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In Arc Raiders, there are plenty of things you can do above ground while battling the machines that dominate from above. Not all machines are tiny and easy to take down, though. Some, like the Wasp or Hornet, are small and fragile, but others have a lot more strength. The hierarchy of enemies helps to understand that the Matriarch is the most dangerous opponent you’ll face.
You won’t find her on just any map. She appears only under certain conditions and only for a limited time before she moves to a new location. In areas like the Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate, and the Spaceport, she tends to show up toward the center of the map—where she has room to move freely. The Matriarch resembles a giant rhinoceros beetle more than a spider, crawling across the map with an army of Arc behind her. Be careful of her defenders, like bastions and bombardiers—they’re just as likely to take you out as she is.
How to beat the Matriarch
Despite her enormous size, she can be taken down like any other Arc. Aim for her legs to knock her over, and always stay behind cover. She has unique traits that her minions don’t, such as smoke bombs and a shield that shields her from attacks. When she raises her shield, she becomes nearly invincible. Use this moment to recharge your shields, reload your weapons, and swap out quick-use items. This quick pause is usually followed by the appearance of backup enemies on the ground and in the air, so stay alert.
The Matriarch will fire missiles at you and drop green smoke bombs that obscure your vision. It’s crucial to find cover wherever possible. At the Spaceport, you can use underground tunnels to hide, while around the breach in the Dam Battlegrounds, the ruined buildings provide safe spots. Keep in mind, though, that running to hide can sometimes lead you into more trouble since normal Arc enemies are often nearby.
Strategy tips for defeating the Matriarch
The Matriarch can call reinforcements, much like how snitches summon backup. She can summon Fireballs, Wasps, Leapers, Bastions, Bombardiers, and Rocketeers—to help destroy you and your team. Because of her ability to bring in various enemies, it’s best to work together and focus on taking her down as a team. Don’t waste your attack on her when she’s protected by her shield and smoke bombs—wait until she’s vulnerable.
Defeating her requires careful planning, using grenades and heavy ammo wisely. Splitting into groups is highly recommended, especially if you can position yourselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. For example, at the Dam Battlegrounds, lining up on both sides of the broken bridge can divert her attention, making it easier for your team to attack.
When she’s finally defeated, you’ll hear a loud explosion as she bursts apart. Rush into the debris quickly to gather materials from the wreckage. There’s plenty to pick up, including materials and equipment, so grab what you can before rushing to escape. Typical drops from the Matriarch include:
- Arc Alloy
- Arc Circuitry
- Arc Performance Steel
- Advanced Arc Powercell
- Arc Flex Rubber
- Arc Synthetic Resin
- Magnetic Accelerator
- Matriarch Reactor
More enemies and reinforcements can arrive afterward, making your escape challenging. Time is critical; it usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes to take her down, assuming luck is on your side. Be aware of your surroundings and plan your escape route carefully—know which extraction points are reachable before the timer runs out and the Arc Orbiter arrives. There’s nothing more frustrating than completing the fight only to be left behind because you couldn’t escape in time.
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