If you’re diving into Arc Raiders solo, you’re at a disadvantage — no doubt. ARC enemies hit hard, and if you show up unprepared, you’re going to eat dirt fast. But with the right approach, gear, and positioning, you can drop every bot on the field — from annoying Hornets to the heavy-hitting Bombardier. Here’s your solo play field manual.
1. Hornets – Targeted Dodging, Rotor Destruction
These aren’t tanky, but they can be dangerous if you don’t respect them. Their taser attack is the real threat.
✅ Key Tips:
- Shoot the rotors, preferably the rear two, if using light ammo.
- Heavy ammo can punch through the front armor-plated rotors.
- Dodge timing matters: Wait for three yellow lasers to merge, then flash red — dodge roll right then. Don’t spam it, or they’ll adapt.
- Keep your distance. Close range makes dodging much harder.
2. Leapers – Fire Traps and Choke Points
Ground-based and aggressive. They leap at you, which you can use against them.
🔥 Option A: Grenade Throws
- Use Arc Raiders Blaze Grenades or Fireball Burners — aim at the center eyepiece.
- Use tight indoor spaces (like bunkers) to your advantage — they can’t follow easily.
- Bring at least three grenades to avoid being caught short.
💣 Option B (Better): Trap Kill
- Blaze Grenade Trap + Jolt Mine combo.
- Set the trap, bait the Leaper into leaping, and back up.
- They’ll land in the fire and burn down — no aiming needed.
- Jolt Mine helps keep them in the flames, but isn’t required.
3. Rocketeers – Long Range Anvil Kill
These armored flyers are deadly if they close the distance — don’t let them.
💥 Best Strategy:
- Use an Anvil (easily obtainable, decent fire rate, good armor pen).
- Start at maximum range with cover nearby.
- Focus fire on one thruster until it pops. Then hit a second. Two thrusters down = crash and possible kill.
- If not dead on crash, finish on the ground.
- Upgrade your Anvil to increase fire rate and damage output.
Avoid:
- Letting them get close — they can kill in 2 hits.
4. Surveyors – Stun & Bomb
They don’t attack unless cornered, but they run fast.
🧨 Solo Kill Strategy:
- Sneak close and open with a Showstopper Grenade (rare loot, not craftable).
- While stunned, throw and detonate 3 Trigger Grenades.
- That combo usually destroys it before it escapes.
⚠️ No Showstopper?
- Throw 1–2 Trigger Nades as it flees, then use a heavy ammo weapon to finish.
- Surveyors are only vulnerable when actively scanning.
Pro Tip: Pieces that fall off can contain valuable loot — track where they drop.
5. Bastions – Tag Team or Trigger Bomb Them
These are tanks. Taking them down solo with basic ammo is dumb — you’ll attract other Raiders.
👥 With a Friend:
- Use a Torrente LMG (high fire rate, big Mag).
- Teammate fires to bait, forcing the Bastion to turn.
- You empty the Mag into the yellow canister on its back (weak spot, unarmored).
- Swap roles and repeat. 3 reloads = kill.
🧨 solo?
- Bring 5–6 Trigger Nades.
- Stick them each time it resets targeting.
- Alternatively, use Snapblast or Heavy Fuse — whatever you’ve got.
- Don’t shoot the knee joints alone — too slow, too loud, too risky.
6. Bombardier – Kill Fast or Die
All the same weak points as the Bastion, plus no body armor. But don’t get cocky — they are brutal.
🔥 Solo Strategy:
- Bring 5–6 Trigger Nades.
- Start from a sheltered position (roof overhead). It blocks its Mortifier strikes.
- If you have one, use a Showstopper Grenade to lock it down first.
- While stunned, stick all your Trigger Nades and detonate them as quickly as possible.
👥 Co-op Alternative:
- Like the Bastion — one baits, one shoots the back.
- However, both players require safe positions with cover on opposite sides — a very situational and risky approach.
Final Notes for Solo Players
- Don’t cheap out. Bring explosives. Bring traps. Craft what you need.
- Pick your fights. Avoid open ground if possible.
- Play smart, not loud. Quick kills reduce the chance of other Raiders crashing your fight.
- Loot fast and bounce. Don’t linger after big kills.
