ARC Raiders Update 1.30.0: Midnight & Crimson Frost are now Free for All Leviathan Set Owners

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• ARC Raiders May 25-31 Season 4 Trials 3 Stars Guide | Why everyone is fighting over large ARCs?

  It's the third week of ARC Raiders Season 4, and the challenges have grown tougher this week. Not only are there four combat-related trials, but you'll also have to take on difficult enemies such as Shredders and Bombardiers.

  Achieving a high score this week may be difficult, but reaching three stars is something most players can manage. So, what does it take to get three stars this week? Let's take a look.

  

  Season 14 May 25-31 Trials

  First, here's an overview of this week's tasks:

  • Damage ARC enemies in the Red Lakes
  • Deal as much damage as possible using a Blaze Grenade
  • Deal damage to Shredders
  • Loot Weapon Crates
  • Damage Bombardiers

  Aside from some classic trial tasks, the one limited to Red Lakes area appears for the first time – though its difficulty is not very high. Completing these trials under map conditions that offer double points will be far more efficient. Be aware that under those conditions, ARCs tend to respawn faster, so teaming up will make completing the trial safer.

  Damage ARC Enemies in the Red Lakes

  This task can only be completed inside Red Lakes area of Dam Battlegrounds. You simply need to deal damage to ARC enemies there, no kills required. Each small ARC, such as a Wasp, gives 121 points, but attacking large ARC enemies yields even more points.

  The higher the damage, the more points you earn. The easiest way to finish this is to join Queen event. You can simply put 3 Deadlines at the right moment then you can easily get over 20,000 points. Alternatively, use high-powered weapons like Equalizer, Jupiter, or Hullcracker to deal damage from a distance. Also, a Leaper often wanders around that area and respawns roughly every 16 minutes between raids.

  Another approach is to lure a Rocketeer or a Vaporizer into Red Lakes – defeating them grants a huge number of points. Eliminate just two Rocketeers, or one Rocketeer plus one Vaporizer, along with a few Wasps, and you'll hit the roughly 1600 points needed for three stars. Not recommended in Hurricane mode, though – visibility is too low. Electromagnetic Storm or Night Raid modes work much better.

  Deal as much damage as possible using a Blaze Grenade

  This trial requires you to inflict as much damage as possible with a single Blaze Grenade – damage from multiple grenades does not stack. So the key is to get several ARC enemies grouped together before throwing the grenade; the score can then be impressive.

  On Dam Battlegrounds map, you'll need plenty of Blaze Grenades. Some players may already have its blueprint. Blaze Grenade blueprint is a drop of the industrial style, so industrial-style containers are your best search targets.

  Try searching Primary Facility or the loading bay area at Stella Montis. However, these areas contain all kinds of ARC Raiders blueprints, so finding Blaze Grenade blueprint requires a bit of luck.

  Large ARCs like Bombardiers or Bastions are ideal targets. Against Bastions, grenade placement is crucial: don't throw it directly at them – throw it at their feet for maximum damage.

  Leapers are also a good choice, as they have many legs and joints – a single grenade hitting multiple body parts yields a higher score. Basically, if you successfully locate these ARCs and throw a Blaze Grenade, you'll reach three stars.

  Damage Bombardiers

  You can obviously complete this trial together with others. Killing one Bombardier gives about 2800 points, while three stars only need 3000 points. That means fully killing one Bombardier and dealing a small amount of damage to a second is enough.

  You can even combine this with Blaze Grenade task – two grenades thrown at a Bombardier will do the mission. If you want a higher score, try killing multiple bombers per round. At the underground crossing below the main road in The Blue Gate, a Bombardier often patrols, respawning around the 15-minute mark. Of course, that limits you to at most two spawns.

  Loot Weapon Crates

  Each Weapon Crate gives 1000 points, so you need only loot three Weapon Crates to reach three stars, and it is not very difficult.

  Buried City and Riven Tide are both good choices, as they have many weapon crate spawn points. Buried City, in particular, is small, easy to navigate, and has roughly 24 to 25 weapon crate spawns, which is highly efficient.

  If you have Keys, using them is strongly recommended, because most Key Rooms contain a weapon crate. However, if you do use keys, try to do so under Hurricane or Night Raid map conditions – sometimes under Electromagnetic Conditions, the rooms end up without a weapon crate.

  Deal damage to Shredders

  Stella Montis is the best map for this. Destroying one Shredder gives about 693 points, and three stars require roughly five destroyed.

  Use Bettina or Hullcracker to attack their lower thrusters – two shots will destroy one; hitting the upper part takes three shots. Note that Stella Montis has no double-point periods, so both Day Raids and night Rraids work, though Shredders seem to respawn more often at night.

  The overall difficulty of this week's trials comes more from competition with other players than from the tasks themselves. The new trader's goods have many players farming large ARCs, so achieving a high score may require a bit of luck.

• ARC Raiders Snap Hook Disengage, Infinite Slide, and More Techs: Don't use this essential tool wrong anymore!

  In addition to various firearms and grenades, ARC Raiders features a selection of specialized gear items. Rather than dealing damage, these tools primarily serve to provide you with added utility and convenience, and Snap Hook is a prime example.

  Consequently, even as new gear items have been introduced to the game over recent months, Snap Hook has consistently maintained a high level of demand and popularity.

  However, if you wish to utilize this item most effectively, it is essential to master the relevant techniques; otherwise, you risk squandering its true value. Below, we will walk you through everything you need to know.

  

  What does Snap Hook do?

  Simply put, Snap Hook is a climbing device. It fires a grappling hook that latches onto a specific point on tall structures or elevated terrain, allowing you to then ascend the attached rope to reach your destination much faster.

  As such, Snap Hook is an indispensable tool when navigating maps with complex terrain or when undertaking missions that require you to enter specific buildings.

  How to obtain Snap Hook?

  There are three primary ways to acquire this item: scavenging, crafting, and completing missions. Scavenging yields are somewhat random, and mission rewards can typically only be claimed once; therefore, crafting remains the most common and reliable method.

  To craft this item at the workshop, you must first upgrade your Utility Station to Level 3. You will then need to farm ARC Raiders Snap Hook Blueprint, along with the following materials (per craft):

  • 2x Power Rods
  • 3x Ropes
  • 1x Exodus Module

  Of these three components, only Exodus Module is relatively difficult to obtain. Fortunately, however, you can also acquire one by trading 55 seeds with Celeste.

  Additionally, if you have not yet completed Transmission quest, doing so will reward you with a Snap Hook.

  How to use Snap Hook?

  At first glance, using Snap Hook appears to be a simple three-step process: fire the hook, climb, and then retract it. However, this seemingly simple sequence actually involves a number of specific actions and inputs.

  Firstly, to avoid errors and effectively handle any unexpected situations that may arise, you must familiarize yourself with the relevant keybinds and their functions.

  Keybinds

  Using the standard PC configuration as an example, in addition to the familiar directional keys (WASD), you will typically need to utilize the following keys: Shift for sprinting, C for jumping, and Spacebar for crouching.

  Of course, your personal keybind settings may differ; therefore, for the sake of clarity, we will subsequently explain specific Snap Hook techniques based directly on the actions themselves rather than specific keys.

  Finally, Left Mouse Button typically serves as the fire input; when using Snap Hook, this action triggers the grappling and latching mechanism. The right-click button, typically used for aiming down sights, can also be utilized to disengage a grappling hook connection.

  How to disengage from a ledge?

  For standard grappling maneuvers, where you latch onto an object, Snap Hook will pull you toward the edge and automatically execute a vaulting motion over it.

  If you wish to jump higher than the ledge your hook has latched onto, you must first initiate the grapple, then immediately press the jump key before your character reaches the edge, while simultaneously holding down the crouch key.

  Performing this sequence allows you to launch yourself into the air, clearing the ledge entirely; holding crouch prevents your character's body from sticking to the edge during the ascent, a common issue that otherwise prevents you from jumping to a greater height.

  During this aerial trajectory, click the right mouse button to release the grapple. Immediately following this, press the forward key to ensure you land as far away from the ledge as possible.

  However, if you continue to hold down the forward key, your momentum will cause you to fall backward, potentially resulting in a hard landing back on the ground.

  Therefore, you must quickly switch and hold down the forward key immediately afterward to use your momentum to dash forward.

  How to slide after a snap?

  The crucial prerequisite for performing this maneuver is that you must disengage the snap first. Otherwise, you will find that your character gets locked onto the target location and comes to a complete halt, making it impossible to transition into a slide.

  Consequently, this technique requires you to press multiple keys simultaneously. Specifically, whenever you initiate a grapple, you must also hold down the jump key to launch yourself to a height greater than your initial grapple point.

  If you do not jump, and instead simply move forward, you will find yourself merely being dragged along, unable to execute a slide. Prioritizing the jump allows you to gain altitude and build up sufficient potential energy.

  Additionally, you should hold down the backward movement key. While not strictly mandatory compared to the jump, doing so generates extra thrust that gives your flight trajectory a more pronounced arc than usual.

  Once you release the grapple and have accumulated sufficient momentum, you will immediately enter a sprinting state, at which point you can successfully execute a slide.

  A word of caution: if you jump too high, if you attempt this entire sequence from an excessive altitude, you may fail to execute the slide successfully and instead suffer a hard fall back to the ground.

  However, should you inadvertently find yourself in such a predicament, you can mitigate the impact by performing a combat roll.

  How to perform a drop snap?

  At different altitudes, your momentum will vary; the greater the height, the faster your descent speed.

  Therefore, when performing a drop snap, grabbing onto a ledge while falling, if you are dropping from a relatively low edge, you can afford to select a snap point that is slightly higher up.

  However, if you are leaping from the top of a tall building, you must initiate the grab much earlier.

  Otherwise, the inertia of your fall will carry you downward; if your timing is too late, you risk slamming head first into the ground, potentially sustaining fall damage.

  Mastering the precise timing for a drop snap at various heights requires some practice. Just remember this: whenever you jump down and attempt to grab a ledge, the timing of your grab must be fine-tuned based on your current altitude.

  How to determine your snap point while using a zipline?

  If you are traversing via zipline and wish to use Snap Hook to quickly latch onto a building, you should aim your crosshair slightly ahead of your intended target; aiming directly at the target will actually result in an inaccurate grab.

  This occurs because if you aim directly at the target while gliding with momentum, the actual snap point will be dragged slightly backward by your forward inertia. Consequently, you will end up latching onto a position that falls behind your intended target point.

  Therefore, when executing this maneuver, you may sometimes need to lead your shot, aim your crosshair slightly ahead of your target. This strategy also applies when using Snap Hook to close the distance on ARC enemies.

  Conclusion

  Although Snap Hook appears to have a singular function, its practical application involves a wide variety of scenarios and button inputs, giving rise to a multitude of nuanced techniques.

  The examples outlined above represent just a few of the more common situations you might encounter.

  If you encounter other variations while playing ARC Raiders, be sure to adapt your approach based on your accumulated experience and become a true master of Snap Hook!

• ARC Raiders Riven Tides Bettina Guide | How to use the Double Buffs to Easily Shred Bastions and Vaporizers?

  Raiders, surprisingly, Bettina has been buffed again in ARC Raiders update, receiving significant improvements in both damage and rate of fire. It seems Bettina might be poised to become one of the strongest PvE weapons in the game.

  So how will this fully automatic Assault Rifle perform in combat?

  Specific Changes from the Two Buffs

  In the major Riven Tides update, Bettina's base damage increased from 14 to 16. While the rate of fire reverted from 285 to 235, single-shot dispression was reduced by 40%, recoil recovery was increased by 30%, and damage against ARC armor was increased by an additional 33%.

  This means that despite a slight decrease in rate of fire, the accuracy and armor penetration of each bullet are significantly improved.

  And the most recent update further increased its rate of fire from 235 to 250. More importantly, upgrading this weapon to level four grants an additional 15% rate of fire bonus, bringing the final rate of fire to over 280.

  This almost returns it to the original level of Bettina, while retaining higher single-shot damage and armor penetration.

  

  Furthermore, Bettina's durability has also received a subtle boost. A level one Bettina can fire approximately 759 rounds continuously before breaking; upgrading to level four increases durability by 130%, allowing it to fire nearly 900 rounds, significantly reducing repair frequency and making it ideal for extended combat.

  If you're lucky enough to equip Kinetic Converter mod, the rate of fire can be increased by another 15%. At this point, Bettina's burst damage approaches or even surpasses some Legendary weapons.

  In summary, this weapon has transformed from a mediocre rifle into an absolute mainstay in ARC Raiders PvE environment.

  Kill Efficiency Against Different ARCs

  Small ARCs

  When dealing with small ARCs, Bettina's clearing ability is key.

  • Wasp: Only 2 bullets are needed to destroy its thruster, and about 8 to the body. Using an angled shot from below, even 4 bullets can take down the entire Wasp.
  • Fireball: Requires 2 bullets to penetrate its armor on the front, but if you wait for its weak point to open, one shot is enough for an instant kill, extremely efficient.
  • Pop: A shot to the top weak point will take it down in one shot, while hitting the side armor requires 2 bullets.

  Medium ARCs

  • Surveyor: If every bullet hits the core area, it only takes about 20 rounds to kill it, almost an entire magazine. Even with a few misses, one magazine is generally enough.
  • Shredder: It takes about one magazine plus a few more bullets to kill it; the reload speed is very comfortable.

  Large ARCs

  • Bastion: Bettina's sustained damage output is most evident when killing a Bastion. Under ideal conditions without interference, approximately 120 rounds are needed to kill a Bastion. With the presence of smaller ARCs, ammo consumption rises to around 140 rounds.
  • Rocketeer: Directly shooting Rocketeer's center requires approximately 100 rounds because of its thick frontal armor. However, if you focus on the side thrusters, each thruster only requires one magazine, and two magazines are enough to take it down.
  • Vaporizer: The thrusters of these large flying ARCs are very fragile; a single thruster can be destroyed with just 20 rounds. If your aim is accurate and uninterrupted, two magazines are sufficient to take down a Vaporizer.

  Ammo Consumption and Sustain

  Bettina's biggest weakness remains its excessive ammo consumption during combat. In ARC Raiders, only killing Rocketeers drops a small amount of heavy ammo; other ARC enemies provide almost none.

  This means that if you bring Bettina into a match, you must prepare sufficient ammo beforehand, otherwise you can easily run out of ammo in the mid-to-late game.

  If you consecutively kill a Bastion (consuming 120 rounds), then a Rocketeer (consuming 100 rounds), plus several small ARC enemies, your total ammo consumption will easily exceed 300 rounds.

  Therefore, it is recommended that players carry at least 400 to 500 rounds of spare ammo before starting, and prioritize killing Rocketeers to replenish ammo. Even though the drops are small each time, they add up to a lot.

  You can also equip it with a secondary weapon that uses light ammo to clear out small ARC enemies, saving heavy ammo.

  Fortunately, with the increased durability of Bettina, you don't have to worry about the weapon breaking halfway through a match. A lifespan of 900 rounds is enough to support several high-intensity battles.

  

  Attachment Selection

  Bettina's base recoil is already better than most rifles, but it can be further improved with attachments.

  • Silencer III: Great for stealthy clearing, but controlling recoil is a bit stressful in continuous combat.
  • Muzzle Brake III: Highly recommended. It significantly reduces vertical recoil, making recoil control easier, especially advantageous when engaging flying enemies at mid-to-long range.
  • Kinetic Converter: Provides an additional 15% rate of fire, maximizing Bettina's burst damage. This also significantly increases the speed at which Bettina hits Bastion's knee.

  In actual combat, it's recommended that players develop a cycle of hitting the knee first, then flanking behind the enemy, continuously applying damage, and reloading while moving to hit the other knee.

  Bettina's reload speed is above average, allowing you to reload while flanking the enemy, seamlessly transitioning into sustained damage.

  ---

  After two buffs, Bettina has now transformed from a mediocre transitional weapon into a reliable Assault Rifle. If you haven't seriously tried this weapon yet, you can easily buy ARC Raiders Bettina blueprint from IGGM.com to get started right away!

• ARC Raiders Nomadic Envoys offers Stash Expansion and Vault Slots | Skip him until the devs lower their fees

  The developers have been trying to patch their expedition system. After the third expedition, they added a new trader, Nomadic Envoys. This trader not only offers extra stash space but also sells a special expedition vault storage, allowing you to store up to 5 items that will carry over into your next expedition.

  However, now might not be the best time to trade with him. There are some flaws in both the goods he sells and the design of the expedition vault storage. Let's take a closer look at what Nomadic Envoys specifically offer and what their problems are.

  

  Nomadic Envoys Guide  

  To access this new trader, simply go to Traders interface in the main menu, then select Nomadic Envoys at the bottom right. All exchangeable items will be listed there. Note that you can only visit this trader after reaching level 25. Players who haven't hit that level yet should focus on leveling up first.

  Stash Expansion  

  One highly practical upgrade he provides is Stash Expansion. Using this feature permanently increases your backpack by 12 stash slots. You'll need to submit 200,000 ARC Raiders coins along with several high-quality materials:

  • Queen Reactor  
  • Matriarch Reactor  
  • Bombardier Cell  
  • Assessor Matrix  
  • Turbine Compressor  
  • Leaper Pulse Unit  
  • Bastion Cell  
  • Vaporizer Regulator  
  • Rocketeer Driver  

  If you've gathered all the above items and coins, you can use the auto select function to quickly submit and complete the transaction.

  Expedition Vault  

  Another important upgrade is Expedition Vault. Redeeming this adds one extra slot to your expedition vault. Its function is that after you finish an expedition and return, any item placed in the vault will be available for your next raider to use.

  In other words, it lets you preserve ARC Raiders blueprints or items after an expedition reset - like a safe pocket. Each expedition vault slot carries the same value as Stash Expansion. Keep in mind that each submission unlocks only one expedition vault slot, whereas Stash Expansion unlocks all 12 slots at once.

  Weekly Rotating Items  

  Nomadic Envoys also brings unlockable cosmetic outfits, decorations, blueprints, and other items, each with different requirements:

  Mirage Outfit: 

  • 500,000 coins
  • Same material requirements as Stash Expansion

  Backpack Charm / Emote: 

  • 5× Portable TV
  • 5× Headphones
  • 5× Projector

  Weapon Blueprint (Tempest): 

  • Any Weapon
  • 1,000,000 coins
  • Same material requirements as Stash Expansion

  ARC Enemy Part (Turbine Compressors):  

  • 1× Alien Duck
  • 1× Rubber Duck
  • 1× Flashy Duck

  Legendary Project Item (Ship Model):  

  • Any Weapon
  • 100,000 coins
  • Same material requirements as Stash Expansion

  Epic Project Item (Ship Model):  

  • Any Weapon
  • 30,000 coins
  • Same material requirements as Stash Expansion

  Raider Tokens:  

  • 150,000 coins
  • Same material requirements as Stash Expansion

  All of the above will be replaced when the weekly rotation happens. But don't worry too much about missing something important, because they will obviously cycle back sooner or later. What you really need to consider is how to gather all those materials and coins.

  You May Like: ARC Raiders Matchmaking System Updates Explained: How your Playstyle, Self-Defense, and Low Activity will affect Future Matches?

  Core Issues with The New Trader  

  The main problems with the new trader are already clear: most of the goods are overvalued. Even players who don't participate in expeditions might not have enough materials. For those who do take part in expeditions but currently lack coins and materials, Nomadic Envoys are basically out of reach.

  Take Tempest blueprint as an example. Even though it's an epic blueprint, you would need to invest a huge amount of time farming Queen and Matriarch - the toughest bosses. You have to cooperate with other players to take them down, and even then you might not get their Reactors, let alone all the other epic materials.

  Instead of exhausting yourself collecting materials, following a guide to directly find Tempest blueprint might actually be more efficient.

  That said, not everything is bad news. The developers have explicitly stated that during the first week, they will allow players to test one stash expansion and 5 expedition vault slots. The goal is to gather initial feedback and use that opportunity to adjust the costs before adding more slots later. Therefore, it's best not to acquire anything just yet. After the development team sees the community's response to this week's pricing, the costs are likely to go down next week.

  Another Mechanic Flaw   

  When upgrading a stash slot, you have to submit all the required ARC components at once, unlike with projects where you can contribute gradually over time. This means that to unlock the last vault slot, which demands a value as high as 1,000,000 coins' worth of materials, you would first need to free up 91 stash slots just to hold enough Queen Reactors.

  Even if you use Vaporizer Regulators to save space, you'd still need to stockpile 56 stacks of those cores to complete the transaction - making an already difficult situation even worse for players with limited stash space.

  The development team might lower the costs after receiving feedback and might also design a feature that allows us to submit ARC components one by one, instead of forcing a one-time transaction. But for now, that feature hasn't been implemented. So the only thing players can do at the moment is to unlock extra stash space first, then keep accumulating ARC components while waiting for the trader's costs to drop.

  Nomadic Envoys serve as a stable resource sink and a weekly goal. Whether you want to expand your stash, carry over expedition items, or collect limited-edition cosmetics, you can visit this new trader regularly. However, given that most exchanges offer poor value for what they cost, there's no need to rush into any trades. It's wiser to wait for the developers to make reasonable adjustments to the valuation.

• ARC Raiders New Matchmaking System is tracking how aggressive you are based on the style spectrum | Stop believing the rumors!

  Although ARC Raiders is unlikely to release monthly updates within the next six months, the optimization of core game mechanics remains an ongoing priority. So, a developer note regarding adjustments to the matchmaking system was released this week.

  Given the game's inherent PvPvE nature, ARC Raiders player base has historically and organically divided into two camps: those who welcome high-intensity PvP encounters during raids, and those who prefer to avoid them.

  Consequently, to ensure that a wider range of players can enjoy their ideal combat experience, the development team has been continuously refining the matchmaking system, specifically by implementing a mechanism based on player aggression.

  So, what exactly do these latest adjustments entail? And will they succeed in further enhancing your overall match experience in ARC Raiders? Let's take a closer look.

  

  Deep dive into the matchmaking mechanics

  Simply put, the game's matchmaking logic is predicated on your level of aggression, or, more broadly, your playstyle.

  For instance, if you prefer a more casual approach to the game, the system aims to match you with other players who share that same mindset within the same raid session.

  However, playstyle is not a binary, black-and-white concept. In other words, it is not merely a simple dichotomy between pure PvP matches and pure PvE matches; the reality is far more nuanced.

  To account for this complexity, ARC Raiders utilizes a proprietary style spectrum. When you are queued for a match, the system attempts to assemble a lobby of players whose styles closely align with yours, specifically, those who fall within the same specific segment of this spectrum.

  Naturally, this style classification system is primarily categorized based on varying levels of aggression. Broadly speaking, these categories include cooperative players, hybrid players, and PvP-focused players.

  As for how your specific level of aggression is determined, the system primarily evaluates the amount of damage you have dealt to other players across your most recent matches.

  However, this serves merely as a baseline classification; after all, there is no telling when a typically casual player might suddenly decide to go on a rampage. But then again, a little unpredictability is part of the game's charm!

  Therefore, ARC Raiders matchmaking system can essentially be summarized by two core principles: ensuring a high probability of matching you with Raiders who share a similar playstyle, and ensuring that your in-game actions directly influence the matchmaking environment you encounter in future sessions.

  One important caveat to note, however: if there are insufficient players in the lobby to fill a match during your specific queuing window, the system may be forced to broaden its search parameters.

  This could result in you being matched with players whose playstyles do not align as closely with your own.

  

  What specific changes are being made?

  The recent adjustments to the game's matchmaking system do not involve adding entirely new elements; instead, they focus on optimizing existing features to address known shortcomings.

  First, the system will now more intelligently distinguish whether your aggressive actions toward other players constitute self-defense or an act of provocation.

  This allows the system to assess your level of aggression accurately, ensuring you are not mistakenly categorized as a player who actively seeks out PvP combat.

  This change is crucial because, even in matches with a generally friendly atmosphere, you may still encounter Raiders who enjoy preying on others. It would be truly unfair to be lumped in with such players simply because you had to defend yourself.

  The second adjustment involves reducing the weight assigned to low-activity rounds within your historical gameplay profile.

  These rounds are defined as those involving minimal interaction on the ground, for instance, rounds that end almost immediately due to a quick respawn followed by a surrender.

  Typically, such rounds occur due to unforeseen circumstances or accidents; consequently, if they were given too much weight, they could distort the data and fail to accurately reflect your true gameplay style.

  These changes have already been implemented in the live game environment. Furthermore, based on player feedback, the game plan to release additional updates and refinements to the matchmaking system in the future.

  Addressing matchmaking rumors

  Since mechanics are not tangible in-game objects, unlike ARC enemies or weapons, they are prone to becoming the subject of vague speculation that eventually evolves into full-blown rumors.

  Taking this opportunity to announce the recent optimizations, ARC Raiders would like to directly address several common rumors regarding our matchmaking system to ensure you are not misled.

  The first misconception was effectively debunked the moment we introduced the concept of the spectrum. It is now evident that matchmaking lobbies do not fall into purely friendly or purely hostile, they exist along a continuous spectrum.

  Furthermore, the notion that a single PvP kill will automatically shunt you into a PvP-exclusive lobby is completely false. The matchmaking system's data analysis relies on your performance over a sustained period, not on isolated, instantaneous events.

  A related rumor suggests that the game intends to introduce pure PvE servers. As long as ARC Raiders remains a PvPvE title, such a feature simply cannot be implemented.

  In fact, it is precisely the unpredictability introduced by human players that keeps the game engaging and fresh; a version of Topside inhabited solely by ARC entities would be a dull and lifeless place.

  Also Read: ARC Raiders Patch 1.29.0 Breakdown: New Trader, Rascal Launcher, Weapon Buffs & Stash Upgrade Guide

  Finally, players have expressed concern that the feedback prompts, which appear after every match, might directly influence their matchmaking results for the very next round.

  Please rest assured that this is not the case. The feedback you provide is used solely to help the developers identify general trends and inform future design decisions; it has absolutely no direct bearing on the specific matchmaking parameters for your upcoming games.

  Furthermore, gear rarity determines only your combat power; it does not influence matchmaking. Similarly, simply looting gear from fallen players will not cause your matchmaking to be weighted toward PvP encounters.

  When it comes to team-based matchmaking, the system takes into account the aggressiveness profile of every member of the squad, rather than relying solely on the leader's playstyle.

  Finally, the release of new patches and updates will not trigger a re-evaluation of your playstyle that could alter your matchmaking parameters; nor will your choice to enable or disable cross-platform play have any such effect.

  In short, aside from whether you directly eliminate other players during a match, virtually no other factors will influence the calculation and operation of the matchmaking system, so you can rest assured!

  As the fundamental basis for initiating matches, optimizing the matchmaking system is essential for fundamentally safeguarding the combat experience for a wider player base; therefore, regular updates are indeed a necessity.

  If you haven't yet experienced these changes firsthand, why not hop into the game and queue up for a match in Topside to see for yourself?

• ARC Raiders Rascal is the New King of Lightweight Loadouts: Ditch the 7.25kg Hullcracker!

  Raiders, ARC Raiders has just released Patch Notes 1.29.0. Keen-eyed players have likely already noticed the addition of a new Special break-action Grenade Launcher called Rascal. Is this blue Grenade Launcher worth getting? Let's take a look.

  As a Rare-quality Grenade Launcher, Rascal is cheaper and easier to craft than the purple Hullcracker, essentially a weaker version. Its key advantage lies in its weight of only 4 kg, compared to Hullcracker's 7.25 kg, and its faster equipping speed.

  Especially when compared to Hullcracker without lightweight attachments, Rascal serves as an emergency secondary weapon, specifically designed to quickly eliminate small ARC enemies such as Wasps, Hornets, or Shredders.

  Blueprint and Acquisition Methods

  The most reliable way to obtain ARC Raiders Rascal blueprint is by scavenging various containers, including backpacks, weapon cases, medical bags, grenade tubes, and security lockers. Some players have also found blueprints in regular containers in locked rooms.

  In fact, the probability of directly finding a Rascal is extremely high compared to searching for a blueprint. It might just be lying there in a container, waiting for you to discover it, a pleasant surprise. This is especially common in Night Raid, breachable rooms, and locked rooms.

  Therefore, you don't need to deliberately spend time searching for blueprints, as you can find a finished product every day.

  If you plan to craft a Rascal, you will need 5 Canisters, 3 Heavy Gun Parts, and 2 Advanced Mechanical Components.

  

  Subsequent upgrades add one Mechanical Component and 2 Gun Parts per level. Upgrading from level 3 to level 4 requires 2 Advanced Mechanical Components and 2 Heavy Gun Parts.

  From this perspective, the overall cost of crafting Rascal is similar to other weapons of the same rarity. However, given that the finished product is not difficult to obtain, its practical significance is limited, and there's no need to obsess over crafting Rascal for now.

  Key Comparison between Rascal and Hullcracker

  Ballistics and Effective Range

  While Rascal seems decent, we must acknowledge its significant bullet drop.

  At 45 meters, Hullcracker can generally hit its target at the 20-meter mark, while Rascal, when aiming at the same spot, will result in a significantly lower bullet impact point.

  Therefore, if you're aiming to attack long-range enemies like Rocketeer or Vaporizer, Rascal isn't ideal. It's better suited for close-quarters combat.

  Rate of Fire and Single-Shot Damage

  We can also compare the time it takes to fire all 10 rounds of ammunition for Hullcracker and Rascal. Hullcracker takes approximately 9.5 seconds, while Rascal takes approximately 17 seconds. Clearly, Rascal's reload time between each round is significantly longer.

  When killing Shredder, Hullcracker can reliably kill with two shots, while Rascal requires three shots to directly hit Shredder's body. However, if the two thrusters, Shredder's weak points, are precisely targeted, Rascal can also kill with two shots, which is quite surprising.

  Looking at Bastion, Hullcracker's single-shot damage is approximately 427-650, while Rascal's single-shot damage is approximately 300-400, with an average damage per shot that is about 30% to 50% lower than Hullcracker.

  Even so, Rascal is still much more efficient than ordinary weapons like Anvil. One Rascal shot deals roughly the same damage as five Anvil shots against a high-armor ARC enemy.

  Equipment Speed

  Equipment speed is also a key difference between Rascal and Hullcracker.

  Rascal is significantly faster to draw and aim than the standard Hullcracker, matching its speed with a lightweight attachment. This allows you to instantly pull out Rascal and eliminate swarms of Wasps while running around the map with a single shot, instead of lugging around the bulky Hullcracker.

  Practical Performance and Usage Recommendations

  Advantages

  Rascal's advantages are already quite clear.

  First, it's very easy to obtain; you can find it almost every game, making it ideal for those who have just completed Expedition, haven't upgraded their workbench, or cannot afford Hullcracker because of economic constraints.

  Second, its lightweight allows for quick draws, making it a great secondary weapon specifically for dealing with small ARC enemies.

  When fighting Shredders, hitting their thrusters can result in a two-shot kill, surprisingly efficient.

  Therefore, in PvP lobbies or other high-risk areas, using a found Rascal instead of the expensive Hullcracker is a safer choice.

  Disadvantages

  As mentioned before, Rascal's bullet drop is extremely severe. For long-range targets like Wasps and Snitches, extensive practice is essential; otherwise, you might miss a single Wasp after five shots, which is both embarrassing and frustrating.

  Furthermore, Rascal's overall damage output against large ARC enemies like Bastions and Bombardiers is significantly lower than Hullcracker's .

  Overall, Rascal isn't suitable as a primary weapon against ARC enemies, but rather for guerrilla tactics involving firing a shot from cover and then retreating.

  Is Rascal worth getting?

  You don't need to search for Rascal blueprint; its high drop rate means you can likely obtain one after playing a few games a day.

  You also don't need to craft it specifically, as its crafting cost isn't low. Found units are usually Tier 1-2, and a few upgrades will give you a faster reload speed.

  Rascal isn't a particularly amazing weapon, but it's certainly not as bad as some players claim. For a blue-quality hero, its damage and utility have exceeded expectations. If you can easily use Hullcracker, then Hullcracker is the obvious choice. However, if you're on a tight budget or prefer a lighter loadout, Rascal is a very reliable alternative.

  Go online now and try to acquire Rascal!