ARC Raiders FAQ: Your Guide to Surviving Killer Robots and Greedy Bastards
So, you heard about ARC Raiders. Extraction shooter, killer robots, post-apocalyptic scavenging... sounds familiar, right? But Embark's throwing their own spin on it. Here's what you actually need to know before you drop onto X-Isle and get vaporized.
In a nutshell, Earth is fucked, overrun by giant metal monsters called ARC. You're a Raider, basically a glorified dumpster diver risking life and limb on the surface ("Topside") to grab resources, maybe complete a quest, and haul ass back to the underground city of Speranza before something kills you. Simple, right? Yeah, not really.
What the hell is ARC Raiders, really?
It's an extraction shooter. You gear up, go "Topside" (the surface), loot stuff, fight killer robots (ARC) and potentially other players (Raiders), and then try to extract back to Speranza (your underground base) without dying. If you make it back, you keep your loot to craft better gear, upgrade your base, and get stronger. If you die Topside... well, sucks to be you. You come back empty-handed. Risk vs. reward, baby.
What's "Topside"? Sounds dangerous.
It is. That's where all the action happens and where the good shit is. You'll spend most of your time scavenging through derelict buildings, swamps, old cities buried in sand – basically, Earth's corpse. Valuable resources, crafting materials, maybe even some pre-made gear, it's all up there for the taking. But so are the things trying to kill you.
Okay, tell me about these "ARC" things. Am I totally screwed?
Pretty much. ARC are the mysterious robot menace. They come in all shapes and sizes, from little spider-like Ticks that jump out from ceilings, to flying Snitches that call in reinforcements if they spot you.
Then you've got bigger problems like the Leaper (does exactly what it sounds like, but destructively), Bombardiers calling in mortar strikes, ground units like Pop, Fireball, and the tanky Bastion, plus flying pains-in-the-ass like Wasps, Hornets, and Rocketeers. Each one has its own bullshit you need to learn to counter.
And yeah, there are massive ones too. The Queen guards important structures and will probably stomp you flat unless you're geared up and know what you're doing. Rumor has it there are even bigger variants out there. Good luck with that.
Are robots the only assholes up there?
Nope! You also have to worry about other Raiders. This is an extraction shooter, remember? Other players are after the same loot you are, and some of them will shoot you in the back for that shiny component you just found. You can squad up (max 3 players) or go solo. Matchmaking tries to pit squads against squads and solos against solos, but don't count on always having a fair fight. Sometimes you run into other players and make temporary friends... sometimes you just get murdered. Watch your six. Need help surviving those encounters? Try these ARC Raiders advanced tips.
Where exactly am I scavenging? This "Rust Belt"?
Yeah, the Rust Belt is the general region where Topside missions happen. You'll drop into specific locations:
Dam Battlegrounds: Forests, swamps, old buildings. Good starter map.
Buried City: An old city half-swallowed by sand dunes. Hospitals, malls, etc.
The Spaceport: Industrial zone, derelict launch facility. Lots of tech scrap.
Blue Gate: Mountainous area, towns, tunnels, underground bits.
There are whispers of other places like Stella Montis, but who knows. Each map has different weather, times of day, and sometimes "special conditions" like Night Raids (better loot, tougher ARC), Harvest Season (more nature resources), or Electromagnetic Storms. Keeps things spicy.
What's Speranza? My cozy underground bunker?
Pretty much. It's the underground hub city where Raiders live. After a (hopefully successful) run Topside, you return here. This is where you manage your character and stash.
Level Up: Doing stuff Topside gives XP. Leveling up gives skill points.
Skills: Spend points in the ARC Raiders skill tree to customize your Raider – more stealth, speed, carry capacity, combat perks, etc.
Feats & Raider Decks: Complete small objectives Topside ("Feats") to earn "Cred." Spend Cred to unlock rewards (cosmetics, maybe gear blueprints?) in "Raider Decks." Some decks are free, some paid, some time-limited. Think battle pass-ish progression tracks.
Codex: An in-game encyclopedia that fills out as you discover more about the world. Lore stuff.
Workshop: Your personal space. Craft gear, upgrade weapons, repair stuff. You can upgrade the workshop itself to unlock better crafting options.
Traders: NPCs who give quests (story stuff!), buy your junk, and sell useful items. You might need specific gear like a Raider Hatch Key for certain interactions or safer extractions.
Trials & Projects: Weekly challenges ("Trials") with leaderboards and rewards. Larger, community (?) goals ("Projects") like Expeditions.
How do I look less like a post-apocalyptic hobo?
Cosmetics! You can customize your Raider's face, hair, body type. Then there's clothing, backpacks, charms – all with color options. Unlock more through quests, leveling, Raider Decks, or the inevitable cash shop.
What gear should I actually bring Topside?
Looks don't stop bullets. You need firepower and tools.
Weapons: A good variety, from basic rifles (Rattler) and shotguns (Vulcano) to energy weapons (Equalizer). You can upgrade them and add attachments in your Workshop. Check out weapon tier lists to see what's currently punching hardest.
Gadgets: Essential tools. Lure grenades, ziplines, mines, door blockers, regular grenades, flares, bandages... lots to choose from. Bring what suits your plan.
Shields & Augments: These let you fine-tune your playstyle. Go for speed and stealth at the cost of carrying capacity? Max out offensive slots for more gadgets and ammo? Or strap on heavy shields and become a walking tank? Your call.
What happens if I keep dying and lose everything?
Don't panic (too much). The game throws you a bone.
Free Loadouts: Speranza provides basic sets of gear for free if you're completely broke. No strings attached, just enough to get you back on your feet.
Scrappy: Your pet robot rooster (yes, really). He apparently collects stuff for you while you're risking your neck. You can train him and give him cosmetics too. Good boy?
So, that's the gist. Drop in, grab loot, try not to die, upgrade your shit, repeat. Simple concept, brutal execution. Good luck, Raider. You'll need it. Need more help getting started? Our ARC Raiders beginner's guide has you covered.
ARC RAIDERS
