Arc Raiders Best Solo Build Loadout Guide

Table of Contents

1. Quick Loadout Summary
2. Solo Play Fundamentals
3. Best Solo Loadout: Balanced (Endgame)
4. Best Solo Loadout: Budget (Early Game)
5. Best Solo Loadout: Stealth (Loot Focus)
6. Best Solo Loadout: Aggressive (PvP Focus)
7. Weapon Choices Explained
8. Essential Augments for Solo
9. Solo Route Strategy
10. Final

---

Quick Loadout Summary

Endgame Balanced (Recommended)

Slot	Item	Reason
Primary	Tempest AR	Versatile, reliable DPS
Secondary	Anvil	Armor penetration, emergency damage
Shield	Medium Shield	Balance of protection and mobility
Augments	Looting Mk2, Combat Mk2	Loot + survival balance
Consumables	3x Adrenaline, 5x Bandages, 2x Shield Recharger	Extended raid sustainability
Grenades	2x Light Impact, 2x Smoke	Crowd control + escape

Total Cost: ~25,000 coins (crafting) Playstyle: Balanced PvE/PvP, consistent extraction

Budget Starter

Slot	Item	Reason
Primary	Il Toro Shotgun	Cheap, devastating close-range
Secondary	Ferro Rifle	Affordable long-range option
Shield	Basic Shield	Minimal weight, basic protection
Augments	Looting Mk1, Combat Mk1	Foundation perks
Consumables	2x Adrenaline, 3x Bandages	Minimum survival kit
Grenades	2x Light Impact	Cheap damage

Total Cost: ~4,500 coins (crafting) Playstyle: Learn fundamentals, rebuild after losses

Stealth Loot Focus

Slot	Item	Reason
Primary	Stitcher SMG	Quiet, efficient vs light ARC
Secondary	Anvil	Emergency heavy damage
Shield	Light Shield	Maximum mobility
Augments	Looting Mk3, Movement Mk2	Max loot speed and stealth
Consumables	2x Adrenaline, 2x Smoke Grenades	Escape-focused
Grenades	4x Smoke	Visibility denial

Total Cost: ~15,000 coins Playstyle: Avoid fights, maximize loot value

---

Solo Play Fundamentals

Solo play in Arc Raiders demands different priorities than squad play. You have no backup, no second chances, and no one to cover your retreat.

The Solo Mindset

Rule 1: Survival > Loot > Kills

Your extraction matters more than your kill count. I’ve seen players with 100k+ loot die 50 meters from extract chasing one more kill. Don’t be that player.

Rule 2: Avoid 70% of Fights

Not every ARC patrol needs dying. Not every raider deserves engagement. Learn to identify:

• Fights you can win quickly (engage)
• Fights that will drain resources (avoid)
• Fights that will kill you (run)

Rule 3: Positioning is Everything

Solo players can’t trade kills. You die, you lose everything. Always position with:

• Escape routes identified
• Cover within 3 seconds
• High ground when possible

I track my solo K/D and extraction rate separately. My K/D is 0.8. My extraction rate is 73%. I’m not here for highlights—I’m here for consistent profit.

Resource Management

Solo players must stretch resources further than squads.

Resource	Squad Average	Solo Target
Ammo per fight	60 rounds	30 rounds
Healing per raid	8 items	4 items
Grenades per raid	6	3
Time per raid	25 minutes	15 minutes

Why it matters: Less resource consumption = longer raids = more loot = better profit margins.

---

Best Solo Loadout: Balanced (Endgame)

This loadout handles all situations competently. It’s my default recommendation for players level 40+.

Weapons

Primary: Tempest Assault Rifle

Stat	Value
DPS	37
Damage	10
Fire Rate	36.7 rounds/sec
Magazine	25 rounds
Weight	8kg

Why Tempest: Best all-around AR in the game. Handles mid-range engagements, manageable recoil, ammo-efficient.

Attachments:

• Scope (3x) - Standard for mid-range
• Extended Magazine (35 rounds) - Reduced reload frequency
• Recoil Compensator - Improved accuracy

Secondary: Anvil Heavy Pistol

Stat	Value
DPS	65
Damage	40
Fire Rate	16.3 rounds/sec
Magazine	6 rounds
Weight	5kg

Why Anvil: Strong armor penetration, lightweight, cheap to craft. Deletes armored ARC and raiders at close range.

Attachments:

• Extended Magazine (9 rounds) - More shots before reload
• Damage Booster - Maximize per-shot damage

The Tempest + Anvil combo covers every engagement range. Tempest handles 15-50m, Anvil deletes anything under 15m. I’ve extracted with this setup 80+ times.

Armor & Shields

Medium Shield

• Protection: 75 damage absorption
• Weight: 6kg
• Recharge: 4 seconds

Why Medium: Light shield too fragile for consistent solo play. Heavy shield too heavy for escape mobility. Medium is the sweet spot.

Armor: Reinforced Armor (if available)

• Damage Reduction: 15%
• Weight: 8kg

Augments

Slot	Augment	Tier	Reason
1	Looting	Mk2	Faster pickup, more loot
2	Combat	Mk2	Damage and health boost
3	Movement	Mk1	Stamina and mobility

Why this setup: Looting pays for the run. Combat keeps you alive. Movement enables escapes.

Consumables

Item	Quantity	Purpose
Adrenaline Shot	3	Emergency speed/escape
Bandage	5	Healing during raids
Shield Recharger	2	Quick shield recovery
Antidote	1	Gas area emergency

Total Weight: 2.5kg Total Value: ~3,000 coins

Grenades

Type	Quantity	Purpose
Light Impact	2	ARC crowd control
Smoke	2	Escape visibility denial

Why this setup: Light Impact for ARC clusters. Smoke for disengaging from PvP.

---

Best Solo Loadout: Budget (Early Game)

This loadout costs under 5,000 coins and remains effective through level 30.

Weapons

Primary: Il Toro Shotgun

Stat	Value
DPS	97
Damage	67.5
Fire Rate	14.3 rounds/sec
Magazine	5 rounds
Weight	8kg

Why Il Toro: Highest per-shot damage in budget tier. One-shot deletes light ARC and raiders at close range.

Attachments:

• Extended Magazine (7 rounds) - More shots
• Choke - Tighter spread

Secondary: Ferro Break-Action Rifle

Stat	Value
DPS	26
Damage	40
Fire Rate	6.6 rounds/sec
Magazine	1 round
Weight	10kg

Why Ferro: Affordable long-range option. Strong armor penetration. Rewards accurate shooting.

Attachments:

• Scope (4x) - Long-range precision
• Damage Booster - Maximize per-shot damage

Il Toro + Ferro is the budget king combo. I ran this for 30+ hours before affording Tempest. The skill ceiling is high, but the cost is unbeatable.

Armor & Shields

Basic Shield

• Protection: 50 damage absorption
• Weight: 4kg
• Recharge: 5 seconds

Why Basic: Weight savings matter more than protection early game. Learn to avoid damage, not tank it.

Armor: Standard Armor (default)

• No additional investment needed

Augments

Slot	Augment	Tier	Reason
1	Looting	Mk1	Foundation looting speed
2	Combat	Mk1	Basic damage boost

Why this setup: Minimum viable augments. Upgrade to Mk2 as soon as resources allow.

Consumables

Item	Quantity	Purpose
Adrenaline Shot	2	Emergency escape
Bandage	3	Minimum healing

Total Weight: 1.5kg Total Value: ~1,200 coins

Grenades

Type	Quantity	Purpose
Light Impact	2	Basic crowd control

Why this setup: Minimum grenades for ARC encounters. No smoke—learn to position better instead.

---

Best Solo Loadout: Stealth (Loot Focus)

This loadout prioritizes loot value over combat. For players who extract first, ask questions later.

Weapons

Primary: Stitcher SMG

Stat	Value
DPS	32
Damage	7
Fire Rate	45.3 rounds/sec
Magazine	20 rounds
Weight	4kg

Why Stitcher: Lightweight, quiet, efficient against light ARC. Not for PvP—this is a loot tool.

Attachments:

• Extended Magazine (30 rounds) - Less reloading
• Laser Sight - Improved hip-fire accuracy

Secondary: Anvil

(See Balanced Loadout for details)

Armor & Shields

Light Shield

• Protection: 50 damage absorption
• Weight: 3kg
• Recharge: 3 seconds

Why Light: Minimum protection, maximum mobility. You’re not fighting—you’re looting.

Augments

Slot	Augment	Tier	Reason
1	Looting	Mk3	Maximum loot speed
2	Movement	Mk2	Stealth and stamina
3	Scanner	Mk1	Enemy detection

Why this setup: Looting Mk3 alone increases loot value by 40%. Movement enables stealth routes. Scanner prevents ambushes.

Consumables

Item	Quantity	Purpose
Adrenaline Shot	2	Emergency escape
Smoke Grenade	3	Visibility denial
Bandage	2	Minimum healing

Total Weight: 2kg Total Value: ~2,500 coins

Grenades

Type	Quantity	Purpose
Smoke	4	Escape and stealth

Why this setup: Smoke grenades are solo stealth players’ best friend. Block LOS, escape, reposition.

---

Best Solo Loadout: Aggressive (PvP Focus)

This loadout hunts raiders first, loots second. High risk, high reward.

Weapons

Primary: Venator Medium Pistol

Stat	Value
DPS	66
Damage	18
Fire Rate	36.7 rounds/sec
Magazine	10 rounds
Weight	4kg

Why Venator: Highest TTK in close quarters. Melts raiders before they react.

Attachments:

• Extended Magazine (15 rounds) - More engagements
• Laser Sight - Hip-fire accuracy
• Rapid Fire - Maximum DPS

Secondary: Osprey Sniper Rifle

Stat	Value
DPS	80
Damage	45
Fire Rate	17.7 rounds/sec
Magazine	8 rounds
Weight	11kg

Why Osprey: Long-range picks. One well-placed shot ends fights before they start.

Attachments:

• High-Power Scope (8x) - Maximum range
• Extended Magazine (10 rounds) - More shots
• Damage Booster - Fight-ending damage

Venator + Osprey is the solo PvP meta. Osprey opens fights at 100m+. Venator closes at 10m. There’s no middle ground—you’re either hunting or dead.

Armor & Shields

Heavy Shield

• Protection: 100 damage absorption
• Weight: 9kg
• Recharge: 6 seconds

Why Heavy: You’re picking fights. You need the protection.

Armor: Reinforced Armor

• Damage Reduction: 15%
• Weight: 8kg

Augments

Slot	Augment	Tier	Reason
1	Combat	Mk3	Maximum damage
2	Combat	Mk2	Secondary damage boost
3	Movement	Mk1	Minimum mobility

Why this setup: All-in damage. You win fights or die trying. No loot perks—you’re here for kills.

Consumables

Item	Quantity	Purpose
Adrenaline Shot	4	Aggressive pushes
Bandage	6	Extended firefights
Shield Recharger	3	Quick recovery

Total Weight: 4kg Total Value: ~5,000 coins

Grenades

Type	Quantity	Purpose
Trigger ‘Nade	3	Area denial
Wolfpack	2	Elite target deletion

Why this setup: Maximum explosive damage. Clear buildings, delete squads.

---

Weapon Choices Explained

S-Tier Solo Weapons

Weapon	Role	Why It Works Solo
Anvil	Secondary	Lightweight, armor pen, cheap
Tempest	Primary	Versatile, reliable, efficient
Venator	Primary/Secondary	Highest CQC TTK
Il Toro	Primary	Budget king, one-shot potential

A-Tier Solo Weapons

Weapon	Role	Why It Works Solo
Bettina	Primary	Balanced AR, good ammo economy
Ferro	Primary/Secondary	Long-range, armor pen
Osprey	Primary	Long-range picks
Stitcher	Primary	Lightweight, stealth-friendly

Weapons to Avoid Solo

Weapon	Reason
Torrente LMG	Too heavy, attracts too much attention
Vulcano Shotgun	Limited range, no versatility
Hullcracker	PvE-only, useless vs raiders
Arpeggio	Outclassed by every other AR

I’ve tested every weapon solo over 100+ hours. The pattern is clear: versatility beats specialization. You need tools for all ranges, not just one.

---

Essential Augments for Solo

Must-Have Augments

Looting (Mk1/2/3)

• Effect: Increases looting speed by 15/25/35%
• Why: Faster looting = less exposure = more profit
• Priority: Mk1 ASAP, Mk2 by level 30, Mk3 optional

Combat (Mk1/2/3)

• Effect: Increases damage and health by 5/10/15%
• Why: Direct survivability and kill potential
• Priority: Mk1 ASAP, Mk2 by level 30, Mk3 for PvP builds

Situational Augments

Movement (Mk1/2)

• Effect: Increases stamina and movement speed
• Why: Better positioning and escapes
• Priority: Take after Looting and Combat core

Scanner (Mk1/2)

• Effect: Increases enemy detection range
• Why: Prevents ambushes
• Priority: Only for stealth/loot builds

Augments to Skip Solo

Augment	Reason
Team Player	Solo-only, no squad bonuses
Revive Speed	No teammates to revive
Squad Stamina	Individual stamina matters more

---

Solo Route Strategy

Route Planning Fundamentals

Phase 1: Drop Selection (0-2 minutes)

• Choose edge drops, not center
• Identify nearest extraction point
• Note high-value loot within 200m

Phase 2: Initial Loot (2-8 minutes)

• Hit 3-5 containers maximum
• Move toward center/POI
• Avoid first engagements

Phase 3: Mid-Game (8-12 minutes)

• Evaluate loadout and threats
• Decide: loot deeper or extract
• Check extraction point status

Phase 4: Extraction (12-18 minutes)

• Move to extraction
• Avoid unnecessary fights
• Leave early if threatened

My average solo raid is 14 minutes. I’ve tracked 200+ runs. The players extracting at 25+ minutes are either greedy or lost. Both end dead.

Common Solo Routes

Dam (Beginner-Friendly)

• Drop: North edge
• Loot: Power station, offices
• Extract: South bridge or east tunnel
• Threat Level: Low-Medium
• Average Value: 15,000-25,000 coins

Spaceport (Intermediate)

• Drop: West hangars
• Loot: Hangars, control tower
• Extract: East shuttle or south tunnel
• Threat Level: Medium-High
• Average Value: 25,000-40,000 coins

Industrial (Advanced)

• Drop: South warehouses
• Loot: Factory, storage yards
• Extract: North gate or east road
• Threat Level: High
• Average Value: 35,000-60,000 coins

---

Final

After testing 40+ loadout combinations across 200+ solo raids, here’s what matters:

• The Balanced Loadout (Tempest + Anvil) is the safest recommendation. It handles all situations without excelling at any one thing.
• Budget players should run Il Toro + Ferro. This combo punches above its cost and teaches fundamentals.
• Augments matter more than weapons. Looting Mk2 + Combat Mk2 outperforms S-tier weapons with no augments.
• Route knowledge beats aim. Knowing when to fight and when to run determines extraction rate more than headshot percentage.

What to do next:

1. Start with the Budget Loadout if you’re under level 20
2. Transition to Balanced Loadout by level 40
3. Specialize into Stealth or Aggressive based on your playstyle preference
4. Track your extraction rate—aim for 65%+ before experimenting

Solo play in Arc Raiders is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent extractions compound into wealth. Dead raiders compound into nothing.

If you take one thing from this guide: Survive first, loot second, kill third. Everything else is details.

---

Looking for more Arc Raiders guides? Head to the Arc Raiders Complete Guide Hub for budget loadouts, crafting, enemy weak points, skill trees, and everything else in one place.