Arc Raiders guide: Priority skills, where to loot and more starting tips
One of the most anticipated games of the year, "multiplayer extraction adventure" Arc Raiders is challenging Escape From Tarkov as the extraction shooter du jour. In the words of PC Gamer's Morgan Park, Arc Raiders built up major buzz with a playtest in early 2025 thanks to its potent mix of "the bones of Escape From Tarkov, the approachability of Gears of War, and the keen architectural eye of Swedish game development." It even overshadowed Bungie's long-awaited Marathon. After a few more betas to test the waters, Arc Raiders finally landed on October 30.
As PC Gamer's Elie Gould breaks down in our Arc Raiders review-in-progress, PvP is an important element of the game, but may not be as big a focus as you'd expect. You'll spend much of your time hunting for loot and fighting (or avoiding) the Arc robots, making it "quite different, both in vibes and execution" than Escape From Tarkov.
But Arc Raiders is still a big game with lots to learn: Where and what to loot, how to avoid or take down the Arc bots, the best gear and weapon upgrades, and so on. Below you'll find a collection of all of our Arc Raiders guides meant to give you a fighting chance on the surface where killer bots rule over the remnants of civilization.
Quick details on Arc Raiders
- Release date: October 30, 2025
- Developer: Embark Studios
- Publisher: Embark Studios
- Players: Multiplayer (10-20ish players per session)
Getting started guides for Arc Raiders
Get your feet under you with our starter guides.
The best Arc Raiders skills you should unlock first: Priorities for progress
Arc Raiders Expeditions: Everything you lose, keep, and gain: When you risk it all, higher stakes mean better rewards
Upgrade your weapons in Arc Raiders: Don't just rely on scavenging new guns!
Don't sleep on Assorted Seeds: These are worth ????????????
Arc Raiders looting guides
Here's how to hunt down all the loot you'll need to survive.
Where to find wires and batteries in Arc Raiders: Nothing more fundamental than this scrap
Where to find ARC Probes and Couriers in Arc Raiders: These useful loot sources are also key to a starter quest
How to find and use Field Crates in Arc Raiders: Ready to become a post-apocalyptic postman?
Where to find Field Depots in Arc Raiders: Those crates gotta go somewhere, eh
Where to find Fireballs in Arc Raiders: These bots are your source for Fireball Burners
Where to find a dog collar in Arc Raiders: A key item for training your loot rooster Scrappy