ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a third-person PvPvE extraction shooter from Embark Studios (developer and publisher). Players are 'Raiders' who descend from underground settlements to the surface 'Rust Belt' to scavenge loot from caches, fight hostile robotic machines called ARC, contend with other player squads (solo, duo or trio), and escape via an Extraction Point before losing their haul. It launched October 30, 2025 to strong reception (IGDB aggregated ~89) and features dynamic weather, time-of-day and dynamic map events.
Getting Started
New Raiders should treat every run as risk-vs-reward: bring cheap gear you can afford to lose, learn ARC alert states (keep machines White/Blue by managing noise and line of sight), carry heavy ammo or an energy weapon for armored ARC, and prioritize reaching an Extraction Point over greedy looting. Your free kit already includes a Light Shield, so early deaths cost little — use them to learn map layouts and extraction points.
Who to prioritise
- Ferro (Common Break-Action)Cheap Common with Strong ARC armor penetration and ~40 base body damage — an affordable way to crack armored machines while learning the game.
- Light ShieldFree with every starter kit; 40% damage mitigation with zero movement penalty and trivial repair cost (4x Plastic Parts).
- Looting MK.1 / MK.2 augmentMore backpack slots and weight capacity so a survived run pays off; MK.2 also auto-shakes off Ticks.
- Barricade KitDeployable 500-HP cover that gives you instant protection in open ARC or PvP fights and can be recovered.
- Aim for scanner beams / weak pointsWatch ARC scanner colors and target unarmored capsules (e.g. Sentinel arm capsule); loot ARC PowerCells to refill shields mid-run.
Weapon Tier List
No Overall tiers ranked yet — check back after the next patch.
Weapons
The weapon meta — ranked Overall and for PvP. Rarities run Common→Legendary; tap a weapon for its type and role.
Aphelion
Battle Rifle
Anvil
Hand Cannon
Arpeggio
Burst Rifle
Bettina
Assault Rifle
Bobcat
SMG
Burletta
Pistol
Equalizer
Energy Beam Gun
Ferro
Break-Action Rifle
Hairpin
Bolt-Action Pistol
Hullcracker
Grenade Launcher
IL Toro
Pump-Action Shotgun
Jupiter
Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle
Kettle
Semi-Auto Assault Rifle
Osprey
Scoped Sniper Rifle
Rattler
Assault Rifle
Renegade
Lever-Action Rifle
Stitcher
SMG
Tempest
Assault Rifle
Torrente
LMG
Venator
2-Shot Pistol
Vulcano
Semi-Auto Shotgun
Systems
The core extraction loop and progression systems.
Extraction Loop
Core PvPvE cycle: drop to the surface solo or in a squad of up to three, recover materials from caches, hunt ARC, and reach an Extraction Point before rival Raiders take your loot. Death means losing your unsecured haul.
ARC Aggression States
Most ARC show 4 alert stages by scanner beam color: White = patrolling, Blue = mild curiosity, Yellow = investigating suspected Raider activity, Red = locked on (with an audible lock-on cue). Manage noise and line of sight to keep machines White/Blue.
Armored vs Unarmored ARC
ARC can be armored or unarmored; armored ARC can only be taken down efficiently with heavy ammunition. Weapon 'ARC Armor Penetration' ratings (Very Weak to Very Strong) determine effectiveness — energy weapons like the Equalizer and heavy-ammo guns like Ferro/Bettina excel vs armor.
Shield & Damage Mitigation
Shields don't add extra HP — they deflect a percentage of incoming damage while they hold charge. Each blue shield box = 10 shield points. Formula: shield charge drops by the weapon's base damage Y, and your health takes Y reduced by the shield's deflection rate (e.g. 40% Light). ARC PowerCells dropped by destroyed ARC can recharge shields mid-run.
Augments & Carry Capacity
Augments set backpack slots, weight limit, safe-pocket/quick-use slots and which shield tiers you can equip; they cannot be swapped mid-raid. Looting variants maximize haul, Tactical add utility/healing, Combat unlock Heavy shields and health regen.
Crafting, Traders & Blueprints
Gear is bought from traders (Lance, Apollo, Shani) or crafted/repaired at benches (Utility Bench I-III, Gear Bench 1-3) using scavenged materials like Plastic/Metal/Rubber Parts, ARC Circuitry, Battery, Power Rod and Voltage Converter. Weapon blueprints unlock craftable guns.
Maps
Dam Battlegrounds
The Alcantara Power Plant ('The Dam') was a Raider stronghold in the First Wave; now toxic, waterlogged lands that stay an ARC-skirmish hotspot. Events include Harvester, Prospecting Probes, Husk Graveyard, Night Raid and Electromagnetic Storm — high ARC danger with strong loot events.
Acerra Spaceport
A ruined spaceport where the Exodus shuttles once launched. Notable extra loot events include Launch Tower Loot and a Hidden Bunker, plus the Harvester event. One of the richer loot maps.
Buried City
An arid, sand-dune wasteland of narrow streets and empty plazas from the old world. Events include Prospecting Probes, Uncovered Caches, Husk Graveyard, Lush Blooms and Night Raid. Target of the popular 'weapon cases Buried City locations' searches.
Blue Gate
A gateway into perilous mountain ranges through a scarred valley. Events include Harvester, Uncovered Caches, Night Raid, Electromagnetic Storm and a Locked Gate. High-risk mountain terrain.
Stella Montis
An endgame location reached via heavily trapped Tubes; contents are still shrouded in rumor. First place the Shredder ARC appears, testing close-quarters skill.
Practice Range (The Backyard)
A secluded mountain hollow whose echoes confuse ARC, creating a rare pocket of open-air safety where Raiders hone skills. No hostile events — a safe zone.
Gear & Augments
Light Shield
Lightweight shield: 40 charge, 40% damage mitigation, 0% movement penalty, 5kg. Fastest class, cheap to repair (4x Plastic Parts), compatible with all augments. Every free kit includes one.
Medium Shield
Standard shield: 70 charge, 42.5% mitigation, 5% movement penalty, 7kg. Balanced pick; repairs/crafts with ARC Circuitry + Battery.
Heavy Shield
Heavy shield: 80 charge, 52.5% mitigation, 15% movement penalty, 9kg. Blocks the most damage but slows you; needs a Power Rod to craft. Only fits Combat MK.2/MK.3 and Tactical MK.3 (Defensive) augments.
Free Loadout Augment
Starter augment: 14 backpack slots, 35kg limit, 4 quick-use slots, Light shield only. Baseline carry capacity for rookies.
Looting MK.2
Loot mule augment: 22 backpack slots, 60kg, 2 safe-pocket + 3 trinket slots; automatically throws off attached Ticks after 1s. Great for heavy scavenging runs.
Combat MK.3 (Aggressive)
Top combat augment: supports Light/Medium/Heavy shields, extra grenade space, regenerates 2 HP/5s (paused 30s when hit). Best survivability profile.
Tactical MK.3 (Healing)
Support augment: extra medical slots; on revive releases a healing cloud restoring 20 HP over 10s (30s cooldown). Team-medic loadout.
Barricade Kit
Deployable cover with 500 health that blocks incoming damage until it breaks; can be picked back up. Instant hard cover in open fights.
Photoelectric Cloak
Held gadget that makes you non-existent to ARC (not invisible to players); has a recharging usage bar and emits a loud beep. Sneak past machines.
Zipline
Deployable 60m zipline (needs line of sight) for fast repositioning or extraction routing.
Grappling / Snap Hook
Traversal tool: 20m range, 3 uses when fully charged, recharges when unused. Scale buildings and cross gaps.
Noisemaker
Deployable proximity sensor (8m radius) that alarms for 4s when an enemy Raider is detected. Early-warning against PvP ambushes.
ARC Enemies
Tick
Small unarmored ARC that hides on walls/ceilings inside buildings, leaps at Raiders and latches on. Shake it off (the Looting MK.2 augment auto-removes it after 1s) and shoot it quickly before it drains you.
Pop
Small unarmored rolling ARC that detonates when approached. Destroy it from range before it reaches you.
Fireball
Small armored rolling ARC that shoots fire; being armored it needs heavy ammo to kill efficiently.
Wasp
Small unarmored drone that fires light ammo; rarely alone — expect more Wasps or a Hornet nearby.
Hornet
Medium drone with two armored front rotors; patrols with Wasps or guards a larger ground ARC. Target the unarmored body.
Snitch
Small 3-rotor flying drone that deals no damage but calls in backup (usually 2 Wasps + 1 Hornet) when it spots you. Kill it fast to avoid reinforcements.
Sentinel
Unarmored sniper turret perched high on buildings/ledges; shoot the small vulnerable capsule on its swiveling arm.
Rocketeer
Formidable flying ARC with powerful rockets and area-of-effect damage; break line of sight and use cover.
Leaper
Large heavily armored spider-like ARC that jumps extreme distances and has a heavy-damage shockwave. Needs heavy ammo; keep mobile and avoid the ground slam. (Players ask which maps it spawns on.)
Bastion
Hulking heavily armored ARC with a full-auto minigun and accompanying air support that suppresses your movement. Heavy-ammo target; clear its escorts and use hard cover. (A top community question is which map has the most Bastions.)
Bombardier & Spotter
The Bombardier is a large unarmored ARC that lobs mortars at exposed Raiders, always escorted by 2 Spotters that laser-mark targets for it. Kill the Spotters or stay out of their line of sight to stop the barrage.
Shredder
Close-quarters threat that first appears in Stella Montis, challenging Raiders in tight encounters.
The Queen
Very large boss ARC armed with artillery pods and a devastating beam attack; guards the Harvester during the Harvester Event. Extremely durable and lethal — a team fight.
Matriarch
An imposing ARC that 'makes the Queen look friendly,' appearing under a specific map condition; one of the toughest kills in the game.
What's New
Recent updates and seasons.
- Jul 7, 2026UpdateUpdate 1.36.0 adds separate Solo/Duo/Trio playstyle tracking ('one of the most requested matchmaking features')
- Jun 24, 2026UpdateEmbark patches out dupe glitches and adds anti-cheat (Denuvo) hardening
- Jun 16, 2026EventForgotten Relics limited-time event (Converging Paths project / merit farm)
- Nov 11, 2025UpdateEarly reception: outpaces Helldivers 2 on Steam and reviews well (~20-hour tense, fair experience)
- Oct 30, 2025UpdateARC Raiders launches on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
FAQ
Is ARC Raiders crossplay?
Yes — ARC Raiders supports crossplay across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and you can squad up in duos or trios across platforms. (Highest-volume community question at ~18K/mo.)
What is ARC Raiders?
A third-person PvPvE extraction shooter by Embark Studios where you scavenge the surface Rust Belt for loot, fight robotic ARC machines and rival Raiders, and extract before losing your haul. Released October 30, 2025.
What are the best weapons in ARC Raiders?
For raw ARC-killing power the Legendary energy weapons stand out — the Equalizer (Very Strong armor penetration) and Aphelion/Jupiter — while heavy-ammo guns like the Ferro (a cheap Common) and Bettina reliably crack armored machines. For PvP, well-rounded automatics like the Tempest and close-range Bobcat/Vulcano are favored.
Which map has the most Bastions?
Bastions are heavily armored minigun ARC that spawn on the larger surface maps; players specifically track which rotation has the most (a ~1.3K/mo question), so a Bastion-spawn map guide is a high-intent module.
How do shields work?
Shields deflect a percentage of incoming damage rather than adding HP, so you can still be downed with shield remaining. Light gives 40% mitigation at no movement penalty; Heavy gives 52.5% but a 15% slow. Recharge them with Shield Rechargers or ARC PowerCells dropped by machines.
Which maps does the Leaper spawn on?
The Leaper is a large armored jumping ARC; its spawn maps are a frequent community question (~720/mo), making a per-map ARC spawn table valuable. Fight it with heavy ammo and dodge its shockwave.
Game Facts
Genres
Platforms
Screenshots
