Builds & Loadouts Guide
Master the meta with optimized builds for every playstyle. From aggressive PvP to efficient PvE farming, find the perfect loadout for your strategy.
Current Meta Overview
Arc Raiders doesn't have a strict meta - successful players mix Mobility and Conditioning to fit their playstyle. The Assault Build is community-favored for its stamina management and combat tempo.
PvP Builds
Optimized for player vs player combat with focus on mobility and burst damage
Aggressive Assault
Weapons
- Primary: Tempest (Assault Rifle) Reliable medium-range DPS, steady damage output
- Secondary: Stitcher (SMG) Close-range finisher, highest DPS among commons
- Sidearm: Anvil (Pistol) 40 damage per shot, excellent backup weapon
Augment
Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) - Best augment for PvP with strong shield support, extra grenade capacity, high survivability, and passive health regen.
Armor & Gear
- Shield: Medium Shield - Balance of protection and movement
- Grenades: Frag x2, Smoke x1
- Healing: Med Kit x2, Bandages x3
Skill Tree (75 Points)
Key Skills: Marathon Runner, Youthful Lungs, Quick Draw, Combat Medic
Playstyle
Use Tempest to control medium-range engagements and pressure enemies. Close gaps with high mobility, then finish with Stitcher's superior close-range DPS. Smoke grenades for disengaging unfavorable fights. Prioritize positioning over raw aim - mobility is your advantage.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Excellent mobility for flanking
- Strong close-medium range
- Good sustain with health regen
- Affordable loadout cost
Weaknesses
- Weak at long range
- Requires good positioning
- Vulnerable to snipers
- Medium armor penetration
Long Range Eliminator
Weapons
- Primary: Osprey (Sniper Rifle) 45 damage, longest range (80.3), bolt-action precision
- Secondary: Ferro (Battle Rifle) S-tier value, 40 damage single shots, strong armor penetration
- Sidearm: Venator (Pistol) Dual-bullet firing, emergency close-range
Augment
Combat Mk.2 - Balanced survivability for positioning retreats.
Skill Tree Focus
Mobility 50 / Conditioning 15 / Survival 10 - Prioritize sprint speed for repositioning and stamina for holding angles.
Playstyle
Hold long sightlines and pick off enemies at range with Osprey. Reposition frequently to avoid counter-snipes. Use Ferro for medium-range fights when pushed. This build requires excellent aim and map knowledge to identify strong sniper positions.
Budget Brawler
Weapons
- Primary: Kettle (Assault Rifle) Free loadout, semi-auto DMR style, 20-round mag
- Secondary: Stitcher (SMG) Cheap craft, excellent close-range DPS
Total Cost
~500 Credits - Perfect for saving money while maintaining competitive PvP capability. Kettle is free in basic loadouts.
Strategy
Use Kettle to tap fire at medium range (similar to DMR). Rush with Stitcher when enemies are weak. Play smart, not expensive - avoid prolonged fights and focus on third-partying.
PvE Builds
Optimized for fighting ARC enemies with armor penetration and sustained damage
ARC Hunter
Weapons
- Primary: Hullcracker (Grenade Launcher) Best PvE weapon - explosive damage on ARC units, designed for blasting ARCs
- Secondary: Bettina (Assault Rifle) Only AR with strong ARC armor penetration, excellent all-around
- Sidearm: Ferro (Battle Rifle) Precision shots for weak points, strong armor penetration
Augment
Combat Mk.3 - Survivability for boss fights, passive health regen for sustained combat.
Skill Tree (75 Points)
Key Skills: ARC Armor Penetration, Tough Skin, Emergency Response, Pack Mule
Playstyle
Use Hullcracker for large ARC enemies (Matriarch, Bombardier, Bastion). Switch to Bettina for add clear and medium threats. Ferro for precise weak point shots. Prioritize cover and kiting - let explosive damage do the work.
Boss Strategy
- Matriarch: Hullcracker body shots, retreat behind cover, repeat
- Bombardier: Ferro to destroy artillery pods, Hullcracker for body
- Sentinel: Bettina sustained fire on core, dodge sweeps
Budget PvE Farmer
Weapons
- Primary: Ferro (Battle Rifle) S-tier value, can take out flying ARC propellers and Fireballs
- Secondary: Rattler (Assault Rifle) Buffed to 12 rounds, destroys Pops and Ticks efficiently
Augment
Augment Mk.1 - Ample backpack space for looting-focused runs.
Total Cost
~800 Credits - Extremely affordable for consistent PvE farming. Both weapons are Common rarity.
Strategy
Perfect for Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City farming. One Ferro shot eliminates flying threats. Rattler handles swarms of small ARCs. Avoid elite enemies - focus on looting and extracting safely.
Hybrid Builds
Balanced loadouts for mixed PvP and PvE encounters
All-Rounder
Weapons
- Primary: Bettina (Assault Rifle) Best all-around weapon - strong in PvP and PvE
- Secondary: Tempest (Assault Rifle) One of the best overall weapons, reliable DPS
- Sidearm: Anvil (Pistol) Solid in both modes, 40 damage per shot
Augment
Combat Mk.2 - Balanced stats for both PvP survival and PvE sustain.
Skill Tree
Mobility 35 / Conditioning 25 / Survival 15 - Balanced split for flexibility across all scenarios.
Use Case
When you expect both PvP and PvE encounters. Spaceport and Blue Gate are perfect for this build. Strong enough for player fights, efficient enough for ARC enemies. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Skill Tree Guide
You have 75 skill points to distribute across three branches. Your allocation defines your playstyle more than your weapons.
Mobility
KING OF PVP
- Marathon Runner: Increased sprint duration
- Youthful Lungs: Faster stamina regeneration
- Quick Draw: Faster weapon switching
- Lightweight: Movement speed bonus
Recommendation: Start here first - mobility benefits ALL builds. 30-50 points for most builds.
Conditioning
BALANCED
- Iron Lungs: Reduced stamina drain
- Steady Hands: Reduced weapon sway
- Combat Medic: Faster healing
- Efficient Reloader: Reload speed bonus
Recommendation: Secondary investment after Mobility. 15-30 points for aggressive builds.
Survival
PVE FOCUSED
- Tough Skin: Damage reduction
- Emergency Response: Health regen when low
- Pack Mule: Increased carry capacity
- ARC Resistance: Reduced ARC damage
Recommendation: Best for PvE and looting builds. 10-30 points depending on playstyle.
Example Allocations
Aggressive PvP
45 Mobility / 23 Conditioning / 7 Survival
Balanced Hybrid
35 Mobility / 25 Conditioning / 15 Survival
PvE Farmer
30 Mobility / 15 Conditioning / 30 Survival
Solo Loot Runner
40 Mobility / 10 Conditioning / 25 Survival
Combat Augments Guide
Augments provide passive bonuses and define your survivability. Choose based on your playstyle and expected threats.
Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive)
EpicBest For: PvP aggressive plays, frontline combat, sustained fights
Combat Mk.2
RareBest For: Balanced gameplay, hybrid builds, budget PvP
Augment Mk.1
CommonBest For: PvE farming, loot runs, avoiding combat
Build Optimization Tips
Match Weapons to Threats
For PvP: prioritize range control + burst finisher. For PvE: armor penetration + stable uptime. For Team Play: overwatch + utility nades.
Armor Selection Matters
Medium shields give good balance in PvP. Heavy shields slow you down - mobility is more valuable than raw health in most scenarios.
Budget Early, Scale Late
Start with budget builds (Ferro + Stitcher) to accumulate resources. Invest in epic weapons only when you have surplus materials.
Adapt to the Raid
Bring PvP builds to Spaceport/Blue Gate (high player count). Use PvE builds in Dam/Buried City (safer farming).
Test Before Committing
Try weapons in offline mode or practice raids before building expensive loadouts. Not every "meta" weapon fits your playstyle.
Squad Synergy
Coordinate builds with teammates - have one sniper, one close-range, one support. Don't all bring the same loadout.