Introduction
ARC Raiders breaks away from typical extraction shooters by calling itself a "multiplayer extraction adventure" with PvPvE gameplay in a persistent third-person world. While gunfights might only last a few minutes, your character's growth through quests and progression keeps you coming back for more.
Mastering the quest mechanics, character development systems, and gear management will help you build a stronger character over time and stay competitive in the field.
Understanding the Quest System
The Four Traders
Your progression centers around four specialized traders who handle different types of equipment and hand out matching assignments.
Shani's got the gear you need to move around and access restricted areas. She stocks ziplines, snap-hooks, and those essential Raider hatch keys. Her quests usually involve getting into places or moving through the map efficiently.
Tian Wen runs the armory. Weapons, ammo, weapon mods - if it shoots, he's got it. His assignments typically put you in combat situations where you'll test different weapons or take on specific targets.
Apollo handles the explosive stuff and tactical gear. Grenades, mines, and other specialized equipment come from his shop. His quests involve using these tools strategically in the field.
Lance keeps you alive with medical supplies and shields. His quest assignments focus on survival scenarios and defensive tactics.
Base Operations with Celeste
Celeste runs special operations from Speranza, your underground base. Unlike the traders who sell gear, Celeste hands out unique mission objectives and special assignments.
Quest Types and How They Work
Understanding Quest Objectives
Quests in ARC Raiders give you specific tasks rather than vague goals. You might get "Loot 4 crates," "Kill a Hornet with X weapon," or craft a particular item. The variety keeps things interesting:
How Quest Completion Actually Works
Quest completion happens through the UI menu system - no need to run around talking to NPCs. Many quests complete the moment you finish the objective, without requiring extraction. You'll see completed quests on your main hub interface and can claim rewards through the menu.
Quest rewards include usable equipment, Raider Coins for trader purchases, and experience points for character advancement.
- Some quests give you gear right when you accept them to help complete the objectives
- Items sitting in your stash already count toward quest requirements
- Quest items don't disappear when you finish tasks
- Glowing yellow objects mark quest interaction areas
- Quest progress is shared with teammates
Watch for glowing yellow objects in the world - these mark quest interaction areas and items you need. Quest progress is shared with teammates, so your squad members' actions count toward completion.
The more quests you complete for specific traders, the better gear they'll stock for purchase. Building these relationships pays off long-term.
Quest Strategy Considerations
Quest design affects how you approach combat. Quests that complete during rounds without extraction requirements let you play more aggressively once you're done, since you can't fail the quest anymore. Extraction-required quests make you more cautious and strategic about your movements.
Character Progression Systems
Two Ways Your Character Grows
ARC Raiders uses two progression systems that reward different approaches to the game:
Skill Tree Branches
Your character development splits into three main paths:
Conditioning Branch: Conditioning is all about stamina and endurance for aggressive combat. Better physical capabilities, improved performance under stress, and the ability to sustain longer fights.
Mobility Branch: Mobility focuses on movement. Faster climbing and vaulting, increased movement speed, and better traversal options for positioning advantages.
Survival Branch: Survival covers stealth and resourcefulness. Quiet looting abilities, improved resistance while downed, and better detection avoidance.
Spending Your Skill Points
You can mix and match points across all three branches to create hybrid builds. Aggressive players should pump Conditioning for stamina and endurance. Mobile players benefit from Mobility improvements for climbing and movement speed. Stealth players should focus on Survival skills for quiet operations.
Gear Management Strategies
Understanding Gear Accumulation
Extraction shooters naturally create gear imbalances as regular players accumulate high-tier equipment over time. Well-equipped veterans often seek maximum combat since gear loss becomes less concerning, while new players face significant equipment disadvantages.
Base Management and Crafting
Your Raider Den
Your customizable base handles crafting and upgrades. You can improve your facilities to boost crafting capabilities and unlock access to better gear. The base houses essential crafting stations and upgrade benches.
Perfect for new players or low-risk scouting runs when you want to learn the map.
Items stored here don't disappear when you die, making it crucial for high-value loot and quest items during dangerous runs.
Scrappy the Rooster
Scrappy lives in your base and passively gathers scrap and crafting materials while you're out on raids. Check on him regularly to collect these extra resources for your crafting needs.
Crafting and Augments
Crafting plays a major role in staying competitive. You'll constantly gather scrap and materials to create ammunition, grenades, medkits, and other essential supplies.
Augments provide another way to improve your character by increasing inventory space and adding utility functions. These upgrades significantly impact how much you can carry and your effectiveness in the field.
Economic Systems
Currency Types
ARC Raiders uses three main currencies:
| Currency | How to Earn | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Raider Coins | Quest completion, selling items, gameplay achievements | Buy equipment from traders |
| Cred | Daily challenges | Battle pass items and cosmetics |
| Raider Tokens | Various gameplay activities | Unlock battle pass tracks and premium items |
All currencies can be earned through regular gameplay, giving you multiple ways to progress without spending money.
Battle Pass Structure
ARC Raiders uses three separate battle pass tracks instead of traditional tiers. You unlock each track with Raider Tokens, then spend Cred to unlock individual rewards within each pass. This modular approach gives you more control over your progression.
- Use Raider Tokens to unlock battle pass tracks
- Earn Cred through daily challenges
- Spend Cred to unlock specific items within your chosen tracks
This structure lets you access most content through time investment, with premium currency speeding things up.
Daily Challenges
Daily challenges run separately from trader quests and give you Cred currency. These are often quick tasks that provide one of the few consistent ways to farm Cred. Complete these regularly to maintain steady battle pass progression.
Additional Game Mechanics
Dynamic World Events
Beyond trader quests, the map includes random world activities that drop bonus loot and experience. These dynamic events work well as supplementary objectives while you're in the field, offering extra rewards for players who encounter them.
Extraction Mechanics
Extraction points shut down over time as matches progress, adding urgency to your planning. This affects both quest completion and loot runs, forcing you to balance time spent on objectives against dwindling escape options.
Strategic Recommendations
Getting Started
- Start with Free Loadouts to learn map layouts and game mechanics without risking your own gear
- Pick one or two traders to focus on initially rather than trying to work with all four at once
- Build relationships with traders whose equipment matches your preferred playstyle
- Always use your Safe Pocket for valuable quest items and high-tier loot
- Check on Scrappy regularly to collect passive materials for crafting
Intermediate Strategies
- Develop a focused skill tree path based on your established playstyle
- Plan several levels ahead to avoid wasting points
- Focus on Augment upgrades to increase inventory space
- Balance risk-taking with extraction success for Mastery progression
- Don't spread skill points too thin across branches
- Don't ignore extraction requirements for Mastery system
- Don't neglect Safe Pocket usage for valuable items
- Don't rush into high-risk areas without proper preparation
Advanced Tactics
Coordinate with teammates to tackle multiple trader quests during single runs. This maximizes progression efficiency while reducing individual risk.
Take advantage of dynamic world events when you encounter them, but don't go out of your way hunting for them if you're carrying valuable loot.
Monitor extraction point timers and plan your route accordingly. Don't get caught with great loot and no way out.
Progression Planning
Short-Term Goals
Focus on completing daily challenges alongside regular quest objectives for maximum progression efficiency. Prioritize quests that provide items you immediately need rather than chasing every available objective.
Build up basic equipment reserves through Free Loadout runs before attempting high-risk quest objectives.
Long-Term Development
Plan skill tree progression several levels ahead to avoid inefficient point allocation. Research the full skill trees to understand which abilities provide the most benefit for your playstyle.
Maintain positive standings with all traders to access the complete range of quests and equipment options as your character develops.
Work toward Mastery system advancement through consistent extraction success rather than focusing solely on combat achievements.
Seasonal Considerations
Track Battle Pass progression to ensure you unlock the tracks and items you want. Plan major character development decisions around your preferred battle pass rewards.
Prepare for potential gear changes by maintaining diverse equipment options rather than over-specializing in single weapon types.
Final Thoughts
Success in ARC Raiders comes from understanding how quest completion, character progression, and gear management work together. Players who master these relationships will build stronger characters more efficiently while maintaining better equipment reserves.
Focus on consistent progression rather than dramatic short-term gains. The combination of trader relationships, skill development, and strategic quest completion provides multiple paths to character advancement that accommodate different playstyles and time commitments.
Your approach to quests and progression should evolve as your character grows stronger. Start with simple objectives and basic equipment, then gradually take on more complex challenges as your skills and gear improve.