Arc Raiders All ARC Machine Weak Points & How to Kill Each

Table of Contents

1. Quick Enemy Reference Chart
2. Light ARC Enemies
3. Medium ARC Enemies
4. Heavy ARC Enemies
5. Boss ARC Enemies
6. Weapon Effectiveness by ARC Type
7. General ARC Combat Strategies
8. Final Take

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Quick Enemy Reference Chart

Enemy	Type	Weak Points	Best Weapon	Difficulty
Leaper	Light	None (unarmored)	Any SMG/AR	Easy
Hornet	Light	Front/Rear Thrusters	Heavy Ammo	Easy
Pop	Light	Core (before detonation)	Any weapon	Easy
Fireball	Light	Core (when exposed)	Any weapon	Easy
ARC Surveyor	Medium	Exposed Core (during scan)	Grenades, Heavy	Medium
Shredder	Medium	Center Thrusters	Heavy Ammo	Medium
Bastion	Heavy	Leg Joints, Rear Canister	Ferro, Hullcracker	Hard
Bombardier	Heavy	Yellow Kneecaps, Rear Cylinder	Heavy Ammo, Explosives	Hard
Matriarch	Boss	Leg Joints, Head Core, Face Plates	Hullcracker, Equalizer	Very Hard
Queen	Boss	Leg Joints, Head Core	Wolfpack, Heavy Weapons	Very Hard

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Light ARC Enemies

These enemies pose minimal threat to prepared raiders. Focus on efficiency, not survival.

Leaper

Description: Agile four-legged brute with shockwave attacks

Stat	Value
Health	Low
Armor	None
Damage	Moderate
Threat Level	2/10

Weak Points: None (unarmored)

How to Kill:

1. Maintain distance—Leapers excel at closing gaps
2. Dodge roll when they jump (shockwave telegraph is clear)
3. Fire during recovery after leaps
4. Any weapon works—no armor penetration needed

Recommended Weapons: Stitcher, Kettle, any SMG or AR

Loot Drops: ARC Alloy, Crude Explosives, Basic Materials

Leapers are damage sponges only if you panic-fire. Land 5-6 controlled shots and they drop. I use them as ammo efficiency practice.

Hornet

Description: Small flying drone with electric stun weapon

Stat	Value
Health	Low
Armor	Light (thrusters only)
Damage	Low (but stun locks)
Threat Level	3/10

Weak Points:

• Front thrusters (Heavy Ammo destroys quickly)
• Rear thrusters (any weapon, slower)
• Falling from height (instant kill)

How to Kill:

1. Destroy front thrusters with Heavy Ammo for instant kill
2. Or destroy rear thrusters with any weapon
3. Dodge after they fire—electric attack has 1-second cooldown
4. Hide in cover to break targeting

Recommended Weapons: Anvil, any weapon with Heavy Ammo

Pro Tip: Hornets falling from destroyed structures = free kills. Shoot the platform, not the drone.

Loot Drops: Hornet Drivers, ARC Powercell, ARC Alloy

Pop

Description: Small rolling explosive machine

Stat	Value
Health	Very Low
Armor	None
Damage	High (on detonation)
Threat Level	4/10

Weak Points: Core (entire body is weak point)

How to Kill:

1. Destroy BEFORE detonation (3-second fuse)
2. Vault over edges—Pops can’t climb
3. Create distance and dodge roll away
4. Shoot from cover—they explode on proximity

Recommended Weapons: Any weapon, prioritize fast-firing

Pro Tip: Pops announce detonation with audio cue. If you hear beeping, you have 2 seconds. Run or kill it.

Loot Drops: Crude Explosives, ARC Alloy

Fireball

Description: Fast rolling flame-spewing machine

Stat	Value
Health	Low
Armor	Light (front panel)
Damage	Moderate (fire DoT)
Threat Level	3/10

Weak Points: Core (exposed when front panel opens)

How to Kill:

1. Shoot unarmored core when front panel opens
2. Relatively weak—vulnerable to most weapons
3. Dodge fire spray (telegraphed by glow)
4. Kill before it reaches melee range

Recommended Weapons: Any AR or SMG

Loot Drops: Firefly Burner, Synthesized Fuel, ARC Alloy

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Medium ARC Enemies

These enemies require tactical engagement. Wrong approach = wasted resources or death.

ARC Surveyor

Description: Large armored rolling machine with scanning beacon

Stat	Value
Health	Moderate
Armor	Heavy (when closed)
Damage	Moderate (collision)
Threat Level	5/10

Weak Points:

• Exposed core (during scan phase only)
• Armor removed faster with Heavy Ammo

How to Kill:

1. Wait for scan phase (protective layer opens, light beam emits)
2. Throw grenade near exposed core—bullets don’t deal enough damage
3. Dodge rolls and cover to avoid collisions
4. Repeat until destroyed

Recommended Weapons: Snap Blast Grenades, Blaze Grenades, Heavy Ammo weapons

Pro Tip: Surveyors are XP farms. Good and easy if you know the pattern. Don’t shoot during armored phase—conserve ammo.

Loot Drops: ARC Surveyor Core, ARC Alloy, Advanced Materials

Shredder

Description: Flying ARC with rapid-fire attacks

Stat	Value
Health	Moderate
Armor	Moderate (center thrusters)
Damage	High (sustained fire)
Threat Level	6/10

Weak Points:

• Center thrusters (destroy for instant kill)
• Wings (disable mobility)

How to Kill:

1. Shoot thrusters in the middle section
2. Use Heavy Ammo for faster destruction
3. Stay in cover during sustained fire phases
4. Attack when it hovers (more stable target)

Recommended Weapons: Osprey, Renegade, any precision weapon

Loot Drops: Shredder Drivers, ARC Alloy, Shotgun Ammo

Comet

Description: Medium ARC with explosive attacks

Stat	Value
Health	Moderate-High
Armor	Moderate
Damage	High (explosive)
Threat Level	6/10

Weak Points:

• Rear exhaust (when attacking)
• Core (exposed during reload)

How to Kill:

1. Attack during reload phase (core exposed)
2. Dodge explosive projectiles (clear telegraph)
3. Use cover—Comet explosions deal AoE damage
4. Heavy Ammo recommended for armor penetration

Recommended Weapons: Ferro, Anvil, Hullcracker

Loot Drops: ARC Alloy, Crude Explosives, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Coolant, ARC Thermo Lining, Comet Igniter, Explosive Compound

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Heavy ARC Enemies

These enemies demand preparation and proper loadouts. Wrong weapon = fight lasts 5x longer.

Bastion

Description: Slow, heavily armored walking fortress

Stat	Value
Health	Very High
Armor	Very Heavy
Damage	High
Threat Level	8/10

Weak Points:

• Yellow leg joints (destroy to stun)
• Rear canister (destroy for major damage)
• Exposed rear barrel (after stun)

How to Kill:

1. Target yellow leg joints first—destroys mobility
2. Destroy rear canister to stun completely
3. Hit exposed rear barrel for massive damage
4. Blaze or Snap Blast Grenades effective for stagger

Recommended Weapons: Hullcracker, Ferro, Anvil, Heavy Ammo weapons

Pro Tip: Bastions are walking loot boxes. Patient players extract 30k+ from Bastion runs. Rush players die.

Loot Drops: Bastion Cells, ARC Alloy, Heavy Ammo, Rare Blueprints

Bombardier

Description: Mortar-firing ARC supported by Spotter drones

Stat	Value
Health	High
Armor	Heavy
Damage	Very High (mortar)
Threat Level	8/10

Weak Points:

• Yellow kneecaps (shoot to slow and expose weak points)
• Rear cylinder (destroy to disable quickly)

How to Kill:

1. Take out Spotter drones first—reduces targeting accuracy
2. Attack Bombardier right after it fires (reload window)
3. Shoot yellow kneecaps to slow movement
4. Destroy rear cylinder for instant kill

Recommended Weapons: Heavy Ammo, Explosives, Precision Rifles

Pro Tip: Bombardier mortar has 3-second fuse. If you hear the launch, you have time to reposition. Don’t panic-roll.

Loot Drops: Rocketeer Drivers, Explosive Compounds, ARC Alloy, Advanced Materials

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Boss ARC Enemies

These enemies require dedicated loadouts and strategies. Not for solo unprepared players.

Matriarch

Description: Smaller than Queen but constantly summons other boss ARCs

Stat	Value
Health	Extreme
Armor	Very Heavy
Damage	Extreme
Threat Level	10/10

Weak Points:

• Leg joints (destroy for mobility reduction)
• Head core (primary damage zone)
• Face plates (break to expose weak spots)

How to Kill:

1. Break “face” plates first—two weak spots closer to center
2. Use Equalizer or Hullcracker to break plates
3. Target weak spots with medium/heavy ammo weapons
4. Keep Wolfpack grenades for summoned boss ARCs
5. Destroy leg joints to reduce mobility

Recommended Weapons: Hullcracker, Equalizer, Jupiter, Wolfpack Grenades

Pro Tip: Matriarch is smaller than Queen but constantly summons reinforcements. Clear adds first, then focus boss. Wolfpacks melt summoned ARCs.

Loot Drops: ARC Alloy, ARC Circuitry, ARC Performance Steel, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Flex Rubber, ARC Synthetic Resin, Magnetic Accelerator, Matriarch Reactor

Queen

Description: Largest ARC boss with devastating attacks

Stat	Value
Health	Extreme
Armor	Very Heavy
Damage	Extreme
Threat Level	10/10

Weak Points:

• Leg joints (destroy for stun phases)
• Head core (primary damage zone)
• Chest core (exposed during certain attacks)

How to Kill:

1. Destroy leg joints to create stun windows
2. Focus head core during stun phases
3. Use Wolfpack grenades for burst damage
4. Dodge charge attacks (telegraphed by glow)
5. Squad coordination recommended

Recommended Weapons: Hullcracker, Wolfpack Grenades, Heavy Ammo Weapons, Equalizer

Pro Tip: Queen fights are marathons. Bring 20+ Heavy Ammo rounds, 5+ Wolfpacks, and full healing. Solo Queen runs require perfect execution.

Loot Drops: Queen Core, ARC Performance Materials, Legendary Blueprints, Rare Components

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Weapon Effectiveness by ARC Type

Light ARC (Leapers, Hornets, Pops, Fireballs)

Weapon Tier	Effectiveness	Recommendation
Light Ammo	Excellent	Use freely
Medium Ammo	Excellent	Standard choice
Heavy Ammo	Overkill	Waste of resources
Explosives	Good for groups	Efficient vs clusters

Medium ARC (Surveyors, Shredders, Comets)

Weapon Tier	Effectiveness	Recommendation
Light Ammo	Poor	Avoid
Medium Ammo	Good	Standard choice
Heavy Ammo	Excellent	Recommended
Explosives	Excellent	Best for Surveyors

Heavy ARC (Bastions, Bombardiers)

Weapon Tier	Effectiveness	Recommendation
Light Ammo	Useless	Don’t bother
Medium Ammo	Poor	Only with weak point hits
Heavy Ammo	Excellent	Mandatory
Explosives	Excellent	Highly recommended

Boss ARC (Matriarch, Queen)

Weapon Tier	Effectiveness	Recommendation
Light Ammo	Useless	Don’t bring
Medium Ammo	Poor	Only as secondary
Heavy Ammo	Mandatory	Primary damage source
Explosives	Mandatory	Wolfpacks essential
Special Weapons	Excellent	Hullcracker, Equalizer

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General ARC Combat Strategies

The ARC Combat Loop

1. Identify Threat Level

• Light ARC: Engage directly
• Medium ARC: Assess positioning
• Heavy ARC: Prepare properly
• Boss ARC: Dedicated loadout required

2. Choose Engagement Range

• Light ARC: Any range works
• Medium ARC: Mid-range optimal
• Heavy ARC: Long-range preferred
• Boss ARC: Variable (learn patterns)

3. Target Weak Points

• Always aim for weak points
• Heavy Ammo for armored sections
• Explosives for exposed cores

4. Manage Resources

• Don’t waste Heavy Ammo on light ARC
• Save Wolfpacks for bosses
• Reload during safe windows

Ammo Efficiency Tips

I track my ammo consumption per ARC type. Here’s what optimal looks like:

ARC Type	Optimal Ammo Count	Common Mistake
Leaper	5-8 rounds	20+ rounds (panic fire)
Hornet	3-5 Heavy	15+ Medium (wrong ammo)
Bastion	15-20 Heavy + 2 grenades	50+ Medium (ineffective)
Matriarch	40+ Heavy + 5 Wolfpacks	Underprepared

Positioning Fundamentals

High Ground Advantage:

• ARC melee attacks can’t reach elevated positions
• Ranged attacks have travel time—dodge easier
• Better visibility for weak point targeting

Cover Usage:

• Peek-shoot-reload pattern
• Never stand still during attacks
• Rotate cover positions every 10 seconds

Escape Routes:

• Always identify before engaging
• Heavy ARC can’t climb certain obstacles
• Use parkour to create distance

When NOT to Fight ARC

Skip These Engagements:

• Heavy ARC when low on Heavy Ammo
• Any ARC when third-party raiders nearby
• Boss ARC solo without dedicated loadout
• Multiple Heavy ARC simultaneously

The best ARC fight is the one you avoid. I’ve extracted with 50k+ loot by walking past Bastions. Dead heroes extract with nothing.

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Final Take

After documenting and testing strategies against all ARC types across 150+ raids, here’s what matters:

• Match your ammo to the target. Heavy Ammo for heavy ARC, Medium for medium, don’t waste resources.
• Weak points matter more than DPS. 10 shots to weak points outperforms 50 shots to armor.
• Boss fights require dedicated preparation. Wolfpacks, Heavy Ammo, and healing are non-negotiable.
• Avoiding fights is a valid strategy. Extraction rate > kill count for consistent profit.

What to do next:

1. Practice on Light ARC with ammo efficiency focus
2. Learn Medium ARC patterns before engaging Heavy
3. Build dedicated boss-hunting loadouts (Hullcracker + Wolfpacks)
4. Track your ammo consumption—optimize based on data

ARC machines follow predictable patterns. Learn the patterns, respect the threat levels, and you’ll extract consistently.

If you take one thing from this guide: Preparation beats reaction every time. Know what you’re fighting before you pull the trigger.

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