ARC Raiders Survival Tips
Beginner Tips
Your First Priority: Locate the Extraction Point
The #1 rule in ARC Raiders: know your escape route before you start looting. Memorize the extraction point location as soon as you spawn. Nothing is worse than carrying rare resources and being unable to reach extraction because you don't know the route.
Start with Assault Class
Assault is the most beginner-friendly class due to its high health pool and straightforward playstyle. The class focuses on shooting and surviving rather than complex ability management. Once comfortable, try Engineer for support or Recon for stealth gameplay.
Listen Before Moving
ARC machines make distinct sounds. Learn to identify them:
- Scanner Drones: High-pitched whirring
- Walkers: Heavy mechanical footsteps
- Tanks: Deep rumbling and hydraulic sounds
- Titans: Ground-shaking tremors
Stealth Tactics
Not every encounter needs to be a firefight. Sometimes avoiding combat is the smartest play.
- Crouch walk: Reduces detection range by 50%
- Suppressors: Essential for Recon players. Eliminate scouts without alerting the hive
- Distractions: Throw objects or use Engineer decoys to redirect patrols
- Shadows: Stay in dark areas to reduce visibility
- Ventilation shafts: Recon-exclusive paths that bypass entire enemy groups
If a Scanner Drone spots you, you have 2 seconds before the alarm triggers. A headshot with any weapon destroys it instantly. Practice your aim — drone elimination is a core skill.
Resource Management
Every bullet, medkit, and inventory slot matters. Wasteful players don't survive long.
- Ammo conservation: Use single shots on Drones, bursts on Walkers, full mags only on Tanks
- Medkit priority: Save medkits for when you're below 50% health. Minor damage regenerates over time
- Inventory weight: High-value items weigh more. A full inventory slows movement by 30%
- Crafting materials: Always pick up rare materials, even if you don't need them immediately
- Ammo sharing: In squads, coordinate ammo types. Don't all run the same caliber
Extraction Timing
Knowing when to extract separates survivors from casualties.
Extract when you have enough resources to justify the risk, not when your inventory is full. A half-full extraction is better than a death with a full bag.
- Early extraction: Safe but low reward. Good for learning maps
- Mid-mission extraction: Balanced risk/reward. Recommended for most runs
- Late extraction: High reward but enemies become more aggressive over time
Extraction Defense
When you activate an extraction point, ARC forces converge on your position. Prepare before calling:
- Set up Engineer turrets covering approach routes
- Place mines at chokepoints
- Designate a Medic to stay near the extraction zone
- Have an escape route planned if defense fails
Advanced Strategies
Solo Play
Solo is possible but extremely challenging. Key differences:
- Enemy count is reduced by ~30%
- No revive — death means losing everything
- Stealth becomes essential
- Recon class is strongly recommended
Titan Encounters
Never engage a Titan without: full ammo reserves, at least 3 medkits per player, AP rounds equipped, and an escape route. Titans can one-shot players with direct hits. If your squad loses 2 members, retreat immediately.
Loot Optimization
Experienced Raiders follow this priority:
- Rare crafting materials (highest value per weight)
- Weapon attachments (especially AP rounds and suppressors)
- Ammo (only if running low)
- Consumables (medkits, grenades)
- Common materials (fill remaining space)