ARC Raiders Frigate Raid Guide: Hullcracker Tips, Surge Coil Tech, Boss Fights & Easy Completion

Overview

This guide breaks down a full Frigot run (cargo ship raid) in Arc Raiders, focusing on the tech, tricks, and teamwork that make the run faster and more efficient. The core insight: you can carry the run with advanced tech—but the best runs happen when everyone works together and follows instructions. Whether you're stockpiling ARC Raiders Coins or just looking to complete the raid smoothly, coordination is what separates a clean run from a wipe.

What you'll learn:

How to recruit and coordinate random players

The elevator/button mechanic

How to break coils efficiently with a Hullcracker

The breach-and-payload sequence

Surge coil tech (permanent lures)

How to handle the Bastion and Vaporizer

Loot etiquette that builds goodwill

1. Preparing Before the Raid

1.1 Inventory Tech

Bring items that make key tasks faster and more efficient:

Hullcracker — significantly speeds up breaking coils

Defibs — lets you revive teammates and stay in the fight

Lure grenades — distracts ARC during breaches

Smoke grenades — obscures sightlines and triggers breach mechanics

Surge coils — act as permanent lures (see Section 7)

Tip: Review your inventory before committing. A couple of well-chosen items can carry the entire run.

1.2 The Mindset

The run works best when you communicate clearly, give simple instructions, and stay patient. Random players will follow if you make it easy for them.

2. Recruiting Players

You need at least two other players for the run. Here's how to recruit effectively

Approach peacefully. Say "Hello, fellow raiders—I come in peace."

Be direct. "Could you help me with something real quick? I'm trying to complete this."

Guide them physically. Use "Follow me" and "Come this way" repeatedly.

Escort them to the elevator. Tell them to stand on the elevator and you'll press the button for them.

Tip: A simple "banana" safe word (or similar) can break tension when players get jumpy.

3. The Elevator & Button Mechanic

3.1 Getting Players Up

Stand on the elevator

Press the elevator button for them

Wait for their friend before sending it up

3.2 The Button Section

Direct players to the buttons over the designated area

Tell them: "You can press these buttons without them seeing you."

If players go the wrong way, call it out immediately: "You're going the wrong way—it's not safe over there. This is completely safe if you stand in the middle."

4. Breaking Coils Efficiently (Solo Tech)

4.1 The Hullcracker Method

The Hullcracker makes breaking coils much easier:

"Whole cracker shots. Deadline. This is so much better. Breaking these things—it makes my life a whole lot easier."

4.2 Solo vs. Team Expectations

If you're doing the coils solo while teammates wait:

Tell them clearly: "Stay by this door and wait for me. It'll be about 8 minutes."

Reassure them: "You have to trust me—I'll be right back."

Keep them updated: "Everything's going fine. Give me a minute."

Tip: Keeping players calm and entertained is part of the job. Encourage them to chat, get popcorn, relax.

5. The Breach-and-Payload Sequence

This is the chaotic part. Give clear, simple instructions:

5.1 Splitting the Team

"Me and the front guy are going to breach the left. You guys are going to breach the right."

5.2 The Lasers and Smoke

Tell them: "There are lasers because I have it trapped—don't worry, the lasers won't hurt you."

"Jump on the laser so the smokes pop."

5.3 The Breach Calls

Repeat short commands:

"Breach this side."

"Hold the breach."

"Come across."

"Breach that one."

"Stand on it."

5.4 The Buttons in the Smoke

"Drop down—there are two buttons down here."

"Press these buttons in the smokes."

"Reach this right now. E."

Assign sides: "Somebody on the other side."

5.5 The Payload

Count it out clearly:

"Four times, guys. That's two. And then three. And then four. One more. ONE MORE. AND THEN JUMP ON THE PAYLOAD."

Result: If everyone follows, the payload phase completes smoothly.

Tip: Praise good execution immediately—it reinforces cooperation: "For the people who said they haven't done this before, you guys did good. You instantly went to the right and breached. You were locked in."

6. Handling the Bastion and Vaporizer

6.1 Priority

Kill the Vaporizer first.

Careful of the Bastion while doing so.

6.2 Revives

Call out: "I have defibs—don't worry, remain calm."

Tell downed players: "Come over here. Crawl."

6.3 Ammo Sharing

Ask: "Do you guys have Hullcracker ammo?"

If not: "I got you—drop some right here and go behind the payload."

6.4 Loot Discipline

"Don't loot yet. Let's try to kill this Bastion first."

Once it's dead: "Loot up, boys."

Why it matters: Players who resist looting and help fight the Bastion are the difference between a clean run and a wipe.

7. Surge Coil Tech: Permanent Lures

7.1 What Surge Coils Do

Surge coils act as permanent lures. Enemies circle them instead of engaging you.

"The surge core is kind of like what you put in the front of your house to get rid of the moss—the zap lightnings where they circle it. It's the same thing. They just circle it. So it's like a permanent lure."

7.2 How to Use Them

Place a lure grenade behind the Hydra

Place the surge coil nearby

Enemies (Wasp, Vaporizer) will aggro onto the coil and circle it—not looking at you

Result: You can breach, move, and fight while ARC is distracted.

7.3 Where to Get Them

Surge coils come from rotor cores and related components

Check your inventory before the run

8. Loot Etiquette That Builds Goodwill

The best runs end with everyone sharing:

Drop items for teammates after looting—inductors, research data modules, etc.

Ask what they need: "Do you need this inductor for your workbench?"

Drop a pile and let them take what they need: "Just grab what you need. Have whatever you want."

Even non-cargo players help. One player who wasn't on the cargo run still picked something up and dropped it for someone else.

Why it matters: Players who feel respected help more, listen better, and make the run smoother.

9. Common Failure Modes (and How to Avoid Them)

10. Quick Reference Checklist

Before the raid:

Hullcracker equipped

Defibs ready

Lure grenades and smokes stocked

Surge coils available

Recruiting:

Approach peacefully

Give simple "follow me" instructions

Escort to elevator and press the button

Coils:

Use Hullcracker shots

Tell teammates to wait (~8 minutes)

Keep them updated and calm

Breach:

Split left/right

"Jump on the laser so the smokes pop"

"Hold the breach" → "Come across"

Press buttons in the smoke

Four activations → JUMP ON THE PAYLOAD

Bastion/Vaporizer:

Kill Vaporizer first

Careful of Bastion

Defib downed players

Share ammo

Don't loot until the fight is done

After:

Drop items for teammates

Ask what they need

Say GG

Final Thoughts

The Frigot run is beatable with tech alone—but the best runs are built on clear communication, patience, and goodwill. If you'd rather spend your time mastering the raid than grinding for currency, you can buy ARC Raiders Coins to gear up faster, and I recommend MMOEXP as a reliable source for your needs.