The mysterious ARC machines have taken over the surface world in Arc Raiders, posing a constant threat to Raiders trying to survive and scavenge. These AI-controlled enemies come in many forms, each with unique behaviors, attack patterns, and weaknesses. If you want to thrive in the dangerous world of Arc Raiders, understanding your mechanical adversaries isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for survival. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything about ARC enemies in Arc Raiders, from the smallest Tick to the formidable Queen, including their weaknesses, loot drops, and how much XP they offer.
Key Takeaways
- ARC enemies are AI-controlled machines with different threat levels, from Moderate to Extreme
- Each ARC type has unique weaknesses, attacks, and loot drops that you can exploit
- Understanding scanner colors (blue=patrolling, yellow=alerted, red=attacking) helps predict enemy behavior
- Targeting specific weak points like thrusters, cores, and joints maximizes damage and efficiency
- Sentinel and Rollbot are best for safe XP farming, while The Queen and Bastion offer massive XP rewards for veterans
What Are ARC Enemies in Arc Raiders?
ARC enemies are the primary antagonists in Arc Raiders—mysterious, AI-controlled machines that have invaded Earth’s surface. These mechanical threats rain from the sky and roam the land, making survival extremely difficult for human Raiders. The ARC (which stands for something the game hasn’t fully revealed) come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for different combat roles.
As a Raider, your main goal is to survive these mechanical threats while scavenging for valuable resources. The ARC aren’t just mindless drones; they exhibit complex behaviors and work together in coordinated attacks. Some ARC types will summon reinforcements, while others provide support with spotting or artillery fire. Understanding these enemy types is crucial because the wrong approach can quickly lead to your elimination, costing you valuable gear and progress.
How Do ARC Enemies Behave in Arc Raiders?
ARC enemies in Arc Raiders follow predictable behavior patterns that you can learn to exploit. Their current state is indicated by the color of their scanner laser, which changes based on their awareness and aggression level.
Blue Scanner: When you see a blue laser on an ARC, it’s in “patrolling” or “neutral” mode. The ARC hasn’t detected you yet and is following its routine path. This is the perfect time to plan your attack or avoid detection altogether.
Yellow Scanner: If an ARC hears noise or detects humans from a distance, its laser turns yellow, indicating “alerted” or “cautious” mode. The ARC is actively searching for the source of the disturbance but hasn’t identified you yet. You have a brief window to either hide or prepare for combat.
Red Scanner: When the ARC goes into “attacking” or “aggressive” mode, its laser turns red. The ARC has identified you as a threat and will engage with all available weapons and abilities. At this point, stealth is no longer an option—you must fight or flee.
Understanding these behavior patterns gives you a tactical advantage. You can use noise to lure enemies into traps, time your attacks when they’re most vulnerable, or avoid unnecessary fights by staying quiet when ARCs are nearby.
What Are the Different ARC Enemy Types in Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders features a diverse roster of ARC enemies, each with unique characteristics, threat levels, and combat roles. Here’s a complete breakdown of every ARC type you’ll encounter:
| ARC Type | Threat Level | Armor Plate | Primary Attack | Special Ability |
| Wasp | Moderate | No Plating | Projectile | None |
| Hornet | High | Semi-Plated | Electric shock | Stuns |
| Snitch | Moderate | No Plating | None | Summons ARC |
| Tick | Moderate | No Plating | Jumps on face | Clings to surfaces |
| Pop | Moderate | No Plating | Explodes | None |
| Fireball | High | Full Plated | Flamethrower | None |
| Rollbot | Moderate | Full Plated | Charges | Exposes core when transmitting |
| Turret | Moderate | No Plating | Projectile | None |
| Sentinel | Moderate | No Plating | Projectile | None |
| Spotter | High | None | None | Reveals Raider position |
| Bombardier | Critical | None | Mortar Round | Releases kinetic energy |
| Bastion | Critical | Full Plated | Projectile | None |
| Rocketeer | Critical | Full Plated | Rocket Barrage | None |
| Bison | Critical | Full Plated | Leaps on you | Can leap far distances |
| The Queen | Extreme | Full Plated | Mortar fire | Laser beam, EMP Pulse, Ground slam |
Wasp
The Wasp is a flying drone equipped with two small machine guns. It’s a common enemy with moderate threat level and no armor plating, making it relatively easy to defeat. Wasps drop ARC Alloy, Wasp Drivers, and Light Ammo when destroyed. Their main weakness is their thrusters—targeting these can bring them down quickly.
Hornet
Hornets are armored drones that deliver electric shocks capable of stunning you in place. With semi-plated armor and high threat level, they’re more dangerous than Wasps. Hornets drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, Hornet Drivers, and Medium Ammo. Their rear thrusters are their primary weakness, so try to attack from behind when possible.
Snitch
Snitches are flying drones that don’t attack directly but pose a significant threat by calling for reinforcements. When a Snitch spots you, it summons additional ARC enemies to your location. They drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, and Snitch Scanners. Since they have no direct attacks, eliminating them quickly should be your top priority to prevent overwhelming encounters.
Tick
Ticks are small, spider-like enemies that latch onto you and deal damage over time. They’re usually found indoors and can cling to various surfaces. Despite their small size, they can be annoying and deadly in groups. Ticks drop ARC Alloy and Tick Pods when destroyed. Their small size makes them difficult to hit, but area-of-effect weapons work well against them.
Pop
Pops are ball-shaped ARCs that explode when they get close to enemies. They function like mobile mines, rolling toward you before detonating. Pops drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, Crude Explosives, and Pop Triggers. The best strategy against Pops is to destroy them from a distance before they can reach you.
Fireball
Fireballs are small spherical ARCs that blast you with fire if they get too close. They have full plating and a high threat level, making them dangerous opponents. Fireballs drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, and Fireball Burners. They expose their core when firing, creating a brief window of opportunity for maximum damage.
Rollbot
Rollbots are rolling ARCs that charge at you when threatened. They have full plating but only a moderate threat level. Rollbots drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, and Surveyor Vaults. They expose their core when transmitting data, giving you a chance to deal critical damage. Time your attacks carefully to exploit this weakness.
Turret
Turrets are stationary machine guns usually found on ceilings or walls inside buildings. They have no plating and a moderate threat level. Turrets drop ARC Alloy, ARC Powercells, and Light Ammo. Since they can’t move, you can use cover to approach them safely or attack from outside their line of sight.
Sentinel
Sentinels are large turrets typically found outdoors on high vantage points. They have no plating but a moderate threat level due to their elevated position. Sentinels drop ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Sentinel Firing Cores, and Heavy Ammo. Their stationary nature makes them vulnerable to long-range attacks and explosives.
Spotter
Spotters don’t deal direct damage but work with Bombardiers to highlight targets for artillery strikes. They have no armor but a high threat level due to their support role. Spotters reveal Raider positions, making you vulnerable to long-range attacks. Their thrusters are their weakness, so prioritize eliminating them quickly to avoid artillery fire.
Bombardier
Bombardiers work with Spotters to rain down artillery on players. They have no armor but a critical threat level due to their devastating attacks. Bombardiers drop ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Bombardier Cells, and Launcher Ammo. Their rear plate and joints are weak points, so focus your fire there to take them down efficiently.
Bastion
Bastions are heavily armored ARCs equipped with deadly miniguns. They have full plating and a critical threat level, making them among the toughest regular enemies. Bastions drop ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Bastion Cells, and Medium Ammo. Their rear plate and joints are vulnerable, so flanking maneuvers are essential when fighting these formidable foes.
Rocketeer
Rocketeers are lethal drones that fire rockets, which explode and deal huge damage. They have full plating and a critical threat level. Rocketeers drop ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Rocketeer Parts, and Heavy Ammo. Their rocket barrage can quickly overwhelm unprepared players, so take cover and attack between salvos.
Bison
Bisons are large, four-legged ARCs that can jump huge distances to close in on players. They have full plating and a critical threat level. Bisons drop ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Mechanical Components, and Leaper Pulse Units. Their joints and eye are weak points, so aim carefully when facing these mobile threats.
The Queen
The Queen is a huge boss ARC with six legs, heavily armored and extremely tough to kill. She has an extreme threat level and devastating attacks including mortar fire, laser beam, EMP Pulse, and ground slam. The Queen drops the most valuable loot, including ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercells, Advanced Mechanical Components, Advanced Electrical Components, and Queen Reactors. Her joints and head core are weak points, but defeating her requires coordination, preparation, and skill.
How Can You Effectively Defeat ARC Enemies in Arc Raiders?
Defeating ARC enemies in Arc Raiders requires strategy, preparation, and knowledge of their weaknesses. Here are effective combat strategies to help you survive encounters with these mechanical threats:
General Combat Strategies
Always assess the situation before engaging. Check the scanner colors to understand enemy awareness levels. Use cover to protect yourself from projectile attacks and time your movements when enemies are reloading or between attacks. Prioritize targets based on threat level—eliminate Snitches and Spotters first to prevent reinforcements and artillery strikes.
Weapon Recommendations
Different ARC types are vulnerable to different weapons:
- Light Ammo weapons work well against unarmored ARCs like Wasps, Ticks, and Turrets
- Medium Ammo is effective against semi-armored enemies like Hornets
- Heavy Ammo and explosives are necessary for heavily armored ARCs like Bastions and The Queen
- Area-of-effect weapons excel against groups of smaller enemies like Ticks and Pops
Team Tactics
When playing with a team, coordinate your attacks:
- Assign roles: one player draws aggro while others focus fire on weak points
- Use combined arms: mix weapon types to handle different ARC types efficiently
- Cover each other: revive downed teammates and provide covering fire during reloads
- Communicate enemy positions and status to maintain battlefield awareness
Environmental Advantages
Use the environment to your advantage:
- Indoors: Use doorways and corridors to funnel enemies into kill zones
- Outdoors: Use terrain and structures for cover against long-range attacks
- Height advantage: Take high ground when possible to improve accuracy and safety
- Destructible environments: Some structures can be damaged or destroyed to crush or trap enemies
What Loot Do ARC Enemies Drop in Arc Raiders?
Looting is a core mechanic in Arc Raiders, and understanding what each ARC enemy drops helps you prioritize targets and plan your routes efficiently. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the loot system:
Common Drops Across All ARC Types
- ARC Alloy: Basic crafting material dropped by all ARC enemies
- ARC Powercell: Energy source used for various crafting recipes
- Various ammo types: Light, Medium, and Heavy Ammo depending on the ARC
Specific Valuable Drops by Enemy Type
- Wasp: Wasp Driver (weapon component)
- Hornet: Hornet Driver (weapon component)
- Snitch: Snitch Scanner (surveillance equipment)
- Tick: Tick Pod (explosive component)
- Pop: Crude Explosives, Pop Trigger (explosive components)
- Fireball: Fireball Burner (weapon component)
- Rollbot: Surveyor Vault (rare container)
- Sentinel: Sentinel Firing Core (weapon component)
- Bombardier: Bombardier Cell, Launcher Ammo (heavy weapons)
- Bastion: Bastion Cell (heavy armor component)
- Rocketeer: Rocketeer Part, Heavy Ammo (heavy weapons)
- Bison: Mechanical Components, Leaper Pulse Unit (mobility equipment)
- The Queen: Advanced Mechanical Components, Advanced Electrical Components, Queen Reactor (high-tier crafting materials)
Prioritizing Targets for Optimal Loot Farming
For maximum loot efficiency, follow these guidelines:
- Early game: Focus on Wasps, Ticks, and Turrets for basic materials and ammo
- Mid game: Target Hornets, Fireballs, and Rollbots for better components
- Late game: Hunt Bombardiers, Bastions, and Rocketeers for advanced materials
- End game: Challenge The Queen for the most valuable and rare loot
- Always eliminate Snitches and Spotters first to prevent them from calling reinforcements that could complicate your extraction
Remember that loot quality can vary based on your location in the map and the current threat level of the area. High-risk zones typically yield better rewards but also feature more dangerous ARC enemies.
Which ARC Enemies Give the Most XP in Arc Raiders?
Experience points (XP) are crucial for leveling up and unlocking new abilities in Arc Raiders. Different ARC enemies provide varying amounts of XP, making some better for farming than others. Here’s the complete breakdown:
XP Values by ARC Type
- Tick: 50 XP (destroy), 100 XP (loot)
- Pop: 50 XP (destroy), 100 XP (loot)
- Wasp: 100 XP (destroy), 200 XP (loot)
- Snitch: 100 XP (destroy), 200 XP (loot)
- Fireball: 100 XP (destroy), 100 XP (loot)
- Turret: 100 XP (destroy), 200 XP (loot)
- Hornet: 150 XP (destroy), 250 XP (loot)
- Rollbot: 200 XP (destroy), 300 XP (core), 100 XP (per part)
- Sentinel: 200 XP (destroy), 300 XP (loot)
- Bombardier: 500 XP (destroy), 500 XP (per part)
- Bastion: 500 XP (destroy), 500 XP (per part)
- Rocketeer: 500 XP (destroy), 200 XP (per part)
- Bison: 500 XP (destroy), 600 XP (core), 200 XP (per part)
- The Queen: 1000 XP (destroy), 1000 XP (core), 500 XP (per part)
Best Enemies for Efficient XP Farming
For different playstyles and risk tolerance:
- Safe farming: Sentinel and Rollbot offer good XP with moderate risk
- Balanced approach: Hornet and Fireball provide decent XP with manageable difficulty
- High-risk, high-reward: Bombardier, Bastion, and Rocketeer for substantial XP gains
- Maximum XP: The Queen offers the highest XP rewards but requires significant preparation and skill
Strategies for Maximizing XP Gains
To level up quickly in Arc Raiders:
- Focus on ARC types that give the most XP relative to their difficulty
- Complete objectives and challenges while eliminating enemies for bonus XP
- Team up with other players to tackle tougher enemies more efficiently
- Use XP-boosting equipment or consumables when available
- Return to safe zones regularly to bank your XP and avoid losing it on death
Remember that survival is key to XP accumulation—it’s better to safely extract with moderate XP than to lose everything by pushing too hard for maximum gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weakest ARC enemy in Arc Raiders?
The weakest ARC enemies in Arc Raiders are the Tick and Pop. Both have only 50 XP for destruction and 100 XP for looting, with no armor plating. Ticks are small spider-like enemies that jump on your face, while Pops are explosive balls that detonate near you. Despite their low individual threat, they can be dangerous in groups or when combined with other ARC types. The best way to deal with them is using area-of-effect weapons or destroying them from a safe distance.
How do you beat The Queen ARC in Arc Raiders?
Defeating The Queen ARC in Arc Raiders requires preparation, teamwork, and strategy. This extreme-threat boss has multiple attack patterns including mortar fire, laser beam, EMP Pulse, and ground slam. To beat her, focus on her weak points: the joints and head core. Bring heavy weapons and plenty of ammo, as the fight will be long and intense. Coordinate with your team to draw her attention while others attack her vulnerabilities. Use cover to avoid her area-of-effect attacks and heal when necessary. The Queen drops the most valuable loot in the game, making the challenging fight worthwhile.
What is the best weapon to use against ARC enemies?
The best weapon against ARC enemies depends on the specific type you’re facing. For unarmored ARCs like Wasps, Ticks, and Turrets, light ammo weapons work well. Semi-armored enemies like Hornets are vulnerable to medium ammo. Heavily armored ARCs such as Bastions and The Queen require heavy ammo or explosive weapons. Area-of-effect weapons excel against groups of smaller enemies like Ticks and Pops. Always carry a variety of weapon types to handle different ARC threats effectively. Additionally, weapons with armor penetration are valuable against the more heavily armored enemies.
Do ARC enemies respawn in Arc Raiders?
Yes, ARC enemies do respawn in Arc Raiders, but the respawn mechanics depend on the game mode and specific area. In standard extraction missions, enemies typically don’t respawn immediately after being killed, allowing you to clear areas safely. However, some high-value locations or objective areas may feature respawning enemies to maintain challenge. In other game modes or special events, respawn rates might be higher. It’s important to move efficiently through areas and not assume they will remain clear for extended periods, especially in contested zones.
Can you avoid fighting ARC enemies in Arc Raiders?
While it’s not always possible to completely avoid ARC enemies in Arc Raiders, you can minimize combat through stealth and careful movement. Pay attention to scanner colors—blue indicates patrolling mode where you can sneak past undetected. Move slowly, crouch when near enemies, and use environmental cover to hide your approach. Avoid making loud noises that could alert ARCs to your position. Some missions or objectives may require combat, but for general exploration and resource gathering, stealth is often a viable strategy. Remember that avoiding fights can save resources and reduce risk, but you’ll miss out on XP and loot drops.
What happens if you ignore a Snitch ARC?
Ignoring a Snitch ARC in Arc Raiders can lead to serious complications. Snitches don’t attack directly but function as alarm systems, calling in reinforcements when they detect you. If you ignore a Snitch, it will summon additional ARC enemies to your location, potentially overwhelming you with numbers. The summoned enemies can include more dangerous types like Hornets or even Bombardiers. It’s almost always better to eliminate Snitches immediately when you spot them, even if it means revealing your position. The risk of dealing with one Snitch is much lower than facing the reinforcements it can call.
Are there any secret ARC enemies in Arc Raiders?
While the full roster of ARC enemies in Arc Raiders hasn’t been completely revealed, developers have hinted at additional secret or rare ARC types beyond those commonly encountered. These might include special event enemies, boss variants, or unique ARCs with unusual abilities. Some players have reported encountering mysterious ARC types during special missions or in hidden areas of the map. As the game continues to evolve with updates and new content, more ARC enemies will likely be introduced. Keep an eye on official announcements and community discoveries for information about new and secret ARC enemies.
Conclusion
Understanding ARC enemies in Arc Raiders is essential for survival and success in this challenging extraction shooter. By learning their behaviors, weaknesses, and loot patterns, you’ll be better equipped to face the mechanical threats that roam the surface world. Whether you’re farming XP, hunting for rare components, or simply trying to survive, this knowledge will give you the edge you need to become a top Raider. Apply these strategies in your next mission, and watch your performance improve as you master the art of combating ARC enemies.
