ARC Raiders, a new extraction shooter from Embark Studios, puts you in the shoes of a scavenger tasked with gathering resources for the bustling settlement of Speranza. To do so, you'll need to scrounge the wasteland while fending off hostile robots and drones—as well as enemy players.

Our ARC Raiders guide has several tips to help you get started. We discuss everything from matchmaking and map layouts to the progression system where you continue to build your character and grow the settlement itself.

 

Matchmaking: Play on your own or join a squad

After the prologue, you’ll find yourself in the underground settlement of Speranza. From there, you’ll be able to participate in scavenger runs on the surface. Here’s what you need to know:

• You have to create an Embark ID via the Embark Studios website to play ARC Raiders.
• Clicking the “Play” button and selecting a map while on your own allows you to start solo runs. More often than not, you’ll be matched with other solo players too.
• Each squad can have up to three players. You can add friends via their Embark IDs or you can click on the “Fill Squad” button to be matched with other Raiders.
• Enabling crossplay allows you to be matched with players on other systems.

Map layouts: Determine resource types and extraction points

One of the best ARC Raiders tips to remember is that the game has four huge maps (with their own separate queues) and each map has unique areas and landmarks with their own distinctive resource types and loot value.

Let's take the Blue Gate map, for example. Pilgrim’s Peak in the northeast has technological and electrical items. The Ancient Fort further to the south also has technological materials, but you might find some old world items as well.

Because you spawn in a random location at the start of each match, you'll have to determine which areas you’d like to traverse. You should also double-check the locations of extraction points, such as Raider Hatches, Cargo Elevators, Airshafts, and more so that you know where to escape when the need arises.

 

Loadouts: Augments, weapons, consumables, safe slots, and the Free Loadout option

Before each match, you can select items and equipment for your custom loadout:

• Augments: These determine bonus effects and slots for healing items, grenades, and more.
• Shield: Lose shield energy instead of health when taking damage.
• Weapons and Ammo: You can equip up to two weapons, whether pistols, submachine guns, rifles, shotguns, or launchers. Make sure that you also include the correct ammo types in your backpack.
• Quick Use: These are consumable and throwable items.
• Augmented slots: Bonus slots added by the type of Augment you’ve selected.
• Safe Pocket: If you get eliminated during a match, you’ll lose all the equipment that you have on you except for whatever's in your Safe Pocket slots.

If you don’t want to risk it all, you can select the Free Loadout option instead. You'll start the match with low-tier equipment and a little ammo. You also won’t have as many inventory slots and you won’t have Safe Pockets at all. This option is viable however if you just want to do quick resource-gathering runs without equipping (and risking) high-tier gear.

 

Containers: Check every container but learn to manage your inventory

Another important ARC Raiders tip to keep in mind is that checking most containers takes several seconds. During this process you make a lot of noise, too.

That said, opening every container you come across—even empty ones—is a good idea since you gain experience points (XP) each time. Just be mindful of your inventory space since you won’t be able to carry everything with you.

 

ARC enemies: Scan the skies and decide which targets to eliminate

Going “Topside” in ARC Raiders means facing insurmountable odds in the form of hostile machines. At first, you'll just see drones scanning the skies, turrets placed on walls, or tinier contraptions moving around in facilities. Later, you’ll come across larger, heavily armored walkers.

Ping these enemies to warn your teammates. If a player gets spotted, there’s a good chance that other robots will get alerted to their position. You should also think twice about engaging enemy units based on the ARC Armor Penetration stat of your weapons. Firearms like the Ferro and Hullcracker are great for destroying machines, but you’ll have a tougher time if you’re using the Kettle, Stitcher, or Bobcat.

 

Consumables: Use items that can heal, restore shields, and revive

Different kinds of consumables help with survivability:

• Bandages restore health over time. You need to wait until the segment of your health is replenished before you can use another item.
• Shield rechargers replenish the lost energy of your shields, which basically act as your armor.
• You can press and hold the Interaction button to revive a downed Raider—or use a Defibrillator to get them back on their feet much quicker.

Stamina: Conserve stamina for when you need it most

Sprinting quickly depletes stamina. Standing still, walking, or crouching gradually restores it. You don’t want to get caught out in the open without a means of running away.

It’s possible to perform a slide by sprinting and then pressing the crouch button. This action doesn’t expend stamina at all. Holstering your weapons also allows you to run quicker on the battlefield.

 

Escape: Find extraction points and hope that you make it out safely

As mentioned earlier, you need to make it out alive if you want to keep the items you’ve collected during a match. Thankfully, maps have multiple extraction points—but there are some caveats:

• Raider Hatches allow for hassle-free escapes. However, you need a Raider Hatch Key to unlock them. The item comes from crafting, randomized loot, or from a vendor NPC named Shani.
• Regular extraction points include Airshafts, Subway Tunnels, Cargo Elevators, and more. These are regularly patrolled by ARC drones and robots. When you interact with the controls, the structure will emit a loud blaring noise which can attract more enemies, both human and machine alike.

If you’re the first to reach an extraction point, you can plan an ambush in case opposing players arrive. If you’re downed near an extraction point, you can still crawl inside. If players don’t fully incapacitate you, you’ll be able to return to Speranza with all your loot intact.

 

Personal stash: Expand your stash and recycle items you don’t need

By default, your stash in Speranza only has 64 slots for items. You can purchase additional slots to have more room for resources.

If you don’t need certain items, you have three options:

• You can sell them to vendors in exchange for currency.
• You can dismantle them during matches to earn spare parts and to free up space.
• You can recycle them into basic components back at your base. This action yields more materials compared to breaking down an item mid-match.

Skill tree: Choose the right perks to fit your playstyle

Your Topside runs net you XP based on your actions and achievements. As you level up, you’ll be able to allocate points into three skill trees: Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival. Spending enough points in a tree allows you to unlock higher-tier perks, which is why you need to be careful when selecting these boons. If you need more help, you can head over to our guide to the best skills in ARC Raiders.

 

Speranza: Check out the vendors and the workshops that you can create

Speranza is a bustling settlement where you get to meet various NPCs:

• Vendors let you purchase items and some might have quests that you can undertake.
• The materials that you’ve collected let you create different types of workshops. In turn, you’ll be able to craft all sorts of items, including higher-tier weapons, Augments, and consumables.
• Your pet, Scrappy the Rooster, grants free resources whenever you complete a match.

Multiplayer: Sometimes cooperation is key

It’s always a good idea to be wary of other players and groups that you encounter during a match. However, not all incidents need to lead to a firefight. If you press the “Push-to-Talk (Proximity Chat)” button, you can ask nearby players if they want to assist you. Alternatively, you can try different emotes to show that you’re not a threat.

In some cases, players might band together, forming larger groups to take out ARC enemies—even the titanic walkers. If everyone’s on the same page, then you could all escape to safety. Of course, it’s also possible for people to stab you in the back and steal your loot.

ARC Raiders is available now on the Epic Games Store—but before you hop in, we also have a guide to the best skills in ARC Raiders to help you choose the right perks for your playstyle.