Weekend Drop - 
Summary
The Emperor puzzle in ARC Raiders has become a real challenge again after the side-exit glitch was fixed. Players must now complete the maze to reach the final room, but the good news is that a solo run can still take around 10 minutes with the right route and equipment. This guide covers the recommended loadout, key maze mechanics, time-saving shortcuts, and the safest way to collect valuable amplification materials and ARC Raiders Items before extraction.
1. Best Loadout for the Emperor Puzzle
Preparation is essential if you want to finish the Emperor maze quickly while keeping enough resources for the final loot room and extraction.
You do not need an expensive loadout, but bringing the right tools can save several minutes.
| Equipment | Recommendation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Primary weapon | Bettina | Quickly destroy yellow canisters |
| Secondary weapon | Hullcracker | Deal with Hydras efficiently |
| Alternative weapons | Renegade or Anvil | Budget-friendly alternatives |
| Mobility tool | Snap Hook | Reach platforms faster |
| Alternative mobility | Grapple Hook | Useful if you do not have a Snap Hook |
| Utility | 1–2 Zipline items | Skip difficult platforming sections |
| Healing | At least one stack of Stims | Recover health during the run |
| Essential item | Emperor Gateway Key | Access the Emperor area |
Bring at least three stacks of Bettina ammunition and one stack for the Hullcracker if you plan to use both weapons. Extra ammunition is helpful if you encounter ARC enemies on the way to extraction.
The Snap Hook and Ziplines are particularly valuable. They let you bypass awkward jumps and reduce the time spent waiting for moving platforms.
2. How to Complete the Emperor Maze Faster
The key to finishing the puzzle quickly is recognizing the correct doorway and avoiding unnecessary detours.
Follow these steps to maintain a steady pace:
Enter carefully. Avoid touching electrical boxes, as they can deal damage and interrupt your movement.
Destroy the yellow canisters. The Bettina is effective for this task, requiring approximately seven shots per canister in the demonstrated run.
Watch for white doorway lights. A white light indicates a valid route forward. Yellow-lit exits can lead back toward the starting area, so do not confuse them with the correct path.
Use the Snap Hook on vertical sections. It helps you reach elevated platforms without wasting time on difficult jumps.
Carry Ziplines for major shortcuts. Certain sections allow you to bypass lengthy platforming by connecting directly to the correct doorway.
Navigate the final maze carefully. Look for the white-lit doorway instead of trying to force your way through the walls or barriers.
The maze can feature different layouts, but the available sequences eventually lead to the same destination. Learning the visual cues is more useful than memorizing every individual jump.
3. What Should You Loot During the Run?
One of the biggest mistakes is spending too much time opening every container before reaching the final room.
You can find useful items along the way, including modules and research materials, but unnecessary looting can reduce the time available for the valuable rewards at the end.
| Item | Why It Matters | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Amplification Module | Used for legendary weapon amplification | Very High |
| Level 4 Amplification Module | Used for epic weapon amplification | High |
| Level 3 Amplification Module | Used for blue weapon amplification | Medium |
| ARC Data Modules | Can be broken down for Research Points | High |
| Lower-level amplification materials | Useful for crafting or repairing amplified weapons | Medium |
If your primary goal is completing the Emperor efficiently, skip most optional containers and focus on reaching the final room. Pick up convenient items when they are directly on your route.
Once you have learned the maze, you can start collecting more loot without significantly slowing down your run.
4. How to Survive the Final Room and Secure the Loot
Reaching the final room is only half the challenge. Once the red lights activate, a Vaporizer and other ARC enemies may appear outside.
Do not immediately start fighting everything you see. The safer strategy is to stay inside and wait for the enemies to lose interest and leave. Engaging them unnecessarily can waste ammunition, healing items, and valuable time.
After the immediate threat has passed, shoot the yellow canisters to unlock the loot. More small ARC enemies may spawn as you destroy them, so pause when necessary and let them move away before continuing.
Keep these tips in mind:
Heal before entering dangerous sections if your health is low.
Avoid unnecessary fights with the Vaporizer and smaller ARC enemies.
Prioritize purple amplification materials and ARC Data Modules.
Manage your inventory as you loot, leaving room for valuable rewards.
Keep an eye on your remaining health before taking the final exit.
The final room contains enough loot to make inventory management a bigger challenge than completing the puzzle itself. Choose valuable materials over common items when space becomes limited.
5. How Long Does the Emperor Run Take?
With a prepared loadout and minimal detours, the maze can be completed in approximately 10 minutes. A full run that includes looting and extraction takes longer.
| Run Stage | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Initial entry and preparation | 2–3 minutes, depending on spawn |
| Emperor maze | Around 10 minutes |
| Final-room looting | 5–6 minutes |
| Total raid | Approximately 19–20 minutes in the demonstrated run |
These figures are estimates from the demonstrated solo run, not guaranteed completion times. Your spawn, puzzle layout, enemy encounters, and looting decisions can all affect the result.
6. Final Tips for Farming the Emperor
The best approach is to treat the Emperor as a timed loot run rather than a full-clear combat mission. Bring a reliable weapon for the canisters, use mobility tools to bypass difficult sections, and follow the white doorway lights to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
Most importantly, do not waste resources fighting ARC enemies that can simply move away on their own. Complete the maze first, secure the amplification materials, and manage your inventory before extracting.
With practice, the Emperor puzzle becomes much easier to repeat, giving you more time to collect valuable modules, upgrade your favorite weapons in ARC Raiders, and understand when it makes sense to buy ARC Raiders Items to support your progression.
