ARC Raiders Enemy Guide (2025): All ARC Types, Weaknesses, Loot Drops & Combat Strategies

Dropping into the Rust Belt for the first time is a breathtaking yet terrifying experience. The sky rains death, the ground trembles with mechanical footsteps, and mysterious ARC machines patrol every ruin. These aren’t mindless drones—they’re sophisticated killing systems with unique behaviors, weaknesses, and loot drops that define your survival odds.

Whether you’re a new Raider learning the ropes or a veteran optimizing your farming routes, this comprehensive 2025 guide breaks down every ARC type you’ll face — complete with weaknesses, loot rewards, and advanced combat strategies to help you thrive and profit.

⚙️ Understanding ARC Behavior: The Color-Coded Threat System

Before engaging any ARC unit, you must understand how they perceive you. ARCs operate in distinct states indicated by the scanner’s color:

🔵 Blue Scanner: The ARC is in patrolling mode — perfect time for a stealthy ambush.
🟡 Yellow Scanner: The ARC is alerted and investigating movement or sound. Stay low and silent.
🔴 Red Scanner: Fully aggressive. Engage immediately and exploit weak points.

Knowing these states helps you control engagements, avoid unnecessary fights, and strike strategically.

💀 ARC Enemy Breakdown: From Minor Nuisances to Major Threats {#arc-enemy-breakdown}

Below is the complete rundown of ARC enemy types, organized by threat level. Each includes behavior patterns, weaknesses, loot tables, and XP rewards.

⚠️ Moderate Threats

🕷️ Tick

Behavior: Small, spider-like ARCs that leap and latch onto players.
Weakness: Unarmored — extremely low health.
Combat Tip: Use melee weapons for quick kills. Remove if latched.
Loot: ARC Alloy, Tick Pod
XP: +50 Destroy / +100 Loot

💣 Pop

Behavior: Suicide bombers that rush and detonate.
Weakness: Fragile; any weapon works.
Combat Tip: Kite backward while firing. Their explosions can damage other ARCs.
Loot: Pop Triggers, ARC Powercells, Crude Explosives
XP: +50 Destroy / +100 Loot

📡 Snitch

Behavior: Scout drones that summon reinforcements.
Weakness: No armor.
Combat Tip: Prioritize elimination before it signals. Target wings or sensors.
Loot: Snitch Scanners, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell
XP: +100 Destroy / +200 Loot

⚙️ Wasp

Behavior: Flying drones firing light ammo.
Weakness: Thrusters vulnerable.
Combat Tip: Use medium/heavy rounds for efficiency.
Loot: Wasp Driver, ARC Alloy, Light Ammo
XP: +100 Destroy / +200 Loot

🔮 Surveyor (Rollbot)

Behavior: Spherical reconnaissance ARC that transmits your location.
Weakness: Exposed core during scans.
Combat Tip: Strike during its scanning pause.
Loot: Surveyor Core, ARC Alloy, Robot Parts
XP: +200 Destroy / +300 Core / +100 Parts

🔥 High Threats

🔥 Fireball

Behavior: Armored ARC with flamethrower.
Weakness: Core exposed during attack prep.
Combat Tip: Stay mobile; strike during core exposure.
Loot: Fireball Burners, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell
XP: +100 Destroy / +100 Loot

🛸 Hornet

Behavior: Agile aerial ARC with stun projectiles.
Weakness: Underside thrusters.
Combat Tip: Use medium/heavy rounds; aim for thrusters.
Loot: Hornet Driver, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell
XP: +150 Destroy / +250 Loot

🔭 Sentinel

Behavior: Stationary sniper turret with shields.
Weakness: Shield generators first.
Combat Tip: Destroy shields, then core.
Loot: Sentinel Cores, ARC Alloy, Advanced Powercell
XP: +200 Destroy / +300 Loot

💀 Critical Threats

🧱 Bastion

Behavior: Massive ground unit with heavy machine gun.
Weakness: Yellow kneecaps and rear cylinder.
Combat Tip: Flank while under cover; use heavy ammo.
Loot: Bastion Parts, ARC Alloy, Advanced Powercell
XP: +500 Destroy / +500 Parts

💥 Bombardier

Behavior: Long-range bombardment ARC.
Weakness: Core exposed post-attack.
Combat Tip: Dodge barrages, strike when it reloads.
Loot: Bombardier Components, ARC Alloy, Motion Core
XP: +500 Destroy / +500 Parts

🕷️ Leaper (Bison)

Behavior: Jumping melee ARC.
Weakness: Leg joints and eyes.
Combat Tip: Target legs to immobilize. Avoid close range.
Loot: Leaper Pulse Unit, ARC Alloy, Advanced Powercell
XP: +500 Destroy / +600 Core / +200 Parts

🚀 Rocketeer

Behavior: Aerial ARC with homing missiles.
Weakness: Red glowing core underneath.
Combat Tip: Use cover; time dodges with missile audio cues.
Loot: Rocket Components, ARC Alloy, High-Tier Crafting Parts
XP: +500 Destroy / +200 Parts

👑 Extreme Threat

👑 The Queen

Behavior: Endgame boss commanding other ARCs.
Weakness: Core and joint armor.
Combat Tip: Eliminate reinforcements first, then focus fire on core.
Loot: Queen Cores, Motion Cores, Advanced Components
XP: +1000 Destroy / +1000 Core / +500 Parts

🎯 Mastering Combat: Advanced ARC Hunting Strategies {#mastering-combat}

Armor & Ammo Matching

Unarmored (Tick, Pop, Snitch, Wasp): Any ammo type works.
Armored (Fireball, Bastion, Leaper): Use heavy ammo.
Semi-Plated (Hornet): Medium or heavy recommended.

💡 Quick Tip:
Carry both light and heavy weapons to cover all engagement ranges and armor types.

💰 Efficient Farming Routes & Progression Tips {#efficient-farming}

Early Game:
Focus on Sentinels and Rollbots for XP and crafting components.

Mid Game:
Target Bombardiers and Bastions — high-tier drops with manageable risk.

End Game:
Form squads for Queen Hunts for the rarest loot and maximum XP.

🔥 Pro Farming Route:
Raid near the Rust Belt outskirts — predictable patrols and safer extraction routes.

👥 Team Composition and Role Assignment {#team-coordination}

Designate Roles: One distracts, others target weak points.
Prioritize: Kill Snitches first to prevent reinforcements.
Resource Sharing: Distribute heavy ammo efficiently.

💡 Squad Insight:
Balanced squads (1 support, 2 DPS, 1 scout) dominate multi-ARC engagements.

🦾 From Prey to Predator: Advanced Survival Insights {#from-prey-to-predator}

Knowledge separates survivors from scavengers. Read scanner states, manage ammo, prioritize enemies — and above all, know when to fight and when to fade.

As Embark Studios continues evolving ARC Raiders, these fundamentals will remain your best tools in the Rust Belt.

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