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SoulframeBest Loadouts
The cheapest ARC Raiders loadout is the Free Loadout, which costs nothing. The best-known budget kit is Game Rant's Ferro and Stitcher on Looting Mk.1, about 13,000 Coins in Dec 2025. No allowed press loadout has been republished for update 2.0 or later, so every kit here carries its date.
The best ARC Raiders loadout depends on the job: the Free Loadout for no risk, Game Rant's Ferro and Stitcher on Looting Mk.1 at about 13,000 Coins as a budget kit (Dec 22, 2025), and KeenGamer's Hullcracker kit for the Queen and Matriarch. Every press loadout below predates Frozen Trail (update 2.0, Oct 8, 2026), which moved the Anvil and Hullcracker from Tian Wen to the Nomadic Envoys and added the Bantam, Stiletto and Amplified Weapons. As of Oct 31, 2026 no reliable source ranks those new guns, so read each kit as a tested idea with a date, not a current ranking. Weapon rankings are on Best Weapons; skills on Best Builds.
Quick facts
| Cheapest | Free Loadout, no Coins, random, no Safe Pocket |
| Budget PvP | Stitcher + Ferro on Looting Mk.1, about 13,000 Coins (Dec 22, 2025) |
| Budget looting | Rattler + Ferro on Looting Mk.1, about 13,000 Coins (Dec 22, 2025) |
| Close range | Tempest + Il Toro on Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive), undated guide |
| Queen and Matriarch | Heavy Shield, Hullcracker IV, Anvil IV or Venator (Nov 17, 2025) |
| Not available | Free Loadouts on Night Raid and Close Scrutiny, since 1.33.0 |
Sources: Game Rant, budget; Game Rant, combos, read Oct 31, 2026; KeenGamer, Nov 17, 2025; Embark's 1.33.0 notes, Jun 16, 2026.
Free: the Free Loadout
The free tab on the pre-match screen gives a randomized weapon, consumables and throwables, with only the Free Loadout Augment guaranteed (PC Gamer, Oct 31, 2025). By Beebom's Apr 30, 2026 list that Augment has 14 backpack and 4 quick-use slots, a 35 kg limit, no Safe Pocket and Light shields only. Use it to learn a map or recover from a loss. Night Raid and Close Scrutiny refuse it, and you can still buy with seeds and free loadout augments when your stash overflows (1.17.0). See How a Raid Works.
Budget kits
Both kits are from Game Rant, Dec 22, 2025, each put at about 13,000 Coins in total; the article gives no per-item prices, and prices may have moved since.
| Budget PvP | Budget looting (PvE) | |
|---|---|---|
| Augment | Looting Mk.1 | Looting Mk.1 |
| Weapons | Stitcher, Ferro | Rattler, Ferro |
| Shield Rechargers | 5 | 3 |
| Healing | 5 herbal healing items | 3 herbal healing items |
| Throwables | 5 Impact Grenades | 5 Li'l Smoke Grenades |
| Other | 2 stacks light ammo, 1 stack heavy | 3 Adrenaline Shots |
Source: Game Rant, Dec 22, 2025.
The PvP plan is to open with the Ferro, which breaks a small shield quickly, then finish with Stitcher bursts. The looting plan uses the Ferro on flying ARC propellers and Fireballs and the Rattler on Pops and Ticks to save Ferro ammo.
What changed since it was written, per Embark's notes: the Stitcher's base damage fell from 7 to 6.5 and its headshot multiplier from 2.5 to 1.75 in 1.17.0. Common weapons lose 75% more durability per shot, and Uncommon 50% more, since 1.26.0, which raises the running cost of cheap guns. An Adrenaline Shot now works at full stamina (2.3.0).
Best loadout by map
Game Rant's per-map picks are from Dec 29, 2025, before Riven Tides and Pendola Pass existed. Each pairs with a Medium or Heavy Shield.
| Map | Weapons (Dec 29, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Dam Battlegrounds | Anvil + Stitcher |
| Buried City | Osprey + Anvil |
| Spaceport | Renegade + Il Toro |
| The Blue Gate | Anvil + Stitcher |
| Stella Montis | Il Toro + Stitcher |
Source: Game Rant, Dec 29, 2025.
Those loadouts commonly carried Herbal Bandages, Shield Rechargers, a Defibrillator, a Raider Hatch Key, Smoke Grenades, Jolt Mines and Trigger 'Nades. Since 2.0 the Anvil is no longer sold by Tian Wen, so older notes on its cost are stale. No reliable source lists a kit for Riven Tides or Pendola Pass as of Oct 31, 2026.
PvP kits
TheGamer's PvP picks (Nov 20, 2025) were the Torrente, Jupiter, Equalizer, Rattler and Il Toro; the grenades Showstopper, Seeker, Blaze, Snap Blast and Lure; and the Combat Mk.3 and Tactical Mk.3 Augments. Game Rant's close-range combo is the Tempest and Il Toro on Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) with a Medium Shield; we could not read that page's date, and it may predate the Il Toro change of Mar 2026 (Shotguns and Battle Rifles). Beebom's Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) has 18 backpack and 4 quick-use slots, 64 kg, all shields, 2 grenade slots and 2 HP regenerated per 5 seconds (Apr 30, 2026). Fighting tips are on PvP Guide. Jiibii's Nov 25, 2025 clip backs the Torrente and Tactical Mk.3.
Queen and Matriarch kit
KeenGamer's Matriarch loadout (Nov 17, 2025) is a Heavy Shield, 10 Surge Shield Rechargers, 10 Herbal Bandages, a Hullcracker IV with 144 or more Launcher Ammo, an Anvil IV or Venator, 6 Wolfpacks, a Snap Hook and Barricades. Three later changes matter: Launcher Ammo has a daily purchase limit since 2.0; explosives do over 50% more to armor plates and about 30% less to fragile parts since 2.0; and the Heavy Shield's base charge went from 80 to 90 in 2.3.0. The Grappling Hook works inside the Matriarch's shield since 2.3.0. PC Gamer named the Hullcracker and Wolfpack as best damage in Dec 2025. The fight is on Queen and Matriarch. The Gaming Merchant's Nov 2025 clip gives the same advice: Heavy Shield, Hullcracker, about 140 ammo.
Choosing an Augment
Augment numbers set the shape of a kit. These are Beebom's, Apr 30, 2026, the newest full list in a reliable source; Embark has also promised an Augment balance pass.
| Augment | Backpack / quick | Weight | Safe Pockets | Shields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Loadout | 14 / 4 | 35 kg | 0 | Light |
| Looting Mk.1 | 18 / 4 | 50 kg | 1 | Light |
| Tactical Mk.1 | 15 / 5 | 40 kg | 1 | Light, Medium |
| Combat Mk.1 | 16 / 4 | 45 kg | 1 | Light, Medium |
| Looting Mk.2 | 22 / 4 | 60 kg | 2 | Light |
| Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) | 20 / 5 | 80 kg | 3 | Light, Medium |
| Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) | 18 / 4 | 64 kg | 1 | All |
Source: Beebom, Apr 30, 2026. More on Shields and Augments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best budget loadout in ARC Raiders? Game Rant's Dec 22, 2025 pick is the Stitcher and Ferro on Looting Mk.1, about 13,000 Coins, with Shield Rechargers, healing items and Impact Grenades. Prices may have moved since.
What is the cheapest loadout in ARC Raiders? The Free Loadout costs nothing, but it is random and has no Safe Pocket, and Night Raid and Close Scrutiny do not accept it.
What is the best Queen loadout in ARC Raiders? KeenGamer's Nov 2025 kit is a Heavy Shield, Hullcracker IV with at least 144 Launcher Ammo, an Anvil IV or Venator, and 6 Wolfpacks. Launcher Ammo has had a daily purchase limit since update 2.0.
What is the best ARC Raiders loadout after Frozen Trail? No allowed guide has published one for update 2.0 or later as of Oct 31, 2026. Embark itself said the Anvil was outperforming its rarity at 2.0.
Which Augment should I use in ARC Raiders? Looting Mk.1 is the cheap default, Game Rant says, for its extra backpack space. Beebom's Apr 30, 2026 list gives Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) the highest weight limit and three Safe Pockets.
Sources
- SHROUDED SKY - Patch Notes 1.17.0, Embark (Steam news), Feb 24, 2026
- Riven Tides - Patch Notes Update 1.26.0, Embark (Steam news), Apr 28, 2026
- Live Update 1.33.0, Embark (Steam news), Jun 16, 2026
- FROZEN TRAIL - 2.0 Update, Embark (Steam news), Oct 8, 2026
- Frozen Trail - 2.0 Update, full notes, Embark, Oct 8, 2026
- Live Update 2.3.0, Embark (Steam news), Oct 27, 2026
- Best Cheap Arc Raiders Loadout, Game Rant, Dec 22, 2025
- Best Loadout For Each Map, Game Rant, Dec 29, 2025
- ARC Raiders Weapon Combos That Should Be Banned, Game Rant, date not read, read Oct 31, 2026
- What Are The Best PvP Guns In Arc Raiders?, TheGamer, Nov 20, 2025
- How To Defeat the Matriarch Boss Easily, KeenGamer, Nov 17, 2025
- How to get a free loadout in Arc Raiders, PC Gamer, Oct 31, 2025
- How to beat this week's Trials in Arc Raiders, PC Gamer, Dec 17, 2025
- All Arc Raiders Augments, Beebom, Apr 30, 2026
- Arc Raiders- Ultimate Beginner’s Guide (Top Gameplay Tips You Need to Know!), Legacy Gaming, Oct 29, 2025 (video)
- Become a PvP GOD in Arc Raiders, Jiibii, Nov 25, 2025 (video)
- ARC Raiders - How To Beat The NEW Matriarch Boss, The Gaming Merchant, Nov 13, 2025 (video)
Moments
Arc Raiders- Ultimate Beginner’s Guide (Top Gameplay Tips You Need to Know!)
Legacy Gaming
- The best ARC Raiders loadout depends on the job: the Free Loadout for no risk, Game Rant's Ferro and Stitcher on…
- The free tab on the pre-match screen gives a randomized weapon, consumables and throwables, with only the Free Loadout…
- Augment numbers set the shape of a kit. These are Beebom's, Apr 30, 2026, the newest full list in a reliable source…
Become a PvP GOD in Arc Raiders
Jiibii
ARC Raiders - How To Beat The NEW Matriarch Boss
The Gaming Merchant
Related
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Bastion, Bombardier and ShredderTo kill a Bastion or Bombardier in ARC Raiders, hit the yellow leg joints to slow it, then the yellow canister or cylinder at the back. A Bombardier also relies on Spotters, so kill those first. A Shredder dies to its bottom thruster, with two Trigger Nades enough to finish one.
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Ground ARCSmall ground ARC in ARC Raiders die quickly once you know the spot. One hit kills a Tick, one medium shot pops a Pop, a Fireball falls when its panel opens, and two heavy shots behind the barrel kill a Turret. The Leaper is the dangerous one, best hit with heavy ammo on the eye and Blaze Grenades.
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Queen and MatriarchTo kill the Queen in ARC Raiders, strip her leg armor and shoot the structure beneath, or hit the head spot. To kill the Matriarch, strip her two front plates and shoot the red core in her head. Bring a squad, Hullcrackers and Wolfpacks; they drop the reactors that craft the Equalizer and Aphelion.
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Crafting and the WorkshopARC Raiders' Workshop has a Workbench, six upgradable stations (Gunsmith, Gear Bench, Medical Lab, Explosives Station, Utility Station, Refiner) and Scrappy, the rooster who gathers materials between raids. Station costs below are from Nov 2025 guides; update 2.0 added Gunsmith 4, which takes 3 Radial Press, 3 Magnetic Accelerator and 1 Emperor Modulator.
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MaterialsIn ARC Raiders keep what upgrades and quests want (ARC parts, Rusted Gear, Batteries, Sensors), recycle junk with no other use, and sell Trinkets and high-value oddities. Every published keep or sell list predates Frozen Trail (Oct 8, 2026), so use the game's item tracking for new materials.
See also
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Best WeaponsThe Anvil is the one ARC Raiders gun placed in S tier on all five press lists read here, and Renegade, Tempest and Venator also rank high. Every list predates update 2.0, and none ranks the Bantam, Stiletto or amplified weapons as of Oct 31, 2026.
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Best BuildsThe two dated ARC Raiders builds from press after the Frozen Trail skill tree rework both put 41 of 76 points in Mobility: KeenGamer's PvP build runs 41 Mobility, 24 Conditioning and 11 Survival, and Beebom's all-round build runs 41, 26 and 9. They differ on the choice nodes, and solo players should drop the downed skills.
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How a Raid WorksIn ARC Raiders you choose a loadout in Speranza, deploy Topside on a timer of about 30 minutes, loot, and leave by elevator, Raider Hatch or Ballistic Gondola. If you are knocked out you lose everything except your Safe Pocket; a Free Loadout risks nothing but has no Safe Pocket.
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