Arc Raiders throws you into a hostile Earth where alien machines called the ARC have taken over. Your job? Drop into expeditions, grab valuable loot, and get out alive. Simple in theory. Brutal in practice. After dozens of failed extractions and countless deaths to ARC drones, I’ve learned what actually works. This guide will save you hours of frustration.
📋 TL;DR
- Start with low-threat expeditions until you learn the maps
- Extract early with something rather than die with everything
- The ARC escalates over time, so don’t linger
- Cover is your best friend against both ARC and other players
- Manage your inventory weight constantly
- Play with a squad when possible, even with randoms
- Prioritize permanent upgrades over single-run gear
📋 In This Guide
Understanding the Extraction Loop
Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter, which means the core loop is: drop in, loot, extract. You keep what you extract. You lose what you don’t. Death means losing everything you carried into that expedition.
The ARC threat system is what makes this game different. The longer you stay in an expedition, the more aggressive the machines become. Early on, you’ll face scattered patrols. Stay too long, and you’ll trigger full-scale ARC responses with heavy units that will wreck even experienced squads.
Extraction points are scattered across each map. When you’re ready to leave, head to one and call for extraction. You’ll need to defend the point for about 60 seconds while your transport arrives. This is when things get intense, so plan your escape route before you need it.
Your First Expeditions
For your first 5-10 hours, focus on learning rather than looting. Run low-threat expeditions repeatedly until you understand the map layouts, ARC patrol patterns, and extraction point locations.
Bring minimal gear on learning runs. A basic weapon and some healing items are enough. This way, when you die (and you will die), you’re not losing valuable equipment. Treat these runs as reconnaissance missions.
Set small goals for each expedition. Maybe you want to locate three extraction points. Or find a specific resource node. Or survive for ten minutes. Completing these micro-objectives builds confidence and map knowledge faster than trying to do everything at once.
Essential Survival Tips
Manage Your Inventory Weight
Your carrying capacity is limited. Every item has weight, and going over capacity slows you down significantly. A slow raider is a dead raider. Check your weight constantly and drop low-value items when you find better loot. For a complete breakdown of what’s worth keeping, check our Arc Raiders Inventory Management Guide.
Learn the ARC Patterns
ARC machines follow predictable patrol routes in the early threat stages. Watch them before engaging. Many fights can be avoided entirely by timing your movements between patrols. When you do fight, aim for weak points. Most ARC units have glowing components that take extra damage.
Extract Early and Often
Greed kills. If you have valuable loot and spot an extraction point, seriously consider leaving. A successful extraction with decent loot beats dying with amazing loot every time. You can always run another expedition. You can’t recover what you lost to a surprise ARC patrol.
Use Cover Constantly
Arc Raiders punishes players who stand in the open. ARC weapons hit hard, and multiple enemies can shred your health in seconds. Move between cover. Use buildings, rocks, and debris to break line of sight. Peek, shoot, relocate. Never fight from the same spot for too long.
Prioritize Permanent Upgrades
Resources you extract can be spent on temporary gear or permanent upgrades. In your first weeks, focus on permanent upgrades. Increased inventory capacity, better base weapons, and passive bonuses will help you across hundreds of expeditions. That shiny rare gun will be gone after one bad run. For maximizing your resource gains, read our Expedition Prestige Guide.
Know When to Fight vs Run
Not every fight is worth taking. If you’re low on health, carrying valuable loot, or the ARC threat is escalating, running is often the smarter choice. There’s no shame in tactical retreats. You can always come back stronger. Dead raiders don’t get second chances.
Play With a Squad
Solo play is possible but significantly harder. Squadmates can revive you, share resources, and cover different angles during extraction. Even random squads are better than going alone. Use the in-game matchmaking for your first expeditions. A mediocre team still beats no team.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading your inventory. New players grab everything and then can’t run from danger. If you can’t sprint, you’re too heavy. Drop something.
Ignoring ARC escalation. The threat level isn’t just a number. When it increases, the enemies get genuinely harder. If you see the threat climbing and you have decent loot, start heading for extraction.
Solo rushing high-tier zones. The best loot is in the most dangerous areas. That’s intentional. These zones are designed for experienced squads with good gear. Trying them solo as a new player is just feeding your equipment to the ARC.
Forgetting about other players. Arc Raiders has PvP elements. Other raiders can and will shoot you for your loot. Not everyone attacks on sight, but assume strangers are threats until proven otherwise.
Not learning the maps. Running expeditions without learning extraction points, high-loot areas, and safe routes is just gambling. Take time to explore with minimal gear before committing to serious runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best starting loadout for new players?
Keep it simple. A reliable automatic weapon, two healing items, and one grenade. Don’t bring anything you’re not prepared to lose. As you learn the game, you’ll naturally understand when to bring better gear.
Can I play Arc Raiders solo?
Yes, but it’s significantly harder. Solo players need to be more careful, extract earlier, and avoid high-tier zones. Consider solo runs as practice for squad play rather than your main mode.
How do I deal with aggressive other players?
Avoid open areas, move unpredictably, and don’t linger at extraction points longer than necessary. If another player is tracking you, use the ARC as a weapon. Lead them into patrols and escape during the chaos.
What should I prioritize extracting?
Focus on crafting materials and upgrade components over consumables. One-use items are nice, but permanent upgrades compound over time. Check our Nature Items Guide for locations of valuable crafting resources.
Summary
Arc Raiders rewards patience, planning, and knowing when to cut your losses. Start with low-threat expeditions, learn the maps, and don’t get greedy. Extract early, prioritize permanent upgrades, and play with a squad when possible. The ARC is relentless, but with these fundamentals, you’ll start coming home with your loot instead of feeding it to the machines.
For more Arc Raiders content, check out our complete guide collection: Inventory Management, Expedition Prestige Guide, Nature Items Guide, and Every Enemy Type Guide.