ARC Raiders Coins

With the implementation of the major Arc Raiders update, Riven Tides, the weapon durability mechanic underwent a controversial adjustment.

The official statement clearly indicates that the core goal of this change is to address the excessively high maintenance costs of higher-tier weapons, while simultaneously allowing higher-tier weapons to have a longer lifespan than lower-tier weapons.

However, following the update's release, numerous discussions quickly emerged within the community regarding the imbalance in the weapon economy system, particularly the surge in the durability consumption rate of lower-tier weapons, causing concern among many players.

The following will examine the true impact of this Arc Raiders change on the weapon durability system from three dimensions: the adjustment logic, actual test data, and potential errors.

Adjustment Logic

Arc Raiders patch notes emphasize that higher-tier weapons should have a longer battlefield lifespan than lower-tier weapons.

This premise aligns with the typical Arc Raiders Items progression curve; players who invest more resources to acquire legendary or Epic weapons should logically receive a positive return in terms of durability.

However, Arc Raiders didn't simply increase the durability of high-tier weapons; instead, it significantly accelerated the wear and tear on low-tier weapons.

This dual-track adjustment led to a sharp increase in the repair frequency of both Common and Uncommon weapons in actual combat, sparking community-wide questioning of the weapon economy system.

According to test data, Common-quality weapons like Stitcher require approximately 10.24 sets of light ammunition to be completely destroyed, Kettle 9 sets, and Pharaoh 3.1 sets of heavy ammunition.

Anvil, a weapon that performs well in both PvE and PvP, now only requires 215 rounds to become completely unusable.

This means that in a relatively intense encounter, a player might run out of weapon lifespan before even retreating. For novice players or those with limited resources, this penalty significantly increases the cost of maintaining combat effectiveness.

Test Data

Based on the highest durability level four, the following data represents the test results for each weapon level from full durability to zero.

Among Common-tier weapons, the number of ammunition required for complete destruction varies significantly, mostly ranging from several hundred to over a thousand rounds.

Uncommon and Rare-tier weapons also exhibit considerable fluctuations, with some models requiring only a little over a hundred rounds to deplete their durability, while others exceed a thousand.

Epic-tier weapons range from extreme values ​​of over two thousand rounds to rapidly depleted models requiring only a little over two hundred.

Comparing community test records before and after the update reveals that the actual durability adjustments to almost all weapons were less than stated in the patch notes.

This phenomenon may stem from a conversion error between the underlying calculation formula and the percentage representation, or maybe the development team temporarily used a unique set of parameters before the patch went live.

Nevertheless, when translated into actual gameplay scenarios, the majority of players will rarely fire enough rounds in a single deployment to completely degrade even the most fragile Common weapons, except for a few outliers like Anvil.

Potential Error

From a design logic perspective, only excessively high maintenance costs for higher-tier weapons was explicitly listed as an adjustment target. Therefore, imposing faster durability loss on Common, Uncommon, and even Rare weapons essentially addresses a non-existent problem.

These lower-tier weapons are inherently inexpensive to manufacture and easy to repair, their economic burden is not a major source of player complaints.

The collateral penalty imposed by Arc Raiders at this level actually reduces players' options during resource-scarce phases, forcing them to rely on high-tier gear earlier or endure greater logistical burdens.

The update specifically mentions that Arc Raiders Items looted from downed enemy players will reduce durability loss by 15%. This design attempts to create a more interesting loot and reuse cycle in PvP combat: enemy-dropped weapons are relatively newer, encouraging players to actively change gear and reduce reliance on fixed builds.

However, considering the high elimination rate and low survival rate in PvP, the actual trigger frequency of this benefit may be limited. Players can only enjoy the durability reduction benefit if they successfully extract with looted weapons.

Given the precedent of several instances of unexpected values from the official release, these durability figures will likely be corrected in subsequent weekly updates.

Based on actual testing results, the overall durability balance in the current version is not as extreme as the percentages suggest, but there are indeed several design flaws that significantly deviate from the average for low-tier weapons.

Riven Tides' adjustments to Arc Raiders Items durability appear on paper to severely penalize low-tier weapons and moderately reward high-tier ones. However, real-world testing shows the actual impact is much milder than the patch notes suggest, with some weapons even receiving unexpected buffs.

Visual assessments in terms of ammo stacks indicate that the vast majority of weapons are not completely destroyed during a normal extraction, but the vulnerability of a few models, such as Anvil, does warrant attention. Future fixes are more likely to focus on numerical discrepancies rather than overhauling the entire system.

Tired of the high-intensity firefights in Riven Tides? Why not try your hand at being a beachcomber instead? Have you noticed? The new Beachcombing map condition recently added to ARC Raiders is actually quite fascinating. You can grab a metal detector and head to the coast to try your luck; that sense of accomplishment, digging up rare treasures after hearing that telltale beep-beep-beep, is truly even more addictive than going head-to-head in direct combat!

Compared to the nerve-wracking pace of previous firefights, this treasure-hunting mode brings a refreshing change of pace to Riven Tides. Want to know how to make a quick fortune along the coast while Beachcombing map condition is active? This guide is all you need, we've highlighted all the key points just for you!

Unlocking Dockmaster's Detector

However, before you can start your treasure hunt, you need to acquire a specific piece of gear: Dockmaster's Detector. This is the key tool that helps you quickly identify buried treasures on the beach; whenever there is loot nearby, the detector will emit a beeping sound and flash yellow.

There are two ways to obtain Dockmaster's Detector in ARC Raiders: The first method is to simply pick one up directly within the game world. When Beachcombing map condition is active, you can find these detectors inside shipping containers located in the coastal zones, or scattered in other corners of the map, it all comes down to your luck! The second method is to obtain one by completing the first phase of the new Player Project introduced in Riven Tides.

Completing Phase 1 of Avian Alarm Project

That's right, the new Player Project we're referring to here is Avian Alarm. In fact, this Beachcombing event is closely tied to Avian Alarm Project, and the reward for completing its first phase is none other than a Dockmaster's Detector.

It's worth noting that the process of completing this first-phase objective feels very much like undertaking a standard side quest.

First, head to Seabed zone located at the southern edge of Riven Tides map. Scattered throughout Seabed area, you will find numerous buoys. These buoys are massive metal structures that typically stand at a tilted angle within the seabed terrain. Any one of these buoys can serve as your designated objective for the mission. 

Next, as you approach one of the buoys, a blue holographic marker will appear, indicating the exact spot where you need to place the bird trap. Simply interact with it to complete this objective.

Upon returning to Base Speranza, all you need to do is confirm and submit your mission progress at the terminal. If you haven't already picked up Dockmaster's Detector elsewhere on the map, the system will now award it to you as a mission reward, along with 25 Raider Tokens!

How to pinpoint the treasure?

Once you have Dockmaster's Detector, head straight for Seabed area. Note that the darker sections of the map represent restricted zones; however, a line of buoys serves as a clear marker, delineating No Entry boundaries or the edge of the map.

Next, follow this route until you reach Wave Breaker area. This entire zone is teeming with loot just waiting to be unearthed.

If you have the detector equipped, an energy bar will appear on your screen, accompanied by a rhythmic beeping sound. As you draw closer to a buried object, the frequency of the beeps will accelerate, and the pitch will rise.

When the beeping reaches its most rapid, high-pitched intensity, stop in your tracks and slowly rotate 360 degrees. When the indicator bar turns green, it signifies that the treasure is directly beneath your feet; simply press the interaction key to begin digging. 

However, keep in mind that Dockmaster's Detector consumes energy with each use; once the energy bar is depleted, you must wait for it to automatically recharge before you can resume your search.

Digging for Loot

I must warn you: don't expect to unearth nothing but goodies. Occasionally, you may dig up something truly nightmarish, a dangerous threat that will make your skin crawl. Therefore, you must remain constantly vigilant while engaging in this activity.

Rare Chests

The most coveted find during your excavation is the blue suitcase. Additionally, you stand a chance of unearthing various Raider Caches, weapon crates, and even ARC Raiders blueprints. Since the chests yielded during Beachcombing are generally of a higher tier, this method ranks as one of the best ways to farm for weapons and blueprints.

Ship Models

Another key reward to look out for during the digging process is Ship Models. During Last Resort event, held from April 28 to May 25, players can earn Merits to unlock a series of brand-new cosmetic items and in-game resources. Collecting these Ship Models is one of the key methods for accumulating more Merits:

• Wind Sprite: 5 Merits
• Twilight Compass: 10 Merits
• Velocity: 25 Merits
• Sirena Dorata: 50 Merits
• Leviathan's Crown: 250 Merits

It is highly recommended that you do not immediately sell any Ship Models you unearth to the in-game store. It is very likely that subsequent stages of Avian Alarm event will require you to submit these Ship Models as quest materials.

Potential Threats

As previously mentioned, there is a chance that digging will trigger traps or attract enemies, specifically Mines, as well as ARC Ticks and Leapers.

If you unearth a Mine, you must dodge out of the way immediately; otherwise, it will instantly obliterate approximately one-quarter of your total health and shields. As for Ticks and Leapers, while these small units rarely pose a serious threat to your survival, they are undeniably annoying. Therefore, please remain alert to ambient sounds while digging to avoid inadvertently attracting them.

Survival Strategies & Gear Selection

Finally, there is one last point to consider before venturing into this area: the terrain here is extremely open and offers absolutely no natural cover. Consequently, you may occasionally find yourself completely exposed to enemy fire with nowhere to take shelter, or even nowhere to run. 

In such situations, equipping a Photoelectric Cloak is an excellent choice. However, keep in mind that the developers recently nerfed this item; its duration is no longer quite as long as it used to be. Even so, it should still be more than sufficient to help you extricate yourself from immediate danger.

If Photoelectric Cloak isn't an option, you might consider using a few Smoke Grenades to provide cover for your retreat. As for weaponry, a Hullcracker and a Renegade are all you need to fully enjoy your treasure-hunting expedition.

In summary, Beachcombing introduces an entirely new dynamic to ARC Raiders Riven Tides map. It serves not only as a prime opportunity to acquire high-tier blueprints and a wealth of coins, but also offers players a progression path that is imbued with a genuine sense of exploration and discovery. 

Grab your detector and keep an ear out for those beeps, but don't forget: while you're scouring the ground for treasure, always keep an eye on the skies above for incoming ARC aircraft. May every Raider return from the beaches of Riven Tides with a bountiful haul!