Among all the challenging activities in ARC Raiders, the Solo vs. Squads matchmaking mode is definitely the toughest. With no team for backup, players will be thrown into raids, and they'll need to survive against full three-player squads on the map. These high-stakes matches will be less about the firepower you have and more about how tactically you can approach enemy players and make it back to Speranza alive.
This guide covers the best build for Solo vs. Squads matchmaking in ARC Raiders, helping underdogs kit up with the best equipment to give them an edge over enemy squads in a match.
ARC Raiders 'Bird City' Event Guide (All Duck Rewards)
Bird City is one of the dynamic events added in the ARC Raiders Headwinds update that will allow players to get the new rubber duck trinkets.
Best Solo vs Squads Mode Build in ARC Raiders
To unlock the Solo vs. Squads matchmaking mode in ARC Raiders, players must level up their character to 40 or above. Once you've finally progressed past level 40, you'll see an additional option for Solo vs. Squads, right under the Fill Squad option. Simply click on it and hit the play button to set up your loadout and get into a match to face off against full squads as a solo player.
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Augment |
Tactical MK. 2 |
|---|---|
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Shield |
Medium Shield (Blue) |
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Weapons |
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Quick Use Items |
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Augmented Slot |
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Safe Pocket |
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Augment
Tactical Mk2, without a doubt, is one of the best augments to equip for the Solo vs. Squads matchmaking mode. It comes with ample space for loot items, but the main reason for choosing it is its ability to deploy a smoke when your armor depletes.
It'll be a lifesaver in situations when you're cornered and being shot from multiple angles. The smoke deployment will conceal your presence, and you'll be able to escape or even reposition your character.
Weapon Selection
For weapons, the main idea is to have a medium to long-range weapon and a piece to quickly dispatch enemies at close range. Some great weapon choices here that won't hit your budget too hard, will be an Anvil revolver and an IL Toro shotgun.
Anvil has a great range and serious damage output, which will allow you to break the shields of enemies to slow down their push towards you. If one of the enemy players gets too close, one or two shots from the IL Toro shotgun will quickly dispatch them.
It's essential to equip your Anvil with at least a level 2 suppressor to mask your presence while picking off enemy players one at a time. Additionally, kit out your IL Toro shotgun with a choke and an extended mag 2 to increase its effectiveness in combat.
Healing Items
Your main priority should be to have a decent supply of medical items, including a full stack of Surge Shield Rechargers and regular ones. If your shield is completely depleted, you can use a regular Shield Recharger and use a Surge Shield Recharger immediately afterward to refill your shield immediately.
When it comes to HP recovery items, make sure to have at least one Vita Spray on your character to replenish health in emergencies. You can have Herbal Bandages to restore HP in not-so-immediate situations.
Utility Items
Since you'll be facing full enemy teams as a solo player, it is imperative to secure your position with mines. Jolt Mines and Explosive Mines will properly cover alternative entries to a location you're sitting in. This will ensure you're alerted or get the upper hand on a squad that's coming in to fight you.
Other Tips & Strategies
If you have some Trigger Nades in your inventory, it's also recommended to stock up on those. Despite getting nerfed, they're still effective at taking out the shields of multiple players at the same time. If enemy players get hit by your placed Jolt Mine, you can throw two Trigger Nades to take them down, or at least severely damage them.
If you can craft a Snap Hook, you can slot it inside your Safe Pocket and use it in-game. It will be the most useful tool in quickly repositioning your character or getting out of a dangerous situation.
Ultimately, it's all about positioning yourself in a secure spot that has a clear view of enemy teams. Map knowledge will help you a lot in surviving, so it's best to only queue into one that you're most familiar with. Try going into a few matches with a free loadout to get a feel of the mode first. After that, you can go in fully equipped to participate in the toughest challenge ARC Raiders has to offer at the moment.
ARC Raiders
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - all platforms
- Cross Save
- Yes - via Embark ID
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- October 30, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
