Farming Guide

Material Farming Guide

Master the most efficient farming routes and loot locations across all Arc Raiders maps. Learn where to find Rusted Tools, Mechanical parts, and rare blueprints.

Farming Overview

Efficient material farming is essential for crafting powerful weapons and gear. Understanding loot density, risk assessment, and container priority will maximize your rewards per run.

Risk Assessment

High-risk zones (red POIs, elite spots) offer the most lucrative loot but are fraught with danger from players and ARC enemies. Safer zones provide common/uncommon loot with less threat.

Container Priority

Focus on weapon cases, buried caches, medical duffel bags, grenade cases, and blueprint boxes. Loot density in an area matters more than individual container type.

Efficient Routes

Rooms requiring extra effort (breach rooms, keycard locks, puzzles) yield higher quality loot. Plan routes that hit multiple high-density areas with nearby extractions.

Dam Battlegrounds

Best for Beginners

The safest and most consistent farming location. Perfect for new players and solo farming with easy extraction access.

Top Pick

Hydroponic Domes

Low Risk High Reward

Packed with high-tier items and essential crafting materials. The centerpiece of any Dam farming route.

  • Primary Loot: Mechanical parts, Rusted Tools, weapon blueprints
  • Container Density: Very High
  • ARC Presence: Moderate
  • Extraction: 2 minutes to Raider's Hatch

Water Tower

Low Risk Medium Reward

Lots of crates with high percentage of Mechanical materials.

  • Primary Loot: Mechanical materials, components
  • Container Density: High
  • ARC Presence: Low

Electrical Substation

Low Risk Medium Reward

Fewer crates than other locations, but strong chance of dropping Mechanical loot.

  • Primary Loot: Mechanical loot, electrical components
  • Container Density: Medium
  • Quality: Above Average

Formicai Outpost

Low Risk Low Reward

Small location with 1-2 crates worth farming. Very close to Raider's Hatch for quick extractions.

  • Primary Loot: Rusted Tools
  • Best For: Quick runs, topping off inventory
  • Extraction: 30 seconds to Raider's Hatch

Recommended Route

Start at Formicai Outpost → Water Tower → Hydroponic Domes → Electrical Substation → Extract at Raider's Hatch. Total run time: ~8-12 minutes.

Spaceport

High Risk, High Reward

Excellent Mechanical loot locations with significantly higher ARC enemy presence. Recommended for experienced players with good gear.

Main Hangars

High Risk Very High Reward

Large hangar bays with abundant weapon cases and tech containers.

  • Primary Loot: Rare blueprints, Mechanical parts, weapon mods
  • Container Density: Very High
  • ARC Presence: Very High (Patrols + Sentinels)

Orbital Docking Stations

High Risk High Reward

Keycard-locked areas with premium loot behind security doors.

  • Primary Loot: Epic weapons, Combat Augments Mk.3
  • Requirements: Blue keycard
  • Note: Expect PvP encounters

Command Center

Very High Risk Very High Reward

Central hub with the highest loot density but constant player and ARC traffic.

  • Primary Loot: Legendary blueprints, rare materials
  • PvP Risk: Extreme
  • Strategy: Hit early or late in raid timer

Warning: High Danger Zone

Spaceport attracts the most geared players and has elite ARC patrols. Only farm here with proper equipment and a plan for PvP encounters. Consider bringing a squad.

Buried City

Moderate Risk

Underground city ruins with hidden caches and maze-like passages. Good balance of risk and reward.

Hidden Gem

Space Travel Building - 6th Floor

Medium Risk High Reward

Barricaded room on the sixth floor with consistent high-value loot.

  • Primary Loot: Complex gun parts, Combat Mk.III augments
  • Rare Drops: Showstopper blueprints, glow sticks
  • Access: Requires breaching or finding alternate route

Subterranean Passages

Medium Risk Medium Reward

Network of underground tunnels with buried caches.

  • Primary Loot: Crafting materials, ammo
  • Navigation: Easy to get lost
  • Tip: Bring glow sticks for marking paths

Blue Gate

Expert Level

Experimental facility with the best blueprint drops but extreme danger. End-game farming location.

Best Blueprints

Reinforced Reception Route

Extreme Risk Legendary Reward

Consistently yields the best loot in the game within ~5 minutes per successful run.

  • Primary Loot: Complex gun parts, Showstopper blueprints
  • Rare Drops: Legendary weapons, Combat Augment Mk.III
  • Requirements: Full combat loadout, squad recommended
  • Run Time: 5 minutes (if uncontested)

Portal Chamber

Extreme Risk Legendary Reward

Central portal area with guaranteed elite loot and boss-tier ARC enemies.

  • Primary Loot: Unique weapon blueprints
  • Enemies: Matriarch, Sentinels, Bombardiers
  • Strategy: Kite enemies while teammate loots

Advanced Farming Strategies

🎯 Container Priority System

  1. Tier 1: Weapon cases, blueprint boxes
  2. Tier 2: Medical duffel bags, grenade cases
  3. Tier 3: Buried caches (time-consuming but rewarding)
  4. Tier 4: Regular field crates, ammo boxes

Pro Tip: In high-danger zones, grab Tier 1-2 containers only and extract quickly.

⏰ Timing Your Runs

  • Early Raid (0-10 min): Low player count, ARCs not alerted. Best for speed runs.
  • Mid Raid (10-20 min): High player activity. Avoid unless hunting PvP.
  • Late Raid (20-30 min): Most players extracted. Good for risky high-tier zones.

Pro Tip: Extract with 5+ minutes remaining for safety buffer.

💼 Inventory Management

  • Use Augment Mk.1 for maximum backpack space
  • Drop low-value items for blueprints and rare materials
  • Prioritize items with best weight-to-value ratio
  • Keep one weapon slot open for blueprint weapons

Pro Tip: Memorize recycling values to make quick decisions.

🛡️ Solo vs Squad Farming

Solo Benefits: Full loot, easier stealth, faster looting

Squad Benefits: Can tackle high-risk zones, split roles (looter/guard), better PvP survival

Pro Tip: Solo Dam/Buried City, Squad Spaceport/Blue Gate.

🗺️ Route Planning

  1. Spawn near your planned route
  2. Hit 3-4 high-density locations maximum
  3. Always know your nearest extraction
  4. Have a backup extraction if contested

Pro Tip: Memorize shortcuts between loot zones and extractions.

⚔️ Combat Avoidance

  • Use silenced weapons (Hairpin) for necessary ARC kills
  • Avoid firing unless absolutely necessary
  • Smoke grenades for disengaging PvP
  • Learn patrol patterns to avoid detection

Pro Tip: A successful extract is worth more than a kill.

Material Reference Guide

Rusted Tools

Uses: Basic weapon crafting, tool upgrades

Best Sources: Dam Formicai Outpost, Water Tower

Value: Common but essential

Mechanical Parts

Uses: Advanced weapon mods, gear upgrades

Best Sources: Dam Electrical Substation, Spaceport Hangars

Value: Uncommon, high demand

Complex Gun Parts

Uses: Epic/Legendary weapon crafting

Best Sources: Buried City 6th Floor, Blue Gate Reception

Value: Rare, very high value

Blueprints

Uses: Unlock weapon/gear recipes

Best Sources: Blueprint boxes, breach rooms

Value: Priceless (one-time unlocks)

Key Takeaways

1

Start Safe: New players should farm Dam Battlegrounds exclusively until comfortable with mechanics.

2

Quality Over Quantity: 5 successful safe runs beat 1 risky run where you die.

3

Know Your Exit: Always have an extraction plan before looting high-risk zones.

4

Adapt Your Route: If you hear gunfire or see players, change your plan immediately.