Last updated on December 12, 2025
ARC Raiders exploded in popularity at launch, selling over 1.5 million copies on Steam in just a few days and climbing steadily as it stayed near the top of the charts. With its dystopian world, extraction‑style gameplay and deadly ARC robots, it is an amazing but intimidating experience if you jump in alone. This beginner’s guide focuses on how to play ARC Raiders solo, helping you survive, extract more loot and build a strong account without relying on a squad.
Get comfortable with controls and stamina
Before worrying about loot, spend your first sessions getting comfortable with the default controls or custom keybinds. On PC, make sure Sprint, Dodge Roll and Crouch are on keys you can press instinctively, because movement and dodging are your main defenses in ARC Raiders. Play a few “practice” raids where your only goal is to move, slide, vault and climb rather than to extract a huge haul.
Stamina is the hidden resource that decides whether you escape or die. Sprinting constantly will leave you exhausted when a patrol or another player appears, so use short sprints, combine them with slides, and crouch when repositioning to reduce noise and visibility. Think of stamina management as your shield: if it is empty, you are vulnerable.
Best early skills for solo Raiders
The skill tree is split into Conditioning, Mobility and Survival, and there is effectively no easy respec option right now, so early points matter. For solo players, focus first on stamina and movement perks that keep you alive:
- Nimble Climber – Lets you climb and jump faster, ideal for escaping on rooftops or getting angles on enemies.
- Marathon Runner – Reduces stamina drain while moving, giving you more freedom to sprint and reposition.
- Youthful Lungs – Increases maximum stamina so you can dodge and sprint more often in a fight.
- Carry The Momentum – After a sprint dodge roll, sprinting does not consume stamina for a short time once you have 15 points in Mobility, which is huge for last‑second escapes.
Many experienced players then recommend pivoting into the Survival tree for strong perks like better looting, extra carry capacity and in‑round crafting rather than chasing weaker late‑tier Mobility nodes. Because you cannot freely respec, avoid spreading your points everywhere and commit to a clear solo‑focused build.
Communication, inventory and crafting priorities
ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter: most of the time you fight ARC machines, but other players can appear at any moment. When you meet another Raider, use proximity chat or emotes to show you are friendly; the community is still fairly cooperative, and temporary alliances can make early solo games much easier.
Smart inventory management is just as important as good aim. Early on, aim to:
- Equip Looting MK.1 gear for more slots and higher carry weight.
- Unlock Safe Pocket to protect a few key items even if you die.
- Spend 5,000 coins to expand your Stash by 24 slots, which is a big deal for long‑term progress.
Dismantle cheap or common items to free space quickly instead of hoarding everything, keeping in mind that some rare materials are needed for upgrades. In your Workshop, focus first on unlocking all tier 1 stations so you can craft basic weapons, ammo and utility items reliably instead of burning resources on one‑use consumables.
Scrappy upgrades and resource routes
Scrappy, your robotic chicken companion, is far more important than it looks. Once upgraded, it gathers valuable materials passively, boosting your economy over time. Key upgrade items early on include:
- Level 2 – 1x Dog Collar, usually found in residential zones such as apartment blocks on Dam Battlegrounds.
- Level 3 – 3x Lemons and 3x Apricots, often spawning in parks or the Olive Grove area on the Blue Gate map.
- Level 4 – 6x Prickly Pears, 6x Olives and 1x Cat Bed, scattered across residential zones and specific outdoor hotspots.
Plan low‑risk “Scrappy runs” focused only on grabbing these items, extracting safely and upgrading, rather than chasing big fights. A few efficient runs can push Scrappy to high levels quickly, which pays off in every future raid.
Stealth, combat priorities and map knowledge
As a solo player, your goal is survival and extraction, not clearing every enemy. Avoid fights when possible and remember you do not have to stay in combat. Move carefully, listen for ARC patrols and enemy footsteps, and use sliding or crouching to stay quiet.
When combat is unavoidable, prioritise dangerous targets:
- Fireballs & Pops – Small but deadly enemies that should be eliminated quickly.
- Snitch – Kill this unit before it calls reinforcements.
- Cameras – Destroy them to prevent alarms and large swarms.
- Ticks – Fast melee threats that must be burst down immediately.
On maps like Dam Battlegrounds, extraction points are usually underground lifts or key‑locked hatches. At the start of each raid, plan a route through residential areas (household items, food), industrial zones (cables, batteries) and parks, and mark at least one primary and one backup extract. When you call a lift, take cover and avoid firing unless necessary, because the noise attracts ARC robots and can reveal your position to other Raiders.
With a solid solo skill build, smart inventory and Scrappy management, and a calm approach to fights and extractions, ARC Raiders turns from overwhelming to deeply rewarding even if you mainly play alone.
