Venturing into the Rust Belt for the first time is as breathtaking as it is brutal. Between relentless ARC machines and rival Raiders hunting for loot, survival can feel impossible. But your gear isn’t your only advantage — your Raider’s permanent skill tree is the secret to turning the tide.
This complete ARC Raiders progression guide breaks down the skill system, shows you the best skills to unlock first, and reveals how to level up efficiently so you can extract more loot and die less often.
𧩠The Three Pillars of Power: Understanding Your Skill Trees
Unlike the gear you lose in failed extractions, skills are permanent upgrades that define your playstyle. The skill tree is split into three main branches:
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π’ Conditioning – survivability and endurance
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π‘ Mobility – stamina and movement efficiency
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π΄ Survival – looting, crafting, and economy
You’ll earn Skill Points by gaining experience (XP) and leveling up your Raider.
π’ Conditioning: The Tree of Tenacity
Best Conditioning Skills to Unlock First
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Fight or Flight – Regain stamina when taking damage, perfect for quick escapes.
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Survivor’s Stamina – Boosts stamina regeneration when critically injured (Major Node – requires 15 points).
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Downed but Determined – Stay down longer before collapsing, giving allies time to revive you.
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Back on Your Feet – Regenerates health automatically when near death — excellent for solo survivability.
π‘ Mobility: The Art of Movement
Stamina management is everything in ARC Raiders. The Mobility tree lets you move faster, dodge more, and outmaneuver your enemies across massive maps.
Best Mobility Skills to Unlock First
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Marathon Runner – Reduces stamina costs for movement. Essential early-game skill.
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Youthful Lungs – Increases your maximum stamina pool.
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Carry the Momentum – After a dodge roll, sprinting doesn’t consume stamina for a short time. Great for hit-and-run tactics.
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Slip and Slide – Increases slide distance and speed, ideal for stealthy or evasive movement.
π΄ Survival: The Scavenger’s Path
The Survival tree is all about resource management and self-sufficiency. It enhances looting, carrying capacity, and even lets you craft items mid-raid.
Best Survival Skills to Unlock First
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In-Round Crafting – Allows field-crafting of bandages, ammo, and shield cells while Topside. A must-have.
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Looter’s Instincts – Reveals loot faster when searching, reducing your exposure time.
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Broad Shoulders – Increases carrying capacity so you can extract more loot.
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Security Breach – Unlocks Security Lockers for high-value loot (Major Node – requires 36 points).
πͺ Your First 15 Points: The Ultimate Beginner Leveling Path
With 45 unique skills, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The best beginner strategy is balanced progression that boosts stamina and utility first.
Recommended Early Build Path
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Points 1–3: Invest in Survival → In-Round Crafting to make bandages and ammo mid-raid.
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Points 4–14: Focus on Mobility, prioritizing Marathon Runner and Youthful Lungs for stamina efficiency.
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Point 15: Add Looter’s Instincts for faster, safer container searches.
This foundation gives you what every new Raider needs most — endurance, mobility, and healing flexibility.
π§ Advanced Builds: Specializing Your Playstyle
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can tailor your Raider to match your preferred playstyle. Here are the three most effective builds used by top players.
π― Build #1: The All-Rounder
A balanced setup ideal for players who want mobility, stamina control, and looting speed.
| Conditioning (7 pts) | Mobility (18 pts) | Survival (23 pts) |
|---|---|---|
| Used to the Weight (1/5) | Nimble Climber (1/5) | Agile Croucher (3/5) |
| Gentle Pressure (1/5) | Slip and Slide (3/5) | Revitalizing Squat (5/5) |
| Proficient Pryer (5/5) | Marathon Runner (5/5) | Looter’s Instincts (1/5) |
| Youthful Lungs (5/5) | In-Round Crafting (1/1) | |
| Sturdy Ankles (1/5) | Carry the Momentum (1/1) | Silent Scavenger (5/5) |
| Calming Stroll (1/1) | Broad Shoulders (5/5) |
⚔️ Build #2: The Movement & Combatant
For aggressive Raiders who thrive on speed and combat control.
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Core Focus: Mobility (27 pts) + Conditioning (16 pts)
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Key Skills: Fight or Flight, Survivor’s Stamina, Effortless Roll, Crawl Before You Walk
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Playstyle: High-mobility duelist capable of dodging and re-engaging with ease.
π Build #3: The Resource Runner
Perfect for players who live for looting and maximizing profit.
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Core Focus: Survival (37 pts)
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Key Skills: Looter’s Instincts, Broad Shoulders, Looter’s Luck, Security Breach
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Playstyle: Prioritizes resource management and looting efficiency over direct combat power.
⚡ Progression Mastery: How to Earn XP Fast
Leveling quickly unlocks stronger builds faster. Here’s how to maximize XP gain efficiently.
1. Complete Quests and Feats
Traders in Speranza offer quests that reward XP and tell the story of the Rust Belt.
Small “Feats” (like destroy 5 Wasps) also grant bonus XP and currency.
2. Survive and Extract
Extraction is everything. You earn XP for time survived and a large Safe Return bonus for extracting successfully.
3. Engage Strategically
Destroying ARC units grants XP based on difficulty. But remember — long fights draw attention, so fight smart, not long.
π§ The Raider’s Mindset: Final Tips for Progression
⚖️ You Can Respec — But Only Occasionally
Respeccing is tied to a seasonal Expedition Project that resets every 8 weeks. You can’t reset points freely, so choose your build carefully.
π¨ Stamina Is Life
Early-game Mobility skills that improve stamina are more impactful than late-game Conditioning perks. If you can’t move, you can’t survive.
𧱠Balance Your Build
Specializing too early can cripple your survivability. The All-Rounder setup remains the best baseline for beginners and veterans alike.
π Ready to Become a Legend?
Now that you understand ARC Raiders’ skill progression, it’s time to drop into the Rust Belt with purpose.
Focus on your stamina, craft smart, and build your Raider around your strengths. The ARC threat never sleeps — but with an optimized build, you’ll be the one they fear.
Stay tuned for our next guide: ARC Raiders Farming Routes & Economy Strategies — your next step toward mastering the wasteland economy.
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