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I’m honestly surprised by how much enjoyment I’ve gotten from Arc Raiders so far, especially since extraction shooters aren’t usually my thing, and I completely glossed over the pre-release Server Slam. But something about those quick 30-minute surface raids for loot, combined with ongoing missions, really clicked with me. I’m glad I decided to try it out. As I played, I realized there’s a lot to learn about this game, which I picked up gradually. It would’ve been helpful to know all this from the start, so I’ve gathered some tips here to help you get a head start on your own adventure.
Arc Raiders basics
When I first started, I felt overwhelmed by the many menus and options. To make things easier, check out some helpful tips that give you a quick overview of what to expect. The main thing is that you start a raid by choosing a location from the map and then customizing your weapons and gear before heading out. If you don’t make it back safely, you lose everything in your inventory—except for one small slot called your Safe Pocket. That was a scary thought at first. To make it less risky, you can opt for a free loadout that equips you with lower-level, disposable gear. This is great for exploring new areas or quick missions where dying won’t set you back too much.
At first, I didn’t understand the value of the items I found during surface exploration. I’d often pick up large metal crates without knowing what to do with them. Eventually, I discovered nearby field depots that have special machines where you can deposit crates to receive supplies. There are also Supply Call Stations around the map—calling in supply drops by firing a flare, but note that other players can see these signals, so you might attract unwanted visitors.
Completing raids gives you XP and unlocks points to level up your Raider. I’ve focused on upgrading my Conditioning skill to help with looting, but you might find other skills more useful based on your playstyle. I’ve also started collecting a small arsenal of weapons, though the best ones are harder to find. Any blueprints I come across get stored in my Safe Pocket, so I can craft new weapons and items at my workbenches once they’re upgraded.
Understanding Arc Raiders loot
Most of my exploration involves rummaging through containers and grabbing loot, though it took me a while to recognize which items are important. I used to immediately recycle or sell things I didn’t need, but that was a mistake. Small items like batteries or Rusted Gears can be sold quickly or used for crafting, but I learned they’re often needed for specific missions. Now, I always check my loot against a list of valuable items to see if I should hold onto or sell them. It’s also worth investing some credits to expand your storage at base—you’ll want to keep more useful items for future use.
To help with gathering loot, I aimed to level up Scrappy the Rooster fast, but keeping him happy was another challenge. Finding Arc Raiders apricots took some effort—I scavenged them from Marano Park in Buried City by running around and dodging enemies. Scrappy also eats Prickly Pears and Mushrooms, so I’m stockpiling those for upcoming upgrades.
Arc Raiders enemies
So far, I’ve been lucky and haven’t run into many hostile players—probably because I mostly play solo and haven’t explored the high-level maps yet. To avoid unwanted interactions, I use the “Don’t shoot!” prompt when I see other players or find myself in tight spaces. Sometimes, though, encounters are unavoidable. You can revive fallen enemies with a Defibrillator, but once a teammate is knocked out, you can’t bring them back.
The main threat in the game is the Arc machines. While it might be tempting to attack them whenever they’re nearby, I recommend staying under the radar until you have stronger weapons and shields. Sometimes you need to take down specific enemies like Arc Raiders Hornets or Bastions, or catch fireballs in order to get their fireball burners. For flying enemies, targeting one of their propellers can knock them out of the sky. During electromagnetic storms, lightning zaps the enemies, which can be helpful, though you should be ready to quickly move to avoid getting struck yourself.
There’s still so much more to discover, like unraveling the mystery of the Arc Raiders Hidden Bunker at the Spaceport or exploring the abandoned research facility at Stella Montis to find three Androids. But with what I’ve learned so far, I feel prepared to face whatever comes next.
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