EVERY MINE IN ARC RAIDERS (AND WHY YOU NEED THEM)
There is a special kind of joy found in baiting a squad into a hallway and hearing the distinct click-boom of a well-placed trap.
Mines in ARC Raiders are not just about raw damage (Well, some are, but you get what I'm trying to say) , they are about controlling the battlefield and buying yourself breathing room when things go south. I have spent enough time blowing myself up (and occasionally enemies) to know that not all mines are created equal. Some are for killing, some are for annoying, and one is specifically designed to humble the biggest machines on the map. Here is the breakdown of the explosive arsenal currently at your disposal.
The Crowd Control Kings: Gas and Pulse
If you want to be a nuisance, the Gas Mine is your best friend. It is a common drop that deploys a cloud which rapidly drains stamina at a rate of 25 per second. While it might not kill someone instantly, draining their stamina leaves them unable to sprint or dodge, making them a sitting duck. It takes one second to deploy and three seconds to arm, so do not throw it at your feet in a panic.
Then we have the Pulse Mine, the uncommon option for those who prefer physics over chemistry. This thing triggers a knockback effect on anything within a 7.5-meter radius. It is hilarious to watch, but practically speaking, it is best used to shove enemies away from a defensive point or off a ledge if you are feeling particularly mean. Like the others, it can be disarmed and recovered if you messed up your placement.
The Killers: Explosive and Jolt
The standard Explosive Mine is exactly what it says on the tin. It is a proximity trap that pops up and deals 40 damage to anything in its radius. It is simple, effective, and boring. It gets the job done, but it lacks the flair of its electric cousin.
The Jolt Mine is where things get interesting, and frankly, it is my favorite of the bunch. This rare trap causes a shock stun effect on activation. We are talking about a massive 10-second stun on ARCs and a 4-second stun on enemy Raiders. In a game where movement is life, being unable to move for four seconds is a death sentence. If a rusher triggers this, it is basically game over for them instantly.
The Boss Killer: The Deadline Mine
Ignore whatever marketing fluff you read about using the Deadline Mine for "strategic PvP ambushes". This Epic-tier item is not for trapping doorways, it is for deleting big problems.
The Deadline Mine operates on a six-second timer rather than a proximity trigger, dealing a staggering 1,000 damage in a 10-meter radius. The real strategy here isn't hiding it in a bush. You stick this thing onto a high-health target, like a Rocketeer or a Bastion, and then run for your life before it detonates. It effectively one-shots the most annoying enemies in the game. It weighs 1kg, which is heavier than the others, but the damage potential is unmatched.
what to take
For general raiding, I pack Jolt Mines. The ability to freeze an enemy in place is infinitely more valuable than a small amount of damage. However, if you know you are hunting high-tier ARCs, bring the Deadline Mine. Just remember to check your corners, because if you can place these traps, so can everyone else.
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