ARC Raiders Beginner Guide: Core Loop, Skills & First Raids

What is ARC Raiders?

ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction shooter from Embark Studios, released on October 30, 2025 for PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with crossplay. It launched at $39.99. You drop onto a hostile map, collect loot and extract before time runs out, while fighting robotic ARC enemies and other players.

How a raid works

• You can play solo, in a duo or in a squad of three. In Frozen Trail 2.0 Embark removed the separate Solo vs. Squads matchmaking option while it re-evaluates it.
• A raid lasts about 30 minutes. You land at a random point, loot containers and ARC drops, then head to an extraction point.
• Anything you carry out is banked in your stash. If you are killed, you lose what you brought.

First hours checklist

1. Start with Mobility skills. Community guides agree that stamina and movement come first.
2. Pick one affordable primary such as an upgraded Ferro or Stitcher.
3. Learn the small ARC first: Wasp, Pop and Tick.
4. Play the early maps before you attempt the late ones such as Stella Montis.
5. Use the skill build guide before you spend points. Respeccing costs coins.

Where to go next

• Best weapons for every playstyle
• Weapon tier list
• All maps