Arc Raiders – Weapons and Equipment Guide

Arc Raiders offers a comprehensive weapon system where proper selection of guns and equipment determines survival. This guide reveals the most effective weapon combinations, detailed analysis of each category, and strategic loadouts for various gameplay situations - from stealth infiltration to frontal assault on ARC robotic units.

Introduction to Arc Raiders and the Importance of Tactical Loadouts 🎯

Arc Raiders represents a new standard in cooperative action shooters, where as a member of a rebel group, you attempt to penetrate territory controlled by advanced ARC robotic forces. Unlike traditional shooters, here every decision about armament affects not only your individual performance but the overall success of the team mission.

The weapon system isn't just a tool for eliminating enemies. Each weapon has specific characteristics that determine playstyle and strategic options. The developers have created an ingenious system where there's no one universally best choice, but each situation requires a different approach.

Why is loadout selection so critical? Unlike classic games, here you encounter unpredictable robotic enemies, dynamic map events, and must simultaneously account for potential clashes with other player teams. Poorly chosen equipment can mean not only mission failure but also loss of valuable loot.

The risk-reward mechanic works so that the deeper the penetration into ARC territory, the more valuable loot you can obtain, but danger also increases. Therefore, it's crucial to have a loadout that can adapt to changing conditions - from silent infiltration through intense firefights to rapid evacuation.

Detailed Analysis of Weapon Categories in Arc Raiders ⚔️

Assault Rifles - Universal Backbone of Every Loadout

Assault rifles represent the most popular weapon category in Arc Raiders, and for good reason. Their balanced statistics make them usable in most combat situations, whether facing robotic drones at medium range or engaging in hectic firefights with rival teams.

Raptor AR-5 is probably the most widespread choice among both beginning and advanced players. This weapon offers reliable damage of 42 points per hit with a fire rate of 650 rounds per minute. Its greatest benefit is the low learning curve - even less experienced players can quickly master its recoil and effectively use it at distances of 50-150 meters.

Vulture MK-II presents an interesting alternative for players who prefer higher damage over fire rate. With 48 damage points per shot and a fire rate of 550 rounds per minute, it's ideal for situations where every shot must count. Vulture is popular among players who prefer a careful, tactical approach over spray-and-pray style.

Phoenix Auto offers high fire rate of 750 rounds per minute for situations when you need to quickly neutralize multiple targets. This weapon excels at enemy suppression but at the cost of higher ammunition consumption and reduced accuracy at long range.

Shotguns - Close-Range Devastation

The shotgun category represents extreme specialization in close quarters combat. These weapons are irreplaceable in fights within enclosed spaces, buildings, or when defending extraction points.

Scatterhawk is the classic choice for beginners. Its wide spread pattern means you don't need to be perfectly accurate to cause significant damage. With damage of 85 points at close range, it can eliminate most ARC drones with one shot and seriously damage even armored units. However, its effective range is limited to 15-20 meters.

Hammer-12 offers a compromise between accuracy and damage. With a tighter spread pattern and longer effective range, it allows for more strategic use. Hammer-12 is popular among players who want to maintain the devastating power of a shotgun while having greater flexibility.

Riot Crusher represents the absolute peak in the shotgun category. With astronomical damage of 120 points at close range, it can eliminate almost any target within range with one shot. However, it's intended for very experienced players - its extremely slow reload means every shot must count.

Sniper Rifles - Precision Elimination from Distance

Sniper rifles fulfill a key strategic role in team composition, enabling reconnaissance, elimination of priority targets, and providing cover during team maneuvers.

Longbow X-10 represents the gold standard among sniper rifles. Its consistent damage of 95 points guarantees one-shot kills against most ARC drones, while its reasonable magazine capacity allows multiple shots before reloading becomes necessary.

Falcon 7SR offers an interesting compromise with faster fire rate and larger magazine capacity at the cost of slightly lower damage. This weapon is popular in situations where the sniper must cover multiple targets in quick succession.

Viper One-Shot is an absolute beast for the most experienced snipers. Its devastating damage of 120 points can eliminate even heavily armored ARC units with one shot, but its extremely small magazine capacity requires perfect marksmanship.

Submachine Guns - Speed and Mobility

The SMG category represents high-mobility combat with emphasis on rapid movement and aggressive close-to-medium range engagement. These weapons are invaluable during building clearing and situations where you need to combine movement with shooting.

Cobra 9mm is the most popular SMG due to its versatility and reliability. With a fire rate of 900 rounds per minute and damage of 32 points per shot, it offers excellent damage potential at shorter distances. Its effective range up to 40 meters makes it ideal for urban environments.

Hornet M11 specializes in maximum mobility. It's the lightest SMG in the category, meaning minimal impact on movement speed. Hornet is popular among scouts who need to move quickly between positions.

Wasp Elite represents a premium choice. With improved accuracy and controllable recoil, it allows effective use even at slightly greater distances than classic SMGs.

Heavy Weapons - Devastating Power with Limitations

The heavy weapons category represents the highest available destructive power but at the cost of significant mobility limitations. These weapons are designed for specific situations and require team coordination.

Thunderclap grenade launcher is the classic choice for area control and elimination of enemy groups. Its explosive damage can eliminate entire groups of ARC drones with one shot. It's invaluable in defensive scenarios where you can predict the direction of enemy attack.

Rhino Launcher specializes in anti-vehicle warfare and destruction of heavy ARC units. Its rocket projectiles have homing capabilities, meaning they can target mobile objectives.

Arc Disruptor represents specialized anti-robot technology. This weapon causes electromagnetic damage that is extra effective against all ARC units but relatively ineffective against organic targets.

Secondary Equipment and Tactical Gear 🛠️

Secondary equipment often represents the deciding factor between mission success and failure. The right combination of gadgets and utilities can change the course of an entire mission and open new tactical possibilities.

Grenades and Explosives

EMP grenades represent an absolutely crucial utility for any encounter with ARC units. Their ability to deactivate robots for 8 seconds creates a critical time window for either their elimination or safe retreat. They're most effective against heavy ARC robots, where 8 seconds provides enough time for a coordinated team attack.

Fragmentation grenades function as a universal solution for high enemy density situations. Their explosive damage can instantly kill most light ARC units and significantly damage medium robots.

Smoke grenades aren't just a defensive tool - in the hands of an experienced player, they represent a powerful tactical asset. Smoke enables safe revival of fallen teammates, movement masking, and can be used to disorient opponents.

Technical Utilities and Survival Tools

Repair Kit represents an indispensable utility for long missions in hostile territory. The durability system applies not only to weapons but also to protective equipment and electronic gadgets. Repair Kit can restore 75% durability of any mechanical equipment.

Advanced Medkit isn't just a simple healing item. Besides instant restoration of 80 health, it provides a temporary damage resistance bonus for 30 seconds, which is critical during tactical retreats.

Field Scanner is probably the most underestimated gadget among beginning players. Its ability to reveal enemies within a 50-meter radius provides crucial information about enemy positions and potential ambushes.

Hacking Device opens completely new tactical possibilities. It enables temporary control over captured ARC units or gaining access to restricted areas and security systems. However, it requires 15 seconds of uninterrupted channeling, which demands team coordination.

Recommended Loadouts for Different Playstyles 🎮

Creating an effective loadout isn't just about selecting the most powerful weapons - it's about understanding the role you fulfill in the team and adapting equipment to specific mission objectives.

Stealth Infiltrator - Reconnaissance and Stealth

This role is built on noise minimization and maximizing mobility and information gathering. The build is ideal for players who prefer a cerebral approach over direct confrontation.

Primary loadout composition begins with SMG Cobra 9mm equipped with a suppressor for silent shooting capabilities. Cobra offers perfect balance between lethality and stealth, enabling quick elimination of isolated enemies without compromising position. Its lightweight construction minimally affects movement speed.

Secondary weapon Shadow .45 represents the ultimate silent elimination tool. This suppressed pistol can one-shot kill most light ARC units through precise headshots, while its minimal audio signature allows eliminations near enemy patrols without detection.

Gadget selection focuses on information gathering and escape capabilities. Two smoke grenades provide emergency concealment during compromised situations. Field Scanner is an essential tool for mapping enemy positions and planning optimal infiltration routes.

Aggressive Assault - Frontal Attack and Battlefield Control

The assault role represents the backbone of offensive operations. This build is designed for players who prefer direct engagement and can lead from the front while providing support to others.

Raptor AR-5 with compensator forms the assault loadout foundation. The compensator significantly reduces vertical recoil, enabling accurate sustained fire during prolonged engagements. Extended magazine increases capacity to 35 rounds.

Hammer-12 shotgun functions as a devastating close-quarters option for building clearing and defensive positions. Its semi-automatic firing mode allows rapid follow-up shots during encounters with multiple enemies in confined spaces.

Tactical equipment focuses on area control and team support. Two fragmentation grenades provide crowd control and area denial options during defensive scenarios. Advanced Medkit enables field treatment of injured teammates.

Long-Range Support - Overwatch and Precision Elimination

The long-range support role requires exceptional marksmanship skills and strategic battlefield understanding. This build is ideal for players with a patient gameplay style who can anticipate enemy movements.

Falcon 7SR with scope represents the primary tool for distances of 200-400 meters. Variable zoom optics enable precise target acquisition and effective engagement of various threats across different ranges.

Wasp Elite serves as an emergency weapon for situations when the sniper position becomes compromised and requires rapid displacement. Its compact profile doesn't compromise primary weapon handling.

Support equipment focuses on position maintenance and utility. EMP grenade provides critical disable capability against heavy ARC units. Repair Kit enables field maintenance of precision optics and electronic equipment.

Anti-ARC Specialist - Technological Superiority

The Anti-ARC Specialist role represents a highly specialized approach focused on neutralization of robotic threats through advanced technology and electromagnetic warfare.

Arc Disruptor forms the cornerstone of anti-robot strategy. Its pulse rounds cause catastrophic system failures in ARC units, while its overcharged firing mode can instantly kill most robotic enemies.

Phoenix Auto serves as backup weapon for dealing with human threats and situations where Arc Disruptor proves ineffective. High fire rate provides suppressive capabilities during technology deployment phases.

Specialized equipment includes three EMP grenades for sequential electromagnetic attacks and Hacking Device for turning captured ARC units against their former allies.

Advanced Equipment Management Strategies 📈

Effective equipment management requires a holistic approach that includes not only combat effectiveness but also logistical considerations and long-term progression planning.

Weight Distribution and Mobility Optimization

The weight system has profound impact on overall combat performance. Every kilogram of equipment above baseline load reduces movement speed by 2% and stamina regeneration by 1.5%. During prolonged engagements or emergency evacuations, these seemingly marginal penalties compound dramatically.

Optimal weight distribution requires careful analysis of individual item value versus their weight penalty. For example, heavy armor provides significant protection, but its 15kg weight represents a 30% speed decrease. For assault roles, this trade-off may be acceptable, but for infiltration specialists, it represents a critical handicap.

Smart load management begins with understanding mission parameters. Stealth missions require minimal equipment load with emphasis on lightweight, multi-purpose items. Assault operations can tolerate heavier loads in exchange for increased firepower.

Weapon Modification and Customization Strategies

The attachment system offers extensive customization possibilities but requires strategic thinking rather than simple stat maximization. Each attachment has specific trade-offs - a suppressor reduces noise but also decreases damage and range.

Most important modifications include suppressors for stealth operations, extended magazines for prolonged engagements, laser sights for better accuracy, and recoil compensators for automatic fire control.

The key is adapting modifications to gameplay style and team role. A sniper needs different attachments than an assault player, and a stealth infiltrator has completely different requirements than a heavy weapons specialist.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them ❌

Equipment overloading is the most common mistake among beginning players. The attempt to carry "everything necessary" leads to dramatic reduction in mobility and combat effectiveness. It's better to specialize the loadout for a specific role and rely on team coordination.

Ignoring secondary weapons is another significant mistake. A pistol or light SMG can save your life when primary weapon ammunition runs out or during unexpected close encounters.

Inappropriate utility selection for mission type is also a frequent problem. Fragmentation grenades are great for assault operations, but for stealth missions, EMP grenades and smoke are much more valuable.

Economic Aspects and Long-term Planning 💰

In-game economy management is key to long-term success. Basic assault rifles cost around 1,200 credits, while advanced sniper rifles can cost up to 3,500 credits. Heavy weapons often exceed 5,000 credits.

The money-saving strategy is to start with basic weapons and gradually upgrade according to preferred playstyle. Instead of immediately buying the most expensive weapons, it's better to invest in modifications for basic weapons, which can significantly improve their performance for a fraction of the cost.

Repair kits and ammunition represent ongoing costs that you must include in your budget. Long missions in dangerous territory may require significant investments in maintenance materials.

Team Composition and Synergistic Effects 👥

A successful team in Arc Raiders isn't just a collection of individual players with good loadouts - it's a coordinated unit where individual roles complement each other and create synergistic effects.

Optimal 4-Player Team Composition

Assault Leader with assault rifle and backup shotgun leads frontal attacks and coordinates team movements. Their role includes engagement initiation and providing suppressive fire while other team members take positions.

Support Sniper with scoped rifle and backup SMG provides overwatch and eliminates priority targets from distance. They also function as spotter for the rest of the team, relaying information about enemy positions and potential threats.

Stealth Infiltrator with SMG and specialized gadgets functions as scout and saboteur. Their task is information gathering, silent elimination of isolated enemies, and disruption of enemy communications.

Heavy Specialist with anti-ARC weapons and explosives specializes in heavy robot elimination and providing area denial through grenades and mines.

Coordination Strategies and Communication

Effective communication begins with clearly defined callouts for different enemy types and situations. "ARC Heavy, north building, second floor" provides much more useful information than "robot over there".

Timing coordination is critical during simultaneous attacks. When a sniper eliminates a guard, the infiltrator must immediately utilize the created time window. Countdown communication like "breach on three... two... one... go" ensures synchronized actions.

Resource sharing between team members can be the difference between success and failure. If one player has excess heavy weapon ammunition and another needs it, quick exchange can save the entire mission.

Advanced Techniques and Meta Strategies 🎯

Weapon Swapping and Reload Canceling

Quick weapon switching is often faster than reloading, especially for weapons with long reload times. Switching from an empty sniper rifle to an SMG can save your life in a critical moment.

Animation canceling during reloading through quick sprint-walk-sprint combo can reduce reload time by up to 15%. This technique requires practice but can provide significant advantage during intense engagements.

Positioning and Map Control

Verticality utilization is often an overlooked tactic. Most players move only on ground level, while controlling elevated positions provides tactical advantage for both defense and attack.

Choke point control through proper team positioning can channel enemy forces into kill zones where you can maximize your equipment effectiveness.

Rotation timing between positions should be coordinated so the team never loses map control and always has escape routes in case of overwhelming enemy presence.

Adaptation to Different Map Types 🗺️

Urban Environment

In densely built areas, SMGs and shotguns dominate. Vertical gameplay is key - controlling rooftops and upper floors provides massive tactical advantage. Smoke grenades are invaluable for movement between buildings under enemy fire.

Building clearing requires systematic approach. Flashbangs for stunning enemies behind corners, followed by quick entry with shotgun or SMG. Team coordination is critical - one player watches angles while another clears rooms.

Open Areas

Long-range engagements dominate in open terrain. Sniper rifles and assault rifles with long-range scopes are essential. Cover movement between distant points requires smoke screen coordination and overwatch support.

Vehicle utilization is possible in some open areas. Heavy weapons are effective against both enemy vehicles and grouped infantry positions. Positioning is critical - open areas provide little forgiveness for poor tactical decisions.

Underground Complexes

Close quarters combat dominates underground environments. SMGs and shotguns are preferred weapons. Lighting conditions may be poor, favoring tactical flashlights and night vision equipment.

Narrow corridors create natural choke points where area denial weapons like grenade launchers can be extremely effective. Sound discipline is critical - footsteps echo in confined spaces.

Future Development and Meta Evolution 🔮

Arc Raiders meta constantly evolves with new updates, balance changes, and community discoveries. Following professional players and high-tier streamers can provide insights into emerging strategies and optimal loadouts.

Patch notes should be regularly studied for understanding changes in weapon balance, new features, and map updates. What worked yesterday may not be optimal tomorrow.

Community feedback often influences developer decisions. Active participation in official forums and feedback can help shape future development in directions that benefit all players.

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