Introduction to ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a third-person PvPvE extraction shooter where every surface run is contested by lethal machines and opportunistic raiders.
Success comes from discipline, scouting, and knowing when to leave. Each deployment follows the same loop:
- Prepare your loadout and stash in Speranza
- Deploy to the surface to loot, run contracts, or hunt bosses
- Choose whether to fight players, clear ARC patrols, or avoid danger
- Extract alive to secure everything outside your safe pocket
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Every raid mixes PvE threats with real squads. Treat the entire map as hostile and assume someone is listening to your footsteps.
- PvE: drones, spider mechs, and ARC infantry guard objectives
- PvP: duos and trios chasing the same loot circuit you are on
- Stealth & sound: crouch-walking and audio discipline keep you alive longer than ego peeks
Loot only matters if you extract. Plan two exits before firing a single shot, and remember that keyed hatches are quieter than public pads.
Use your safe pocket immediately for legendary mods, ARC cores, or keycards so a single mistake does not delete your progress.
Your First Loadout
Start with forgiving weapons that you can replace quickly. The table lists budget choices that win early fights without rare materials.
| Weapon | Type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Tempest | Rifle | Smooth recoil, 30-round mag, reliable DPS |
| Arpeggio | Rifle | Burst fire accuracy for mid-range trades |
| Bobcat | SMG | High mobility and blistering close-range TTK |
Essential Equipment
- Bandages: cheap sustain you can craft in stacks
- Shield Rechargers: top up plates after every fight
- Tier 1 Shield: never deploy without basic protection
- Backpack: expands carry weight for ammo and valuables
Graduate to meta builds with the ARC Raiders weapon tier list once you are comfortable.
Dam Battlegrounds Basics
The Alcantara Power Plant (Dam Battlegrounds) defines ARC Raiders at launch. Memorize the main regions so you always know where to rotate.
- Power Plant: S-tier loot guarded by heavy ARC squads
- Apartment District: vertical routes, plenty of mid-tier loot
- Research Center: electronics and chemicals for crafting
- Swamp Lowlands: low visibility, excellent for stealth extracts
- Pine Forest: dense cover plus multiple hidden hatches
Safer extraction options while learning include Forest Trail, North Hatch, and South Bridge (unlocks mid-raid).
Study the interactive Dam Battlegrounds map to rehearse loot circuits before deploying.
Essential Survival Tips
1. Move quietly and listen
Audio is intel. Crouch inside buildings, pause sprinting near extracts, and track distant shots to avoid third parties.
2. Plan your exit before fighting
Never push without naming your fallback. If you cannot identify the closest extraction, relocate before re-engaging.
3. Use the safe pocket instantly
Store legendary items, keycards, and rare mods the second you loot them so a random grenade does not wipe your progress.
4. Avoid the third-party trap
Let other squads trade, then clean up weakened survivors. Jumping into the opening volley usually ends in a wipe.
5. Manage inventory space
Carry only what you truly need. Leave junk behind so you can pick up high-value materials mid-raid.
6. Learn ARC weak points
- Drones: pop a rotor to crash them immediately
- Spider Mechs: shoot the glowing core underneath
- Ground units: chain headshots to stagger packs
7. Carry hatch keys
Keep one or two hatch keys in your safe pocket to guarantee a quiet extraction when public pads are camped.
Workshop & Crafting Basics
The Speranza workshop determines how strong each raid starts. Upgrade stations and queue crafts between deployments.
Crafting stations
- Basic Bench: entry-level guns, ammo, shields
- Weapon Bench: improved rifles, sniper mods, ammo types
- Equipment Bench: shields, augments, utility gear
- Med Station: bandages, medkits, shield rechargers
Upgrade order for beginners
- Med Station II: unlock medkits and shield cells
- Weapon Bench II: craft Tempest/Osprey tier weapons
- Equipment Bench II: produce Tier 2 shields
Dig deeper with the workshop upgrade guide and the crafting reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Running expensive gear too early
Stay on budget loadouts until you can extract consistently. Legendary kits are for confident raiders.
Taking every fight
Extraction shooters reward survival, not elimination feeds. Skip unnecessary fights when backpacks are full.
Ignoring extraction timers
Public pads close. Rotate early or you will get trapped between ARC patrols and storm walls.
Overloading inventory
Leave two slots free for high-value finds. A stuffed backpack slows looting and makes you indecisive.
Neglecting cover and shields
Always heal and recharge before rotating. Third-person peeking plus full shields wins more gunfights.
Next Steps
Mastery comes from repetition. Focus on one improvement at a time until it becomes automatic.
Recommended learning path
- Lock in a signature weapon and learn its recoil
- Run the same Dam loot circuit until you know every spawn
- Push core workshop upgrades to secure better kits
- Study PvP fundamentals like crossfires and repositioning
- Experiment with builds to find your preferred role