ARC Raiders is a game filled with tense PvP encounters, some leading to friendship and others leading to a pile of bodies. Many players have praised how organic the in-game moments feel, as one minute a group of Raiders can all work together to take down a larger Arc, and the next, things can get very bloody with very few people left standing.
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Some players like PvP and others prefer the cooperative elements, but at the end of the day, having a team to run around with is always going to make things safer and easier. It can be hard to get people to join arms or even just stop shooting, yet there are some key etiquette mistakes many players make that undermine any chance they have at co-op before it even gets off the ground.
Staying Quiet
Replying Is Basic Manners
Anyone who has played ARC Raiders for even a few hours will know about the game's different methods of communication. Players can either use an emote wheel to announce their presence with a few preset options like "Don't shoot," or opt to speak with their own voice, even adding a voice changer layer to keep things more anonymous for everyone.
If someone does run up, or they can be heard from afar saying hello, it is always nice to give them a reply, whether with a similar greeting or by using the built-in system where necessary. Keeping quiet makes things feel far less confortable for everyone involved, as there is nothing worse than talking with a blank helmet and hearing nothing in return.
Double-Crossing
One Betrayal Can Lead To Many
When attempting to make friends Topside, one of the biggest fears that players have is betrayal. There is nothing worse than finding someone to take down a Bastion with and reaching finding a point to extract from, only to be gunned down at the final moment by the same person who was supposed to be an ally.
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While it might put a stain on the player's karma, there is nothing stopping them from being a backstabber who lures people in and cuts them down when they least expect it. At the same time, the other player may put up more of a fight or an extra set of Raiders could rock up and see the commotion, resulting in far more bloodshed and no extracting for anyone involved. As such, even though it may pay off on occasion, it's generally better practice not to double-cross fellow players.
Keeping Your Gun Out
Removing The Danger For Everyone
When a player is seen running across the horizon, their intentions can be pretty hard to nail down at first. Their gun may be drawn, and they will often be in an alerted state, always looking for action and keeping an eye out for anyone who could put a stop to their day of scavenging.
If things get a bit more close-quarters, like in a subway or another indoor location, it's the friendly move to put the guns away to make sure that everyone involved is calm and secure and not ready to kill. It may be hard to ask others to put their weapons away at first, but by showing the sign of peace right from the start, many others will follow suit and swap out their rifles for bare hands and nothing else.
Stealing ARC Loot
Take Only What You Earned
Across the various maps, players will encounter Arc enemies of all shapes and sizes. Some can easily be taken down alone, like Wasps or Hornets, while others require a bit more time or even teamwork to take down, so working together is often a great way of clearing the tougher foes without too much trouble.
As one of the players shooting down the big Arc, cashing in on the loot is a pretty natural thing to do. However, rolling up and attempting to claim the prize without doing any of the work is a surefire way of getting shot down straight away. Sticking around until the hard workers have had their share will keep everyone happy, while still offering some loot for the scavengers who come after.
Looting Bodies You Didn't Kill
Spoils To The Shooter
Corpses aren't exactly uncommon Topside, and whether they killed them or not, players are bound to encounter at least a few of them before they make it out. Sometimes, primarily in solo games, players sometimes come across a group of players fighting, and they may choose to help one of them survive the fight.
When the Raider or group finally goes down, it is nice to give that first set of loot to the other player, particularly if they are the one who did most of, or all of, the work. Jumping in and trying to steal their thunder will almost always lead to more bullets flying, so staying back and providing some cover can keep the whole group satisfied and, more importantly, alive.
Approaching Without Announcing
Let Yourself Be Known
Things can go south pretty quickly in ARC Raiders, as one slightly aggressive-looking Raider can kickstart a gunfight that will almost certainly leave only one player standing. Intentions are incredibly important and declaring them is a crucial technique that can be the difference-maker between survival and certain death.
A good approach is for players to call out in advance that they have spotted someone, and to declare peace before anyone even gets a chance to shoot. It doesn't matter if the player is facing away or making direct eye contact, it is always a good idea to get the words out straight away, to avoid any awkward surprises later down the line.
Shooting First
No Guarantees Of Success
Some people Topside are more trigger-happy than others, shooting the second they see any movement without asking a single question beforehand. However, the first shot doesn't always result in a successful kill; instead, all it does is instigate a fight that may or not be winnable.
The other Raider may have higher-level guns or be a better shot in general, which means that unleashing that initial wave of bullets can be an invitation for a pretty powerful retaliation. Also, gunshots are a very easy way of pinpointing nearby players, so the whole server is going to come running to get a piece of the action, turning a single encounter into a widespread graveyard.
Assuming Friendliness
Not Everyone Is A Good Guy
Venturing out into the wasteland is no easy task, and players will have to get used to fighting aggressive robots while fending off enemy Raiders as well. Making a few friends can make the whole experience way easier, but not everyone is going to be ready to hop into a team when they meet someone else.
Before any words are uttered, it is a good idea to be cautious whenever another player is spotted, even if both players are looking to team up. Anyone can be an enemy, so saying "Don't shoot" and assuming a free pass to safety will very quickly be met with the harsh reality that anyone can be an enemy at any moment.
Trying To Be Sneaky
Show Your Intentions Early
Sound is an incredibly important mechanic to utilize in ARC Raiders, and if players choose to ignore obvious indicators, they will often miss crucial bits of information that could easily save their lives. Player sounds are obviously more useful than anything else, as they give an indication as to where Raider activity is and whether they are PvP-hungry or not.
Sometimes, a single rustle or a rolling object can give away a player's location, and if there are others around, trying to play it off as just the wind screams "I'm here to kill you." If there are others around, and it is clear that cover is blown, speaking can often defuse the situation, while hiding will result in a drawn-out engagement that will always end in a pile of bodies.
Not Helping Others
Do The Right Thing
Cooperation is central to the gameplay experience in ARC Raiders, and players will find themselves in plenty of situations where they either need help themselves or they can lend a hand to another player. It can be as simple as shooting down a few Arcs or can stretch as far as working together to take out a rival group of Raiders, but teamwork is a valuable tool that any good player needs to make use of.
That doesn't mean that the second they hear shooting or an extraction start that players should go running to ease some of the pressure. However, when needed, it is nice to lessen the load and aid a Raider in need, whether it's by dropping meds, joining them in a fight, or reviving them with a defibrillator, even if it's just for the achievement.
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
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
