If you’re new to ARC Raiders, this guide will save you time, gear, and frustration 🎮. Below is everything you need to hit the ground running, avoid early mistakes, and make the most of your loot-filled raids.
Table of Contents
🎯 Game Basics: Know Your Goal
ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter. Your main goal? Drop into maps, loot valuable gear, and extract safely. You can bring in your own weapons or use the free loadout (great if you’re broke), but remember: no safe box comes with the free option.
🗺️ Map Rotation & Zones
- Maps rotate regularly. The Dam Battleground is always active, while others like Spaceport and Buried City come and go.
- Loot zones have color-coded rarities:
- White: basic loot
- Orange/Red: high-value loot and higher danger
- Higher tier zones are patrolled by AI ARC robots and draw more players. Risk equals reward.
🤖 ARC Robots: Threat or Opportunity?
- Spider walkers and big bots are tough, loud, and risky but carry huge loot stashes.
- Drones are easier to destroy and can be targeted at their thrusters for quicker takedowns.
- Loot bots when you can but always stay alert—combat draws nearby players.
🎒 Loot Rarity & Safe Box Strategy
- Loot tiers: Legendary (orange), Epic (purple), Rare (blue), Uncommon (green), Common (white/gray).
- Categories:
- Crafting mats – used for upgrades
- Schematics – unlock new craftables
- Valuables – for selling (some common ones are worth more than rares!)
- Safe Box: Always store your best finds here—two slots by default, more with augments. You keep whatever’s inside even if you die.
🛫 Extracting: How to Escape Alive in Arc Raiders
- Use elevators, trains, or raider hatches.
- Elevators have timers and are noisy.
- Trains are underground but similar in function.
- Raider hatch requires a key (buyable for 6,000 from vendors) and is quiet and fast—stash the key in your safe box!
🔫 Loadout Tips
- Two weapons are better than one. Shoot, swap, shoot again—no reloading under pressure.
- Shields absorb damage and are a must.
- Augments increase loot space and allow use of better shields—huge advantage but risky investment.
Always carry:
- 1–2 guns
- Ammo
- Best shield
- Bandages
- Shield rechargers
🏗️ Workshop & Vendors
- Workshop = your base for crafting guns, meds, gear, and upgrading benches.
- Scrappy the Rooster brings you mats after each raid—don’t forget to collect.
- Vendors sell gear and offer quests. Sell valuables to afford what you need and accept quests to gain XP and rewards.
📈 Skills & Mastery
- Skill trees: Conditioning (stamina), Survival (stealth/loot speed), Mobility (movement).
- Prioritize stamina early to move faster and travel further.
- Mastery gives premium currency—complete passive tasks in raids.
- Battle Pass adds goals with big cosmetic and currency rewards.
💡 Pro Tips & Controls
- Left ALT = dodge roll 🌀
- X = switch camera shoulder for better peeking 🔄
- G = emote wheel (non-verbal communication) 🗣️
- B = proximity voice chat (careful who hears) 🎧
- 5 = holster gear and run faster 🏃
- CTRL+Click or Double-click = fast looting 🏃♂️💨
- FOV Settings: Max is 80—use it for better visibility 👀
🔑 Special Loot & Keys
- Keycards unlock restricted map areas. Save them in your safe box!
- Loot locked rooms for exclusive high-tier items others can’t access.
⚡ Bonus Tip: Recharge Shields with ARC Cells
- Found in drones and bots, ARC Power Cells act as instant shield rechargers. Never leave without grabbing a few.
Now you’re ready to dominate the battlefield in Arc Raiders, loot like a pro, and extract like a ghost. Good luck out there, Raider! 💼💥🚁
