After 700 hours of deep immersion, I've come to understand that ARC Raiders is a sci-fi cooperative shooter that masterfully blends depth and strategy. This guide shares key insights I wish I'd known earlier—covering resource management, item systems, and combat techniques to help you elevate your gameplay efficiently.
◆ Resource Management: Distinguishing Core Materials from Disposable Items
1. Green Materials: Essential Resources to Always Collect
* Metal Parts: The most critical material in the game, required for everything from basic weapons to high-tier gear.
* Simple Gun Parts: The foundation for crafting and upgrading weapons.
* Steel Springs, Magnets, Batteries: Key components for advanced mod crafting.
* ARC Alloy: Core material for ARC circuits, used in shield production and repairs.
2. Blue Items: Hidden Economic Boosters
Some blue items yield far greater value when dismantled than when sold directly:
* Unusable Weapons: Dismantle for 4 Metal Parts + 5 Simple Gun Parts.
* Rusted Tools: Dismantle for 8 Metal Parts + 1 Steel Spring.
Pro Tip: Make regular use of the official Wiki to check dismantling formulas—this will revolutionize your in-game economy.
◆ Inventory Management: Three Key Strategies to Optimize Storage
1. Weapon Mod Assembly Method
A fully modded weapon not only boosts combat effectiveness but also saves storage space. Take the "Volcano" rifle as an example:
* Base Value: ~13,000 ARC Raiders Coins.
* Fully Repaired & Modded Value: ~28,000 Coins.
* Strategy: Attach loose mods to weapons to free up inventory slots.
2. Durability Management Logic
Weapons at 20-25% durability can still complete an entire mission.
* At below 10% durability, choose to recycle rather than sell.
* Recycling returns materials and all attached mods.
3. Material Stock Control
* Keep only about three rows of basic materials (e.g., Rubber Parts).
* Sell any excess promptly for coins.
◆ Trading System: The Key Role of Celeste
The merchant Celeste offers a 1:1 exchange for basic materials:
* Miscellaneous Seeds can be traded for Metal Parts, Fabric, and Chemicals.
* Daily rotating ARC Raiders items (e.g., Sensors) can be purchased in limited quantities.
* Strategy: Exchange regularly for scarce materials to keep your production line running.
◆ Advanced Game Mechanics: Universal PvE & PvP Techniques
1. Movement Optimization
* Edge Dash: Jump from a ledge to trigger an immediate sprint—faster than rolling.
* Stealth Crouch-Walk: Rapidly tap the move key for near-silent crouched movement.
* Downed Escape: With the "Survival" reinforcement mod, use tapped movement to minimize health loss while downed.
2. Combat Advanced Tactics
Smoke Grenade + Marker Combo: Throw a marker grenade inside the smoke to reveal enemy positions.
Versatility of Light Grenades:
* 3-4 direct hits can destroy a Crusher.
* Effective for hitting enemies behind cover and depleting shields.
* "Anvil" One-Handed Peek: Enables quick, minimal-exposure peeking while shooting.
3. Map Positional Advantages
* Buried City Hospital: Specific routes allow quick escape to hatches.
* Dam Battlefield Annex: Use window ledges for unexpected flanking maneuvers.
* Signal Tower Shortcut: Deploy ziplines for rapid ascent and evacuation.
◆ Loadout Recommendation: Single Reinforcement Mod Choice
If you can only equip one reinforcement mod, choose MK3 Survivor Loot:
* Allows equipping a Medium Shield.
* Recovers up to 75% health when stationary while downed.
* 80 kg carry weight + 20 secure pockets.
* Paired with tap-movement, it enables clutch escapes.
◆ Economic Summary: The Conversion Chain from Items to Coins
* Gathering Phase: Focus on green base materials and high-value blue items.
* Processing Phase: Increase item value through dismantling and crafting.
* Trading Phase: Convert surplus materials into coins.
* Optimization Phase: Use coins to purchase scarce materials, creating a resource loop.
Final Advice: Enable the in-game "Track Resource" feature—the system will mark materials you need. This simple setting once saved me dozens of hours of trial and error.
The economy and combat systems of ARC Raiders are like a precision timepiece—every gear matters. Once you master these core principles, you'll find yourself navigating resource management and combat with newfound confidence. Now, gear up with your ARC Raiders items and turn these strategies into tangible advantages on the battlefield.
