Best Loadouts for Every Playstyle

Every player approaches Arc Raiders differently. Your ideal loadout depends entirely on how you like to engage with the game -- whether that is headfirst aggression, patient stealth, or keeping teammates alive.

Before spending resources on gear, identify your primary playstyle. Trying to force a sniper build when you prefer close-quarters combat will lead to frustration and wasted materials.

Most players start with a balanced approach, but as you learn the maps and enemy patterns, you will naturally drift toward a style that fits you best.

The aggressive playstyle prioritizes taking fights quickly, controlling enemy positions, and applying constant pressure. This approach generates kills and momentum but requires strong aim and quick decision-making.

Primary Weapon: Arpeggio -- This assault rifle offers the best combination of fire rate, accuracy, and upgrade potential. Its Tier IV durability bonus means it lasts longer in sustained combat, reducing downtime for repairs.

Secondary: Bettina -- Keep this as a backup for longer-range engagements where the Arpeggio recoil becomes harder to manage. The Bettina higher base damage per shot makes it more forgiving at range.

Armor: Heavy Combat Kit -- Aggressive players take more damage by definition. Level 2 or higher body armor is mandatory to survive the inevitable close-quarters exchanges that come with this playstyle.

Grenades: Wolfpack Grenades -- These are essential for dislodging entrenched enemies and devastating grouped Arc units. Always carry at least two.

Stealth builds revolve around avoiding direct confrontation. You pick your fights carefully, prioritize silent kills on priority targets like Snitches, and extract with loot while others are still fighting.

Primary Weapon: Tempest with Slug Rounds -- Shotguns are devastating at close range, and the Tempest high damage one-shots most basic Arcs without alerting nearby enemies. Slug rounds extend its effective range for those moments when stealth fails.

Secondary: Melee Weapon -- A solid melee weapon lets you silently eliminate basic Arcs and, if needed, players who have not detected you.

Armor: Light Shield Mk. II -- Stealth builds rely on not being hit at all. The light shield provides a small safety net without the movement penalty of heavier armor.

Grenades: Gas Grenade -- Gas Grenades are exceptional for stealth builds. They can flush enemies out of rooms without gunfire, create diversions, and deal damage over time in a defined area.

Support players keep their squad alive and control engagements through area denial and healing. This playstyle is underrated and often the difference between a good squad and a dominant one.

Primary Weapon: Renegade with Breacher -- The auto-loading Renegade provides sustained firepower while the Breacher perk shreds through Arc armor, making it excellent for deleting heavy targets.

Secondary: Anvil -- For situations requiring heavy armor penetration, the Anvil massive damage output handles Bastions and other tank-class enemies.

Armor: Heavy Shield -- Support players need to tank damage for their team. The Heavy Shield gives you the durability to absorb punishment while healing teammates.

Solo play in Arc Raiders is high-risk but high-reward. Without teammates to rely on, your loadout needs to handle every situation -- which means flexibility and self-sufficiency over raw firepower.

Primary Weapon: Bobcat SMG -- The Bobcat exceptional fire rate and mobility let you engage at any range, reposition quickly, and handle swarms of basic Arcs without burning through ammunition.

Secondary: Tempest -- For boss fights and situations where raw damage is needed, the Tempest close-range devastation is unmatched.

Armor: Medium Shield with Combat Mk. II -- Medium protection gives you a balance of survivability and mobility.

Early-game players should not feel pressured to bring expensive gear. Some of the most effective loadouts use basic materials and common weapons.

Pistol-Only Run: The default pistol is surprisingly capable in close quarters. Pair it with basic body armor and a Gas Grenade. This build teaches fundamentals without risking valuable materials.

Basic AR Loadout: Craft the Arpeggio as soon as possible and use standard ammunition. This single weapon can carry you through the entire early game if you upgrade it at the Gunsmith.

Bastions, Bombardiers, Leapers, and especially the Queen require specific preparation. Going into these fights with generic gear is a recipe for lost materials.

Required Gear: Wolfpack Grenades -- These are non-negotiable for any boss fight. Wolfpacks stagger boss-tier enemies, interrupting their attacks and creating windows for damage.

Heavy Ammo Priority: The Anvil and Vulcano are the two best boss weapons. The Anvil plus 50 percent Armor Penetration at Tier IV melts leg joints on Bastions and Bombardiers.

Squad Composition for Bosses: Minimum two players focusing fire on weak points while a third handles adds. The fourth player provides heals and area denial with Gas Grenades.