ARC Raiders Augment Tier List From S To C | Carry Weight, Shields, And Passives Explained

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• ARC Raiders AI Voice Acting Controversy | Undermines Game Quality And Player Experience

  As the saying goes, "with fame comes controversy," and this applies to the gaming market as well. The more popular a game, the more attention and controversy it receives. Recently, ARC Raiders has undoubtedly been at the center of this debate.

  As a survival shooter, a hot topic in ARC Raiders community is whether its PvPvE gameplay should be optimized further. However, another controversy has transcended the player base, attracting wider attention: the application of AI technology.

  This article will explore how ARC Raiders' use of AI technology caused this "farce" and delve into the appropriateness of using artificial intelligence in games.

  

  In What Ways Does ARC Raiders Use AI?

  The game's gameplay and setting involve Earth being invaded by alien ARC robots. You play as a member of Raiders from an underground base, venturing to the surface to fight and collect ARC Raiders items to bring back underground.

  Based on this, all human faction NPCs required live actors to provide voice acting during the game's development - don't underestimate this work! Emotionally rich voice acting can add extra charm to the storyline and even the entire game!

  Since the main factions in ARC Raiders are currently only humans and ARC robots, voice acting for human characters is obviously a major undertaking. ARC Raiders chose to have AI handle this task.

  The dialogue in ARC Raiders isn't directly recorded by actors; instead, the technical team uses existing actor voices combined with AI's text-to-speech function to generate the necessary lines.

  Furthermore, the game continuously improves the behavior and animations of various robot enemies through AI, but this practice is already accepted by the gaming industry and players. Therefore, the focus of the controversy lies in the voice acting.

  Why Is This Approach Inappropriate?

  PvPvE nature of ARC Raiders means you will inevitably encounter many real players. Whether you are hostile to each other or intend to team up against robots or other player teams, this constitutes in-game social interaction.

  Making friends through game social features is becoming increasingly common. Even in single-player games, you can meet friends through relevant forums. And this social feature is one of the core selling points of ARC Raiders.

  However, using AI voice acting, in a sense, contradicts this social aspect.

  While the dialogue of NPCs in a game is pre-arranged, you can still experience emotional fluctuations due to the storyline when interacting with them.

  The thought that the lines that move you are generated by cold artificial intelligence evokes a dark humor unique to the AI ​​era. What appears to be technological progress hides a lack of humanity and emotion.

  Voice Acting Is An Integral Part Of Games' Soul

  From the day games were defined as a new art form, their purpose has been not merely entertainment, but to express the creator's thoughts in new ways, moving you on a deeper spiritual level.

  From this perspective, gameplay is merely a means; the soul of a game lies in the thoughts and emotions it truly wants to convey. Therefore, only genuine creation from real people can truly reflect a game's value.

  So even if ARC Raiders only used AI for voice acting, it still undermined the game's overall value and artistry, turning everything into a product of profit rather than a work that evokes deeper thought and emotion beyond the battle.

  Highly engaging voice acting can help games tell stories more vividly, and you can be more easily moved by the story through the dedicated performances of voice actors behind the scenes.

  Also Read: ARC Raiders 1.3.0 Patch Update Breakdown | Balance Changes And Bug Fixes

  In fact, this is not only a reflection of the game's value but also a recognition of the voice actors' work. Human emotions and thoughts should be expressed by humans, not by seemingly robotic figures.

  The Negative Impact Of AI On The Game Market

  The initial purpose of artificial intelligence was to make people's work and lives more convenient. However, its rapid output capabilities have led to its gradual distortion when applied to fields controlled by different capital groups.

  At least in the game industry, in the past two years, there has been an increasing trend of using AI to directly draw graphics, generate sound effects, or create voice acting; some have even attempted to generate games entirely with AI.

  But this not only undermines the final quality of the game (AI is not yet omnipotent enough to completely replace humans) but also infuriates you, because the development costs have decreased while developers' expected profits remain high.

  Besides being condemned by players, the application of AI will also lead to the unemployment of many related professionals, such as illustrators, screenwriters, voice actors, and live-action actors.

  This consequence will severely impact employment and the entire economic system, and ironically, no one except the developers will benefit.

  

  The Correct Use Of AI In ARC Raiders

  As a technology, AI itself is not wrong; the problem lies in its misuse, which has affected your gaming experience and even real life - sometimes you can't even tell if a video or image is AI-generated, making everything seem so unreliable.

  At least in fields like games, rooted in human creativity and emotion, AI should always be an auxiliary and corrective tool, not a tool for directly creating any formal content.

  Therefore, aside from the generally accepted optimization of robot enemies, if ARC Raiders wants to become a valuable game rather than a fleeting "shooting addiction," it should promptly abandon the clumsy AI voice acting.

  In short, the development of any new technology has its advantages and disadvantages, but the problem is that its advantages should not become a disaster for other groups due to misuse and abuse.

  We don't yet know how much impact AI will have on the gaming industry in the future, but at least ARC Raiders can start changing now and become a purely original game, rather than a monster pieced together by AI.

• ARC Raiders Top 10 Profitable Exploration Locations In Buried City Map | Maximize Your Farming Efficiency

  While the basic pattern of each adventure is consistent - exploration, looting, and eliminating all enemies encountered - ARC Raiders enriches the combat experience by adding and rotating maps with diverse terrains and styles, building upon the existing mechanics.

  Currently, the base maps you'll likely encounter in ARC Raiders are remnants of a prosperous past, now occupied by ARC droids. We can only glimpse their former glory during exploration. These maps include:

  • Dam Battlegrounds
  • Buried City
  • Spaceport
  • The Blue Gate
  • Stella Montis
  • Practice Range

  Your task is to bring back enough resources from these maps to strengthen your character and base. While you might encounter variant maps offering more resources, the base maps remain the core of your farming.

  Based on this, we'll use Buried City map as an example to list several locations worth prioritizing for looting, improving your farming efficiency on this map.

  

  Buried City Overview

  Each run of this map lasts approximately 30 minutes, allowing for a maximum of 8 rounds of combat. The city is situated in arid, desolate sand dunes, its tall, imposing buildings, narrow streets, and empty plazas telling tales of its lost glory.

  Looking at the map details, the main buildings and locations in Buried City are generally distributed in a north-south direction. Therefore, if you want to plan a time-efficient route, you can follow this pattern.

  1. Hospital

  Located in the northern part of the map, this is a relatively tall building, ideal for ambushing and sniping enemies from a combat perspective, as you can easily reach the rooftop using a zipline - where you can also loot weapons and lockers.

  The entire building not only contains abundant obtainable resources but also many items left behind by other players who died. Because the hospital itself is quite dangerous, it's prone to spawning difficult ARC robots.

  Therefore, if you want to farm items here and escape unscathed, you need to improve your character in every aspect to avoid ending up like other failed Raiders.

  To do this, the fastest way to do this is to directly buy the relevant services, and currently, ARC Raiders products for sale on IGGM offer an 8% discount with ARC8 code, making it the perfect time to strengthen yourself.

  That said, the hospital has a friendly feature: it's close to Raider Hatch and a regular exit. This means that if you're careful and fast enough, you can escape immediately if you can't win a fight.

  2. Space Travel

  Here, you'll find yourself heading south from the hospital. The enemies here are mainly small robots clustered indoors, making it slightly less dangerous overall, but the loot and containers are exceptionally plentiful.

  Even though many other players have already explored Space Travel, you don't need to worry about going home empty-handed; the "rich" Space Travel won't let any visitor leave empty-handed.

  3. Research

  This building is adjacent to Space Travel, with an interior layout consisting mainly of narrow corridors and staircases. Loot is primarily located on the roof and inside the buildings. If you find the roof too dangerous, looting the individual rooms should suffice.

  Note that this terrain means that real players in Research are more dangerous than the roaming Pops or Fireballs, as they are more adept at ambushing from hidden corners. However, you can also use this terrain to conceal your movements.

  4. Grandioso Apartments

  Located in the southwest of Buried City map, this multi-story residential area takes considerable time to explore, but the rewards are substantial.

  More importantly, you'll find many keys here that can unlock rooms in other locations. These rooms often contain containers or chests with better items, increasing your overall loot farming potential.

  5. Plaza Rosa

  Continuing southeast, you'll reach this plaza. It contains many small buildings and shops to loot. We generally recommend prioritizing the pharmacy before exploring other buildings.

  Although the plaza is open, enemy density and spawn rates are low, allowing for safe resource gathering. Even if you encounter a troublesome enemy, the nearby extraction point provides a quick escape.

  6. Library

  This building is located to the north, close to the hospital. The library's danger lies in its mostly damaged state, making you easily spotted by passing ARC robots. Furthermore, the loot generated here is mostly suitable for selling.

  Therefore, if you're not good at scouting PvE enemies, we only recommend exploring this area when you're short on coins to avoid unnecessary losses.

  

  7. Town Hall

  This location is in the center of the map, but in terms of value, it's not a key point in Buried City. Without the key to enter, you'll only find ordinary loot in a limited area, and enemies are always lurking outside.

  8. Parking Garage

  Surrounded by the hospital, library, Space Travel, and Research, this location is easily overlooked because it doesn't seem to have many hidden loot spots.

  However, many cars inside contain supplies, making it well worth a leisurely search. Furthermore, the parking lot, being a relatively enclosed area, is less likely to be spotted or disturbed by ARC enemies, making it a paradise for slow-paced players.

  9. Santa Maria Houses

  As a residential area, it has plenty of buildings and rooms to loot. More importantly, if you look south from a higher vantage point, you'll find many ARC robots stationed there.

  If your character is strong enough, you can head south to kill these enemies and collect their loot. You might also find supplies left behind by other defeated players, killing two birds with one stone.

  10. Piazza Arbusto

  Located in the southeastern part of the map, the overall loot value isn't very high, but the enemies are relatively easy to deal with in terms of difficulty and number. It's suitable as a pilot area after entering Buried City.

  Besides the above, there are other locations within Buried City, but they are either not very valuable or too dangerous. Therefore, if you don't have enough time and a powerful gear, it's not recommended to clear the entire map.

  We hope this information will give you a fulfilling and exciting adventure on this map! Have fun!

• ARC Raiders Blueprint Drop Tests & Verified Drop Methods | Reliable Sources, Night Raids, And Storm Maps

  The blueprint drop mechanism in ARC Raiders has many ambiguities, leading to biases and unverified speculation among players based primarily on personal experience.

  To acquire blueprints more efficiently, it's crucial to distinguish reliable from incorrect guesses. Let's examine whether the current blueprint drop methods are truly effective.

  

  Blueprint Drop Rules

  Reliable Blueprint Sources

  Currently, the most reliable source of blueprints is trial rewards. Players receive five trial challenges weekly, earning points for completing them. These points determine the quality of blueprints obtained.

  Some blueprints are only obtainable through specific quests and do not drop randomly. For example, Jupiter and Equalizer Legendary blueprints can only be obtained through Harvester event.

  Random Drops

  Besides the above, almost all other blueprints can be found randomly in any container in the game. Several types of containers have a higher chance of dropping blueprints:

  • Weapon Cases
  • Grenade Cases
  • Medical Duffel Bags
  • Buried Caches

  Factors Affecting Drop Rate

  Some factors increase the blueprint drop rate, such as a higher blueprint drop rate in Night Raids compared to Day Raids.

  Rooms requiring extra effort to enter, such as rooms behind destructible doors or rooms requiring parkour, have higher loot quality for all containers, thus increasing the blueprint drop rate. This effect also seems to stack with Night Raid bonuses. Locked key rooms and puzzle rooms also have above-average loot quality.

  Destructible containers, such as chests and lockers, seem to have a higher base drop rate than standard lootable containers, and ARC enemies, Surveyors, have a surprisingly high blueprint drop rate when defeated.

  New Weapon Blueprints

  The 6 new ARC Raiders items added in the recent update should theoretically have blueprints, but no players have reported finding them, which means their blueprints are currently unobtainable.

  Speculations On Improving Blueprint Acquisition Methods

  If you can skillfully apply the above blueprint farming conditions, farming them will be much more efficient. However, there are also reports that blueprints have a higher probability of appearing on Electromagnetic Storm map and in specific locations, which some players have verified.

  Electromagnetic Storm

  Electromagnetic Storm is a timed event that triggers at different times, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. There are fewer extraction points and stronger enemies in Electromagnetic Storm.

  Multiple community members have reported finding specific blueprints in specific locations and under Electromagnetic Storm map conditions. Players have tested this in Pale Apartments and Ruby Residences areas in the northwest of Damn Battlegrounds map.

  In five sessions specifically looting the aforementioned apartment building during Electromagnetic Storm, three testers found a total of five blueprints. However, this was still probabilistic, as one session found none, while another session found two blueprints.

  Blueprints were also successfully found in different map types within other Electromagnetic Storm sessions. Players testing at the same locations in Night Raids obtained fewer blueprints than during Electromagnetic Storm.

  Based on the verified results, Electromagnetic Storm, as the primary map condition, requires a blueprint drop rate at least equal to, and possibly even higher than, Night Raids to have an above-average blueprint drop rate. However, this conclusion still needs confirmation from data mining or the developers, and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

  Location-Specific Drop Rates

  There are also claims in the community that certain blueprints have a higher drop rate only in specific container types or locations.

  Firstly, the room behind the breach door in Bluegate underground area. It is said that modified Augment blueprints are very likely to appear here. There's relatively little disagreement within the community about this, and many players have found it there, so it may have some credibility.

  Another location is Grandioso Apartments in Buried City night raid, especially the north building, which is said to drop Tempest blueprints. However, player testing has shown that while other blueprints have been found, the probability of Tempest blueprints appearing hasn't increased, only indicating that the blueprint density at that location is still acceptable.

  Some players have also reported that scavenger containers, trash bins, drawers, kitchen cabinets, suitcases, red lockers, breach boxes, and breakable lockers all have a higher probability of dropping blueprints.

  Places like Dam Battleground apartment building give the impression of a high drop rate precisely because of the dense distribution of these various containers. Players noticing a trend of finding more blueprints in a particular location can easily reinforce this perception bias due to the influence of other players' descriptions.

  Therefore, rather than a specific location or container type determining the drop rate, it's more accurate to say that the density of containers that can drop blueprints is at play. While there may be abundant loot, the blueprint drop rate may not be substantially increased.

  

  Reliable Farming Methods

  Based on the above facts and speculations about blueprints, to farm more blueprints, you can participate in night raids or enter Electromagnetic Storm map and search areas with high container density. Theoretically, this is the most efficient way to obtain blueprints.

  Currently, most theories circulating in the player community regarding specific locations or containers providing bonuses to specific blueprints cannot be fully confirmed. If more players can share their opinions and engage in discussion, perhaps more efficient blueprint farming methods will emerge.

• ARC Raiders Scrappy The Rooster Upgrade Guide: All Material Locations To Reach Level 5

  In ARC Raiders, loot is the lifeblood of every raider; every part and seed affects your development progress. And during your resource gathering, Scrappy, the Rooster, is your best partner!

  Scrappy, a mechanical assistant resembling a rooster, passively collects basic crafting materials in your room during raids, including Metal Parts, Fabric, Seeds, Chemicals, Rubber Parts, and Plastic Parts. These are essential resources you constantly need to build your base and upgrade your character's abilities.

  It's important to note that Scrappy's material collection speed isn't fixed. As you upgrade it, its resource generation speeds up, giving you more passive income. Since these basic items are the first to run out in the early game, prioritizing upgrades to your Scrappy is key to maintaining economic balance in the early stages.

  Here, we'll explain how to obtain all the items needed to upgrade Scrappy to level 5 in ARC Raiders, as well as the best spawn locations for all materials.

  

  Upgrade Materials For Each Level

  Scrappy, The Rooster, has 5 levels. Upgrading it to the highest level unlocks a variety of items. However, each level upgrade requires collecting and consuming specific materials:

  • Fledgling: None (Starting Level)
  • Forager: 1x Dog Collar
  • Scavenger: 3x Lemon, 3x Apricot
  • Treasure Hunter: 6x Prickly Pear, 6x Olives, 1x Cat Bed
  • Master Hoarder: 12x Mushroom, 12x Apricot, 3x Very Comfortable Pillow

  Level 2 Upgrade Materials

  Dog Collar

  First, many people struggle to find Dog Collar. Our suggestion is to spend some time exploring Buried City and carefully examining the interiors of all buildings.

  The loot mechanic for ARC Raiders is that any cabinet, wardrobe, or other similar interior furniture can spawn drawers. Once spawned, these drawers can be opened, and you might find a Dog Collar inside.

  Honestly, if you run around a few times, searching buildings and looting as many ARC Raiders items as possible, you're almost guaranteed to find it in one of the drawers.

  For example, buildings like Town Hall, Plaza Rosa, and Santa Maria Houses on Buried City map can spawn Dog Collars. However, we recommend choosing higher-risk areas, as this will increase your chances of finding it.

  If you want an even higher drop rate, try night raids. Our testing has shown that the number of cabinets with lootable drawers spawns significantly increases during night raids.

  Level 3 Upgrade Materials

  After obtaining Dog Collar, you'll need three Lemons and three Apricots to upgrade your Scrappy to level 3. There are several ways to find these items.

  Lemon & Apricot

  The first method is to look for lootable baskets, which spawn randomly on the map. They are very rare but contain a lot of loot. However, this method isn't 100% effective, as the items obtained are completely random and depend entirely on luck.

  The second method requires you to go to the riverbank on Spaceport map, where lemon trees do spawn. If you go during Lush Blooms map modifier, the spawn rate of lemon trees will increase significantly. There's also an extraction point nearby, so you can easily escape, but I recommend keeping it in Safe Pockets just in case.

  On Blue Gate map, in Olive Grove, you can find large areas of lemon and apricot trees, and they're always there. Regardless of the event, this area on the map is the best place to find lemons and apricots. You just need to kick a tree to get a large amount of lemons and apricots.

  Honestly, the hard part of this part is finding where these trees are, and then everything else is simple.

  Level 4 Upgrade Materials

  Gathering the materials to upgrade to Level 4 is slightly more difficult. You'll need six Prickly Pears, six Olives, and one Cat Bed.

  Olives

  The location of Olives is exactly the same as the lemon and apricot trees in The Blue Gate, all in Olive Grove. As the name suggests, this area is full of olive trees.

  You can find the fruit and olives on the ground using the same method, or you can kick the olive trees to get more olives. However, be aware that this area is inexplicably a PvP hotspot. Therefore, it's recommended to carry as little equipment as possible, ideally nothing at all. Gather some olives, put them in your Safe Pockets, and return immediately to avoid being ambushed by other raiders and ending up empty-handed.

  Cat Bed

  You can find Cat Bed in the residential area. The best search locations are Plaza Rosa, Santa Maria Houses, and Piazza Arbutso on Buried City map. These locations are adjacent to each other, so simply search building by building to find Cat Beds.

  More specifically, Cat Beds usually appear on shop shelves, not in containers, so don't overlook any shops with signs or rows of shelves inside.

  Prickly Pear

  Finally, we need Prickly Pears. Cactus are usually very common on Buried City or Dam Battlegrounds map; you can sometimes find Prickly Pears on the ground by simply running around the cacti.

  However, note that you can't kick cacti like you would other fruit trees, so this is a bit tedious and will take some time. You'll sometimes find them on the ground near cacti. Again, having Lush Blooms modifier active increases your chances of finding these Prickly Pears.

  

  Level 5 Upgrade Materials

  Now, we move on to the final stage, where you need to find 12 Mushrooms and Apricots, and 3 Very Comfortable Pillows. For apricots, you can also collect them in Olive Grove, as mentioned before, so we won't go into detail again.

  Mushrooms

  Surprisingly, finding mushrooms is the hardest part! Unlike apricots, olives, and lemons, mushroom spawning is often unreliable, making them quite difficult to obtain.

  Here, we've narrowed down the search as much as possible, finding some mushroom spawn points that almost always appear.

  First, you'll find one in Hydroponic Dome Complex in Swamp. Mushrooms might be present in this area, but this spawn point is essentially shared with another plant there. This means that if that plant is there, you might not find the mushroom, but usually you will.

  Another stable spawn point is near ARC wreck. It's marked with a blue arrow on the map, basically on a tree trunk in Scrap Yard. There are three guaranteed mushroom spawn points here; just go and collect them.

  However, these three locations aren't close together; you'll need to traverse the entire map to find them, which can take a long time. Therefore, our advice is to play normally and check these areas for mushroom spawns each time you enter the region.

  In addition, the trees around Dam Battlegrounds and the nearby river also offer opportunities to find multiple mushroom spawn points. It's a large area, so expect to explore the woods, but you should be able to find quite a few mushrooms and safely evacuate via the nearby elevators.

  As always, it's recommended to wait for Lush Blooms to begin, as the mushroom spawn rate will definitely be higher.

  Very Comfortable Pillow

  Finally, we need to find 3 Very Comfortable Pillows, which will take some time. Honestly, the only thing you can do is go back to the residential areas and search for as many containers as possible.

  Grandioso Apartments and Village are the most obvious choices. Both locations are primarily residential, with many apartments and houses to loot. In contrast, we recommend prioritizing Village, as it's generally less looted, while Grandioso Apartments is more crowded.

  Another lesser-known location is the building directly beneath Red Tower in Buried City. The top floor of the apartment building connected to the tower has a small raider outpost filled with lockers, safes, and other containers. You can climb onto the roof, go through a hole blasted in the wall, and search for Very Comfortable Pillow.

  Meanwhile, Plaza Rosa is generally a good place to find Very Comfortable Pillow, especially above the pharmacy, where there are many dresser drawers to loot. More importantly, all the buildings around the plaza may also contain a variety of residential loot and gadgets, allowing you to leave with a full load.

  Again, if you obtain these items, be sure to store them in your Safe Pockets so that even if you die, your collection continues to grow.

  The above lists all the materials needed to upgrade Scrappy in ARC Raiders to the maximum level 5 and their locations. Honestly, since you know where to find these items, I suggest you don't specifically look for them; just keep playing the game. If you come to this area later, you can look for them casually, and eventually you'll collect everything you need. This way, you won't get tired of constantly searching for various items. Good luck!

• ARC Raiders Best PvP Weapons Tier List (S–C Tier) | Strongest Guns & Loadouts For Winning Fights

  The primary enemy in ARC Raiders is the ubiquitous ARC units, but the most terrifying enemy isn't them, but rather other players who covet your loot and try to attack you.

  Any player who immerses themselves in ARC Raiders will inevitably face PvP situations. Players from the shadows can attack you at any time, and your weapon, while effective in PvE, is significantly less effective in PvP.

  Preparing a weapon capable of effectively eliminating other players is essential, regardless of your PvP enthusiasm. In ARC Raiders, the difference in the same weapon performance between PvP and PvE is substantial; even legendary weapons don't guarantee victory in PvP.

  

  Tier S

  Tier S weapons are currently the most powerful and reliable choice in the PvP environment.

  Venator

  • Quality: Rare

  This pistol is currently the most powerful PvP weapon in the game, far surpassing other weapons. Once upgraded to level 3 or 4, it can quickly eliminate any enemy as long as your accuracy is high. In duels, whoever spots and hits their opponent first usually wins, and this weapon isn't rare; it's easy to loot from other players in PvP, making it a popular choice.

  Bobcat

  • Quality: Epic

  Bobcat is a fully automatic submachine gun. Its shooting feel is similar to Stitcher, but its higher rate of fire gives it a more significant advantage. Especially when you use it for headshots, your enemy can be eliminated instantly. Note that it's best to equip an extended magazine; otherwise, you won't be able to finish off medium-armored enemies without reloading.

  Volcano

  • Quality: Epic

  Volcano shotgun, once fully upgraded and equipped with suitable attachments, is extremely efficient at eliminating enemies. It provides powerful offensive capabilities in PvP, and its magazine capacity is considerable with attachments, allowing you to avoid frequent reloading during combat.

  Anvil

  • Quality: Uncommon

  Anvil hand cannon, a green-quality weapon, is practically monster in PvP. It's easy to obtain and upgrade, and boasts an extremely high rate of fire at level 4, allowing you to kill enemies with two headshots. It can turn the tide in various unfavorable situations. It works exceptionally well when paired with Volcano, Bobcat, or Stitcher.

  Renegade

  • Quality: Rare

  Renegade is undoubtedly the champion among combat rifles. Its damage is slightly lower than Anvil and Ferro, but its range is exceptional. Upgrades further increase its rate of fire, making it dominant at mid-to-long range and even performing well in close combat. Overall, it's a very well-rounded weapon.

  Tier A

  Tier A weapons are high-performing and worthwhile, but slightly inferior to Tier S weapons in some aspects.

  IL Toro

  • Quality: Uncommon

  IL Toro excels indoors, in corridors, and within buildings. It boasts the highest single-shot burst damage in the game, capable of taking down lightly shielded players in two shots. In third-person gameplay, peeking around corners for burst damage is extremely effective. Since many players prefer mid-to-long-range primary weapons, carrying a shotgun for close-quarters combat offers a significant advantage.

  Stitcher

  • Quality: Common

  While Stitcher is at least a common-quality SMG, upgrading it to level 4 makes it incredibly powerful, almost rivaling the performance of Bobcat. Equipping it with damage-boosting and magazine-enhancing attachments provides consistent bullet trajectory, easily winning 1v1 battles.

  Tempest

  • Quality: Epic

  The level 4 Tempest boasts high damage and long range, quickly melting enemies. However, you must aim for the head to maximize its power. It's recommended to equip a suppressor and use a forward-moving playstyle for better handling.

  Torrente

  • Quality: Rare

  Torrente is a light machine gun that performs well at close to medium range. If used correctly and positioned well, you can even win some incredible battles. Enemies ambushed by this weapon have virtually no chance of survival, but it takes some time to get used to its handling.

  

  Tier B

  Tier B performs well in certain situations, or has significant drawbacks that prevent it from reaching higher tiers.

  Osprey

  • Quality: Rare

  Osprey, as a sniper rifle, is extremely map-dependent. On maps with long-range engagements, it's an A-tier weapon, but it struggles on newer maps that encourage aggressive playstyles or in Burried City, thus leaning more towards B-tier, suitable for players who enjoy sniping.

  Burletta

  • Quality: Uncommon

  Burletta pistol is excellent with the right attachments (especially those that increase magazine capacity). It feels great as a quick-switch secondary weapon and is more effective than Kettle. You can pair it with Renegade or Tempest.

  Arpeggio

  • Quality: Uncommon

  Arpeggio was strong in the past, but it's not optimal in the current version. It only deals effective damage when all your bullets hit. Against Tier A and Tier S weapons, it's difficult to win if the opponent has high accuracy.

  Rattler

  • Quality: Common

  The Tier 4 Rattler is actually quite good. You can easily eliminate enemies with a single magazine. Its range is superior to Ferro, making it suitable as a primary rifle or a close-range secondary weapon. It's one of the few accurate, fully automatic weapons in the game, but its reload speed is slow, and its performance is inferior to Tempest.

  Ferro

  • Quality: Common

  Ferro is a perfect transitional weapon for beginners, and ARC Raiders items required to upgrade it to Tier 4 are few. For players who delve deeper into the game, its performance is insufficient for more intense combat.

  Bettina

  • Quality: Epic

  Bettina assault rifle has a slow rate of fire but high damage. Aside from its performance shortcomings, its main problem is its rapid durability depletion, potentially requiring repair or disposal after just one game.

  Kettle

  • Quality: Common

  The Tier 4 Kettle deals high damage with headshots. However, its low bullet velocity and poor long-range accuracy put it at a disadvantage in both close and long-range combat, while Tier A weapons like Stitcher, Tempest, and Torrente perform better overall.

  Tier C And Below

  Jupiter

  • Quality: Legendary

  As a legendary weapon, Jupiter's PvP performance is disappointing. It generates a laser when charging, revealing the user's position, and requires reloading after each shot. Even when it hits, its TTK is poor due to its mechanics. It's essentially a pure PvE weapon.

  Equalizer

  • Quality: Legendary

  Equalizer performs exceptionally well in PvE, but it consumes a large amount of ammo, and it's also incredibly heavy.

  Hairpin (Common) And Hullcracker (Epic)

  Hairpin is arguably the least useful weapon, while the author mentions that Hullcracker is primarily for dealing with Arc (AI enemy machine killers) and is also ineffective in PvP.

  In Raiders PvP, you'll be facing other players, not Arc, so don't blindly trust weapon quality. New players can prioritize Anvil because it is of low quality, easy to obtain and upgrade.

• ARC Raiders North Line 1.2.0 Patch New Matriarch Boss Overview | Spawn Locations, Attack Mechanics, Combat Tips & Rewards

  Recently, ARC Raiders released its latest major update patch, North Line Update 1.2.0, the largest update since the game's launch. This update not only brings a brand new Stella Montis map and weapons, but also new enemies to defeat.

  Here, we'll discuss the boss that makes its debut in this North Line update: Matriarch. This is a very tanky ARC machine; compared to it, The Queen looks much friendlier!

  In this guide, we'll explain how to defeat Matriarch, including its spawn locations, boss mechanics, and specific strategies for defeating it. Let's take a look!

  

  Where Does Matriarch Spawn?

  First, Matriarch will only appear when Matriarch Event is active on the map, displayed as a diamond link icon.

  Initially, Matriarch will spawn in Dam Battlegrounds or Spaceport, though she may also appear on other maps. In Dam Battlegrounds, you'll find her at the breach; in Spaceport, she'll be near Fuel Lines next to Departure Building.

  Also Read: ARC Raiders 1.2.0 North Line Update Note | New Map, New ARC Enemies, Item Changes And Full Patch Summary

  Matriarch Mechanics

  Let's talk about how Matriarch works. She's essentially another version of The Queen, like Bastion and Bombardier - the same unit, but with some key differences.

  Therefore, Matriarch also has many spider-like long legs and a similar movement pattern, but her weaknesses, attack methods, and mechanics are completely different.

  Attack Methods

  Let's start with her direct attacks. Unlike The Queen, she doesn't have the ability to directly shoot or attack you. Aside from directly stomping on you, all her attacks are indirect. That is, she primarily damages you by throwing Gas Grenade, Flashbangs, Homing Missiles, and Shield Generation.

  On the other hand, she can also summon Ticks, Wasps, and Hornets, just like The Queen. Furthermore, our tests have confirmed that she can also summon Bastions, Leapers, and Rocketeers. Therefore, the official claim that she is more deadly than The Queen may be true.

  Physical Stomp

  The most important attack mechanism of Matriarch is the physical stomp. This attack will be triggered randomly if you are close to her and near the ground.

  Gas Grenade

  In addition, she will throw Gas Grenade. If you are near her, gas aura will appear around her. These Gas Grenade, like the traps we set, will consume stamina. If you are in a favorable position, this will be insignificant; however, if you are in a disadvantageous position, such as being close to her, it could be fatal. Therefore, you must always be aware of your position.

  Flashbangs

  Next, she will launch Flashbangs. These projectiles fly through the air and tumble. They are very conspicuous and explode upon landing, but they will not cause you harm; instead, they will completely blind or severely deafen you. This means you will be unable to defend yourself for a short period of time.

  However, you can shoot these flashbangs to cause them to explode prematurely, especially if you're in a disadvantageous position, which is a good way to avoid letting them land near you.

  Homing Missiles

  However, her most lethal attack is Homing Missiles. These rockets are launched into the air like the Queen's mortar fire, but they function completely differently. They ascend, select a target, and lock onto it. Once locked on, they rush towards it at extremely high speed.

  Our advice is to find some sturdy cover and then immediately retreat behind it the moment the missile launches.

  Shield Generation

  Finally, her unique direct mechanic is Shield Generation, which generates various shields all over her body, seemingly impenetrable by any projectile.

  It's worth noting that while Matriarch is extremely protected when shielded, you can walk right in and attack her from within. This is because when her shields are activated, her core, her most vulnerable part, is completely exposed.

  

  Summoning Creatures

  Currently, there are three creatures that Matriarch can summon: two Wasps and one Hornet. They will attack the current target directly, regardless of the target's location or distance from the spawn point. Additionally, she will summon a large swarm of ticks along the ground, which are extremely deadly.

  Equipment Selection

  So what should we do to improve our win rate before facing Matriarch? As before, you'll need the familiar weapon: Hullcracker.

  However, things have changed. You can still acquire a Hullcracker daily for 30,000 coins, but Launcher Ammo has doubled in price. That means 10 bullets will cost 6,000 coins instead of the previous 3,000.

  And just like against The Queen, each member of the team will need to carry approximately 60 to 80 bullets. But if you're soloing, you'll need at least 200.

  However, there's now a new option: you can also consider the epic grenade: Deadline. It deals 1000 damage upon explosion, equivalent to 10 Hullcrackers.

  How To Defeat Matriarch?

  For this boss fight strategy, I think you should occupy advantageous cover above Matriarch, regardless. Ideally, this allows you to aim at her jaw and attack her core when ready.

  Next to Fuel Lines in Spaceport, you can use the windows and balconies inside Departure Building as ideal cover. We can do this in Dam Battlegrounds as well, though it's a bit more difficult because your upper body is exposed, but you just need to be taller than the boss and have solid cover in front of you, which is easy to do near the bridges on either side of Dam.

  We need to position ourselves in the center of the cover and then sway left or right as needed. Even if she throws Gas Grenade at us, it doesn't matter; we can slowly move behind cover and completely avoid the missiles.

  While ensuring our own safety, we need to destroy as many of her jaw plates as possible. Her core is protected by two jaw plates, so you can focus your fire on one of them, either the left or right, exposing one side of the core. You can then skillfully weave in and out, dealing massive damage with each shot. This is how we quickly defeat Matriarch.

  Rewards

  Finally, defeating Matriarch unlocks one of the richest loot pools in ARC Raiders, filled with high-rarity items and valuable components.

  Her unique drop is Matriarch Reactor, which can be used to craft a new legendary weapon - Aphelion. Of course, crafting this weapon also requires complex Complex Gun Parts and Magnetic Accelerators, which you can also obtain from Matriarch and The Queen.

  That's all we know so far about Matriarch ARC boss. Hopefully, this gives you some confidence to challenge her yourself. We believe her final loot will make all the effort worthwhile.