[ARC Raiders]Complete strategy guide for the strongest weapons and equipment composition in the early stages 2025 latest version | Strengthening roadmap for beginners to rapidly grow to mid-level in 5 hours[Ark Raiders]

ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter, where weapon selection in the early stages dramatically affects the player's survival rate and money management efficiency. While there are many beginners who struggle against the hard armor of the mechanical enemy Ark in the ruined world or die instantly in interpersonal battles with other players, you can become stronger as quickly as possible just by knowing the correct equipment configuration.

In this guide, we will thoroughly compare the four types of weapons in the initial loadout, centering on the strongest combination of Ferro and Stitcher, and provide detailed explanations of reinforcement priorities and storage expansion. Please read to the end, as the content can be put to immediate use in actual battles.

The absolute importance of choosing weapons in the early stages: Why you can avoid failure patterns and increase your survival rate by more than 3 times

In the early stages of ARC Raiders (within 5 hours of play time), the biggest enemy is the unusual hardness of the ARC and the lack of ammunition. If you choose a weapon with low armor penetration, it will take several minutes to arc, making it easier for other players to overtake you. On the other hand, if you use the best weapon, you can defeat Ark in 2-3 shots. Financial efficiency will also be greatly improved. A common failure pattern for beginners is to stick to slow reloading weapons like the Rattler. This will make you overweight, slowing you down and increasing your risk of instant death.

The success rate of escape in the early stages varies by more than 50% depending on the weapon configuration. For example, if you challenge Ark without ferro reinforcement, you will consume more than 10 shots, but with level 4 reinforcement, the consumption will be halved. Even in interpersonal battles, if you don't have Stitcher's high DPS, you will lose because your shield stripping is delayed. If you follow this guide, you can consistently earn an average profit of over 200,000 credits per raid. Start with a free loadout early on, then move to a custom loadout based on the weapons you bring back.

Filling up your storage is also a trap in the early stages. If you don't expand, you will waste valuable materials and delay reinforcement. In the next chapter, we will compare the initial weapons and reveal the strongest configuration.

Detailed performance comparison of 4 types of initial loadout weapons: At-a-glance status table

There are four common weapons available in the free loadout: Kettle, Stitcher, Ferro, and Rattler. The status of each weapon is summarized in the table. Damage, range, and anti-ARC armor penetration are key.

weapon name	Rarity	ammunition	DMG	Range	shooting mode	Anti-ARC armor	weight	Main strengths/weaknesses
Ferro	common	large	40	53.1	Single shot	strong	8kg	Excellent arc penetration, but cannot fire continuously with one shot loaded. Specialized in short and medium range.
stitcher	common	small size	7	42.1	Full auto	very weak	lightweight	Best short-range DPS. Recoil control is required.
kettle	common	small size	10	42.8	Single shot	very weak	Medium amount	High mid-range accuracy. Semi-automatic and stable.
rattler	common	medium size	9	56.2	Full auto	medium	Heavy	Slow reload and low ammo count. Early trap.

Ferro's DMG40 and strong penetration demonstrate unparalleled strength in arc battles. On the other hand, Stitcher's full auto can melt enemies with 1 magazine (20 shots) in PvP melee. Kettle can provide high DPS depending on your aim, but it is difficult to pass through the arc because of its small size ammunition. Although Rattler has the advantage of medium-sized ammunition, it is weak in multiple battles with 9 initial shots + slow reload, and is difficult to improve even if strengthened, so it is not recommended in the early stages.

As a practical example, when encountering Ark, Ferro can be defeated with two shots to the head, but Rattler requires 10 or more shots. In PvP, continuous firing of stitchers is the difference between victory and defeat. Please understand these and move on to the next chapter's most powerful configuration.

Beginner's absolute strongest early stage configuration: Ferro (Level 4 reinforcement) + Stitcher operation techniques and winning rate improvement techniques

The strongest in the early stages is Ferro + Stitcher. Ferro handles arcs and long-range PvP, while Stitcher handles close-range assaults. The winning rate of this combination is more than twice that of other compositions.

Reason 1: Perfect balance

Ferro's large ammunition penetration quickly defeats Ark and accelerates the money making process. Win PvP victories with Stitcher's DPS. Maintains mobility within a total weight of 13kg.

Reason 2: Low cost, high return

Can be crafted with Gunsmith 1. At Ferro Lv4, reload -39%, durability +30%, and arc processing is reduced to 2-3 shots.

Actual operation

In arc battles, aim for the head with Ferro ADS. Prioritize weak points (eyes/core).
In PvP, one medium-range ferro will immediately attack the stitcher from shield scraping. Equipped with an extended magazine to secure 30 rounds.
As an example scenario, clear the Ark group encounter with 3 Ferro shots on the Buried City map and collect the materials. When another player approaches, all of Stitcher's shots will hit and kill him instantly.

To compensate for weaknesses, maps with more arcs carry 50 large ammunition. Beginners should also use hide (crouching movement).

If you play for 5 hours with this configuration, you can get a mid-game weapon.

Priority usage when obtaining anvil: Tips for demonstrating the true value of Ferro's complete upward compatibility

If you pick up Anvil (uncommon, hand cannon) in the early stages, it will immediately overwrite Ferro. DMG40, firing range 50.2, strong penetration, and lightweight at 5.25kg.

StrengthsIt can be fired continuously (6 revolver shots) and is compatible with PvP and PvE. Enhancement increases firing speed and supports multiple arcs.
ObtainThere are quest rewards for fishing, purchasing Tian Wen (Lv7~), and quest rewards.
OperationThis will eliminate the slowness of Ferro. Fire headshots in PvP to increase the 1-2 shot kill rate. Stitcher is the sub.

Please note that unreinforced items are slow in operation. Increase your DPS with priority reinforcement. The owner will shift this to the main, and the ferro will shift to the reserve.

Optimal strategy for weapon enhancement and early stage material management: Priority order and sale list to avoid loss

Strengthening is done in Gunsmith, in the order of Ferro -> Stitcher -> Kettle -> Rattler (unnecessary).

Ferro reinforcement table (example)

Lv	Required materials	effect
I→II	Metal parts x 7	Reload -13%, durability +10%
II→III	Metal parts x 9, simple gun parts x 1	Reload -26%, durability +20%
III→IV	Mechanical parts x 1, simple gun parts x 1	Reload -39%, durability +30%

material management

What remains are metal, rubber, simple gun parts, circuit boards, and workshop materials.
Items for sale are throwable materials and low-rare decorations. Priority large and medium ammunition stock.

To avoid mistakes, rattler reinforcement is prohibited and waste materials are recycled.

The strongest hidden element in the early stages: A complete guide to expanding the vault and the required coin list

The storage has an initial capacity of 64 slots and a maximum of 280 slots. Prioritize expansion and enable weapon and material stock.

Current → Next	addition	coin	total slots
64→88	twenty four	5,000	88
88→112	twenty four	10,000	112
112→136	twenty four	15,000	136
136→160	twenty four	25,000	160
160→184	twenty four	35,000	184
184→208	twenty four	50,000	208
208→232	twenty four	75,000	232
232→256	twenty four	100,000	256
256→280	twenty four	200,000	280

A total of 575,000 coins. Accelerate with expedition buff.

After expansion, rare weapon storage will be possible. Lack of expansion is the cause of growth stagnation.

Growth roadmap from mid-stage: Strongest configuration and transition timing by PvE/PvP/Hybrid

Early stage (~5h)As Ferro Lv4 + Stitcher. Storage expansion complete.
Middle stage (5-30h)As such, Anvil and Renegade are available. DMG35 medium penetration medium.
Final stage (30h~)These include Venator (DMG 18 shots) and Torrente (60 shots LMG).

By purpose

For PvE, it is Anvil + Ferro (penetration specialized).
Venator + Torrente, Stitcher (DPS) for PvP.
Anvil + Renegade (all ranges) as a hybrid.

As a guideline for migration, after completing the expansion with 500,000 coins, I will start fishing for medium-sized maps.

Summary: Practice from today! Beginner escape 5 step action plan

1. Sortie with Ferro + Stitcher composition and make arc money.
2. Strengthen Ferro Lv4 and sell materials.
3. Expand storage by 280.
4. Get the anvil and switch to the main game.
5. Execute the roadmap by hunting for weapons in the mid-game.

This plan will help you become a mid-sized company as soon as possible. Mistakes to avoid are relying on Rattler, postponing expansion, and sortieing without reinforcement. Aim to conquer the end content with continuous practice.