Beginner's Guide to Arc Raiders
Essential tips and strategies for new Raiders to survive the Rust Belt and extract successfully
Welcome to Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders is an extraction-based PvPvE game set in a post-apocalyptic world where you must survive against both hostile ARC machines and other Raiders. This guide will teach you the fundamentals to help you extract successfully and progress efficiently.
Understanding the Core Loop
Every raid in Arc Raiders follows this basic structure:
- Deploy: Choose your loadout and drop into the Rust Belt
- Loot: Explore buildings, defeat ARCs, and collect valuable items
- Survive: Manage stamina, health, and shields while avoiding danger
- Extract: Reach an extraction point and escape with your loot
Movement & Stamina Management
Speed Optimization
Holster your weapon (press H on PC or Triangle/Y on console) to move significantly faster. This applies to your pickaxe as well. Always holster when traveling between locations.
Stamina is Life
When your stamina is depleted, you become extremely vulnerable. You can't sprint, dodge, or maneuver effectively. Manage it carefully by:
- Not sprinting unnecessarily
- Taking breaks to let stamina regenerate
- Using Adrenalite shots to instantly recover all stamina and make it infinite for 6 seconds
Encumbrance System
Your movement speed and stamina consumption are affected by how much you're carrying. Watch the Encumbrance indicator below your Loadout - when it's too high, you'll move slower and tire faster.
The Free Loadout System
One of the best features for beginners is the Free Loadout. It always includes:
- One main weapon with ammo
- Bandages for healing
- Shield recharger
- Utility items or grenades
This is your safety net - use it to practice and learn without risking your valuable gear. The only cost is your time if you fail.
Audio Awareness: Your Best Intel Source
Sound is critical in Arc Raiders. Everything makes noise:
What You Can Hear
- Footsteps (direction & distance)
- Gunfire (weapon type & location)
- Looting sounds
- Shield recharging
- Explosions and abilities
What Others Can Hear From You
- Your footsteps when running
- Weapon fire
- Opening containers
- Recharging shields
- Using abilities
Looting Efficiently
XP from Containers
Opening containers grants experience regardless of whether you take items. Always open every container and raider corpse for maximum skill point generation, even with a full backpack.
Safe Pocket - Your Lifeline
Your Safe Pocket is the most important inventory slot. Items stored here survive death. Always reserve it for:
- High-value rare loot
- Raider Hatch Keys
- Quest items
- Expensive crafting materials
Loot Priority
Focus on grabbing these items in order of priority:
- Quest items and rare components
- ARC parts (Motion Cores, Powercells, Circuitry)
- Medical supplies and ammo
- Crafting materials
- Common junk (only if you have space)
Combat Fundamentals
When to Fight
Never fight unless it's worth it. Every engagement risks your life and attracts attention. Ask yourself:
- Do I need what they have?
- Can I win this fight?
- Will this attract more enemies?
- Is extraction close?
Positioning Wins Fights
Strong positioning is more important than aim:
- Use high ground - Better angles and visibility
- Control chokepoints - Force enemies into predictable paths
- Use cover - Always have something to hide behind
- Shape firing lanes - Fight where you have the advantage
Recoil Control
Manage your weapon's recoil by firing in controlled bursts rather than holding down the trigger. Learn each weapon's pattern.
Extraction Strategies
Know When to Leave
Extract early. The longer you stay, the more dangerous it becomes. Don't get greedy - a successful extraction with decent loot is better than dying with great loot.
The Crawling Extraction
Even if you're knocked down and crawling, you can still reach an extraction elevator and activate it to escape. This rare feature gives you a second chance - use it!
Extraction Point Tactics
- Scout first - Approach cautiously and check for campers
- Time your arrival - Don't be the first or last to extract
- Use distractions - Throw grenades or shoot to draw attention away
- Watch your back - Enemies can ambush during extraction
Essential Skills to Unlock First
Focus on these skill trees early:
🏃 Survival Branch
- Agile Croucher - Move faster while crouching
- In-Round Crafting - Craft items during raids
- Gentle Pressure - Reduce looting noise
💪 Conditioning
- Increased stamina
- Higher carry weight
- Better resistance to damage
⚡ Mobility
- Improved movement speed
- Better dodge rolls
- Enhanced sprint efficiency
Common Beginner Mistakes
❌ Running Everywhere with Weapon Out
Always holster when traveling. You'll move 30% faster and conserve stamina.
❌ Fighting Every ARC You See
Stealth is often better. Every fight costs ammo, health, and time. Only engage when necessary.
❌ Staying Too Long
Greed kills. Extract when you have good loot rather than pushing for "one more location."
❌ Ignoring Audio Cues
Sound is your best warning system. Pay attention to footsteps, gunfire, and looting sounds.
❌ Not Using Safe Pocket
Always put your most valuable item in the Safe Pocket before engaging in risky activities.
Your First Successful Raid
Follow this step-by-step plan for your first successful extraction:
- Deploy with Free Loadout - No risk, learn the mechanics
- Find a safe building - Look for small structures away from hot zones
- Loot quickly - Open every container, take valuable items
- Avoid major fights - Sneak past ARCs when possible
- Watch your stamina - Don't sprint unnecessarily
- Head to extraction early - Better safe than sorry
- Scout the extraction - Approach cautiously
- Extract successfully - Celebrate your first win!
Final Tips
- Plan your route - Know where you're going before you deploy
- Play patient - Arc Raiders rewards smart decisions over aggression
- Learn from deaths - Every failure teaches you something
- Use the workshop - Upgrade your stations for better gear
- Complete quests - They provide direction and rewards
- Join a team - Playing with others is safer and more fun