ARC Raiders is a cooperative third-person shooter where players unite against an oppressive robotic force known as “The ARC.” Set in a ruined sci-fi world filled with danger and dynamic combat, the game challenges players to cooperate, adapt, and strategize. Unlike traditional shooters, survival in ARC Raiders depends on tactical coordination, resource management, and mastering momentum-based combat. This guide will walk you through how to thrive — from understanding combat systems to building the best team strategies — ensuring you become a master raider in the desolate warzones of the ARC.
Understanding the World of ARC
The world of ARC Raiders is one of decay and defiance. Humanity lives under the shadow of massive mechanical invaders that descend from orbit to extract resources and crush resistance.
Key Idea: You’re not just fighting robots — you’re fighting an ecosystem of survival. Every mission demands preparation and adaptation to ever-changing threats.
Tip: Explore ruins carefully; every crate, weapon cache, and energy node can be the difference between survival and destruction.

Learning the Combat System
Combat in ARC Raiders emphasizes teamwork, physics, and timing. Momentum and positioning matter more than raw shooting skill.
Tips for Mastery:
- Always stay mobile. Static players are easy prey for ARC drones.
- Use the environment: jump pads, cliffs, and cover points give tactical advantages.
- Coordinate fire to disable shields or armor before pushing forward.
Advanced Strategy: Understanding recoil control and perfecting the momentum jump system will drastically increase your efficiency in both offense and evasion.
Building Your Raider Loadout
Loadouts in ARC Raiders define your combat role. Each player can specialize in different tools, gadgets, and weapon classes.
Tips:
- Mix roles: Combine heavy support, recon, and assault loadouts for a balanced team.
- Upgrade components regularly — damage output, shield capacity, and mobility modules.
- Experiment with prototypes you find in missions; many have unique effects like EMP fields or cloaking.
Advanced: Customizing attachments for recoil, stability, and ammo efficiency can drastically change how a gun feels and performs.
Mastering Team Coordination
No raider survives alone. Success depends on synchronized teamwork and communication.
Tips:
- Assign roles before each mission — support for healing, assault for frontline damage, scout for recon.
- Share resources: ammo and healing packs are limited.
- Use voice or ping systems to mark enemy types, weak points, or loot.
Advanced: Teams that maintain triangular formations during firefights minimize crossfire risk and improve defensive stability.

Resource Gathering and Crafting
ARC Raiders rewards exploration and scavenging. Every successful raid provides materials needed for crafting.
Tips:
- Focus on rare resources first — components from elite ARC units or orbital wrecks.
- Use crafting stations between missions to repair and upgrade.
- Salvage duplicate weapons for upgrade cores.
Advanced: Efficient raiders rotate between combat missions and resource runs to maintain a steady flow of materials for upgrades.
Enemy Analysis and Counter Tactics
Each ARC unit has weaknesses that can be exploited with the right tools.
Common ARC Types:
- Drones: Fast, agile, but weak to EMP grenades.
- Walkers: Armored giants; attack from behind or use explosive ordnance.
- Harvesters: Resource collectors with heavy defenses — disable energy shields first.
Advanced: Learn sound cues. ARC units emit specific tones that reveal their position and type before visual contact.
Surviving in Harsh Environments
ARC Raiders’ world is as dangerous as its enemies. Weather systems and terrain affect combat.
Tips:
- Sandstorms reduce visibility but can be used for stealth approaches.
- Electrical storms disable energy shields and sensors — plan ambushes accordingly.
- Always check your energy reserves before entering hostile zones.
Advanced: Use environmental hazards to your advantage, luring enemies into unstable terrain or radiation fields.
Progression and Skill Mastery
Players progress through ranks and unlock new skills over time.
Tips:
- Prioritize abilities that enhance survivability first — mobility and shield regen.
- Experiment with combinations: momentum dash + energy pulse can turn defense into offense.
- Spend upgrade points wisely; some skills unlock hidden weapon synergies.
Advanced: Revisit earlier missions with improved gear to uncover secret routes and elite ARC bosses.

Endgame: Raiding the ARC Strongholds
Late-game missions challenge even veteran raiders. ARC strongholds are heavily fortified, requiring precise coordination.
Tips:
- Gather a balanced squad: at least one engineer, one assault, one support.
- Bring maximum ammo and backup energy packs.
- Focus fire on shield generators before engaging the core AI.
Advanced: Once inside, the ARC core will attempt to manipulate your sensors. Use manual target mode and rely on voice commands to finish the fight.
Conclusion
ARC Raiders rewards intelligence, coordination, and adaptability. It’s a game that challenges reflexes, but also teamwork and strategy. Mastering its systems means balancing firepower with awareness, aggression with caution, and innovation with precision. Whether fighting on barren plains or storm-torn cliffs, true victory lies not in survival alone — but in learning to turn chaos into control.