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As part of the latest major update since the game’s launch, ARC Raiders now features a new map called Stella Montis, along with a brand-new enemy known as The Matriarch. This enemy is even more dangerous than The Queen. While The Queen usually guards a Harvestor that provides loot for players who can’t defeat the large ARC, The Matriarch acts more like a roaming hazard across the map.
You won’t find any extra loot by defeating The Matriarch, apart from the materials you collect when you’re successful. It was added with the North Line update, and it’s best to avoid this huge automaton unless you’re fully prepared for a tough fight. Taking it down is easier when you’re part of a team with good gear, but with the right equipment and strategies, defeating The Matriarch isn’t impossible.
Where to Encounter The Matriarch
Much like the game’s other dynamic events, you’ll be warned in advance when The Matriarch appears. A mission notification will alert you of the current map effects, which you can see in the image above.
The Matriarch can show up on almost any map except the small ones like Buried City and Stella Montis. It doesn’t have a fixed spawn point but tends to roam large areas of the map, such as the Red Lake on Dam Battlegrounds, the area in front of the Launch Towers on Spaceport, or the hills around the center near Checkpoint.
Best Weapons and Gadgets for Defeating The Matriarch
If you’ve already taken down The Queen or unlocked the Wolfpack Blueprint, you’re already halfway there since The Matriarch shares similar weaknesses. The first thing to bring is a strong weapon like the Hullcracker Launcher, which deals heavy damage to heavily armored ARC enemies like The Matriarch.
Using barricades can help you protect your position from other players while focusing on The Matriarch. Since hitting the target from a distance with the Hullcracker can be tricky, it’s a good idea to bring an upgraded Anvil to deal extra damage after breaking the armor with your launcher.
While focusing on The Matriarch, it’s also wise to carry a solid secondary pistol, such as the Venator, to defend against third-party raiders trying to steal your loot. This setup might slightly reduce your efficiency against The Matriarch but will help keep you safe.
Gadgets to Use
Many gadgets can make the fight easier, especially quick-use items like grenades. The Wolfpack grenade is excellent for damaging its flying enemies, with the potential to cause up to 1,992 damage if all rockets hit. Deadline Mines, Blaze Traps, and Blaze Grenades are also very effective against heavily armored enemies, stunning them briefly and dealing significant damage.
Here are some useful items to bring:
- Raider Hatch Key — for a quick escape after the fight
- Combat Module with Medium/Heavy Shields — for extra protection
- Plenty of medical supplies (sprays and defibrillators) — to heal yourself and teammates
- Lure Grenades — to draw ARC enemies away from The Matriarch
- Showstoppers & Smoke Grenades — for quick escapes or to protect low-health teammates
- Photoelectric Cloak — makes you invisible, helping you escape or get close to lay mines
Strategies for Fighting The Matriarch
When battling The Matriarch, focus on damaging its vertical eye area and the open vents on its front. Attacking the joints between its legs can also temporarily stun it, but since it moves around a lot, it’s less reliable.
Unlike The Queen, which allows you to stay close behind cover during its attacks, The Matriarch will summon many enemies, making it necessary to keep your distance and take them out from higher ground with plenty of cover. Most spawned enemies, like Fireballs and Leapers, stay on the ground, so staying in elevated positions is a good strategy, especially against deadlier foes like Rocketeers.
It will also periodically shoot gas grenades to drain your stamina and flashbangs to blind you. Moving around regularly is essential to avoid being overwhelmed.
During the fight, The Matriarch may create an Electric Shield that blocks outside attacks. Use this opportunity to heal or focus on eliminating its summoned ARC enemies. Once you’ve defeated The Matriarch, you can collect various loot, including:
- ARC Alloy
- ARC Circuitry
- ARC Performance Steel
- Advanced ARC Powercell
- ARC Flex Rubber
- ARC Motion Core
- ARC Synthetic Resin
- ARC Thermo Lining
- Magnetic Accelerator
- Matriarch Reactor
The only unique material from The Matriarch is the Reactor, which is used to craft the powerful Aphelion weapon. Its blueprint and material requirements are still unknown but given how tough The Matriarch is, it’s expected to be a very powerful gear piece.
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