Welcome to ARC Raiders, a thrilling extraction shooter where strategy, stealth, and social savvy can make or break your raid. Whether you’re a solo scavenger or rolling with a squad, these tips will help you navigate the dangerous world of ARC Raiders, stock up on loot, and extract safely.
Master Tactical Combat
ARC Raiders’ third-person perspective rewards defensive, calculated play over reckless aggression. With slow time-to-kill (TTK), deliberate movement, and small ammo clips, fights hinge on positioning and situational awareness. Here’s how to come out on top:
- Play Defensively: Avoid charging headfirst into battles. Use cover, hold angles, and capitalize on the environment.
- Corner-Peeking: Lean around corners to scout or engage enemies safely.
- Reload-Peek Cheese: Time your reloads to bait enemies into exposing themselves, then strike.
- Stay Aware: Listen for audio cues like footsteps or ARC alerts to track enemy movements.
Pro Tip: Patience wins fights. Don’t be cocky—outsmart your opponents instead.
Embrace Stealth
Why fight when you can avoid trouble altogether? ARC Raiders’ sound design and visual cues make stealth a powerful tool:
- Sneak Past Conflicts: Use footsteps, ARC alerts, and death flares to detect other players and slip by unnoticed.
- Stay Low, Move Smart: Crouch or take alternate routes to avoid drawing attention.
Stealth isn’t just about survival—it’s about getting to the loot without wasting resources.
Leverage Throwables and Traps
Solo players can level the playing field with clever use of throwables and traps:
- Lure Grenades & Snitch Scanners: Toss these at attackers to summon hostile robots, forcing enemies to retreat or fight NPCs.
- Smoke Grenades: Create cover to escape sticky situations.
- Tagging Grenades: Reveal enemy positions for better tracking and planning.
These tools can turn the tide, giving you the upper hand even when outnumbered.
Extract Like a Pro
Extraction is where the real stakes lie. Here’s how to secure your loot:
- Use Raider Hatches: Stock up on hatch keys and opt for these quieter, less-camped extraction points over main exits.
- Time Main Exits Carefully: Wait for another player to extract, then slip through before campers reset.
- Plan Your Route: Scout extraction zones early to avoid last-second ambushes.
Pro Tip: Always have a backup hatch key ready for a safer exit.
Optimize Your Loadout
Your gear choices can define your raid:
- Free Loadouts: Grab these for basic gear to give you a fighting chance without risking much.
- Naked Runs: Go in with minimal gear for a “safe-spot” that lets you extract up to three pieces of critical loot, even if you die.
- Balance Risk and Reward: Decide whether to bring high-value gear or play it safe based on your goals.
Experiment with loadouts to find what suits your playstyle—survival is more important than flashy gear.
Be Kind, Make Friends
ARC Raiders shines with its social elements, and proximity chat can turn enemies into allies:
- Appeal to Kindness: A friendly word might convince others to team up instead of fight.
- Create Wholesome Moments: Teaming up with strangers for a raid can lead to unforgettable experiences.
Building alliances can save your skin and make raids more fun, so don’t be afraid to chat!
Understand Matchmaking
ARC Raiders seems to use level-based matchmaking to keep lobbies balanced:
- Solo Players: You’ll likely be matched with other solos, making fights fairer.
- Sweaty Lobbies: Higher-level or aggressive players may be grouped together, giving newer players breathing room.
Stay mindful of your playstyle and skill level to make the most of matchmaking.
Watch Out for Cheaters
Cheating is a concern in any online shooter, but Embark’s experience with The Finals suggests they’re working on robust anti-cheat measures. Keep an eye on official updates post-launch to stay informed about anti-cheat efforts.
Final Thoughts
ARC Raiders is all about outsmarting your opponents, whether through stealth, tactics, or social skills. Play defensively, use your tools wisely, and don’t underestimate the power of a kind word. Stock up on hatch keys, stay aware of your surroundings, and extract with your loot intact. Good luck, Raider—see you in the field!
