In ARC Raiders, good aim is not everything. Your success largely depends on your gear and the choices made in your skill tree. So, to enter the surface as a powerful raider, I will show you the two best builds from the current meta.
What information can I find here? In these builds, I list all the important info you need to recreate them. This includes the necessary weapon loadout, the right items like bandages or grenades, as well as the selection of skill points in your skill tree.
Feel free to take inspiration from these builds and create your own build, because every raider has their own style, and you should express it. But first, let’s get to the best solo build.
Best Solo Build
What does the solo build focus on? Our solo build places great emphasis on high survival chances, fast movement, and efficient looting through speed and stealth. Although it was designed for solo play, it can also be effectively used in teams.
How should I build my skill tree? I have provided you an example of how to optimally level your skill tree for solo play. Of course, you can also distribute points differently based on your preferences, especially if you want to benefit from other perks. But for our build, I decided as follows:
In our skill tree, I fully focused on nodes from “Survival”. These should help you move faster and restore stamina during fights. Additionally, you can create various items at the surface with the points “Crafting in Round” and “Mobile Tinkerer” to make you more independent.
Of course, points in mobility and stamina cannot be missed, as they increase your movement and ensure that your shield does not slow you down. Last but not least, there are also points in breaking, so you create less noise.
Which weapons should I take? I chose two strong weapons from the current meta:
- The Kettle
- The Kettle is your weapon of choice when it comes to demonstrating longer breath in battles. It has a large magazine, a solid fire rate, and is very effective at medium and close range.
- The Anvil
- The Anvil, on the other hand, represents your fast and powerful backup weapon. It effortlessly penetrates the armor of the ARCs or raiders. In combat, you can quickly crack the armor with the Anvil and then finish your opponents with the Kettle.
The duo has proven to be very effective in our tests and those who can also equip both weapons with strong modifications will have an easier time in combat.
What gear should I take? If you want to loot a lot, it’s best to go with the augment “Loot Mark 2” and a light shield. If you prioritize fights with other players, then opt for the augment “Combat Mark 2” and a heavy shield.
Items you should take would be a bundle of bandages, shield chargers, and adrenaline syringes. The latter is important for being able to quickly escape in critical situations without worrying about your stamina.
Your last quick-access slots can either be filled with zip lines or grenades. If you take grenades, prefer the snapshot grenade or heavy fuse grenade – they deal more damage.
Best Squad Build
What does the squad build focus on? The squad build focuses primarily on being able to do everything well, but without specializing. You should remain flexible, as the responsibility for a successful extraction lies with all team members.
How should I build my skill tree? I have provided you an example of how to optimally level your skill tree for squad play. Of course, you can also distribute points differently based on your preferences, especially if you want to benefit from other perks. But for our build, I decided as follows:
With this build, you can score in every area regarding survival, movement, and stamina. The greater focus is now more on survival than looting. While many raiders are peaceful in solo rounds, you encounter more hostile opponents in trio matchmaking.
We have therefore increased the survival time, movement speed, and also your damage reduction when you’re lying on the ground and exhausted. So, if you end up on the ground and your allies’ fight takes longer, you don’t have to worry about being completely eliminated.
Which weapons should I take? It depends on your squad, with whom you need to coordinate. Depending on your goals in the current expedition, that can vary. It is important to choose your weapons so that:
- You take at least one armor-piercing option
- You have a weapon with a larger magazine and higher fire rate
Combinations like the Anvil with the Kettle or Ferro with the Venator are excellent. If you are more on an ARC hunt, you can also combine weapons like the Hullcracker and Arpeggio – this way, you have an option to massively damage the armor and can even cover medium and long distances against incoming raiders.
What gear should I take? The same applies here as with the solo build:
- For fights against raiders and ARCs
- “Combat Mark 2” and a heavy shield
- For looting
- “Loot Mark 2” and a light shield
You can also create a mix in your squad. One can be the looter with the larger inventory. This one takes most of it. The other two players act as escorts, with higher armor and deadlier weapon choices.
Regarding bandages, shields, and grenades, the same applies as with the solo build. However, a new addition is bringing important resources like ammunition. If your teammates can no longer craft ammunition, it is advisable to take a risk and bring the necessary rounds with you when you land on the surface. This way, you ensure that you won’t run out of breath in combat.
I messed up my build, how can I reset my skill tree? It’s not that easy. If you want to create a new build, you have to send your raider on an expedition. This is a wipe mechanic that you can unlock only at level 20. Once you’ve done that, you will receive a new raider with whom you must unlock all content again, including your skill tree. You can find more about this here: ARC Raiders: Guide to the Skill Tree – Everything about leveling and resetting
