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SoulframeShields and Augments
ARC Raiders has three shields (Light, Medium, Heavy) and an Augment decides which of them you may wear, along with your backpack slots, weight limit and safe pockets. Mk.1 and Mk.2 Augments craft at the Gear Bench or sell at Lance; Mk.3 Augments need Gear Bench 3. Heavy Shield charge rose to 90 in update 2.3.0.
In ARC Raiders your Augment decides which shield you may wear: Medium and Heavy shields can only be equipped with an Augment that allows them, as Shacknews explains, and the same Augment sets your backpack slots, quick-use slots, weight limit and safe pockets. So choose the Augment first, then the shield. No reliable source names one best Augment for update 2.3.0 (Oct 27, 2026): the right one depends on whether the raid is for loot, for squad play or for fights. The full list below is Beebom's of Apr 30, 2026 (update 1.26.0). Embark's notes since then change no Augment's figures, and Embark promised an Augment balance pass in April that it has not yet itemized.
Quick facts
| Shields | Light, Medium, Heavy |
| Augment lines | Looting, Tactical, Combat, plus the Free Loadout Augment |
| Newest Augment | Tactical Mk.3 (Smoke), update 1.26.0, Apr 28, 2026 |
| Newest shield change | Heavy Shield base charge 80 to 90, update 2.3.0, Oct 27, 2026 |
| Where Mk.1 and Mk.2 come from | Gear Bench 1 and 2, or sold at Lance |
| Where Mk.3 comes from | Gear Bench 3, with a blueprint |
Sources: Beebom, Apr 30, 2026; Embark's 1.26.0 notes, Apr 28, 2026; Embark's 2.3.0 notes, Oct 27, 2026; PCGamesN, May 7, 2026.
The three shields
A shield has a charge, which is how much it absorbs, and a mitigation share, which is how much of a hit it stops. The heavier the shield, the more it stops and the more it slows you. Only the Heavy Shield's current charge and movement penalty come from Embark; the other figures are launch figures and no reliable source lists a full current table as of Oct 31, 2026.
| Shield | Charge | Mitigation (launch) | Movement penalty | Weight | Value | Recipe (Oct 28, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 40 (launch) | 40% | None | 5 kg | 640 | 1 ARC Alloy, 8 Fabric |
| Medium | 70 (launch) | 42.5% | 5% (launch) | 7 kg | 2,000 | 4 ARC Alloy, 2 Voltage Converter |
| Heavy | 90 (2.3.0, Oct 27, 2026) | 52.5% | 10% (2.0, Oct 8, 2026) | 9 kg | 5,500 | 10 ARC Alloy, 5 Voltage Converter |
Sources: TechWiser (launch charge, mitigation and penalty), Oct 30, 2025; Dexerto (weight and value), Mar 25, 2026; Beebom (recipes), Oct 28, 2025; Embark's 2.0 notes, Oct 8, 2026; Embark's 2.3.0 notes, Oct 27, 2026.
Beebom's own launch list gave different numbers (Light 50, Medium 80, Heavy 120). Embark's "from 80 to 90" contradicts that Heavy figure and matches TechWiser's, so this page uses TechWiser's.
The Heavy Shield has been buffed twice. Update 2.0 cut its durability decay from 0.20 to 0.15 and its movement penalty from 15% to 10%. Update 2.3.0 then raised its base charge from 80 to 90, because usage was still low; Embark says it wants more survivability without too large a gap over the Medium Shield. Jiibii rates it for defensive play in a clip from before both buffs.
Every Augment
Each row is slots (backpack, then quick use), weight limit, safe pockets, allowed shields and any passive. "All" means Light, Medium and Heavy. Heavy Shields therefore need Combat Mk.2, Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper), Tactical Mk.3 (Defensive) or Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive).
| Augment | Slots | Weight limit | Safe pockets | Shields | Passive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Loadout | 14/4 | 35 kg | 0 | Light | |
| Looting Mk.1 | 18/4 | 50 kg | 1 | Light | |
| Looting Mk.2 | 22/4 | 60 kg | 2 | Light | 3 trinket slots; auto-throws Ticks after 1 second |
| Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) | 20/5 | 80 kg | 3 | Light, Medium | Downed health regeneration (see below) |
| Looting Mk.3 (Cautious) | 24/5 | 70 kg | 2 | Light | Adrenaline Shot on shield break |
| Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper) | 18/4 | 65 kg | 1 | All | Protects primary Epic or Legendary guns |
| Tactical Mk.1 | 15/5 | 40 kg | 1 | Light, Medium | |
| Tactical Mk.2 | 17/5 | 45 kg | 1 | Light, Medium | Smoke grenade on shield break |
| Tactical Mk.3 (Healing) | 16/4 | 55 kg | 3 | Light, Medium | Healing cloud on revive, 30-second cooldown |
| Tactical Mk.3 (Defensive) | 20/5 | 60 kg | 1 | All | Shield Rechargers usable while running |
| Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) | 16/5 | 50 kg | 1 | Light | 1 Defibrillator slot |
| Tactical Mk.3 (Smoke) | 19/5 | 50 kg | 2 | Light, Medium | |
| Combat Mk.1 | 16/4 | 45 kg | 1 | Light, Medium | |
| Combat Mk.2 | 18/4 | 55 kg | 1 | All | Regenerates 1 HP per 5 seconds |
| Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) | 18/4 | 64 kg | 1 | All | 2 grenade slots; regenerates 2 HP per 5 seconds |
| Combat Mk.3 (Flanking) | 20/5 | 60 kg | 2 | Light | Stowed pistols and hand cannons equip 33% faster |
Source: Beebom's Augment list, Apr 30, 2026 (update 1.26.0).
Three notes on that table. Beebom gives the Healing cloud as 20 HP over 10 seconds, while Embark's 1.17.0 notes said the Mk.3 (Healing) text was corrected to say healing is "applied instantly," so check the tooltip. PC Gamer describes the Survivor as regenerating up to 75% of downed health while stationary (Nov 2025). And PCGamesN counts eight Mk.3 Augments on May 7, 2026, while Beebom's list has nine; Vi.ki found no Embark list that settles it.
Which Augment is best
Nothing below is an Embark ranking, and no reliable source has ranked Augments since update 2.0 (Oct 8, 2026). These are the dated picks the press has made and what the table itself shows.
- For loot: by Beebom's numbers, Mk.3 (Survivor) has the highest weight limit, 80 kg, and three safe pockets; Mk.3 (Cautious) has the most backpack slots, 24. Game Rant's budget kit uses Looting Mk.1 with a Ferro and Stitcher for about 13,000 Coins (page date not shown, read Oct 31, 2026).
- For PvP: TheGamer picked Combat Mk.3 and Tactical Mk.3 on Nov 20, 2025. Game Rant pairs Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) with a Medium Shield for close range (page date not shown, read Oct 31, 2026).
- For squads: Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) holds a dedicated Defibrillator, and Tactical Mk.3 (Defensive) is the only Tactical line that takes a Heavy Shield.
- Weakest by Embark's own word: Combat Mk.3 (Flanking), which Embark said on Apr 28, 2026 "has yet to find its place to shine."
Full kits are on Best Loadouts and Best Builds.
How to get them
Mk.1 and Mk.2 craft at Gear Bench 1 and 2 and sell at Lance; Mk.3 crafts at Gear Bench 3, and every Mk.3 needs its blueprint (see Blueprints and Crafting and the Workshop). Update 2.0 added a set of Epic Augments on sale at Apollo. The Free Loadout Augment comes with the free tab on the pre-match screen, and has no safe pocket (Game Rant, Oct 18, 2025). Night Raid and Close Scrutiny have refused Free Loadouts since 1.33.0.
Safe pockets hold what survives a death. They suit keys, trinkets and upgrade items, and weapons need the Safekeeper: update 1.18.0 closed an exploit that let players pocket weapons without it.
Recharging a shield
| Item | Effect | Use time | Stack | Sell | Recipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shield Recharger | 4 per second for 10 seconds | 2 seconds | 5 | 520 | 5 Rubber Parts, 1 ARC Powercell |
| Surge Shield Recharger | 50 shield at once | 5 seconds | 5 | 1,200 | 1 Electrical Components, 1 Advanced ARC Powercell, Medical Lab 2 |
| ARC Powercell | 2 per second for 10 seconds | 5 | 640 at launch, 270 since 1.3.0 if this is the "Power cell" of the notes |
Sources: TechWiser, Oct 30, 2025 (launch figures); Embark's 1.3.0 notes, Nov 20, 2025.
The Shield Recharger's place among other consumables is on Gadgets and Grenades.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Augment in ARC Raiders? No reliable source ranks them since update 2.0 (Oct 8, 2026). Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) has the highest weight limit, 80 kg, in Beebom's Apr 30, 2026 list, and TheGamer picked Combat Mk.3 and Tactical Mk.3 for PvP in Nov 2025.
How do you equip a Medium or Heavy Shield in ARC Raiders? Wear an Augment that allows it. By Beebom's Apr 30, 2026 list, Heavy Shields need Combat Mk.2, Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper), Tactical Mk.3 (Defensive) or Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive).
What is the best looting Augment in ARC Raiders? It depends on what you lack: Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) gives 80 kg and three safe pockets, and Looting Mk.3 (Cautious) gives the most backpack slots, 24. Those are Beebom's figures from Apr 30, 2026.
How much charge does the Heavy Shield have in ARC Raiders? 90, since update 2.3.0 on Oct 27, 2026, up from 80. Update 2.0 had already cut its movement penalty from 15% to 10%.
Where do you craft Augments in ARC Raiders? At the Gear Bench: Mk.1 and Mk.2 at levels 1 and 2 (they also sell at Lance), and Mk.3 at level 3 with a blueprint, per Beebom on Apr 30, 2026.
Can you put a weapon in a safe pocket in ARC Raiders? Only with Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper), which protects primary Epic or Legendary guns. Embark closed an exploit that bypassed this in update 1.18.0 on Mar 3, 2026.
Sources
- Live Update 2.3.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Oct 27, 2026
- Frozen Trail - 2.0 Update, Embark Studios, Oct 8, 2026
- Live Update 1.33.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Jun 16, 2026
- Riven Tides - Patch Notes Update 1.26.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Apr 28, 2026
- Patch Notes 1.18.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Mar 3, 2026
- Shrouded Sky - Patch Notes 1.17.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Feb 24, 2026
- Patch Notes 1.3.0, Embark Studios (Steam), Nov 20, 2025
- All Arc Raiders Augments, Beebom, Apr 30, 2026
- All Arc Raiders Shields, Beebom, Oct 28, 2025
- Arc Raiders blueprints, PCGamesN, May 7, 2026
- Light Shield, Dexerto, Mar 25, 2026
- What Are The Best PvP Guns In Arc Raiders?, TheGamer, Nov 20, 2025
- An Arc Raiders player crawled for 15 minutes to an extraction while downed, PC Gamer, Nov 2025
- How to equip Medium shields, Shacknews, Nov 4, 2025
- How to get a free loadout in Arc Raiders, PC Gamer, Oct 31, 2025
- ARC Raiders All Shields, TechWiser, Oct 30, 2025
- How to Get Free Loadout in ARC Raiders, Game Rant, Oct 18, 2025
- Best Cheap Arc Raiders Loadout, Game Rant, read Oct 31, 2026
- ARC Raiders Weapon Combos That Should Be Banned, Game Rant, read Oct 31, 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)
- What to Keep, Sell, & Recycle in ARC Raiders! (Max Workshop, Scrappy, & More), Above, Nov 4, 2025 (video)
Moments
Arc Raiders- Ultimate Beginner’s Guide (Top Gameplay Tips You Need to Know!)
Legacy Gaming
- In ARC Raiders your Augment decides which shield you may wear: Medium and Heavy shields can only be equipped with an…
- A shield has a charge, which is how much it absorbs, and a mitigation share, which is how much of a hit it stops. The…
- Safe pockets hold what survives a death. They suit keys, trinkets and upgrade items, and weapons need the Safekeeper…
Become a PvP GOD in Arc Raiders
Jiibii
What to Keep, Sell, & Recycle in ARC Raiders! (Max Workshop, Scrappy, & More)
Above
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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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.
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See also
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Best LoadoutsThe 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.
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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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BlueprintsARC Raiders blueprints unlock crafting recipes and are mostly random loot, best in high-loot areas, locked rooms and major map conditions. Since update 2.3.0 (Oct 27, 2026) the Dolabra, Bobcat, Equalizer, Jupiter, Tempest and Vulcano blueprints can drop in any major map condition, at a slightly lower chance.
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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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KeysARC Raiders keys open locked rooms on each map and are used up when they open a door, and the Raider Hatch Key opens an extraction hatch. Dexerto listed the named keys by map on Apr 29, 2026; no reliable source has a full Pendola Pass list as of Oct 31, 2026.