Man, Arc Raiders is one of those games that just grabs you and doesn’t let go. You’re out there in this messed-up post-apocalyptic world, scavenging whatever you can while these killer robots called ARCs hunt you down like it’s their full-time job. Hornets dive-bombing from the sky, Leapers jumping out of nowhere, Bastions stomping through everything in sight… I wiped so many times early on with nothing but some crappy starter pistol that barely scratched their armor. But once you get your hands on the good stuff like the Hullcracker grenade launcher or that Venator hand cannon, everything changes. Solo scavenges turn into smooth runs, PvP fights feel winnable, even fun. The loot’s spread out in these high-risk zones, traders only sell the basics, and crafting takes forever if you’re starting from scratch. I’ve been through it all, and this is exactly how to gear up right without wasting weeks grinding. No guesses, just what actually works.
Quick Arc Raiders Basics (If You’re New)
If you’re jumping in fresh, here’s the deal. You’re scavenging “topside” in ruined cities, dodging robot swarms left and right. Matches usually last 30-45 minutes, grab loot, fight or sneak your way to an extract point, get out alive,e or lose everything. Items break down into weapons, armor, mods, and consumables like medkits. Weapons are king, and they use three ammo types: light for fast little bugs like Hornets, medium for all-purpose stuff, heavy for tanky bosses like Bastions. Your gear score goes up as you rank up traders and unlock blueprints. PvE raids need big AoE crowd-clearers, PvP wants precision shots that one-tap. Oh, and watch your bag weight get too heavy,vy, and you’re moving like a snail, easy pickings for anything with legs.
I learned this the hard way, my first 10 hours. Pro tip: always balance that bag, or you’re done before the first swarm hits.
Best Weapons in Arc Raiders Right Now
Hullcracker sits at the top of every list for a reason; it’s this grenade launcher that absolutely mulches ARC swarms or takes huge chunks out of bosses like Matriarchs. Crazy high armor penetration, massive blast radius…It’ss unfair in the best way. Anvil’s my everyday carry, a heavy revolver with laser accuracy that drops Hornets and Wasps clean out of the air. The Venator hand cannon fires these dual shots that melt players or strip plating fast. Tempest assault rifle sprays super accurate medium ammo, total PvP beast. Renegade rifle’s perfect for headshots, breaks armor like nothing. Stitcher SMG owns close-range flanks, and Bobcat just shreds rushes. Check out the best weapons in Arc Raiders for the full 2026 breakdowns, especially post-patch changes.
Quick tier rundown (from actual raids):
- S: Hullcracker, Anvil, Venator, Tempest
- A: Renegade, Stitcher, Bettina, Osprey
- B: Kettle, Il Toro, Ferro, Vulcano
Patch 1.7 nerfed a few, buffed others. Hit the Speranza range to test before you commit.
Where Top Items Actually Drop
High-loot zones like Stella Montis or Blue Gate are packed with legendaries, but good luck ARCs swarm you hard. Dynamic events like Queen spawns or convoys drop blueprints and epic mods if you time it right. Deadline mines have Hullcracker schematics hidden behind puzzles, so bring your brain. Trader contracts reward specific stuff too: Scrappy wants Leaper cores for weapon unlocks, Medical lab quests spit out heals, and gunsmith benches. String together three clean extracts in a row, rank up your traders for better stock. Risky zones mean big rewards, but travel light or you’ll lose it all trying to run.
Pro tip: buried city at night is gold. ARCs get distracted, loot glows bright and easy to spot.
Crafting the Best Gear Without Losing Your Mind
Blueprints unlock at the workshop once you farm enough scraps. Hullcracker takes heavy mats from Bastion,s plus 5k coi, not cheap. Mods like extended mags or silencersare craftedt separately at their own stations. Utility spits grenades, refiner turns junk into ammo. Prioritize gunsmith benches for weapon upgrades; they boost fire rate by 20% easy. Medical lab heals save so many runs. Stack materials before expeditions, craft during downtime. Legendary blueprints are rare as hell, so trade ’em smart or risk hours chasing ghosts.
Craft priorities (damage first):
- Weapons (damage > everything else)
- Armor second (shields tank hits)
- Mods last (fine-tune your style)
Buying Weapons and Items the Smart Way
Traders sell starter packs cheap enough, but top-tier gear? You’ll scavenge forever or just get weapons and items from arc raiders. Sites like that deliver blueprints and legendaries fast, no grind walls to smash through. Instant trades, verified stock, and even support if something glitches. Skip Discord randos, they’re scam city and wipe your progress. The market fluctuates wildly after patches, so grab Hullcrackers before prices spike. Coins from good runs fund the buys, and the ROI hits quick in tough raids.
Second option: same spot buy weapons and items, arc raiders for bulk deals saves so much hunt time.
Loadouts for Every Playstyle
Solo PvE grinder:
- Primary: Hullcracker (swarms/bosses)
- Secondary: Anvil (precision picks)
- Armor: Medium shields, 3 medkits
PvP aggressor:
- Venator (one-shots raiders)
- Tempest backup spray
- Light armor, speed mods
Sniper camp:
- Osprey scoped long-range
- Renegade mid-game
- Heavy shields, claymores
Keep bag under 60% weight; always mobility wins every fight. Match ammo to the zone: heavy for ARC-heavy spots, medium for player fights.
Trader Progression Guide
Rank 1 Scrappy: basic Rattler pistol, meds.
Rank 3: Anvil unlocks.
Rank 5: Blueprint trader opens Venator.
Rank 7: Legendary drops, Hullcracker in stock.
Daily contracts build rep fast. Stash upgrades to hold extras.
Common Mistakes New Raiders Make
Overpacking your bag so you can’t run from Bastions. Ignoring mods, stock guns lose hard every time. Wrong ammo type: light shreds Hornets fine, but heavy tanks plating. Soloing high zones before you’re geared. Not extracting mid-run greed kills more runs than ARCs. Screenshot blueprints, track your crafts. Learn ARC weak spots: Leapers’ legs, Wasps’ vents.
Skill Tree Synergies That Make Weapons Pop
Aggression tree boosts weapon swap speed, perfect for pulling secondaries quickly. Survival adds shield regen, pairs great with Anvil. Mobility cuts dash cooldowns for Stitcher flanks. Pump 20 points into aggression first, then survival. Level 75 cap, respects cost coins, so plan.
Final Tips to Dominate
Run duos for revives and safer extracts. Night raids mean quieter loot grabs. Sell junk fast, hoard mats. Watch patch notes.17 shook up the meta badly. Test loadouts in low zones first. The best weapons in Arc Raiders keep you updated.
Grab a Hullcracker blueprint today, and watch your clear rates double. Gear up right, ARCs drop easily. Safe raids every time.