If you’ve spent any real time in ARC Raiders lately, you’ve probably felt it: the battlefield isn’t quite what it used to be. Subtle balance tweaks, quiet nerfs, and an increasingly skilled player base have all combined to reshape how encounters play out – especially against some of the game’s most frustrating ARC enemies.
And yes, that absolutely includes the notorious Firefly. There was a time when the solution was simple – bring top-tier gear like Wolfpack or Deadline and brute-force your way through the fight. Problem solved. But not everyone has access to that kind of loadout, and even if you do, relying on raw power alone isn’t as effective as it used to be.
So what happens when you’re running mid-tier weapons? Or when you actually want to improve your fundamentals instead of leaning on gear?
Below, IGGM ARC Raiders service takes a deep dive into the latest and most effective methods for dealing with ARC Threats – strategies all based on what works best in actual combat within the current version of the game.
Firefly
Firefly is undoubtedly one of the most frustrating enemies to engage in the entire game – especially if it catches you off guard. However, once you figure out its weaknesses, it becomes far less intimidating. It has two primary critical weak points:
- Thrusters
- Yellow Fuel Tank (Explosive)
That yellow fuel tank is certainly tempting – detonating it deals massive damage – but it comes with a significant risk. Triggering it at close range can inflict severe burn damage upon you. Furthermore, landing a consistent hit on it can be tricky, particularly when using heavy weapons, as their projectiles often get blocked by the outer plating before they can reach the weak point.
For this very reason, most seasoned players prefer to employ a safer, more reliable tactic:
- Destroy Armor Plates
- Destroy Thrusters
- Repeat
If you’re using a weapon like Anvil, this entire process typically takes just about four shots to complete. However, there is an even more efficient technique – one often overlooked by many players – that involves leveraging your firing angles.
Firefly’s armor is primarily designed to protect its thrusters against attacks coming from a horizontal trajectory. Therefore, if you adjust your positioning:
- Move above Firefly: You can easily lock onto and attack its rear thrusters.
- Move below Firefly: You gain a clear line of sight, allowing you to strike both its front and rear thrusters simultaneously.
With proper positioning, just two shots are enough to destroy both thrusters at once, instantly bringing the unit crashing down to the ground. This tactic applies equally to other similar aerial units, such as Hornets and Wasps.
Hornets and Wasps
These two smaller aerial enemy types follow similar engagement protocols.
Hornets: Wait for the unit to tilt its body as it initiates an attack, or crouch down yourself to create a better firing angle. Just two precise shots are all it takes to bring one down quickly.
Wasps: Typically require three shots to eliminate; however, if you manage to hit the weak point located on its back, only two shots are needed. An even more ideal strategy is to lure Wasp near a wall; with the right weapon, you can even achieve a one-shot kill.
The core principle here is simple: don’t just focus on firing – prioritize movement and positioning to find the optimal firing angles.
Comet
Comet is an enemy with a well-known weak point: the internal core that becomes exposed when the unit enters its “enraged” state. However, consistently and precisely hitting this specific weak point is no easy feat, making your choice of weapon particularly critical.
In ARC Raiders, weapons are distinguished by more than just their damage output or armor-piercing capabilities. The physical size of the projectile itself is equally vital, as it directly impacts your shooting accuracy when targeting small, confined weak points.
- Heavy Weapons (e.g., Anvil): Feature larger projectiles, resulting in a higher probability of accidentally hitting the outer armor instead of the weak point.
- Rapid-Fire Weapons (e.g., Renegade or Kettle): Feature smaller projectiles, offering superior shooting precision.
When aiming for Comet’s exposed, tiny core:
- Kettle offers excellent fire rate and stability.
- Renegade strikes a perfect balance between fire rate and damage output.
- Anvil, however, proves somewhat ineffective – unless your marksmanship is absolutely flawless.
In short, when facing this type of enemy, weapons with a high rate of fire often outperform high-damage heavy weapons – for a simple reason: they offer a higher margin for error.
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Rocketeer
Rocketeer can sometimes be a tricky adversary, especially when you are pinned down by a relentless barrage of missile fire. However, there is an extremely effective counter-strategy against it: using Hornet Driver.
The key here isn’t merely using the device, but learning how to use it correctly. Most players make one of the following mistakes:
- Throwing the device directly at Rocketeer, rather than at its thrusters.
- Throwing the device to the side, which only manages to disable a single thruster.
The correct approach is as follows:
- Close the distance to within 30 meters.
- Throw the device above Rocketeer.
- Wait for it to descend into range, ensuring it simultaneously affects multiple thrusters.
Since the device activates based on proximity, this method ensures maximum interference; it will often cause Rocketeer to plummet directly to the ground, allowing you to eliminate it with ease.
Bastion
In the game, Bastion is one of the most frequently misunderstood enemies. Yes, its yellow knees are indeed weak points – but attacking the knees isn’t always the fastest route to victory.
Here are two more effective strategies:
Method 1
First, destroy one of Bastion’s knees. Then, maneuver behind it, aim for and attack the yellow fuel tank to expose its red core, and finally, destroy the core completely. This method works best when paired with high-output weapons such as Tempest or Vulcano.
Method 2
Consider this method if you can secure favorable terrain early in the fight. First, take the high ground to gain an elevation advantage. Then, aim for the more fragile red armor plating located on its top section. This method completely bypasses leg-breaking phase, allowing you to melt through Bastion with astonishing speed – a tactic that remains effective even when using medium-tier weapons.
Bombardier
Bombardier remains an encounter that calls for a slower, more methodical pace. A few tips:
- You can shoot down its missiles while they are still in mid-air to avoid taking damage.
- Prioritize using Seeker Grenades to clear out any enemy scouts in the area.
- Before concentrating your firepower on its core, focus first on destroying its outer armor.
Unlike the Bastion, Bombardier possesses extremely thick armor at its center; therefore, you should start from the periphery and work your way inward.
Leaper
Regrettably, the battle against Leaper remains as straightforward as ever – and, true to form, just as tedious. Here are the key tactics for engaging it:
- Aim for its eyes.
- Utilize weapons with high armor-piercing capabilities.
- Maintain continuous fire.
Past strategies that relied heavily on various consumables or explosives are no longer quite as effective. This is a battle won purely through sheer raw damage output.
With the imminent introduction of new ARC enemy types in ARC Raiders, the old mindset of simply equipping your strongest weapon and brute-forcing your way through every encounter is gradually fading away. You must now gain a deep understanding of each enemy’s design mechanics and select the most appropriate weaponry to suit the specific demands of each mission.
If you find yourself struggling against enemies like Firefly or Bastion, do not focus solely on upgrading your gear; more importantly, you must upgrade your tactical mindset – for that may well be the true deciding factor between victory and defeat.
However, have no fear: IGGM will be promptly compiling comprehensive combat guides to ensure you are well-prepared to face these challenges.
