You’ve started playing Arc Raiders, where your main goal is to go to the topside for raids, gather loot, and improve your gear for future runs. These raids help you earn cash and better equipment, but you’ll face attacks from both other players and robotic enemies.
As you explore different maps, you’ll come across various types of Arc machines that are programmed to attack anyone on sight. Many of the best items are protected by these machines, but if you remember a few key tips, you can hold your own and compete effectively.
### Other Players Can Hear Everything
One critical thing to remember when raiding alone on the topside is that enemies and Arc robots can hear almost every sound you make. Unlike other games, you can’t quietly reload your weapon or do emotes without alerting everyone nearby. Here are some noises other players can detect:
– Reloading your gun
– Any emote you perform
– Pinging items on your screen or map (which causes the enemies to hear radio signals)
– Walking or sprinting
– Breaking through or searching objects
If you’re hunting for loot in an area where a teammate or opponent might be, make sure all your movements and sounds are intentional. Pay attention to the sounds around you; sometimes, a sudden noise nearby might actually be another player trying to sneak up.
### Find a Goal Before Going Topside
While diving into raids with a free loadout—where you don’t risk losing your items—can be relaxing, it’s not the best way to progress. The default gear offers little protection, and your weapon might be randomized, such as a sniper that only fires once before reloading. It’s smarter to head into the topside with clear objectives.
Typically, you have two main goals:
– Taking a quest from a teammate and heading to the right map to complete it, which can earn you useful items.
– Tracking materials you need to upgrade weapons or build stations in your workshop to level up your gear.
It’s best to keep both goals in mind simultaneously. Focus on one depending on where you spawn once the raid begins.
### Don’t Recycle Everything
As you do more raids and your hoard fills up, you’ll need to start recycling unused items. But be cautious—some items might seem like junk, only recyclable for crafting materials, but actually serve as important resources themselves. For example, the Power Cable shown above might be worth holding onto because it can be a crafting material.
Before recycling, review your current upgrades and decide whether to keep or sell items. Not everything should be discarded, especially when the game’s descriptions can be a bit unclear.
### Find the Gear That Fits Your Playstyle
Combat is unavoidable in Arc Raiders. You might go into a run without encountering enemies or other players, but most times, whether sneaking or engaging in open fights, you’ll face obstacles.
Choosing the right equipment is crucial. For instance, if you prefer a more mobile approach, a weapon with continuous fire but lower damage might suit you. If you favor stealth and precision, a sniper rifle is ideal. Similarly, your augment should match your preferred style—some might boost speed, others armor or accuracy.
If you get a shotgun, it can be the perfect weapon to deliver a huge blow after sneaking up on enemies. Picking gear that complements your tactics helps you succeed.
### Don’t Waste Skill Points
After each raid, regardless of success, you return to your hideout and earn experience points based on your performance. Spending more time scavenging on the topside or surviving longer rapidly increases your XP, allowing you to level up.
Every level grants you a skill point to spend in a large skill tree. But remember, these points are permanent—there’s no way to reset if you change your mind, so plan your upgrades carefully. It’s wise to explore and get comfortable with the game before investing your points, ensuring your chosen path matches your playstyle.
As you level up, scoring additional skill points takes longer, making each one more valuable.
### Know Where to Find the Loot You Seek
Understanding the map and recognizing loot symbols are key to efficient raiding. Hover over items to see symbols like Mechanical, Medical, or Electrical. These icons correspond to specific areas. Going to zones marked with the colors associated with your desired loot increases your chance of finding what you’re after—like Mechanical components for upgrading gunsmithing.
### Look For Arc’s Weakspots
In early raids, avoiding tough Arc enemies helps you survive. However, as you progress, defeating them becomes necessary because some quests require it, and their components are used for upgrades.
Targetting their weak points is the best strategy. For flying drones, aim for their thrusters to knock them down, rather than wasting ammo shooting everywhere. Focusing on these weak spots makes defeating Arc machines quicker and safer.
### Pay Attention to Your Environment
Before jumping into a raid, observe your surroundings. Many clues reveal nearby players. For example, drones with yellow or red lights when they’re not looking at you probably saw another player. A flare shooting up nearby often signals a recent elimination or a supply drop, and black smoke from wrecked Arc machines hints at loot.
Other players can also see these signs, so expect that if you’re attacked by Arc enemies, a player might be close by, ready to strike. Keep an eye on the timer at the top of your screen too. If it’s under 29 minutes when you spawn, you’re likely joining an ongoing match where others are already looting or camping.
