As someone who’s spent a lot of time in ARC Raiders, I’ve noticed that new and experienced players often have the same questions about where to get gear, what’s worth buying, and how to use it effectively. This guide isn’t about hype or sales; it’s about helping you understand how things actually work in practice.

What Gear Do Most Players Focus On?

In general, most players prioritize gear that matches their play style. ARC Raiders has a mix of ranged, melee, and support options, and the effectiveness of your equipment depends heavily on how you approach missions.

• Weapons: Most players start by upgrading a few key weapons rather than trying to get everything. A balanced loadout usually includes one high-damage weapon and one with a fast firing rate or utility effect.

• Armor: Armor choices usually depend on the type of missions you run. Players who go for aggressive, front-line roles often focus on higher defense, while those who hang back prefer mobility.

• Gadgets: Gadgets are used situationally. Experienced players tend to pick a couple that complement their weapons or team strategy rather than carrying a full set.

In general, the best approach is to focus on a small number of items you can reliably upgrade and understand, rather than spreading resources too thin.

How Do Upgrades Work in Practice?

Upgrading gear is usually straightforward, but the real question is efficiency. Most players focus on improving stats that directly affect their play style. For example:

• Damage stats: Ranged players prioritize weapon damage and accuracy.

• Defense stats: Frontline roles look at armor health and resistance.

• Utility stats: Support players often upgrade cooldowns or effectiveness of gadgets.

Players generally recommend upgrading a few key items fully rather than partially upgrading many items. This is because fully upgraded gear tends to have a more noticeable impact in missions.

Are Certain Gear Sets Better Than Others?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. In practice, most players mix and match gear depending on mission requirements:

• For high-mobility missions, lightweight gear is usually preferred.

• For survival-heavy missions, heavier armor and shields are often the choice.

• Some players prefer gear sets that improve their team’s performance rather than just their own, which can be a big advantage in co-op play.

You’ll often see players change their loadouts between missions rather than sticking to a single “best set.” Flexibility usually matters more than raw stats.

How Do Players Usually Acquire Gear?

In ARC Raiders, there are a few common methods players use to get gear:

• Crafting or in-game drops: Most players rely on completing missions and collecting drops to gradually build a usable inventory.

• Special stores: Many players know that certain shops, like U4N, have gear that’s often sought after. In general, these shops carry items that are not always easy to get in-game, which makes them convenient for filling gaps in your collection.

• Trading or community exchanges: While not everyone uses these, experienced players sometimes swap items to get the pieces they need.

In practice, most players combine these approaches rather than relying on just one method.

How Should You Decide What to Buy or Upgrade First?

Usually, players look at three main factors:

1. Frequency of use: If you rarely use an item, upgrading it is usually less efficient.

2. Impact on missions: Gear that helps you survive longer or deal more damage tends to be more valuable.

3. Compatibility with play style: This is subjective but usually the most important. For example, if you rarely play support roles, items that boost team healing are often not worth focusing on.

Most players end up prioritizing weapons first, then armor, then gadgets. That order reflects how each category generally affects mission performance.

Common Mistakes New Players Make

From observing new players, there are a few patterns that tend to reduce effectiveness:

• Spreading upgrades too thin: Trying to upgrade every item usually results in weaker overall performance.

• Ignoring mission requirements: Sometimes new players stick to their favorite gear even when a mission calls for a different approach.

• Overvaluing rare items: Rarity doesn’t always equal usefulness. Most players benefit more from fully upgraded standard gear than partially upgraded rare gear.

Understanding these patterns helps avoid wasted time and resources.

How Do Most Experienced Players Handle Loadouts?

Experienced players tend to approach loadouts with flexibility. A typical approach looks like this:

• Primary gear for your role: Focus on one main weapon and one secondary weapon that you know well.

• Support or backup items: Include a gadget or piece of armor that compensates for your weaknesses.

• Mission-specific tweaks: Adjust loadouts slightly based on expected enemy types or objectives.

In practice, players find that even small adjustments between missions can make a noticeable difference in survivability and efficiency.

How Important Is Cosmetic Gear?

Cosmetic gear doesn’t affect gameplay stats, but most players still find it valuable for identification and personal preference. In general, experienced players treat cosmetics as optional—they’re nice to have but not essential.

In ARC Raiders, the best gear strategy is usually straightforward: focus on a small set of items, upgrade them efficiently, and adjust your loadout based on your role and mission requirements. Shops like U4N can provide convenient access to specific pieces, but most players combine drops, crafting, and targeted purchases to build a practical inventory.

Understanding how other players approach gear—what they prioritize, upgrade, and swap—can save you time and help you perform better in missions. Most importantly, pay attention to how gear works in practice rather than how rare or “cool” it looks.