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ARC Raiders is a PvPvE survival shooter where players try to survive as raiders on a collapsed Earth. In raids where powerful enemies called large ARCs appear, especially boss-class enemies such as queens and matriarchs, the key is to build a build that quickly strips off the armor and deals damage to the main body.

In the recent update 1.3.0, the popular weapon "Hullcracker"'s performance against large ARCs has been weakened. The damage to large ARCs has been reduced by adjusting the entire explosion damage. With this change, the traditional Hullcracker-focused meta has been broken, and "Equalizer + Renegade + Wolfpack" has emerged as the new strongest loadout. This build has the fastest armor stripping speed, high ammo efficiency, and is versatile from solo to multiplayer.

In this article, we will thoroughly explain the detailed performance of this loadout, the actual battle procedure for queen battles, countermeasures for weaknesses, how to obtain it, and comparison with other builds.

Impact of weakening Hullcracker and birth of new meta

Let's take a look back at the adjustments made in patch note 1.3.0. The main changes are as follows.

  • Explosion damage rebalance: Explosives were causing damage in unexpected areas, so they have been stabilized overall. The impact on small enemies is minimal, but damage to large ARCs has been slightly reduced.
  • Hullcracker specific adjustment: Changed to require a little more accuracy. Gone are the days when you could melt armor with a random shot like before.

Due to this nerf, Hullcracker's tier has been relatively lowered from Ex. Instead, beam-type Equalizers are gaining attention. The Equalizer can completely strip off the frontal armor with one magazine (50 rounds), and can also efficiently deal with the sides and legs. There is almost no distance attenuation, allowing you to aim safely from long distances.

weapon name old meta evaluation New meta evaluation Main reason
Hullcracker Ex (strongest armor stripping) A to S (accuracy required) Explosive damage reduced, accuracy reduced
Equalizer S (stable armor stripping) Ex (fastest armor stripping) Enhanced beam penetration, ignores distance
Renegade SS (body firepower) SS+ (optimal compatibility) Maximize damage after armor

As you can see from this table, in the new environment, there are more cases where Equalizer's armor stripping speed exceeds Hullcracker's.

Detailed performance of Equalizer and the secret of armor stripping

The Equalizer is a legendary energy weapon that is said to have very strong ARC armor penetration. The main specifications are as follows.

  • Damage: 8 (low, but accumulates with continuous irradiation)
  • Number of bullets: 50 rounds (1 magazine can completely strip armor)
  • Range: 68.6m (ideal for long distances)
  • Shooting mode: Full auto (very strong)
  • Weight: 14kg (heavy, but specialized in firepower)
  • Crafting materials: 3 magnetic accelerators, 3 complex gun parts, 1 queen reactor
  • Required workshop: Gunsmith 3

Upgrades mainly enhance durability and stability. The appeal is that the recoil is easy to control and the beam can be applied continuously. As a strategy, prioritize melting the front armor and expose the weak points before moving on to attack the main body. It does low damage to players, so it can be safely used in mixed PvP raids.

Actual example: When the queen appears, irradiate the Equalizer in full auto from a high ground 150m away. Front armor stripping is completed in about 20 seconds. You can do it even faster if you aim at the sides.

Why Renegade shines with its main body firepower

Renegade is in charge of damage to the main body after stripping the armor. It is a single-shot battle rifle with medium-sized ammunition, and the specifications are as follows.

  • Damage: 35 (high single firing power)
  • Number of bullets: 80 rounds/frame (will increase further with expanded magazine)
  • Range: 68.8m (best for medium range)
  • Shooting mode: single shot medium (repeated fire reinforcement is possible)
  • Weight: 10kg
  • ARC Armor Penetration: Moderate (best after stripping)

Tier SS rating deals approximately 378 damage per magazine. Reloads quickly, so you don't have to worry about running out of bullets. It has excellent compatibility with Equalizer, and can deal 700-800 damage if fired immediately after stripping the armor.

Point: Equip an extended magazine and scope. After exposing the weak point, aim for a headshot to increase efficiency.

Create a highly efficient finish with the Wolfpack

Wolfpack is for chasing after removing leg armor. It deals pure body damage with 3 consecutive shots and is the decisive blow in the Queen battle. It can be obtained by exchanging blueprints and has excellent ammunition cost performance.

Specification details:

  • Causes high damage with 3 consecutive shots
  • Movement can be blocked by specializing the legs.

The total weight of these three weapons is moderate, allowing for good mobility.

Queen battle procedure: step-by-step guide

Queen is a representative of large ARC, with a high appearance rate and rich rewards. It is characterized by high HP and thick armor.

Step 1: Preparation and positioning
・Secure high ground as a team. Use cover when soloing.
・Set Equalizer to primary.

Step 2: Armor stripping phase (Equalizer mainstay)
・Front armor will be fully automatic for 20 seconds. Shift to the sides and legs.
-Equalizer dissolution rate is 1.2 times faster after Hullcracker nerf.

Step 3: Main body damage phase (Renegade main force)
・After exposing the weak point, fire Renegade continuously. One magazine can reduce HP by 30%.

Step 4: Finish (Introduce Wolfpack)
- Peeling off the legs may cause falls. Gives the final blow with three consecutive shots.

Time required: A team of 3 people can complete it in less than 2 minutes, and a solo player can complete it in 4 minutes. Drops are high-value materials such as Queen Reactor.

phase Weapon used Expected damage point
armor stripping Equalizer 100% armor removed Maintain distance and continue irradiating
body shaving Renegade 700-800 prioritize weaknesses
finish Wolfpack Remaining HP wiped out Aim for the leg and make it fall

Equalizer weaknesses and correct usage

The weight is heavy at 14 kg, which reduces maneuverability. It depends on energy ammunition and requires replenishment.

Countermeasures for weaknesses:

  • When using multiple ARCs, ask an ally to cover you.
  • Use subweapons (stitcher, etc.) in conjunction with PvP.

Cooperation with other players and use of Defib

Multiplayer is highly recommended. Division of roles:

  • 1 person: Responsible for armor stripping with Equalizer
  • 2 people: Responsible for carving the main body of Renegade
  • 3 people: Responsible for Wolfpack or support (revive with Defib)

Defib is essential when down. The point to be careful of is stealing by other raiders.

Comparison with other loadouts

build Armor stripping speed Body firepower bullet efficiency comprehensive evaluation
Equalizer+Renegade+Wolfpack fastest high the best S+
Hullcracker+Anvil medium speed Medium low A
Jupiter+Venator speed high Medium S

This build is the strongest in the new meta. Venator has also already been nerfed.

How to obtain blueprints and crafts

  • Equalizer: Harvester or quest reward. Crafting requires Gunsmith 3.
  • Renegade: Quest reward.
  • Wolfpack: Obtained through loot or exchange.
  • Hullcracker (alternative): Materials are abundant in quests.

Exchange is very active on X. Search for #ArcRaiders.

Summary: Current environment best answer for large ARC battles

Times have completely changed with the Hullcracker nerf. The Equalizer's instant armor stripping, the Renegade's efficient body firepower, and the Wolfpack's solid finishing create the perfect synergy. There is no shortage of bullets, the time to defeat is the shortest, the cost performance is the best, and even if you lose it, it will hurt you the least. Be sure to hunt the Queen and monopolize the rewards with this loadout. Always be aware of changes in the environment and check for updates regularly. I sincerely hope that your raids are always successful.

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