In the brutal extraction zones of ARC Raiders, simply finding a weapon isn’t enough — mastering it is what keeps you alive. While other players gamble on random drops, you can build your own power base by upgrading and augmenting weapons to match your exact playstyle.
This guide breaks down the complete weapon enhancement system, showing how to unlock upgrade tiers, craft advanced attachments, and farm key materials to dominate the Rust Belt.
🏭 The Foundation: Your Workshop & Gunsmith Bench
Before modifying your first weapon, you’ll need to set up your crafting infrastructure in Speranza, the underground hub where all Raiders return between missions.
🧰 How to Build the Gunsmith Bench
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Cost: 20 Metal Parts + 30 Rubber Parts
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Why it matters: This is your primary weapon modification hub, used for upgrading stats, attaching augments, and crafting new firearms.
Investing early in your Gunsmith bench pays long-term dividends — Raiders who focus on infrastructure first quickly outpace those chasing loot RNG.
🔧 Weapon Upgrading: From Basic to Powerful
Upgrading your firearm improves its core stats in predictable tiers, ensuring consistent power growth without relying on luck.
Understanding Upgrade Tiers
| Tier | Material Cost (Example) | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Tier I | Base weapon stats | Standard performance |
| Tier II | 10 Metal Parts, 10 Rubber Parts | Better durability, faster reload |
| Tier III | 6 Metal Parts, 2 Magnets | Enhanced magazine, smoother handling |
| Tier IV | 14 Metal Parts, 3 Simple Gun Parts | Max damage, elite performance |
💡 How to Upgrade:
Open your inventory or stash, right-click a weapon, and select Upgrade. The interface shows before-and-after stats so you can plan efficiently before spending materials.
Strategic Upgrade Priorities
Not every gun is worth your hard-earned materials. Based on player testing and community consensus, focus on these high-value weapons first:
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Ferro Break-Action Rifle: Top-tier PvE weapon for ARC weak points; upgrades fix its reload delay.
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Anvil Hand Cannon: Reliable all-rounder with brutal stopping power.
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Bettina Assault Rifle: Great balance of DPS, accuracy, and customization.
🔹 Pro Tip: A Tier IV common weapon will outperform most unupgraded rares — upgrade what you trust, not just what glows purple.
🧩 Weapon Augmentation: The Smart Mod System
If upgrading makes your weapon stronger, augmentation makes it smarter. Mods tailor your gun to match your tactics — stealth, control, or raw firepower.
Barrel Attachments
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Suppressors: Reduce noise to avoid ARC detection and mask your position.
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Compensators / Muzzle Brakes: Improve recoil control for tight spray patterns.
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Chokes / Barrels: Adjust bullet spread and range to specialize for close or long-range fights.
Other Essential Modifications
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Foregrips: Boost stability and ADS speed.
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Extended Magazines: Perfect for sustained firefights.
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Specialized Ammo: Deal extra damage to specific enemy types.
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Optics & Sights: Improve target tracking and precision.
Augments are unlocked through higher-tier Gunsmith benches (Level II–III) and Battle Pass/Mastery rewards. Many can be reused across weapons, so treat them as long-term assets rather than consumables.
⚙️ Resource Management & Farming Strategies
Targeted Material Farming
Know where to look — the right zones save hours of grinding.
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Mechanical Components: Industrial zones (e.g., Water Treatment Control, Dam Battlegrounds).
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Electronic Parts: Found near ARC-infested and tech-heavy areas.
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Basic Materials: White zones are best for farming Metal Parts and Rubber Parts reliably.
Smart Crafting Economy
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Upgrade vs. Craft: Sometimes upgrading a solid common weapon is more efficient than building a rare one.
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Recycle Gear: Break down unused weapons for partial material returns.
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Expand Your Stash: The first upgrade (5,000 Coins) is worth every penny — stay organized for long-term crafting.
🎯 Loadout Synergy: Build for Your Playstyle
The best Raiders design loadouts that work together, not just individual weapons.
Anti-ARC Specialist
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Primary: Fully upgraded Ferro (armor-piercing mods)
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Secondary: Anvil with rapid-fire augments
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Playstyle: Focused single-shot precision with close-range fallback
Balanced Combatant
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Primary: Tier IV Bettina with compensator + extended mag
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Secondary: Suppressed sidearm
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Playstyle: Adaptable mix for PvE and PvP fights
Guerrilla Tactician
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Primary: Silenced weapon with mobility mods
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Secondary: Tools like ziplines + smoke grenades
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Playstyle: Hit-and-run expert, ideal for solo extraction runs
🧠 Advanced Optimization Tips
Once you’ve mastered upgrades and mods, optimize like a pro:
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Skill Tree Synergy: Heavy weapon users should level Conditioning skills like “Used to the Weight” to offset movement penalties.
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Alternate Loadouts: Maintain multiple versions of the same gun with different augments for varied missions.
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Material Forecasting: Plan upgrade paths ahead — know what you’ll need next raid.
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Scrappy the Rooster: Upgrade your companion to gather materials passively between missions.
🔥 From Basic Firearm to Personalized Arsenal
Weapon upgrading and augmentation in ARC Raiders transforms random looting into intentional progression. Every raid becomes part of your long-term plan to craft, mod, and perfect your tools of survival.
The Rust Belt doesn’t reward luck — it rewards preparation. Now that you understand how to turn basic weapons into specialized masterpieces, it’s time to hit the field, gather smart, and dominate with a loadout built by your own hands.
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