The Emperor Modulator is a crucial crafting component in Arc Raiders, necessary for unlocking Level 4 Gunsmith upgrades and creating Amplified weapons. Obtaining this rare item involves navigating a challenging new dungeon known as The Emperor. The journey begins with acquiring an Emperor Gateway Conduit blueprint, which serves as the key to enter The Emperor. This blueprint can be found as a rare drop from Arc Couriers or through the Redirection event on the Pendola Pass map.
To trigger the Redirection event, players must locate and activate a Damaged Emperor Relay. Once activated, players need to collect a beacon from it and place it in an open area. Harvester payloads will then drop, and looting the large central payload offers a chance to acquire one of the three necessary Arc Coupler materials: Arc Conductive Coupler, Arc Insulated Coupler, and Arc Plated Coupler. Alternatively, players can enter The Emperor when another player has already unlocked it.
Once the Emperor Gateway Conduit is crafted, players can access The Emperor dungeon on Pendola Pass. Success within the dungeon requires specific gear. A Snap Hook is essential for navigating platforming puzzles, and a Hullcracker is recommended for quickly destroying Hydra turrets. An Anvil or Renegade is needed to break yellow nodes, and ample healing and shield rechargers are advised due to numerous hazards. A Looting augment is also beneficial for carrying salvaged materials.
The dungeon's layout can vary, but certain encounters are consistent. The initial section typically involves navigating a corridor with a Hydra turret and an electrified elevator that must be made safe by destroying yellow nodes. After ascending the elevator, players may encounter different arrangements of rooms.
One common layout features a Pillar Room where players must destroy yellow nodes to lower pillars, allowing them to ascend. This is followed by a Crusher room, where players must time their movements to avoid closing walls and navigate through gas-filled areas. The final encounter in this layout is a Hydra Room, requiring players to use the Snap Hook to reach an exit while evading turrets and a crushing mechanism.
Another potential layout begins with a Container Room, where players use a lowering container to reach a higher area. Next is a Laser Tunnel, a hazardous passage requiring careful timing to avoid damaging beams. This layout also leads to a Hydra Room, where players must quickly dispatch turrets and use a rail slide and Snap Hook to reach the exit before being overwhelmed.
Regardless of the encountered layout, the dungeon progresses through a series of challenging sections. Players will descend a tube, navigate a pillar-filled maze, and ascend further tubes using the Snap Hook. The final chamber requires players to reach the lower platform and descend a ladder. Upon reaching the floor, a large door opens, releasing a wave of Arc enemies. It is advisable to find cover and assess the situation before engaging. After clearing the enemies, players can loot containers, some of which contain the sought-after Emperor Modulators. Destroying yellow nodes on the walls can reveal additional containers with more loot. Once the Emperor Modulator is secured, players can extract through the main exit or side doors.