Arc Raiders Strategy Guides

All 87 Arc Raiders guides: key and keycard spawn locations for every map, weapon and gear tier lists, map walkthroughs, and PvP strategy.

Arc Raiders AI & ARC Machines

Arc Raiders Machine Learning: How the ARC Enemy AI Really Works: The ARC do not learn your habits mid raid. Embark used reinforcement learning to teach them to walk, balance and climb. Here is what that changes in a fight.
ARC Raiders Detection: Scanner Colors and How to Stay Unseen: Blue, yellow and red scanner lights tell you exactly what an ARC machine knows. What alerts them, what does not, and the stealth routine that keeps you unseen.
Arc Raiders AI Voice Acting: The Controversy, Explained: Arc Raiders shipped with text-to-speech voice lines licensed from paid actors. What Embark said, why players objected, and what changed after launch.
Arc Raiders ARC Enemies Guide: Every Machine and Weak Point: Every confirmed ARC machine in Arc Raiders by threat tier: behaviour, weak points, the ammo that actually penetrates armor, and the mistake each punishes.
Arc Raiders ARC AI Patch History: Every Change to the Machines: A dated list of every Arc Raiders patch we can source that changed ARC machines: perception, spawning, target selection and the new units, newest first.

ARC Machines, Every Enemy

Arc Raiders Tick Guide: Weak Point, Melee Kill and Spawns: How to kill the Tick in Arc Raiders. No armor, no weak point, one melee swing. The sound it makes before it lunges, and how to shake one off your head.
Arc Raiders Pop Guide: How to Kill the Rolling Bomb ARC: The Pop is a rolling proximity bomb with no armor and no weak point. Kill it before it detonates and you take zero damage. Light ammo or melee, never heavy.
Arc Raiders Wasp Guide: Weak Point, Ammo and When to Skip: The Wasp is the first ARC most Raiders fight. Break two of its four thrusters and it crashes, light ammo is enough, and stopping at one makes it harder to hit.
Arc Raiders Snitch Guide: Weak Points, Ammo and When to Run: The Snitch is unarmed, but it calls ARC down from orbit. Kill it before its third call, aim for the unarmored thrusters, and know when to just stay hidden.
Arc Raiders Fireball: Weak Point, Loot and How to Kill It: The Fireball only exposes its core in the moment before it burns you. Time that window, skip the shell, and stay clear of the fire it leaves behind.
Arc Raiders Hornet Guide: Weak Points, Ammo and When to Run: The Hornet is the Wasp's armored escort: red laser lock, slow stun round, plated front. Where to shoot it, what ammo to bring, and when to leave it.
Arc Raiders Turret Guide: Weak Point, Ammo and Counters: The Turret is the stationary indoor ARC gun that keeps firing at your last position. What gives it away, where to shoot it, what ammo to bring, and when to leave.
Arc Raiders Sentinel Guide: Weak Point, Spawns and Loot: The Sentinel is Arc Raiders' stationary rooftop sniper turret. Its yellow weak point, the beam sequence that tells you to move, spawn anchors and the Firing Core.
Arc Raiders Spotter Guide: Weak Point, Loot, and When to Kill: The Spotter is the drone that paints you for the Bombardier. Where its weak point is, what ammo works, what it drops, and when killing it is a waste.
How to Kill the Surveyor in Arc Raiders: Weak Point and Ammo: The Surveyor is an unarmed armored sphere that only exposes its core while transmitting. Where to shoot it, what ammo penetrates, and why chasing fails.
Arc Raiders Shredder Guide: Weak Point, Ammo, and Spawns: How to kill the Shredder in Arc Raiders: the thruster weak point, why heavy ammo and grenades are the only agreed answer, where it spawns, and when to walk away.
How to Kill the Firefly in Arc Raiders: Weak Points and Ammo: Firefly is the flamethrower drone that chases you into cover. Where the fuel tank sits, which ammo strips the armor, and when to stop fighting it.
Arc Raiders Comet Guide: Weak Point, Igniter and Counters: The Comet rolls at you and self destructs. Where its weak point is, what Embark says to shoot it with, and why letting it explode costs you the Igniter.
Arc Raiders Rocketeer Guide: Weak Points and How to Kill It: How to kill the Rocketeer in Arc Raiders: reading its laser telegraph, the thruster weak points, the ammo that penetrates ARC armor, and when to walk away.
Arc Raiders Leaper Guide: Weak Points, Ammo and Spawns: The Leaper has 1,100 health and Heavy armor, and its leap tracks Raiders who are already sprinting. Weak points, the ammo that works, spawns, and when to walk.
Arc Raiders Bastion Guide: Weak Points and How to Kill It: How to kill the Bastion in Arc Raiders: the screech and burst attack cycle, the three weak points in order, the ammo that penetrates, and when to walk away.
Arc Raiders Bombardier Guide: Weak Points and Best Ammo: How to kill the Bombardier in Arc Raiders: the rear canister and leg joints, why its armor is Light, which ammo penetrates, and why cover will not save you.
Arc Raiders Vaporizer Guide: Weak Points, Shield and Loadout: The Vaporizer only spawns during Close Scrutiny. Where to shoot it, how its shield works, what ammo actually penetrates, and when to walk away.
Arc Raiders ARC Turbine: Weak Point, Loot and How to Kill It: The ARC Turbine only exposes its weak point when it lands. Where to shoot, which ammo gets through its heavy armor, and whether the loot is worth it.
Arc Raiders Queen Guide: Weak Points, Ammo and When to Run: How to find, fight and skip the Queen in Arc Raiders: Harvester spawn rules, weak points, the ammo that beats her plating, and what she actually drops.
Arc Raiders Matriarch Guide: Weak Points, Loadout, Spawns: Where the Matriarch spawns in Arc Raiders, how its missiles, gas and shield work, which weak points actually break, and when walking away is the smarter call.

Key & Keycard Locations

Arc Raiders Key Locations: Every Key and Where to Use It: Every Arc Raiders key and keycard location on one page. The exact locked door for 37 keys across all 6 maps, what is inside, and if it is worth the risk.
JKV Employee Access Card Location in Arc Raiders: Buried City JKV Employee Access Card location in Arc Raiders, the fourth floor Space Travel door it opens, and whether the loot room is worth the climb.
Buried City Hospital Key Location in Arc Raiders: Buried City Hospital Key location in Arc Raiders, the north west corner room it unlocks, the loot inside, and whether the Hospital is really worth the risk.
Buried City Town Hall Key Location in Arc Raiders: Buried City Town Hall Key location in Arc Raiders, the ground level door it opens, the loot inside the building, and how to run the best key on the map.
Buried City Residential Master Key Location in Arc Raiders: Buried City Residential Master Key location in Arc Raiders, all three apartment doors it opens, which one holds the best loot, and why it beats the Rare keys.
Dam Control Tower Key Location in Arc Raiders: Dam Control Tower Key location in Arc Raiders: the exact door at the top of the Control Tower on Dam Battlegrounds, how to climb to it, and the loot inside.
Dam Staff Room Key Location in Arc Raiders: Dam Staff Room Key location in Arc Raiders: the ground floor door in Research and Administration on Dam Battlegrounds, how to reach it, and what is inside.
Dam Surveillance Key Location in Arc Raiders: Dam Surveillance Key location in Arc Raiders: the door inside Water Treatment Control on Dam Battlegrounds, step by step directions, and all the loot inside.
Dam Testing Annex Key Location in Arc Raiders: Dam Testing Annex Key location in Arc Raiders: both locked doors inside the Testing Annex on Dam Battlegrounds, which room to open first, and the loot inside.
Spaceport Control Tower Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where the Spaceport Control Tower Key spawns in Arc Raiders, the door it opens in Control Tower A6, the loot at the top, and whether the climb pays off.
Spaceport Container Storage Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where the Spaceport Container Storage Key spawns in Arc Raiders, the top floor door it opens, the lockers and ammo cases inside, and the risks getting there.
Spaceport Trench Tower Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where the Spaceport Trench Tower Key spawns in Arc Raiders, the two towers it opens on The Trench, what each one holds, and why the south tower pays more.
Spaceport Warehouse Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where the Spaceport Warehouse Key spawns in Arc Raiders, the second floor door it opens in the Shipping Warehouse, the loot inside, and the fastest way up.
Blue Gate Cellar Key Location in Arc Raiders: Blue Gate Cellar Key location in Arc Raiders: both mapped cellar doors at Trapper's Glade and the Ruined Homestead, the loot inside, and if it is worth it.
Blue Gate Communication Tower Key Location in Arc Raiders: Blue Gate Communication Tower Key location in Arc Raiders: the locked room under the tower at Pilgrim's Peak, how to get in, and the loot waiting inside.
Blue Gate Village Key Location in Arc Raiders: Blue Gate Village Key location in Arc Raiders: the four room barred door building in the Village, where the key drops, and the loot inside this uncommon key.
Stella Montis Archives Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where to find and use the Stella Montis Archives Key in Arc Raiders, the only epic key on the map, plus the Storage Room it opens and the loot inside.
Stella Montis Security Checkpoint Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where to find and use the Stella Montis Security Checkpoint Key in Arc Raiders, the door it opens near the Security Bridge, and the blueprints inside it.
Stella Montis Assembly Admin Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where to find and use the Stella Montis Assembly Admin Key in Arc Raiders, the admin door off the Central Corridor, and whether that room is worth the key.
Stella Montis Medical Storage Key Location in Arc Raiders: Where to find and use the Stella Montis Medical Storage Key in Arc Raiders, the locked storage room inside Medical Research, and what the small room holds.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 102 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 102 location in Arc Raiders: the floor 1 west wing door in Hotel Panorama Azzurro, where the card drops, and if it pays.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 107 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 107 location in Arc Raiders: the central floor 1 balcony suite, the Battening Down quest reward, and the reported 208 card.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 113 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 113 location in Arc Raiders: the east wing door on floor 1 of Hotel Panorama Azzurro, the fastest route in, and the risk.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 205 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 205 location in Arc Raiders: the floor 2 central door by the zipline in Hotel Panorama Azzurro, its defences and its loot.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 208 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 208 location in Arc Raiders: the multi room floor 2 suite in Hotel Panorama Azzurro, the 107 chain, and the clear time.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 311 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 311 location in Arc Raiders: the east tower door on floor 3, the outside approach that actually works, and what is inside.
Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 404 Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Hotel Keycard No. 404 location in Arc Raiders: the top floor west wing door in Hotel Panorama Azzurro, the climb to it, and what is known.
Riven Tides Classified Records Keycard Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Classified Records Keycard location in Arc Raiders: the Port Authority door behind a turret, the security pad step, and the full loot inside.
Riven Tides Secure Storage Keycard Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Secure Storage Keycard location in Arc Raiders: the epic door inside Classified Records at the Port Authority, and what is not documented.
Riven Tides Crane House Keycard Location in Arc Raiders: The Riven Tides Crane House Keycard location in Arc Raiders: the two doors in the Stacking Yard crane control room, the climb, and why to save it for late.
Dam Controlled Access Zone Key Location in Arc Raiders: The Dam Controlled Access Zone Key location in Arc Raiders: the ladder route down to the door in the north, what is in the room, and if it is worth it.
Blue Gate Confiscation Room Key Location in Arc Raiders: The Blue Gate Confiscation Room Key location in Arc Raiders: the full underground route from Headhouse, the MANTIKOR sign above the door, and the loot.
Ancient Fort Security Code Location in Arc Raiders: The Ancient Fort Security Code location in Arc Raiders: the one key class with a fixed spawn area, where it drops, and how the Locked Gate condition works.
Pilgrim's Peak Security Code Location in Arc Raiders: The Pilgrim's Peak Security Code location in Arc Raiders: where exactly it spawns in the north east, why you can bank codes across raids, and how to use it.
Raider's Refuge Security Code Location in Arc Raiders: The Raider's Refuge Security Code location in Arc Raiders: where it spawns in the north west, and what the Locked Gate condition takes away from your raid.
Reinforced Reception Security Code Location in Arc Raiders: The Reinforced Reception Security Code location in Arc Raiders: where exactly it spawns in the centre north, and what is waiting in the tunnels below it.
Raider Hatch Key in Arc Raiders: How to Get One: The Raider Hatch Key location and crafting in Arc Raiders: the recipe, the vendor, the quests that grant one, and when a fast personal extract is worth it.
Patrol Car Key Location in Arc Raiders: The Patrol Car Key location in Arc Raiders: all four patrol cars across Blue Gate and Riven Tides, what is in the back, and which quest hands you one.

Tier List

Best Weapons Tier List: Complete weapon tier list for Arc Raiders ranked by DPS, versatility, and ease of crafting.
Best Armor Tier List: Complete armor tier list for Arc Raiders covering helmets, vests, and backpacks ranked by protection and value.
Best Gadgets Tier List: All gadgets ranked in Arc Raiders from grenades and deployables to traversal tools and attachments.
Weapon Tier List (March 2026 Patch 1.21): Updated weapon rankings after the Il Toro nerf and Tempest rework. S/A/B/C tiers for PvP and PvE.

Map Guide

Dam Battlegrounds Guide: Complete guide to Dam Battlegrounds including loot routes, extraction points, danger zones, and ARC encounters.
Buried City Guide: Complete guide to Buried City including loot routes, extraction points, danger zones, and ARC encounters.
Stella Montis Guide: Complete guide to Stella Montis including loot routes, extraction points, danger zones, and endgame ARC encounters.

Strategy

Beginner Guide: Complete new player guide for Arc Raiders covering your first hours, essential mechanics, and progression tips.
Recycling Guide: Complete guide to recycling in Arc Raiders covering what to keep, what to sell, and what to recycle for maximum value.
Crafting Guide: Complete crafting guide for Arc Raiders covering station upgrade order, what to craft first, and material management.
Solo Player Guide: Tips and strategies for solo raiding in Arc Raiders including stealth tactics, loadouts, and survival techniques.
Arc Raiders PvP Tips: Combat, Movement & Weapon Meta: Proven PvP tactics for Arc Raiders: weapon meta, peeking and movement patterns, third-party defense, and how to win 1v1s vs other Raiders.
Arc Raiders: How to Extract Safely (Every Map Guide): Step-by-step guide to extracting in Arc Raiders. Extraction points, timing, and PvP-avoidance tips for Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, Blue Gate, and Stella Montis.
First 10 Raids: New Player Survival Guide: Step-by-step guide for your first 10 raids in Arc Raiders. Where to go, what to loot, how to survive.
Flashpoint Update Guide (March 31, 2026): Everything coming in the Flashpoint update: Shredder enemy, lightning storms, Player Project system, Scrappy companion.
Stash Management: What to Keep, Sell, and Recycle: The definitive guide to managing your Arc Raiders stash. Never run out of space again.
Arc Raiders Free Loadout: What Is In It and How to Use It: A free loadout in Arc Raiders is a full preset kit at no cost, with no cooldown and no limit. What is inside, and what the Free Loadout Augment costs you.
Arc Raiders Traders: All Five, Their Currencies and Full Stock Lists: Apollo, Celeste, Lance, Shani and Tian Wen. What each one sells, what currency each one takes, and why Celeste's single-digit prices are not a discount. All 112 listings, sourced.
Arc Raiders Skill Tree: All 45 Nodes in Conditioning, Mobility and Survival: Every node in all three skill trees, what it improves and what it costs in points. Includes the honest answer about the ninja build: there is no stealth tree.
Arc Raiders Outfits and Cosmetics: Every Confirmed Skin, Colorway and Emote: The 32 cosmetics that appear in the item database: 5 outfits, 12 colorways, 4 emotes, charms and attachments. An honest floor rather than a padded list.

Comparison

Venator vs Vulcano Rifle: Detailed comparison of the Venator and Vulcano in Arc Raiders covering DPS, cost, and best use cases.
Ferro vs Stitcher: Comparing the Ferro battle rifle with the Stitcher SMG for different playstyles.
Best Solo Loadout for Dam Battlegrounds: Optimized loadout guide for solo players running Dam Battlegrounds in Arc Raiders.