ARC Raiders Expedition Preparation Guide | How To Deliver Sufficient Materials?

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• ARC Raiders Best Attachments Guide | How To Choose To Maximize Your Gun?

  To maximize weapon potential and enhance gameplay, almost every shooting game goes beyond simply giving you a gun; it allows you to customize and improve those weapons through attachments.

  This principle also applies to ARC Raiders. Like most game items, attachments can be obtained through looting, trading with merchants, and crafting in the workshop.

  However, regardless of the method chosen, farming attachments requires resources and involves risk. Therefore, to conserve effort, you should equip your weapons with the best available attachments and avoid those that are difficult to obtain or craft.

  Below, we will provide a brief overview of the attachment system and recommend the best attachments for all currently available weapons in ARC Raiders.

  

  All ARC Raiders Attachment Types

  Each weapon in the game has four attachment slots: Underbarrel, Muzzle/Barrel, Magazine, and Stock. Each attachment slot offers different types of attachments and their effects, as follows:

  Underbarrel:

  • Vertical Grip: Reduces vertical recoil.
  • Angled/Horizontal Grip: Reduces horizontal sway.

  Magazine: Increases magazine capacity; rarer magazines increase it more.

  • Extended Light Mag
  • Extended Medium Mag
  • Shotgun Mag

  Stock:

  • Stable Stock: Reduces recoil and spread recovery time.
  • Lightweight Stock: Improves aiming and switching speed.
  • Padded Stock: Reduces vertical and horizontal recoil and spread.

  Muzzle/Barrel:

  • Suppressor: Reduces gunshot noise.
  • Compensator: Improves accuracy.
  • Muzzle Brake: Reduces recoil.
  • Extended Barrel: Increases bullet velocity.
  • Shotgun-specific chokes and suppressors.

  It's important to note that we've only listed "types." The actual number and functions of attachments within each type will have further subdivisions, which you'll need to determine yourself while playing the game.

  

  Weapons And Their Best Attachment Options

  Each ARC Raiders weapon uses different types of ammunition, resulting in differences in penetration power and suitable combat scenarios.

  In addition to attachments, all weapons can be upgraded to improve their performance, up to Rank IV. We'll introduce the most suitable attachments for each gun based on these characteristics.

  Anvil

  Theoretically, you could fill every attachment slot on every weapon, but practically speaking, this is a waste of time - not every slot is necessary for the current weapon.

  As a weapon with high damage and rate of fire, to maximize Anvil's potential, you need to focus on its accuracy; the compensator is the best choice for this.

  Hairpin

  As a free weapon available from the start of the game, there's no need to invest time in Hairpin, and it can only equip magazine-type attachments.

  Burletta

  The advantage of this weapon is its high rate of fire, and the more skilled you are, the higher the rate of fire ceiling becomes. However, a faster rate of fire also means a faster ammo consumption rate, so we recommend using the maximum capacity magazine.

  Venator

  This is a weapon with very pronounced strengths and weaknesses. While its damage output and rate of fire are attractive, its recoil is significant, and its magazine capacity is insufficient.

  Therefore, if your budget allows, you can improve Venator in these two aspects. However, if you can only focus on one aspect, we recommend prioritizing any extended medium mag.

  Stitcher

  The main problem with this weapon is its strong horizontal and vertical recoil. While you can improve this by upgrading the weapon itself, it's still necessary to add a muzzle brake or vertical grip to mitigate even more recoil.

  Bobcat

  Bobcat's strengths and weaknesses are basically the same as Stitcher's, so you can improve this submachine gun using the same methods as improving Stitcher.

  Rattler

  Overall, this is a less frequently used weapon because it doesn't have any outstanding advantages and has many alternatives. Therefore, like Hairpin, there's not much need to upgrade it. If you really want to improve it, you can equip a muzzle brake to reduce its recoil.

  Arpeggio

  The weapon's weakness lies in its long firing interval, which can make you vulnerable to enemy attacks in combat. Therefore, it's recommended to equip it with stable stock to ensure more consistent fire.

  Osprey

  This weapon has two upgrade options: using lightweight stock to increase aiming speed, and using an extended barrel to increase rate of fire. Of course, it's better if you can obtain both simultaneously.

  Torrente

  Torrente's main drawbacks are its slow rate of fire and excessive recoil. You can choose attachment types based on your specific needs to address these issues.

  Renegade

  If this is your primary weapon, it's best to choose attachments based on the specific combat situation, or simply equip two at once. First, add an extended barrel for long-range combat; second, use a compensator to improve accuracy in close combat.

  Bettina

  This gun has decent total damage output, but its effectiveness in combat will be further enhanced by increasing the rate of fire with a Kinetic Converter. Alternatively, equipping it with a horizontal grip is also a viable option, as it makes it more stable.

  Tempest

  The problem with Tempest is its high recoil, making it difficult to control, especially for beginners or players unfamiliar with fully automatic assault rifles. Therefore, it's best to add a muzzle brake attachment and upgrade Tempest to the highest level.

  

  More Tips

  If you pay close attention, you'll notice that the above weapon list isn't exhaustive. This is because some weapons don't have attachment slots, such as Equalizer, while others are already powerful enough that not adding attachments to save time is acceptable.

  That concludes our introduction. We hope it helps you play ARC Raiders!

  ---

  After understanding the above, if you urgently need certain attachments, the faster option is to buy safe ARC Raiders items at IGGM! We can provide both the attachments themselves and related blueprints!

• ARC Raiders Expedition Faces Criticism | Over High Requirements, Blueprint System Penalty And Deteriorating Game Experience

  The detailed requirements and rewards for ARC Raiders Expedition Project have been announced, but feedback from the player community indicates that Expedition’s content is not entirely satisfactory. Many players are hesitant, unsure whether to participate.

  The criticism of ARC Raiders Expedition is not unfounded, and it is indeed quite immature and is having some negative impacts on the game.

  

  The Design Philosophy Of Expedition Project

  To maintain the long-term viability of a game and avoid data bloat, games like Escape from Tarkov use mandatory, periodic server resets. This allows players to start over and prevents the game from losing its vitality. These resets typically do not offer rewards and are part of the core gameplay loop.

  ARC Raiders Expedition Project does not adopt this classic design. Instead, it makes resets optional, allowing players to participate voluntarily rather than being forced into a reset.

  Its design aims to serve hardcore and semi-hardcore players, allowing them to actively reset their progress after experiencing all content and maintain a sense of freshness, while allowing casual players to retain their progress without being forcibly reset.

  Drawbacks Of Expedition Program

  Reward Mechanism

  Expedition Program’s reward mechanism was initially designed to attract players, especially with the attractive rewards of extra skill points and storage space. However, this backfired, influencing player choices.

  This is because these rewards are long-term benefits, and this turned what was originally an optional reset for a select few into a goal that all players wanted to achieve. Some casual players, unable to complete the program due to time constraints, developed a fear of missing out, feeling left behind.

  This resulted in Expedition Program becoming a periodic goal that all players had to prepare for, appearing approximately every 8 weeks, rather than just a tool for a select few to reset their progress. Besides the dissatisfaction of casual players, it also amplified the advantages of hardcore players.

  Overly High Value Setting

  To obtain 5 skill points, players needed to have a total stash and currency value of 5 million coins before resetting. This led players to avoid using high-level equipment for raids in the weeks leading up to the reset, instead repeatedly using free loadouts to play and immediately selling all acquired equipment to hoard money.

  Even players with over 100 hours of playtime haven’t accumulated enough coins, and only very dedicated players have likely achieved this.

  On the other hand, each expedition only rewards 12 extra Stash, which provides a very small boost. Temporary buffs like 10% repair speed, 5% experience bonus, and 6% more materials from Scrappy are considered too insignificant, especially since materials are already plentiful after Scrappy reaches level 5, and the extra 6% won’t provide a significant improvement after the reset.

  Deteriorating Game Experience

  Another issue is that expeditions discourage players from using high-level gear near the end of the season, forcing them to rely on low-tier gray gear to avoid losing assets and potentially falling short of the 5-million-coin requirement. This completely kills the fun of the traditional end-of-season.

  Ideally, players should enter matches with gear, try to evacuate for profit, and then upgrade their gear. Before the reset, everyone would use their best gear to enjoy the game, but now everyone wanting to participate in expeditions must hoard ARC Raiders items, making the game experience conservative and dull.

  Blueprint System Penalty

  Blueprints are currently the most time-consuming collection element in ARC Raiders, with 74 different types. However, due to their extreme rarity and random acquisition, most players haven’t collected them all. Most blueprints players possess are common and duplicates.

  An Expedition reset means players will lose all collected blueprints and must start the lengthy collection process from scratch. This penalty deters any long-term dedicated player.

  However, it’s not impossible to save blueprints after a reset. You need to find a friend who isn’t participating in Expedition Project, give them your blueprints, and have them return them to you during the first raid after the reset. This might be a bit cumbersome, but it can allow you to quickly restart after Expedition Project.

  

  Ambiguous Information

  Due to this being the first reset, some information about Expedition Project is still somewhat unclear. It’s currently unknown whether the caravan progress of players who don’t participate in the reset will be retained for the next cycle. It’s unclear whether the rewarded skill points are immediately granted or unlocked later, and this will impact the player’s gaming experience.

  Which Players Should Reset?

  Players who have completed all quests and reached the maximum level can participate in Expedition, as they have already experienced the endgame content of their current phase. If you want something new, you can also choose to participate in Expedition, as each reset’s game progression, blueprint acquisition order, and quest completion order can offer new experiences.

  If you are only level 20 to 40 and your crafting station is not fully upgraded, it’s best not to rush into participating in Expedition. At least wait until the later stages of the game before considering it.

  Despite the flaws in Expedition, the developers are actively adjusting the game and are willing to listen to player feedback, so these issues should be resolved in the future.

• ARC Raiders Week 7 Trials Guide | Best Maps, Loadouts & Safe Extraction Tips

  ARC Raider has started a new week of trials. This week's trials are a bit more difficult, and with the Expedition event approaching, they've become even more dangerous. However, no player would pass up the loot from three-star trials.

  Most of the 5 trial missions in week seven require combat, so choosing the right map and equipment will make it easier to achieve three stars.

  

  Destroy Ticks, Fireballs, And Pops

  • Recommended Map: Stella Montis

  These three types of enemies aren't very threatening, and you can take them down with any weapon. The main challenge is finding them.

  The most recommended map is Stella Montis, as it contains many enclosed indoor areas, making it easy to encounter them. It's recommended to play under Night Raid or Electromagnetic Storms conditions for double points.

  In Robotic Sandbox, take advantage of high ground and use Jolt Mines or deployable cover to block doorways and shoot safely from windows. You can also head to Rocket Assembly and gradually clear out enemies inside and below the building, starting from the third floor. Business Center is only a backup option, as it's a PvP hotspot.

  It's recommended to bring Anvil sniper rifle with a suppressor. It can one-shot Fireballs and Popps. It's best to equip it with Anvil Splitter attachment, as it's effective not only against AI but also allows you for one-shot headshots to eliminate fully healed opponents in PvP combat.

  Also, while completing missions on this map, you can loot indoor ARC Raiders items to progress towards the 5 million coins needed for the expedition.

  Search Supply Drops

  • Recommended Map: Dam Battlegrounds

  You need to find 3 Supply Drops to achieve three stars in the trial. Each map has drop locations, and their locations are generally fixed. If you can't find them, climb to a higher vantage point and look for yellow signal markers.

  The most recommended map is Dam Battlegrounds, because this map has 22 fixed supply crates, and you can use tools to locate them. Since the mission only requires you to search the crates, you don't need to call in airdrops yourself, so airdrops called in by other players can also be searched and scored.

  Try to traverse the map quickly solo, avoiding areas with dense flares, and move quickly after searching a point. For weapons, mid-to-long-range weapons like Renegade are recommended, as they are suitable for map engagements and effective against AI. It's also best to carry some smoke grenades and a Barricade Kit for encounters, and have enough ammunition.

  Damage Wasps

  • Recommended Maps: Dam Battlegrounds or Spaceport

  Wasps can appear anywhere on the map. You only need to eliminate seven or eight Wasps to achieve three stars, and it will be faster on maps like Night Raid or Electromagnetic Storms. Simply occupy a safe high ground position with a wide field of view and target Wasps you see.

  Both Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport have relatively tall buildings. You'll need to climb to the top of these buildings and clear out Wasps to make them respawn faster. You can carry a fully durable Osprey sniper rifle, and its damage and range are quite good.

  If you want a higher points, you can enter maps with Hidden Bunker event. It lasts for 40 minutes and includes a double score modifier, and there are a large number of wasps.

  Damage Bastions

  • Recommended Maps: The Blue Gate or Spaceport

  You only need to kill one or two Bastions to achieve three stars, and their main weak points are the yellow joints on their legs and the yellow core on their backs. There are more Bastions on Spaceport and Bluegate maps.

  You can first use Hullcracker to remove the fortress's armor, then attack with high-DPS weapons like Anvil and Wolfpack Grenades. Additionally, smoke grenades or showstoppers are effective against Bastions, but Deadline mines no longer instantly kill Bastions, so don't waste them.

  

  Damage Queens Or Matriarchs

  • Recommended Map: Any map containing these two bosses

  To achieve three stars, you need to deal enough damage to the bosses and destroy them. Matriarch has less health than Queen and is less likely to be overwhelmed by players, making it a more recommended target.

  You can use a snap hook to jump to the top of Matriarch, break its top armor plate, and then place Deadline mine directly on the exposed core to detonate it.

  Each Deadline mine deals approximately 3000 damage, and players can obtain one per day. To maximize damage per round, you can bring up to three mines into the battle in your safe pouch.

  Due to the boss's high difficulty, it's recommended to bring a Defibrillator so your teammates can revive you after placing mines, or revive you to save usable mines. Then use Looting Mk. 3 (Survivor) to prevent bleeding to death after being knocked down, and carry plenty of smoke grenades to escape player combat on the way to the boss.

  Be aware that the risk of being ganked by players is high in the outer areas of the boss area. Players are usually more friendly near the boss's core area, and you can cooperate. However, after defeating the boss, be extremely careful of attacks from rat players from the outer areas.

  This is how to complete Week 7 trial. If you want to complete the trial and escape safely, remember to prepare items that can handle both PvP and PvE, and always be wary of other players' ambushes.

• ARC Raiders Expedition Requirements & Fast Coin Farming | How To Reach 5 Million Stash Value Before The Deadline?

  The official requirements and rewards for ARC Raiders Expedition have been released. However, to gain the extra 5 skill points, you need items worth 5 million coins in your stash (including your own coins).

  While participation in Expedition isn't mandatory for all players, it provides extra stash space and skill points, which players who want to experience it long-term definitely won't want to miss. The remaining challenge is accumulating enough coins before the window closes.

  

  Expedition Requirements And Rewards

  Expedition's start date has been slightly delayed; it begins on December 17th and closes on December 22nd. Only players level 20 and above can participate. Players who meet the level requirement can submit items during this period to fulfill the conditions and reset their level, inventory, blueprints, etc.

  Players who successfully reset their progress will receive the following rewards:

  • The Patchwork Raider outfit
  • Scrappy Janitor Cap
  • Expeditions Indicator icon
  • Skill points (depending on Stash value)
  • +12 Stash space

  To maximize skill point rewards, you need to optimize your inventory, ensuring each slot contains high-value items, while low-value basic materials and common shields should be sold or dismantled.

  PVE Farming Strategy

  • Location: Buried City

  If you don't want to engage in PvP, Buried City is the best map for you, as it's safe and yields between 70,000 and 100,000 ARC Raiders coins per run, and you only need to quickly loot a few resource-rich and safe indoor locations, then immediately evacuate via a nearby hatch or extraction point.

  Loot Spots

  Red Tower

  Red Tower is located in the south of the map. You can enter from the top or bottom to check drawers and weapon cases, which may contain security breaches.

  Santa Maria Houses

  Santa Maria Houses are a few houses north of Red Tower. You can first clear the drawers and security breaches in the neighbor's attic, then enter Santa Maria Houses attic to loot drawers and find a third security breach. You can then descend from the attic to the rooms. There are many valuables on the tables, sofas, and drawers, while weapon cases are usually found in the yard.

  Building Underneath The Bridge

  You can enter rooms with breachable doors, which often contain valuables, blueprints, and weapons. You can also use Buried City Residential Master Key to open the door to a hidden building ,and the room contains weapons, valuables, grenades, blueprints, etc.

  Key Tips

  This route prioritizes efficiency. You can bring some adrenaline to speed up map traversal. Both solo and dual teams can find good loot at these locations.

  You can plan your search route, but there's no need to stick to a fixed one. It's best to flexibly visit these hot loot spots based on your spawn point and the current battle situation. Also, ammo boxes may contain valuable items, so don't forget to search them. After each run, to maximize your profits, sell all your loot and don't hoard it.

  PVP Farming Strategy

  • Location: Stella Montis

  Stella Montis has a high PVP density. How much loot you collect depends on your strategy and PVP ability, so the rewards fluctuate greatly. Generally, each run yields over 50,000 to 120,000 coins.

  For skills, you can bring Broad Shoulders to increase carrying capacity and Loaded Arms to reduce weapon weight, allowing you to carry more loot.

  Stella Montis's main resource points are distributed in the four corners of the map:

  • Medical Research area on the west side has valuable loot throughout.
  • Assembly Workshops on the north side have two room groups; clearing them out yields highly valuable items.
  • In the southernmost Seed Vault, each seed is worth 100 coins; you can usually loot 60-70, worth approximately 6000-7000 coins.
  • Security Room near the lobby is also rich in resources, but PvP often breaks out there.

  Zero-risk Approach

  You can enter using free loadout, then prioritize looting Seed Vault or nearby resource points, fill your inventory, and leave. Each run yields a stable 50,000 to 80,000 coins; even if you die, you only lose seeds, with virtually no risk.

  High-risk, High-reward Approach

  You can also enter with high-level gear and a big looting bag, looting high-level resource points and participating in PvP to plunder other players' equipment. Even a well-equipped level 5 Stitcher can earn you 10,000 to 18,000 coins.

  This method can easily yield over 100,000 coins, but the risk of participating in PvP is extremely high because Stella Montis battleground is chaotic and requires excellent adaptability. You can sell all your items after evacuating and then re-enter, repeating this cycle to quickly accumulate wealth and PvP experience.

  Matriarch/Queen Events

  The last method is rather underhanded and unethical. If you're willing to be a rat, this method can also earn a lot of coins.

  In raids containing Matriarchs and Queen events, all players enter with their best gear, so defeating them yields extremely high rewards. If you can successfully kill several teams each round, you can earn 200,000 to 300,000 ARC Raiders coins. While other player teams attack the boss, your team focuses on eliminating the remaining players. Ideally, when the boss is defeated, only one team remains on the map to deal with. Eliminating them allows you and your team to claim all the loot.

  However, this requires precise control over the pace of eliminating other player teams. Too fast and you'll have to fight the boss yourself; too slow and other teams will take the loot. This method is highly unethical and will likely result in you being wanted by other players, so you had better not use the method.

  You can run Buried City multiple times, and with your previous accumulation, reaching a stash value of 5 million coins before Expedition deadline shouldn't be too difficult.

• ARC Raiders Expedition Project Window Delay: Full Reset System & Buff Stacking Explained

  Recently, the developers of ARC Raiders announced that they will not open the expedition project departure window as scheduled on December 15th, but will instead begin on December 17th and end on the 22nd, two days later than originally planned.

  While slightly disappointing, this isn't entirely bad, as this brief delay actually gives players more preparation time until the window closes.

  You will have six days to allow your raider to permanently leave The Rust Belt and embark on a new journey with the caravan you built in the expedition project, carrying some buffs and advantages.

  Next, we want to delve deeper into the confirmed information about this expedition project window to understand what the actual expedition reset is like and what advantages we will gain. So, let's take a look.

  

  How Does Expedition Work?

  First, the expedition in ARC Raiders works similarly to Call of Duty's Prestige system. Players participating in the event have their current character progress reset, forcing them to create a new character when the next expedition project begins. However, this doesn't mean players will lose almost everything once the six-day window ends, and their efforts may not be worthwhile, as participating players will receive some permanent rewards that will make their next game journey easier.

  What Buffs Does The Expedition Project Provide?

  Now, suppose you're about to leave Speranza. When an expedition begins, all ARC Raiders items in your inventory are counted towards the expedition.

  During an expedition, your raider can gain a maximum of 5 skill points. The exact number depends on the total value of your inventory and coins at the time of departure. In other words, the total value of all items in your inventory plus the total value of all your ARC Raiders coins is your total value when you leave the expedition.

  An item worth 1 million coins can provide 1 additional skill point for your new raider. You can gain a maximum of 5 skill points, but this requires your stash and coins to be worth at least 5 million.

  When you restart the game, everything related to your game progress will be reset, so your skill tree, level, stash, workshops, crafting abilities, and blueprints will be lost.

  Notably, your initial tutorial after your first deployment in Speranza will be skipped, meaning all maps and potential workshop upgrades will be available immediately after your reset. While you'll still start from scratch, you'll gain these basics without any tedious steps.

  

  Permanent Rewards

  If you choose to reset Expedition, you'll also gain some permanent unlocks, mostly cosmetic, including:

  • The Patchwork Raider outfit
  • Scrappy Janitor Cap
  • Expeditions Indicator icon
  • Skill points (depending on stash value)
  • +12 Stash space

  These are decent upgrades that you can gradually accumulate as you continue participating in Expedition system.

  Temporary Buffs

  In addition, you will receive some temporary buffs:

  • 10% Repair Buff
  • 5% XP boost
  • 6% more materials from Scrappy

  Please note that while skill points, extra inventory space, and cosmetic items are permanently unlocked, these account-bound buffs will expire if you choose not to participate in the next expedition. In other words, if you stop participating in this system, you will no longer be able to obtain these temporary buffs.

  The buff effects will increase over the next three expeditions, but can only be triggered once per expedition project window. Therefore, the stacking mentioned here means that the more times you participate in this system, the stronger these buff effects will become.

  A reminder that the expedition window will open on December 17th and last until December 22nd. This is different from our initial expectations; you must register during this period. They have stated that the value of your inventory and coins will be calculated when the window closes, not when you register. Therefore, you can continue to scavenge for resources and try to accumulate 5 million coins before the window closes.

  Of course, we know many players don't intend to participate in the expedition system, so if you choose not to reset, you can continue building caravans, and all progress will be retained, allowing you to keep working until the next window opens in a few months.

  

  Why Reset Expedition Progress?

  The main reason many players feel participating in expeditions isn't worthwhile is that each reset makes them feel like all their previous efforts have been wasted, making it completely unworthy of trying.

  However, ARC Raiders development team has provided an explanation. They stated that progress wipes have always been difficult to balance in multiplayer online games, and a mandatory global wipe has some obvious benefits. Players who have invested a lot of time can relive their initial grind, and for a period of time, the game environment will be fairer.

  The optional expedition project window is a solution proposed by the team to address some of the problems that mandatory wipes inevitably cause, especially reflecting their respect for the time players have invested in the game. They want to give players a choice.

  The developers even stated that if you haven't completed as many tasks as you want, you can continue to loot, build, and expand your resource reserves. You can also participate in Expedition system and gain buffs, rewards, and bragging rights during the next possible Expedition window. However, it's unclear whether the permanent rewards offered in each Expedition window will be the same.

  While the rewards aren't numerous, this does create a unique experience, allowing players who genuinely want to reset their progress to receive cosmetic items as a reward after investing significant resources in completing the entire Expedition project.

  As for temporary buffs, you can think of them as clear advantages. However, some may not see it that way, as these buffs only make your gameplay slightly easier; you ultimately start from scratch.

  However, we don't yet know the specifics of Expedition project departure window, only that it's part of a major December update on the roadmap. Therefore, we can consider this the first step in a game update. It's expected to be a multi-step process, including balance adjustments, new content releases, and more. Let's look forward to the official opening of the window on December 17th!

• ARC Raiders Rat Avoidance Guide | How To Spot Threats And Safely Avoid High-Risk PvP Zones?

  ARC Raiders is arguably one of the best extraction games of the year, attracting a large player base. However, increased player numbers also mean fiercer competition.

  With more frequent PvP events, this creates opportunities for rat players. You certainly don't want to be ambushed and killed near the extraction point while carrying a full load of loot. So let's look at how to deal with rats in the game.

  

  How To Identify Rats?

  While most players in ARC Raiders are friendly, they can turn into enemies at any time. Especially when playing solo, judging other players' intentions is crucial, so never easily trust strangers.

  Observe Equipment

  Shields

  You can determine a player's shield level by the number of bulges on their back. The lowest value shield is green, followed by blue, while epic shields are usually purple. Since rats also die frequently, they won't be carrying high-value ARC Raiders items, making players with green shields the most suspicious.

  Weapon

  Similarly, players using basic weapons without attachments, such as Ferro, Rattler, and Kettle, may be using free kits and intend to steal loot from bosses or ambush you while you're looting.

  Players wielding high-damage player weapons like Venator, Volcano, or even IL Toro should also be viewed with caution. Even if they don't attack immediately, they know how to efficiently eliminate other players.

  Observe Behavior

  Rats' equipment may not be precise, but their behavior is undeniable. Be wary of players lingering on the fringes of combat, away from the center of the firefight, and never put yourself in a position where you might be backstabbed.

  Most rats tend to linger on the periphery of the battlefield, waiting for the perfect opportunity to ambush. These opportunities usually occur when you are distracted or vulnerable, and they frequently ambush you while you are dealing with ARC enemies or looting.

  Therefore, you need to conduct a risk assessment and choose between being attacked by ARC enemies and being attacked by players. Generally, you should prioritize ARC enemies because their behavior is more predictable. However, even poorly equipped players are more threatening than most ARC enemies in the game, so even if they seem friendly, remain highly vigilant if their behavior is suspicious.

  How To Avoid Being Ambushed By Rats?

  Common Rat Spots

  Each map has several excellent ambush locations, which are the most favored by rats.

  Buried City

  The corridors and numerous bunkers in the underground subway stations are perfect ambush points. The unique subway station at the southernmost end of the map has a multi-level structure with many excellent hiding spots. Many players use the zip line leading directly to the bottom, making them easy targets for rats. It is recommended to use the paths next to the zip line, systematically explore downwards, and check for traps or players along the way.

  Dam Battlegrounds

  In the control tower, especially near the elevators leading to the top and locked doors, rats may ambush from the top, elevator shaft, or bottom. If you encounter this, use the ledges on the side of the elevator shaft or the roof above the main floor door to fight back.

  Stella Montis

  At Seed Vault extraction point, when you use a snap hook to reach the high points of the ductwork, you are very vulnerable to ambushes. Whether you are solo or in a squad, be extra careful at this extraction point.

  The Blue Gate

  Reinforced Reception window above the lobby often hides rats ready to ambush anyone entering. And the locker room on the right side of the underground safe zone is rich in loot and is also a notorious rat spot. They can climb onto the tops of lockers, door frames, and other small ledges to gain unexpected attack angles.

  Spaceport

  The small towers along Launch Towers wall are only accessible via a zipline from bottom to top. The tops offer ample cover, allowing players to easily hide and quickly eliminate rats.

  Avoid The Rats

  Sometimes you need to forgo your favorite loot spots or tempting opportunities, just like avoiding places where rats are common in real life. You also need to avoid high-risk extraction points. If many players are looting near certain extraction points, it's best to leave early to secure your loot.

  Additionally, before map bugs like those in Stella Montis are fixed, it's best to avoid key points of interest with high-value items. If you encounter players at extraction points who are overly excited about your arrival, remain suspicious. Sometimes the best option is to watch them, slowly back away, move to another extraction point, or wait for player activity to subside before acting.

  Specific Countermeasures

  Tagging Grenades

  Tagging grenades are an effective tool for countering hide holes. They mark ARCs and other players within their blast radius. You can craft them at the utility station using Electrical Components and Sensors. Carrying just one or two is effective for detecting suspicious locations.

  Sound Control

  The sounds of jogging, running, opening containers, breaching doors, and shooting in ARC Raiders travel incredibly far, and skilled rats are adept at pinpointing the source and location of these sounds. Therefore, when approaching a rat location, remember to maintain a low sound profile, scout first, then loot.

  Take Corners Slowly

  Raiders expect players to rush into seemingly safe areas, indicating they are unprepared, allowing rats to freely fire and ambush. Therefore, remember to turn corners slowly and carefully check your environment. This allows you to detect threats, gather information, and adjust your strategy before encountering enemies.

  Rat players are a more threatening enemy than ARC, and with the start of the expedition, there may be even more rats on the map, so remember to stay vigilant and actively avoid potentially risky locations.