10 Essential Arc Raiders Tips You Need to Know Before Playing

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Our tips and strategies for Arc Raiders come from extensive experience, fighting against both other players and robots countless times. We’ve gathered all the important advice and insights I wish I’d known before jumping into the game. Arc Raiders can be quite tough if you don’t understand its mechanics and subtle details, so here are the essential tips to help you survive and succeed.

Top 10 Tips We Wish We Knew Before Playing

We’ll explore each of these more in-depth later, but if you’re just after the core essentials, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Sound matters a lot—manage how loud you get.
Your first impression with other players can influence how they treat you.
A well-placed shot can disrupt a robot’s aim before it hits you.
Electromagnetic storms are a big help when hunting down tough robots.
Stealth isn’t as hard as it looks, especially with visuals and sightlines.
Use different explosives for different enemies: timed bombs for ARC robots, impact bombs for players.
Playing solo is generally calmer, but it’s not always safe.
Hold onto everything unless you’re sure you won’t need it later.
Fighting without cover is a risky move.
Places full of loot and treasure are more likely to be dangerous, regardless of what you think.

Of course, there’s a lot more to discover as you explore, but these are the lessons many players learn through experience—sometimes the hard way. Now let’s dive into the details:

1. Noise Control: Your Sound Is Key

In Arc Raiders, stealth is crucial whether you’re up against other players or robots. Walking quietly beats running, and sprinting is the loudest choice. Sounds travel in a specific direction and can be heard across the map, especially when opening locked boxes, passing security cameras, or stepping on certain terrain types. Noise can give away your position to nearby enemies or other players. Be mindful of your sound levels and listen carefully for sounds nearby—it’ll make you a better stealthy Raider.

2. First Encounters with Players Matter

There’s no promise of safe or friendly behavior when dealing with others. If you act threatening—like sneaking up, looting aggressively, or ignoring communication—you should expect to be shot at. Conversely, being respectful and helpful can often prevent conflicts. For example, assisting a teammate attacked by robots and using the “don’t shoot” emote can send peace signals. While not foolproof, friendly gestures tend to keep things less violent.

3. Disrupt Robots with Shots

Firing shots can distract and throw off attacking robots. This tactic works better with smaller enemies like Hornets or wasps—aim for their propellers just before they attack, and you can cause them to misfire or miss. Heavy enemies like Bastions and Bombardiers aren’t affected as much, but knocking off smaller bots can create an opening for you.

4. Electromagnetic Storms Help Take Out Tough Enemies

Storms that generate lightning—called electromagnetic storms—cover the map in thunderstorms with lightning strikes. While dangerous to players, these storms are excellent for taking down high-level robots like Leapers, Rocketeers, or Bastions, because they get hit by the lightning too. The storm gives you a chance to hunt these enemies with less risk.

5. Hiding Is Easier Than You Think

If you understand the environment, hiding in Arc Raiders is pretty straightforward. Many areas have shadows, nooks, and dense foliage where you can stay out of sight—think bushes or around corners. Staying still in these spots can keep you hidden from enemies, especially if you’re injured, but be aware that making noise or pain sounds can give away your position.

6. Explosives and Their Best Uses

Timed explosives, like bombs, are effective at flushing enemies out of cover but aren’t much help against quick-moving players who can evade them easily. For robots, targeting their propellers with timed or impact bombs can stagger or confuse them, making them easier to deal with or interrupting their attacks.

7. Solo Play Can Be Peaceful, But Not Always

Playing alone often results in a more relaxed experience, as players tend to avoid engaging each other actively. Many solo matches involve cooperation and a generally peaceful environment. But in team matches, conflicts are far more common, and the atmosphere tends to be more aggressive—a digital free-for-all where everyone fights for loot.

8. Value of Loot: Know When to Drop Items

There’s lots of loot scattered across the game, from everyday objects to rare items. Many items turn out to be more valuable than they seem—sometimes needed for quests or upgrades. Don’t rush to sell or scrap things unless you’re certain they’re useless. Check our loot guide to understand which items are worth keeping.

9. Use Cover When Fighting

Engaging in combat without cover increases your risk of injury and failure. Maps like Spaceport have large open areas that leave you vulnerable. Whenever possible, fight near buildings, rocks, or at higher ground to avoid being hit by enemy fire, especially from skilled opponents like Rocketeers.

10. High-Value Areas Can Get Violent

Places with lots of loot, opened locked rooms, or rare blueprints often attract conflict. High loot zones—marked with red—are dangerous spots, and locked rooms requiring rare keys are prime targets for combat. If you’re heading for these areas, be prepared for a fight, because others will be too.

These tips only scratch the surface. As you get into the game, you’ll learn many strategies firsthand—sometimes through experience that’s less than enjoyable. So keep exploring, practicing, and adapting—those are the real keys to mastering Arc Raiders.