A complete guide to the strongest weapons in the early stages of ARC Raiders! Thorough explanation of equipment configuration, reinforcement, and fighting skills for beginners to be the fastest and unrivaled[Ark Raiders Strategy]

ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter set in a desolate future Earth ruled by the Ark, a giant mechanical lifeform. Players take on the role of raiders and can enjoy tense gameplay as they descend from the underground city of Speranza to the surface, collect resources, and escape. Immediately after its release, it became popular with over 480,000 simultaneous users on Steam, and since its official release, it has become a rage among everyone from beginners to experts. However, in the early stages, it is easy to lose the game due to a mistake in weapon selection, and it is easy to get frustrated. In this guide, with a structure centered around Ferro and Stitcher, we will achieve a stable money plan within 5 hours and make it possible to bridge to the middle game.

1. Overall picture of ARC Raiders early stage strategy and importance of the strongest equipment

In the early stages of ARC Raiders (play time 0-5 hours, equivalent to Gunsmith Lv1-3), the key is to collect materials and strengthen the workshop using free loadouts. The flow of the game is simple. Accept quests, prepare equipment, explore on the ground, defeat ARCs, and return using the escape elevator or hatch. However, it is easy to fail to escape due to movement delays due to excessive weight and stamina depletion, and 90% of beginners quit at this point.

The importance of the strongest equipment lies in the balance between the hardness of the ARC and the ability to kill instantly in interpersonal combat. ARC is a small ammunition weapon with low armor penetration and is difficult to damage, and even bolts (small ARC) can be a threat in groups. On the other hand, in interpersonal battles, the DPS after the shield is destroyed determines the outcome. You'll be lucky if you get an anvil blueprint other than the initial four (ferro, stitcher, kettle, rattler), but basically you'll compete with these four. The strongest configuration is “Ferro (PvE main force) + Stitcher (PvP sub)”, and depending on its reinforcement, it will be on par with mid-range weapons (such as Renegade) or more. This will improve your financial efficiency by three times and make it possible to secure funds for storage expansion immediately. Earn more than 5,000 coins in 1 hour by repeating risk-free rounds with free loadouts (weapons, ammunition, and healing medicines). Use perspective switching (shoulder swap) to get into the habit of checking through walls.

2. Detailed performance comparison and evaluation of the four initial weapons

We will thoroughly compare the four weapons in the initial loadout by performance and purpose. All are common (white) rare and can be crafted from Gunsmith Lv1. Reload speed, recoil reduction, and magazine capacity increase as you level up, and you will reach your true potential at Lv4.

• Ferro (battle rifle, large ammunition, single shot, damage 40, strong armor penetration)

  It is the strongest in early PvE. ARC weak points (head/joints) can be dealt with in 2-3 shots. The gun is quiet, saves ammo, and is a staple for making money. The aim is stable without recoil, but the weak point is each reload. Lv4 enhancement increases reload by 39%, allowing you to fire 5 shots in 2 seconds.

• Stitcher (SMG, small ammunition, full auto, damage 7, armor penetration very weak)

  Specialized in PvP. It is a top-class short-range DPS with a magazine of 20 rounds (30 rounds after reinforcement). The recoil is strong, but the wall burst destroys the shield instantly. ARC small fish processing is also possible. Module (magazine expansion) is required.

• Kettle (AR, small ammunition, single shot, damage 10, armor penetration very weak)

  It is a medium-range stable type. It is semi-automatic, making it easy to aim at the head, and has high fighting ability. It is a follow-up role after the first blow in PvP. Reloads are slow, but the cost performance is excellent.

• Rattler (AR, medium ammunition, full auto, 9 damage, moderate armor penetration)

  Not recommended. There is a huge gap between every two reloads, and ammo is scarce. Even if it is strengthened, it is moderate and is a trap weapon for the early stages.

Tier ratings are Ferro SS, Stitcher S, Kettle A, and Rattler B. Prioritize strengthening Ferro, and immediately disassemble Rattler (obtain gun parts).

3. Absolutely strongest in the early stages: How to strengthen and utilize Ferro

Ferro is a single-shot, high-power BR with large ammunition, and has the No. 1 ARC processing speed. Because it has strong armor penetration, it can instantly kill medium-sized ARCs (such as Hornet) by targeting their weak points. The reason why it is suitable for beginners is that it consumes less ammunition and can suppress gunshot sounds and perform covert operations. Even against people, one shot reduces shields by 60% and kills by switching hands.

Strengthening priority

1. Lv1 → 4 (Reload speed, accuracy UP, materials: metal parts x20, simple gun parts x10)
2. Module: Large magazine (capacity +10), suppressor (silence)
3. Workshop: Gunsmith Lv3 (enhancement cost halved)

How to use it

• ARC battle: 2 shots to the head + 1 shot to the torso. When in a group, one character's weakness will be concentrated.
• PvP: After long-distance restraint, switch stitchers.
• Money plot route: Hunt ARC with Ferro in the middle of the buried city → Scavenge weapon cases. Collect 20 large ammunition in 10 minutes per lap.

Lv4 Ferro has the same performance as Anvil. 40 Hour players also praise it as a “sacred treasure in the early stages.''

4. Trump card in interpersonal battles: Stitcher's strengths and precautions

Stitcher is the champion of short to medium range DPS. It instantly melts shields in full auto, and 1v2 is possible with burst firepower. Its strengths are its cost performance (abundant small ammunition) and ease of reinforcement. At Lv3, recoil is reduced by 50% and the magazine becomes 30 rounds.

Strength details

• DPS: Full burst destroys all shields (within 10m distance).
• Recoil control: Stabilizes when shooting while crouching against a wall.
• General purpose: ARC small fry/door destruction is also possible.

Points to note and avoid mistakes

• Recoil rampage: Aim practice (shooting range). Beginner's mistake is full auto continuous firing → running out of bullets.
• Weak long range: Requires Ferro/Kettle combination.
• Enhancement: Magazine module priority (capacity +10, material: rubber parts x15).

The battle consists of finding an enemy → 1 Ferro → Stitcher Burst. Players say, “Now you have a PvP win rate of 80%.''

5. Characteristics of kettles and how to avoid rattlers

The kettle is a semi-auto AR that is stable over medium distances. Loads 20 rounds, has low recoil and is easy to head. It is a shield scraper in PvP. The advantages are bullet saving and good reinforcement cost performance. The disadvantage is weak ARC armor penetration, avoid large ones.

The Rattler is fully automatic, but reloads slowly and lacks ammo in the early stages, making it a trap. Even if strengthened, it is inferior to Bettina (Epic AR), so we recommend selling and disassembling it immediately.

The rating is sub-OK for the kettle, but I won't touch the rattler.

6. Ideal early stage equipment configuration and actual battle strategy

The strongest configuration is Ferro Lv4 (main) + Stitcher Lv3 (sub) + Plunder Augment Mk2 (weight +20%) + Bandage x5 + Shield Richa x3 + Small/Large Ammo each 50. Take advantage of free loadouts at zero cost.

Actual combat

1. Descent: North of the Buried City, aim for the weapon case.
2. Exploration: Check enemies by sliding and switching viewpoints.
3. Combat: ARC → Ferro weakness, Stitcher small fry. PvP → Use cover, take the lead with Ferro.
4. Escape: Hyde in front of the elevator, crawl to operate it when it is down.
5. Cycle: Once every 10 minutes, sell materials → Expand storage.

With this configuration, the loss rate is less than 20% and the credit is 10,000 per hour.

When you get the anvil, it is upper compatible with Ferro (can be fired repeatedly) and will be replaced immediately.

7. Secrets of weapon reinforcement priority, storage expansion, and material management

Priority for reinforcement is 1. Ferro, 2. Stitcher, 3. Gunsmith Lv5 (all weapons strengthened). The material will remain metal/rubber/gun parts preferred.

Storage expansion is initially 64 → maximum 280 (24 slots/time, total 200,000 coins). This is a top priority investment, and expansion will double the amount you take home. The procedure is money plan → expansion → Scrappy reinforcement (automatic material collection).

material management

• Leave: Metal parts, rubber parts, simple gun parts, circuit boards, workshop materials
• Sale: Rusty tools, unnecessary recovery medicine
• Tips: Stock up on gun parts x2 and quest materials by disassembling

This will eliminate material waste and accelerate the transition to the middle stage.

8. Mid-stage transition roadmap and final summary

road map

• Early stage (~5h): Ferro + Stitcher, storage over 160
• Middle stage (5-30h): Renegade (all-purpose BR), Torrente (LMG control), Venator (instantaneous firepower HG), Anvil mainstay. PvE: Anvil + Hullcracker, PvP: Torrente + Venator, Hybrid: Renegade + Stitcher
• Final stage (30h~): Introducing legiers such as Jupiter (SR)

This is the final summary. The strongest in the early stages is the reinforced Ferro + Stitcher configuration, which loops money measures, battles, and expansions. If you practice this, you can quickly transition from beginner to mid-level unrivaled. Practice at the shooting range, risk-free with free loadouts. The real thrill of ARC Raiders is the tense escape drama. Accelerate your Raider life with this guide. Please test it in practice and continue further optimization.