- Primary Objective: Investigate hostiles at the Sawmill and recover specific intelligence for Artisan.
- Key Locations: Warehouse (139 144), Office (139 143), and the Fishing Hut (141 145).
- Critical Items: No specific keys are required for this task, but high-tier medical supplies are recommended.
- Main Reward: 1,000 Experience points and a significant +150 Reputation boost with Artisan.
- Combat Warning: The Sawmill is heavily guarded by AI; tactical approach and suppressed weapons are advised.
Task Overview and Tactical Briefing
The gray zone warfare invaders from afar task is a pivotal mission assigned by Artisan. Following the 0.3 update, this task requires players to infiltrate the Sawmill, a high-risk industrial zone currently occupied by hostile forces. Artisan is concerned about the sudden influx of "outsiders" and "deserters" taking advantage of the local disaster. Your mission is to uncover who these people are and what happened to those who tried to flee the area.
This mission is split into three distinct phases: an initial investigation at a makeshift surgery site, the recovery of medical documentation, and a final sweep of a remote fishing location to confirm the fate of deserters. Because the Sawmill is a central point of interest, expect both AI resistance and potential encounters with players from rival PMCs.
Video Highlights:
- Visual confirmation of the surgery table location within the Sawmill warehouse.
- A direct pathing guide from the warehouse to the office complex.
- The exact position of the deserter's corpse near the fishing hut ammo crates.
- Tactical tips for handling the Sawmill AI guards.
| Task Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Giver | Artisan |
| Primary Location | Sawmill (Industrial Sector) |
| Objective Count | 3 Main Objectives |
| Difficulty Rating | Medium / High (Due to AI density) |
| Prerequisites | Completion of prior Artisan tasks |
The Sawmill is an open industrial area with multiple elevated sightlines. AI snipers frequently spawn on the roofs of the main warehouses. Always clear the perimeter before attempting to interact with the objective items.
Phase 1: The Warehouse Investigation
Your first objective in gray zone warfare invaders from afar is to locate leads regarding the hostiles. Intelligence suggests they have been performing field surgeries within one of the central structures. You need to head to the large warehouse located at coordinates 139 144.
Inside the warehouse, navigate toward the back areas. You are looking for a blue gurney or a makeshift surgery table. The area is visually distinct, often covered in blood and medical debris, indicating that the hostiles were treating significant casualties here. Interacting with this table will trigger the next stage of the task.
| Objective | Coordinate | Interaction Point |
|---|---|---|
| Search for Leads | 139 144 | Blue Surgery Gurney |
| Enemy Presence | High | 4-6 AI Guards inside/near |
| Cover Availability | Good | Use industrial crates for shielding |
Enter the warehouse from the northern side to avoid the main road. This provides better concealment and allows you to clear the interior rooms one by one before reaching the surgery table.
Phase 2: Recovering the Medic's Notes
Once you have inspected the surgery site, you must find documentation that explains the medical situation of the invaders. This requires moving from the warehouse to the Sawmill Office complex, located at coordinates 139 143.
The office is a smaller, separate building. You do not need a key to enter the main office area where the notes are located. Look for a desk inside the primary office room; the Medic's Notes will be sitting clearly on the tabletop. Picking these up is essential for completing the "Locate the medic's notes" objective.
Exit the Warehouse
Exit through the western door of the warehouse to minimize exposure to the main courtyard.
Identify the Office
Look for the administrative building located directly adjacent to the main processing area.
Secure the Notes
Enter the office, clear any lingering AI, and grab the notebook from the desk at 139 143.
The Medic's Notes are a physical quest item. If you are eliminated before extracting or completing the final objective, you may need to return to this location to retrieve them again, depending on your current quest progress state.
Phase 3: The Deserters' Fate
The final part of the gray zone warfare invaders from afar task takes you away from the industrial center of the Sawmill and toward the outskirts. You must investigate what happened to the deserters who fled the main facility.
Navigate to the fishing village/hut located at coordinates 141 145. This area is more rural and offers less hard cover than the Sawmill. Your goal is to find a specific corpse. Look for a body leaning against a stack of ammo crates near the first major hut in the village. Interacting with this corpse completes the investigation.
| Location Type | Coordinate | Key Landmark |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Hut | 141 145 | Ammo Crates / First Hut |
| Deserter Body | 141 145 | Slumped against crates |
| Extraction Point | Variable | Nearest LZ is usually North-East |
Combat Strategy
- Use Suppressors: The fishing village is quiet; unsuppressed shots will draw AI from the Sawmill.
- High Ground: Use the hills overlooking the village to scout before entering.
Navigation Tips
- Trek Carefully: The walk from the office to the hut is through dense vegetation.
- Avoid the Road: Stay 20-30 meters off the main path to avoid AI patrols.
After interacting with the deserter's body, your objectives will update to "Return to Artisan." You can now head to the nearest Landing Zone (LZ) to extract and claim your rewards.
Gear Recommendations and Preparation
Completing the gray zone warfare invaders from afar task requires a balance of firepower and mobility. Since the Sawmill is a high-density AI area, your loadout should reflect the need for sustained combat and stealth.
Mission Preparation Checklist:
- Suppressed Assault Rifle (M4A1 or AK-74 recommended)
- At least 3 spare magazines with armor-piercing rounds
- Level III or higher Body Armor and Helmet
- 2x Hemostatic bandages and 1x Surgery Kit
- Sufficient hydration and food for a long trek
| Gear Category | Recommended Item | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Suppressed 5.56/5.45 | Quietly clearing Sawmill AI |
| Optic | 1x/4x Variable Zoom | Versatility for warehouse and village |
| Medical | Surv12 or CMS | Essential for limb repair after AI encounters |
| Tactical | Smoke Grenades | Useful for crossing open Sawmill courtyards |
If you are playing solo, consider waiting for another squad to initiate combat at the Sawmill. You can use the chaos to slip into the warehouse and office with minimal resistance.
Rewards and Reputation Impact
Completing tasks for Artisan is the primary way to unlock high-tier weapon attachments and specialized gear. The gray zone warfare invaders from afar task is particularly valuable due to the high reputation gain.
Experience
- 1,000 Exp
- Helps level up your character for better skill points.
Reputation
- +150 Artisan Rep
- Crucial for reaching Tier 2 or Tier 3 loyalty levels.
Lore Insight
- Intelligence
- Unlocks further dialogue regarding the UNLRA and Fort Narith.
Artisan specializes in mechanical parts, optics, and certain high-end weapon platforms. Reaching higher reputation levels with her is essential for players who prefer customized long-range builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where exactly are the Medic's Notes in the office?
The notes are located on a desk inside the main administrative building at coordinates 139 143. Look for a small white notebook on the tabletop; it does not require a key to access.
Q: Do I need to extract to finish Invaders from Afar?
While you must survive to interact with all three objectives, the task typically completes once you interact with the final corpse at the fishing hut. However, it is always safer to extract to ensure quest persistence.
Q: The surgery table in the warehouse isn't giving me an interaction prompt. Why?
Ensure you are at the correct warehouse (139 144) and looking at the blue gurney with blood on it. If it still doesn't work, try clearing the surrounding AI first or restarting your session, as quest triggers can occasionally lag in high-pop servers.
Q: What is the best way to approach the Fishing Hut?
Approach from the North-East through the woods. This allows you to look down into the village and spot the ammo crates where the deserter's body is located before you put yourself in the line of fire.