ARC Raiders Best Builds

ARC Raiders is all about high-risk, high-reward extraction runs. Every raid throws robotic patrols, ambushes, and unpredictable firefights at you. Your build determines if you can make it out with a full backpack full of loot or lose everything in a disaster. This ARC Raiders best builds guide covers the five strongest builds in the current release version of ARC Raiders. Each build includes:

1. Recommended weapons
2. Optimal explosives & gadgets
3. Shield types recommended for the build and playstyle
4. Skill tree allocations (Conditioning, Mobility, Survival)
5. An explanation of how each build fits into the game’s meta and why you should consider spacing this way

Whether you prefer tanky suppression playstyle, stealthy raiding, precision sniping, or reliable all-rounder performance, you’ll find a build that fits your style.

Some of the items required in this build are quite rare. To not rely on random drops, you can get ARC Raiders items and blueprints on Playhub. Swift and secure delivery guaranteed.

Build #1: All-Rounder Survival Loadout

This most dependable setup is one of the best builds in ARC Raider. If you want a build that performs well in every situation, at any time of day, and in any group size, this is the one you start with. You stack reliable medium-range damage, a panic sidearm for close-range encounters (we all remember that switching to your secondary is faster than reloading), good stamina management, and strong looting capability. This build thrives in the topside’s open plains, deep woods, and storm runs. It’s very consistent, forgiving, and perfect for progression.

Primary: Tempest
A smooth, consistent assault rifle with great stability and a flexible range. Perfect for general engagements.

Secondary: Venator
A dependable pistol for sudden flankers and finishing off wounded ARC units up close.

Explosives & Gadgets

• Frag Grenade – versatile damage against groups
• EMP Grenade – disables robotic enemies, ideal for preventing pushes
• Healing Stim – instant health recovery, essential survival tool
• Grapple Hook – fast repositioning, climbing, and extraction paths
• Light Shield (Body Shield) – fast-equip defensive shield with low weight

Light Shield fits this build because it gives protection while keeping your weight and stamina costs low.

Suggested Perks

• Conditioning: Used to the Weight (1/5), Fight or Flight (3/5), Proficient Pryer (2/5)
• Mobility: Nimble Climber (5/5), Marathon Runner (4/5), Youthful Lungs (3/5)
• Survival: Agile Croucher (3/5), Looter’s Instincts (5/5), Broad Shoulders (4/5), Looter’s Luck (3/5), Stubborn Mule (5/5)

The All-Rounder thrives because it covers every weakness. You get stable damage, high maneuverability, strong extraction passives, and enough defense to handle mistakes. It’s the perfect early-game and mid-game backbone.

Build #2: Heavy Suppression Tank

If your team needs someone to stand firm, control chokepoints, and soak enemy bullets, this best tank build in ARC Raiders is exactly what you need. The Heavy Suppression Tank excels at locking down lanes and surviving brutal firefights. You combine a high-impact rifle with a heavy sidearm, powerful explosives, and the tankiest body shield. Your job isn’t to dart around — it’s to own space and let your team play around you.

Recommended Weapons

Primary: Bettina
A hard-hitting assault rifle with great sustained damage.

Secondary: Anvil
A hand cannon that deletes close-range targets with a few well-placed shots.

Explosives & Gadgets

• Sticky Charge – attaches to targets for guaranteed damage
• Impact Charge – immediate detonation upon contact for quick control
• Heavy Shield (Body Shield) – highest durability, maximum protection, movement debuff is offset with Used to the Weight perk investment
• Healing Station – supports allies during long engagements
• Armor Overcharge – survival spike for clutch situations

Suggested Perks

• Conditioning: Used to the Weight (3/5), Loaded Arms (1/1), Fight or Flight (4/5), Back On Your Feet (1/1)
• Mobility: Nimble Climber (3/5), Slip and Slide (2/5), Youthful Lungs (3/5)
• Survival: Agile Croucher (2/5), Looter’s Instincts (3/5), Broad Shoulders (3/5), Looter’s Luck (2/5), One Raider’s Scraps (2/5)

The Tank controls the pace of fights. You pull aggro, dump suppressive fire, and create breathing room. Heavy Shield gives you the staying power to stand in open sightlines without instantly folding.

Build #3: Long-Range Sniper Specialist

This is one of the top ARC Raiders builds for players who want to dominate high ground, punish exposed robots, and pick targets before they become a threat. You rely on extreme elevation control, rapid relocation, and one-shot potential. You avoid direct fights and instead melt ARC units from a safe distance.

Recommended Weapons

Primary: Jupiter
One of the strongest sniper weapons in the game, capable of ripping through armored units.

Secondary: Renegade
A mid-range battle rifle for when enemies close the distance.

Explosives & Gadgets

• EMP Grenade – cripples robotic units, allowing you to either retreat or take them out before they overwhelm you
• Shock Grenade – stuns enemies, buys you reposition time
• Recon Drone – perfect for scouting paths and marking targets
• Light Shield (Body Shield) – minimal weight, enough protection for a sniper perch
• Grapple Hook – mandatory for vertical gameplay

Suggested Perks:

• Conditioning: Proficient Pryer (2/5), Used to the Weight (2/5), Blast-Born (2/5), Unburdened Roll (1/1)
• Mobility: Nimble Climber (5/5), Marathon Runner (5/5), Youthful Lungs (4/5), Slip and Slide (3/5), Carry the Momentum (1/1), Effortless Roll (2/5)
• Survival: Agile Croucher (2/5), Looter’s Instincts (2/5), In-Round Crafting (1/1), Broad Shoulders (1/5), Looter’s Luck (1/5)

If you are good at positioning well and controlling your aim, this is one of the highest-impact loadouts in ARC Raiders. Your rifle deletes threats early, keeping your squad safe before fights even begin.

Build #4: Stealth Ambush Runner (Night Raids & Fast Looting)

Nighttime runs are some of the riskiest but most rewarding routes in ARC Raiders. This best movement build ARC Raiders focuses on staying quiet, fast, and hard to track. With this build, you avoid long engagements and rely on utility to break line-of-sight and escape danger while hitting high-value loot spots.

Recommended Weapons

Primary: Venator
Silent, precise, and perfect for stealthy takedowns.

Secondary: Vulcano
Explosive shotgun power for emergency close-quarters combat moments.

Explosives & Gadgets

• Flash Grenade – blinds patrols, enabling stealth escapes
• Gas Grenade – non-explosive crowd control for silent disengagement
• Smoke Grenade – essential for disengagements during quick nighttime loot hoardings
• Grapple Hook – a critical mobility tool in stealth play
• Light Shield (Body Shield) – minimal weight with enough protection

Suggested Perks:

• Conditioning: Used to the Weight (2/5), Gentle Pressure (3/5), Proficient Pryer (2/5), Downed But Determined (1/5), Turtle Crawl (1/5)
• Mobility: Nimble Climber (5/5), Marathon Runner (4/5), Youthful Lungs (5/5), Slip and Slide (4/5), Carry the Momentum (1/1), Vigorous Vaulter (2/5), Vaults on Vaults on Vaults (1/1)
• Survival: Agile Croucher (1/5), Revitalizing Squat (2/5), Silent Scavenger (2/5), Looter’s Instincts (1/5), One Raider’s Scraps (2/5)

This loadout is all about clean, efficient raids. You get into hot spots fast, loot, and extract with minimal fighting. Easily the best build for looting in ARC Raiders, it’s nothing short of perfect for solo players or anyone farming specific containers.

Build #5: Support & Extraction Specialist

Some fights are won not by kills but by smart positioning, healing, and extraction support. This backbone of the ARC Raiders meta builds makes your whole team’s life easier. You bring scanning, healing, defensive gear, and the carry-capacity perks needed to haul big loot spreads.

Recommended Weapons

Primary: Anvil
Strong sidearm for finishing targets, great accuracy.

Secondary: Ferro
Reliable rifle that balances accuracy and manageable recoil.

Explosives & Gadgets

• Smoke Grenade – revives, disengages, and provides extraction protection
• EMP Grenade – support tool for disabling charging robots
• Medium Shield (Body Shield) – excellent balance of protection and weight
• Vita Spray – critical for storm zones and battlegrounds
• Pulse Mine – provides area control and prevents extraction ambushes

Suggested Perks:

• Conditioning: Used to the Weight (3/5), Fight or Flight (3/5), Proficient Pryer (2/5), Loaded Arms (1/1), Back On Your Feet (1/1)
• Mobility: Nimble Climber (3/5), Marathon Runner (3/5), Youthful Lungs (2/5), Slip and Slide (2/5)
• Survival: Agile Croucher (2/5), Looter’s Instincts (4/5), Broad Shoulders (4/5), Looter’s Luck (3/5), In-Round Crafting (1/1), Stubborn Mule (2/5), One Raider’s Scraps (2/5)

This build is an exciting spin on the support class fantasy of the ARC Raiders builds meta. You see danger before it arrives, stabilize health during storms, and ensure nobody loses loot to last-second evacuation chaos.

ARC Raiders Best Builds Guide Summary

Let’s sum up our ARC Raiders best builds guide - the game offers a wide range of viable loadouts. These ones covered in our overview stand out for fulfilling every core role the game demands: survival, suppression, long-range pressure, stealth farming, and team support. Each build solves a different problem and gives you a clear plan for storm runs, blueprint routes, nighttime patrols, and high-danger battlegrounds.

Below is a quick-reference summary of the best builds, including their core weapons, shield type, and ideal playstyle. Use it to pick a loadout fast before jumping into a raid.

The main takeaway is that each build fills a different tactical niche. The All-Rounder is the most forgiving setup for newcomers, while the Stealth Runner and Sniper perform best in solo play and nighttime routes. Tanks and Support roles dominate in squads and late-game encounters where coordination and durability matter more than raw DPS.

Conclusion

Great builds turn raids from stressful struggles to routine lootings. Our ARC Raiders best builds guide covered every major role, from silent looters and snipers to suppression anchors and team support specialists. Improve your weapons, optimize your skill tree, use the correct shield weight class, and pick explosives that actually solve your in-raid problems.

Master these builds, and you’ll farm more blueprints, survive more storms, win more firefights, and extract with backpacks full of high-tier loot.