Signs of an Arc Raiders Traitor: How To Spot the Folks Who Will Shoot You in the Back
"Don't shoot! I'm friendly!"
If I had a nickel for every time I heard that right before eating a shotgun shell, I’d have enough money to buy Embark Studios. The world of ARC Raiders is brutal, and while the machines want you dead, the other players often want you dead and broke.
Betrayal is a core mechanic of extraction shooters. It’s the uneasy alliance, the tension of a shared elevator ride, and the heartbreaking realization that the guy you just spent 15 minutes bonding with over pizza toppings was just waiting for you to stand still. It feels like the community is getting sharper, colder, and more willing to stab you in the back for a slightly better backpack.
So, how do you spot a snake before they bite? After too many deaths and trust issues that would make a therapist rich, here are the 10 red flags that someone is "fake friendly."
1. The Shadow (They Won't Stop Circling)
If a player is constantly maneuvering to stay behind you, kill them.
It sounds harsh, but it’s the number one rule of survival. A genuine ally walks beside you or covers a different angle. A traitor wants to stay in your blind spot so they can line up a headshot without you reacting. If you stop and they stop behind you, or if you turn and they circle to keep your back exposed, they are hunting you.
2. The Inventory Auditor
"Hey man, what gun is that?" "Did you find anything good?" "Is that blue loot?"
This isn't small talk, it's an appraisal. When a stranger asks about your gear, they are doing a cost-benefit analysis in their head. They are trying to decide if the contents of your pockets are worth the cost of the ammo it would take to kill you. My rule? If someone asks what I have, I tell them "Just trash," and then I leave.
3. The "Never-Looter"
Watch what they do when you enter a room full of loot. Do they start grabbing stuff? Or do they pace around, watching you?
The safest time to kill someone is when they are stuck in a loot menu. A traitor will often refuse to loot containers because they need their hands free and their eyes up to catch you lacking. If they are "guarding" you while you loot, they aren't being noble. They are lining up the shot.
4. The Voice Crack (Fake Friendliness)
You can hear it in their voice. It’s a specific kind of high-pitched, over-eager friendliness. They laugh a little too hard at your jokes. They agree with everything you say.
It’s adrenaline. Betraying someone is nerve-wracking for most people, and that stress leaks out in their voice. If someone sounds like a bad actor trying to play the role of "nice guy," they are probably about to break character.
5. The Distraction Technique
This is a classic. "Whoa, did you hear that?" or "Hey, look at that loot over there!"
They want you to look away. The moment you turn your camera to look at the imaginary noise or the fake loot, you are giving them the half-second advantage they need to open fire. If someone desperately wants you to look in a specific direction, look at them instead.
6. The "Discord Mute" Syndrome
Be wary of the sudden silence. If a player was chatty and then suddenly goes quiet for 30 seconds, they might be in a private Discord call with their real friends, coordinating an ambush. Or, they are just muting their mic to focus on the kill. If the chatter stops, the shooting usually starts.
7. The Crossplay Factor
It sounds anecdotal, but there is some data, or at least community superstition, backing this up. Some players report that turning off crossplay significantly lowers the betrayal rate.
The theory? PC players are often (though not always) a bit more "survival game" focused and might respect the unwritten rules of the uneasy alliance, whereas the wider console pool can be a bit more "shoot anything that moves." It’s not a guarantee, but if you are constantly getting betrayed, try fiddling with your matchmaking settings.
8. The Weapon that Never Lowers
Body language speaks volumes. If a player is "friendly" but keeps their weapon raised and pointed generally in your direction, they are not friendly. A player who actually wants to team up will often holster their weapon, crouch spam, or look at the floor to show they aren't a threat. If the gun is up, the guard should be up.
9. Safety in Numbers
Traitors are cowards. They rarely attack a full squad. They hunt solos.
If you are running alone, you are a target. If you group up with two other randoms, the "Traitor" has to do the math: "Can I kill both of them before one gets me?" usually, the answer is no. You are statistically safer in a pack of three than a pair of two.
10. The Age Gap
This is a bit mean, but it's true. As one Steam user pointed out, a huge chunk of "fake friendly" players tend to be on the younger side.
There is a chaotic, Lord of the Flies energy to younger gamers in extraction shooters. They often view betrayal as a funny prank rather than a tactical decision. If you hear a squeaker on the mic promising they won't shoot, do not trust them. They will do it for the TikTok clip.
stay safe out there
Trust no one.
Okay, maybe that is too bleak. But in ARC Raiders, trust is a currency you should spend very carefully. Watch their shadow, listen to their voice, and never, ever let them stand behind you. If your gut says something is off, it probably is. Shoot first, apologize later.