Arc Raiders - Complete Guide Hub
Your ultimate resource for Arc Raiders. Find complete beginner loadouts, solo build guides, ARC machine weak points, crafting walkthroughs, skill tree breakdowns, grenade tier lists, and safe extraction strategies — all in one place.
About Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders is Embark Studios’ free-to-play third-person extraction shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has retreated underground. As a Raider, you venture to the dangerous surface to scavenge resources, fight off relentless ARC machines, and extract before other players — or the machines — end your run.
The game blends intense PvE combat against a variety of robotic enemies with the ever-present tension of PvP encounters. Every raid is a risk-reward calculation: go deeper for better loot, or extract early and live to fight another day. Between raids, you upgrade your underground base’s workstations, craft better gear, and unlock new skills to push further on your next run.
Key features include:
- Free to play on PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
- Solo, duo, and trio squad support
- 7 upgradeable crafting workstations
- Three skill trees: Mobility, Survival, and Conditioning (76 total points)
- Diverse ARC machine roster from light scouts to boss-tier threats
- Multiple maps including Dam Battlegrounds and Stella Montis
- Blueprint-based weapon crafting system
- No pay-to-win mechanics
Essential Guides for Arc Raiders
Interactive Database
Arc Raiders Database — Items, Quests, Projects & Skill Tree
Complete interactive database covering all 529 items (with images, stats, rarity, and crafting info), 94 quests (with objectives, rewards, and trader chains), 3 projects with full phase item requirements, needed items tracker, and the full skill tree. Filter and search everything in one place.
Skill Tree Guide
Arc Raiders Skill Tree Guide: Best Perks to Unlock First
Complete skill tree breakdown covering all 76 points across Mobility (yellow), Survival (red), and Conditioning (green) trees. Every skill ranked S to D tier for both PvE and PvP, with the exact unlock order from level 1 to endgame. Start with Marathon Runner — it pays off from your very first extract.
Best Solo Build & Loadout
Arc Raiders Best Solo Build Loadout Guide
Tested 40+ loadout combinations to find the best solo builds for survival, loot efficiency, and consistent extraction. Covers weapon pairings, perk synergies, consumable choices, and playstyle adjustments for running without a squad. Includes budget, mid-tier, and endgame solo configurations.
Best Budget Loadout for Beginners
Arc Raiders Best Budget Loadout for Beginners
Broke and dying in Arc Raiders? This guide covers the absolute best free and cheap loadouts for new players — everything under 5,000 coins. The Il Toro shotgun + Ferro rifle combo with Basic Shield handles all early-game content and stays effective through level 30. No expensive blueprints required.
ARC Machine Weak Points
Arc Raiders All ARC Machine Weak Points & How to Kill Each
Every enemy type documented with weak points, attack patterns, and proven kill strategies. From light ARC units like Leapers and Hornets to heavy threats like Bastions and Bombardiers, all the way up to boss-tier enemies like the Matriarch. Know what ammo to bring before you drop.
Crafting Guide
Arc Raiders Crafting Guide: Workshop Upgrades & Blueprints
All 7 workstations explained — Workbench, Gunsmith, Explosives Station, Gear Bench, Medical Lab, Utility Station, and Refiner — plus the optional Scrappy station for passive resource generation. Covers every upgrade material, the fastest blueprint farming routes, and which workstations to prioritize first.
Grenade & Trap Tier List
Arc Raiders Grenade & Trap Tier List: Best Explosives Ranked
Every grenade and trap ranked from S-tier to D-tier based on damage output, utility, and cost efficiency. Wolfpack Grenade tops the list for heavy ARC and boss deletion. Trigger ‘Nade is the budget pick. Deadline and other traps ranked for PvP and PvE scenarios separately.
PvP Avoidance & Safe Extraction
Arc Raiders: 10 Tips to Avoid PvP and Extract Safely (Solo Guide)
Tired of losing everything to ambushes? These 10 proven strategies help solo players stay hidden, avoid fights, and extract consistently. Covers optimal extraction timing (12–15 minutes), less-contested extract points, audio cues for detecting other players, and route planning to minimize exposure.
Canto Blueprint Farming Guide
Arc Raiders: Canto Blueprint Location — Complete Farming Guide
Every confirmed Canto SMG blueprint spawn location mapped out, with the best farming routes and exact map conditions to maximize drop chances. The Canto primarily spawns in First Wave Raider Caches during Hurricane map conditions on Dam Battlegrounds and Stella Montis.
ARC Machine Overview
ARC machines are the primary threat on the surface. Understanding each type is essential for efficient raiding.
Light ARC — any weapon works:
- Leapers: Fast, aggressive melee units. Dodge their pounce and finish with a shotgun burst.
- Hornets: Airborne scouts. Prioritize them before they call reinforcements.
Heavy ARC — Heavy Ammo and weak point focus required:
- Bastions: Armored ground units. Target the glowing joints on their legs and torso.
- Bombardiers: Long-range artillery. Close the distance fast or use cover aggressively.
Boss-tier ARC — specific strategies required:
- Matriarch: The most dangerous enemy in the game. Requires coordinated weak point targeting and heavy explosives. See the ARC Machine Weak Points guide for the full breakdown.
Skill Tree Priority
Recommended unlock order for your first 20 skill points:
| Priority | Skill | Tree | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Marathon Runner | Mobility | Reduces stamina cost for all movement — foundational for every raid |
| 2nd | Quick Heal | Survival | Faster consumable use saves your life in tight spots |
| 3rd | Fortitude | Survival | Passive HP increase, essential for solo survivability |
| 4th | Nimble | Mobility | Faster vault and climb speed for map traversal |
| 5th | Scavenger | Conditioning | Increased loot interaction speed — more loot per raid |
Pro tip: Don’t spread points across all three trees early. Go deep into Mobility first, then Survival. Conditioning is a late-game investment.
Crafting Workstation Priority
Upgrade these workstations first:
| Workstation | Priority | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Workbench | Highest | Core weapon and gear blueprints |
| Medical Lab | High | Better healing items — directly impacts survival |
| Gunsmith | High | Weapon attachments and ammo upgrades |
| Explosives Station | Medium | Grenades and traps for ARC machine control |
| Gear Bench | Medium | Armor upgrades and utility equipment |
| Refiner | Low | Resource processing — useful at endgame |
| Utility Station | Low | Gadgets and support items |
Extraction Tips
Extraction is where most runs are won or lost. Key principles:
- Extract at 12–15 minutes — PvP activity peaks in the final 5 minutes when squads are loaded with loot and desperate
- Use less popular extract points — the obvious exits are watched; learn the secondary routes
- Listen before moving — footsteps, gunshots, and ARC machine audio tell you where other players are
- Consistent small extractions beat risky big runs — especially while learning the maps
- Never sprint to extract — walk the final approach to avoid audio detection
Game Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Developer | Embark Studios |
| Price | Free to Play |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Play Modes | Solo, Duo, Trio |
| Genre | Third-person extraction shooter |
Bookmark this page and check back as we add more guides. Arc Raiders is actively updated and new strategies emerge with every patch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arc Raiders and what type of game is it?
Arc Raiders is a third-person co-op extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. Players take on the role of Raiders — scavengers living underground who venture to the surface to loot resources while fighting off waves of autonomous ARC machines and other players. The game blends PvE combat against robotic enemies with PvP tension during extraction.
Is Arc Raiders free to play?
Yes. Arc Raiders is free to play on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It features optional cosmetic purchases but no pay-to-win mechanics.
Can I play Arc Raiders solo?
Yes. Arc Raiders supports solo play, duos, and trios. Solo is harder but very viable with the right loadout and extraction strategy. Focus on early extraction timing and avoiding the final 5 minutes when PvP peaks.
What should I prioritize as a beginner?
Unlock Marathon Runner in the Mobility skill tree first, then build toward the Il Toro shotgun + Ferro rifle combo. Keep your kit under 5,000 coins until you understand the maps. Extract early and consistently rather than going for big loot runs.
What are ARC machines?
ARC machines are the autonomous robotic enemies that dominate the surface world. They range from light units like Leapers and Hornets to heavy threats like Bastions and Bombardiers, up to boss-tier enemies like the Matriarch. Each has specific weak points and requires different tactics to defeat efficiently.
How does crafting work in Arc Raiders?
Crafting is done through 7 workstations in your underground base — Workbench, Gunsmith, Explosives Station, Gear Bench, Medical Lab, Utility Station, and Refiner. You need blueprints and materials looted from raids. Upgrade workstations to unlock higher-tier gear.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of gameguidesbox.com, began surfing the web in the late 19th century. Passionate about movies, coffee, gaming, and life itself. Favorite games include Titanfall 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Metro, PUBG, and CS2.
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Arc Raiders All ARC Machine Weak Points & How to Kill Each
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Arc Raiders Best Budget Loadout for Beginners
Broke in Arc Raiders? We've tested every budget option to find the absolute best free and cheap loadouts for beginners. Weapons, armor, and strategies that cost under 5,000 coins.
Arc Raiders Best Solo Build Loadout Guide
Running solo in Arc Raiders? We've tested 40+ loadout combinations to find the absolute best solo builds for survival, loot, and extraction. Weapons, perks, and strategies included.
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