider scavenging pool, rather than one special Matriarch container. You don’t need to wait for a Matriarch map condition just to look for the paper recipe. Search thoroughly and aim for reliable extraction rather than assuming a popular room has a guaranteed spawn.
| Target | Current source |
|---|---|
| Aphelion Blueprint | Random Stella Montis scavenging containers |
| Matriarch Reactor | Matriarch encounter, used for the craft |
| Finished Aphelion | Craft at Gunsmith 3; some rewards give a completed weapon |
| Fixed guaranteed schematic | None documented |
The ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint doesn’t unlock simply because you killed the Matriarch or picked up a Reactor. One recipe can be learned and kept permanently, while each Aphelion you craft consumes a fresh set of materials.
How to farm Stella Montis for the blueprint
- Select Stella Montis and plan a route linking several loot-rich sections that you can safely reach.
- Search containers along the route and keep any paper schematics until you’ve identified them.
- Protect a found Aphelion Blueprint in a Safe Pocket when available.
- Extract with the item; losing the blueprint before learning it means you don’t keep its recipe.
- Select Learn and Consume in Speranza and check the Gunsmith Level 3 craft.
There is no confirmed exact locker, bag or chest that always contains the ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint. High container density improves the number of chances you get on a run, not the probability that a particular cupboard must hold it. If you have found a finished Aphelion weapon, that does not teach the blueprint.
Aphelion crafting recipe and station
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| Blueprint | Aphelion Blueprint learned |
| Crafting station | Gunsmith Level 3 |
| Magnetic Accelerator | 3 |
| Complex Gun Parts | 3 |
| Matriarch Reactor | 1 |
| Crafted weapon | Aphelion I |
The ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint creates the Legendary energy battle rifle, which fires two-round bursts using Energy Clips. The listed magazine size is ten and the weapon has strong ARC armour penetration. You can’t craft an Aphelion II or III using the normal weapon tier system; the base Legendary gun has no standard I–IV ladder.
How Frozen Trail Amplification works on Aphelion
Aphelion is part of the 15 weapons with Amplified options in Frozen Trail. You need an Outpost expanded to Level 4, Gunsmith IV and Research Station IV, plus the correct Mk. V Amplification Module. This is a separate endgame system from obtaining the ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint and crafting the first Legendary rifle.
The Aphelion’s documented upgrade tree contains Bigger Mag, Charged Burst, Increased Burst and Incendiary Rounds. Increased Burst follows Charged Burst on its path. The upgrade decisions affect how the gun behaves, so read the in-game research and branch requirements before spending a rare module.
Why your Aphelion blueprint farm isn’t working
Check the map first. The ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint is currently a Stella Montis random drop; older instructions sending you to farm the Matriarch directly for the recipe refer to the pre-1.7 loot system. You still need a Matriarch Reactor to craft Aphelion after learning the blueprint.
If a container doesn’t have it, keep searching other eligible containers. There’s no published guaranteed spawn percentage for the ARC Raiders Aphelion Blueprint. Once you’ve learned it, save the three Magnetic Accelerators, three Complex Gun Parts and Matriarch Reactor for your Gunsmith Level 3 craft.
Official source: Embark Studios Frozen Trail 2.0 update.
