If you have spent any time in Arc Raiders, you already know that what you bring into an Expedition often matters more than how fast you can flick your aim, and that includes picking the right ARC Raiders Items before you even drop in. A bad loadout can turn a clean run into a panic scramble where you lose everything and stare at the lobby screen wondering what went wrong. Most players figure this out after a few rough extractions: the game is less about pure mechanics and more about understanding how each weapon fits into your plan, whether you are pushing objectives or just trying to survive other squads and ARC machines.
Core Rifles And First Swaps
Most runs start with assault rifles, because they just work. The Kettle is usually where people learn the basics, a simple semi-auto that uses light ammo so you do not burn through your backpack in five minutes. It is fine for early enemies, but once the armor and health bars go up, it starts to feel like you are poking things with a stick. The Tempest is the first real upgrade for a lot of players; medium ammo, flexible range, and it feels good in almost any fight. If you want something that really slams, the Bettina on heavy ammo can delete targets fast, though you will feel every missed shot. Some players just want volume, not precision, and that is where the Rattler comes in, throwing out so many rounds that you can keep enemies pinned down while you reposition.
Keeping Distance With Battle Rifles
Once you stop sprinting into every fight, battle rifles and snipers start to make more sense. The Ferro is a classic "sit back and breathe" kind of gun, a bolt-action that punches straight through tougher armor when you line up your shots right. It is not forgiving, but when you land a hit you see the difference straight away. If you are into energy weapons, the Aphelion is worth hunting for; burst fire, clean recoil pattern, and usually a sign you just dropped something nasty. For real long-range control, the Osprey lets you clear out threats before they even close the gap, which feels amazing when your squad is trying to move through open ground and not get shredded from three angles.
Close Quarters Panic Buttons
Of course, every plan falls apart once something rounds a corner right in your face. That is why your secondary is not just a backup, it is your panic button. A Bobcat SMG is great when you need to dump a mag into a target at arm's length and then dive behind cover. Shotguns like the Il Toro hit harder but force you to commit; you walk into tight corridors with that thing and you are either deleting enemies or reloading at the worst time. LMGs such as the Torrente sit in a different space: they let you hold angles, lay down steady fire and let your mates rotate, but you pay for that with slower movement and reloads that feel like they last forever.
Sidearms, Legendaries And Playstyle
Sidearms look like an afterthought in the menu, but they save a lot of runs. The Anvil heavy pistol is perfect when your main gun runs dry mid-fight and you still need damage that actually matters. The Hairpin works better when you want to stay quiet, pick off stray targets, or avoid pulling every ARC unit in the area. Every now and then you might get lucky and pull something wild like the Jupiter sniper, a Legendary that turns long-range fights into your playground if you are willing to protect it and build around it. Over time you figure out what suits you best, whether that is a balanced rifle setup or a risky high-damage combo, and you start spending on cheap ARC Raiders gear that actually fits your habits instead of whatever looks cool in the menu.
