Arc Raiders is a cooperative extraction shooter with a lot of reward for preparation, awareness, and smart decision-making. For new players who were not involved in early tests, the first raids can be confusing and punishing. Enemies strike hard; noise draws attention, and one slip can cost all your gear. Unlike casual shooters, here success does not rely so much on raw aim as it does on an understanding of how raids work from start to extraction.
To make your gaming experience easier, we have made this guide for you. It is intended for those who are just getting started and who want a clear breakdown of raid mechanics. It includes information on settings, raid flow, loot priorities, extraction, common mistakes, and progression tips that will help new players survive longer and progress faster.
Early Raid Pressure and Why Beginners Struggle
The early hours in Arc Raiders may overwhelm the new players. Unfamiliar controls, lack of gear selection, and angry enemies combine to make players lose game after game without understanding what went wrong. Due to a steep learning curve, many players, especially new gamers, seek ways to stabilize their early progress. In community discussions, it is common to see mentions of Arc Raiders boost being used on trusted platforms. Many players turn to this option to reduce early setbacks and focus on learning raid mechanics instead of constantly rebuilding lost gear.
Key Settings and Input Adjustments
Before entering your first raid, changing key settings can make a lot of difference. Default binding is usable. However, it is not ideal for high-pressure situations. Important actions to rebind are as follows:
- Crouch — The method of quieter movement and downhill sliding to conserve stamina
- Dodge / Roll — Important for getting into cover in firefights
- Shoulder Swap — One of the most important controls for combat from cover. Shoulder swapping alters the camera position so that better angles can be taken for peeking corners. The use of the correct shoulder for cover can mean the difference between winning and losing a fight.
Audio settings also matter. Proximity chat exists. So, instead of open mic, push-to-talk will prevent your nearby enemies from pinpointing your location through noise from your voice.
How a Typical Raid Works
Each raid starts with your squad moving out onto an active map. Some matches are fresh, while others are already underway. Opening the map right away helps to determine your spawn location, loot zones, and available extraction points. Map zones:
- Yellow zones — Moderate loot, less risk
- Red zones — High-value loot, better enemies, higher player traffic
Teams must make choices early on as to whether they want to play it safe or take risks. Red zones have better rewards but are frequented by both enemy players and dangerous machines. Free loadouts can help to make red zone risks more acceptable because there is nothing to lose. During a raid, gunfire or signal flares indicate nearby combat. At that point, teams must decide whether to avoid conflict or fight for potential high-value loot from vanquished players.
Extraction Mechanics Explained
There are timers at extraction points. Once a timer is reduced to zero, that extraction is no longer available for the duration of the match. The longer the period of time, the more difficult it is to extract safely. Key extraction rules are as follows:
- Сalling extraction creates a loud noise
- Rush extraction zones by nearby players
- Some extraction areas are guarded by machines
Players should use cover when waiting and avoid needless fights during extraction. Even downed players can still extract if they are not completely eliminated. So, crawling to safety is important.
Getting Downed, Reviving, and Healing
Getting downed is a common thing at the end of a raid. Downed players should communicate the positions of the enemy and crawl to safer locations when possible. Teammates can revive them if it is secure. If the enemy is downed, removing them completely will prevent any revives. While aggressive, this has the benefit of reducing long-term risk during fights. After revives, healing health, and restoring shields before re-engaging is critical whenever possible.
Major Mistakes Made by Beginners
Some mistakes cost more raids than bad aim. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you prevent them from happening:
- Making excessive noise
- Shooting enemies at unnecessary distances
- Fighting machines without reason
- Ignoring stamina and ammo restrictions
Machines are durable and resource-consuming. If their booty is not wanted, it is often the smarter option to avoid them. Cameras should be destroyed with melee attacks rather than guns.
Free Loadouts and Safe Pockets
Free loadouts give players the option of entering raids without any risk to their gear. They offer basic weapons and items, but do not have a safe pocket. Free loadouts are great for practice, knowledge of the map, and recovering from heavy losses. Safe pockets ensure that one comes back with you even if the raid fails. This is not available when using free loadouts, and players are faced with the choice between safety and risk-free learning runs.
Loot Management, Recycling and Crafting
Loot can be sold for currency, recycled for parts, or used directly for crafting. Often, items will indicate their best use in descriptions. Crafting stations in the underground city can be improved upon and should be prioritized early. Creating reliable healing items and equipment makes for consistency compared to using only found loot.
Best First Weapons for New Players
Early weapons are primitive. However, some are better than others. One of the most notable choices for the beginner is the Pharaoh, a long-range rifle with decent damage. While rather clunky, it performs well in early fights and allows teams to take down enemies quickly with concerted fire. Accuracy and positioning are more important than the weapon being rare at this point.
Night Raids, Keys, and Skill Tree Choices
Night raids are time-limited with increased difficulty and better loot. Visibility is lessened, and machine presence is increased. This makes them high-risk encounters. Keys are used to unlock specific areas of loot on maps. Raider hatch keys are emergency extraction tools and should not be reserved for critical situations. For skill trees, there is mobility that enhances stamina management, and survival perks that enable limited crafting in raids. Both paths have great early benefits depending on playstyle.
Final Word!
Arc Raiders raids are rewarding for players who are patient, risk-taking, and learn from their mistakes. Beginners who work on preparation, smart movement, and controlled engagements will improve steadily over time. Understanding raid flow, extraction times, and resource management makes every deployment more consistent. With the right mindset and knowledge, even early losses are valuable lessons, not setbacks.
