At the end of April 2025, Embark Studios launched their second playtest for the highly anticipated Arc Raiders. It’s a game that I had spontaneously wishlisted years ago. My expectations were initially measured, as I took into consideration the ambitious nature of the project. Fast forward to the present: Arc Raiders has exploded in popularity on social media and nearly doubled its wishlists on Steam. It now sits in the top 10 on Steam’s wishlist chart and is one of the most highly anticipated games coming soon. With this in mind, it seems natural to compile and provide a beginner's tips & tricks guide for all those ready to survive the cinematic hellscape of Arc Raiders.

Free Loadouts

What could be better than free? Well, a strong kit, of course. But why take the risk when learning the game? Free kits are a great way to lessen the stress and take some of the decision-making out of your early experience. It’s not a perfect fix, as you won’t be able to use your Safe Pocket to store loot even if you die. Still, it’s a worthwhile trade-off while learning the ropes.

Hideout Priority

Arc Raiders has a few progression elements outside of the raid. Your first priority should be building the Equipment Bench, as it lets you craft the Raider Augment. This expands your backpack, which can significantly accelerate your progress through loot acquisition. Raider Augments have four tiers and are locked behind crafting, so it’s well worth getting started early.

Source: https://arc-raiders.fandom.com/wiki/Augments

Skill Tree

Separate from the hideout progression is a character specific skill tree. The tree is split into Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival. I can’t give a blanket answer as to what you should take points in as the skill tree is very playstyle dependent. Have you noticed that you keep getting heard while scavenging around for loot? Maybe try Silent Scavenger which will reduce the noise you make when looting. Running out of stamina while dodging around in combat? Effortless Roll will reduce the stamina cost of dodge rolls. The skill tree is a very personal portion of the game. My main tip would be to play the game a bit and once you’ve found the playstyle you are drawn to research and plan your point allocations to best enhance your gameplay.

Here’s a great Google Spreadsheet of the 45 skills currently in the game.

Keybinds/Controller Controls

• Dodge roll with Left Alt. R1 on the gamepad. Keep in mind that rolling forward will cover the most distance, while rolling backwards covers the least.
• Switch shoulders with X. On the gamepad, press down on the right joystick. Arc Raiders is a third-person shooter, and utilizing both left and right perspective can provide a lot of defensive strength in combat.
• Press 5 to put your gun away and run faster. Hold Triangle to holster your weapon. Running faster is great for risky sprints through open areas — but remember to have your weapon ready if you’re turning a corner.
• Ctrl-click items to quick loot. Square on the Gamepad

For clarity on all keybinds, here are the lists present in the official Tech 2 Test PowerPoint:

ARC Raiders Tech 2 Test Overview, April 2025

Extraction Tricks

To extract normally, you’ll have to find an elevator or a train extract. Opening one of these extracts is very loud and can be heard by both Arc enemies and other players. Something to note is that you can extract alongside enemy players — you can even activate the extract while downed. If you’re desperate to leave or approaching one of the last open extracts, it may be a viable option to make a last-ditch sprint into an enemy-occupied extract.

The other method of extracting is by using a Raider Hatch Key to unlock a Raiders Hatch. The key is for sale by the trader Sani and costs 6,000 Coins. This is the safest extraction method, and since the key can sit in your Safe Pocket, I would recommend utilizing it as often as possible.

Ping System

This tip is primarily for non-solo players. The ping system is well-made and extremely useful for keeping your squad on the same page. The maps are big, and although there is a compass on the top of your HUD, it is much easier to pinpoint locations with pings than to scream, “Over there!” or “Two guys north!”

Proximity Voice

Proximity voice is a great addition to PvP extraction games. Some of the most entertaining moments in Arc Raiders can come from proximity chat. Though it isn’t a fool proof plan, it is possible to befriend a stranger — or distract them with your charismatic pleas. You’d be surprised how often humor or a clever line can buy you a few extra seconds, or even an unexpected ally.

Arc Enemies

There are a variety of AI enemies called Arc. Often, it’s best to avoid Arc enemies, as fighting them presents significant risk and generates noise that enemy players can track. That said, there are incentives to engage.

Defeated Arc enemies are lootable. You can collect Arc Powercells, which allow you to recharge your shield, along with valuable crafting materials. Rather than fully cover all enemy types in writing, I’ve found a concise breakdown by Tactical Ned that includes visual examples.

A Breakdown On Arc Enemies | Arc Raiders

Melee Attacks

While ranged weaponry is your primary tool for taking down enemy players, melee attacks should not be overlooked. Melee is particularly useful for quickly finishing off weakened or disabled Arc enemies, and for disabling security cameras without drawing attention.

Gadgets

There are currently eight gadgets available in Arc Raiders. Some are purchasable via traders, while others are locked behind crafting.

Two I’d like to highlight:

• Snap Hook – This grapple-like gadget is excellent for aggressive plays. If you’ve got someone on the ropes and they slip around a corner, this is one of the fastest ways to reestablish line of sight and finish the fight.
• Remote Raider Flare – This mimics the visual of a downed Raider’s extraction flare. When deployed, it can trick players into thinking an enemy has just been downed — making it a clever and effective bait tool.

Conclusion

Arc Raiders throws you into a brutal, cinematic sandbox where danger is as common as dust and every decision counts. Whether you're sneaking past Arc patrols, bartering for gadgets, or sprinting toward a desperate extract, the game constantly rewards those who stay sharp and adapt fast. Hopefully, these tips give you a solid footing in your first few hours and help establish some direction. Mastering the fundamentals is just the start — the real challenge lies in surviving the storm, one raid at a time.

Good luck out there, Raider.