Arc Raiders Rocketeer Guide: Strategies for Dominating the Skies and Ground
The Rocketeer is a menacing force that looms large in the skies of Arc Raiders, dominating open spaces with its heavy armor, missile launchers, and high mobility. Stationed by the ARC, this deadly machine serves as a long-range artillery platform that can obliterate Raiders from afar, making it a critical target during engagements. While its enormous size and raw firepower make it a formidable opponent, there are ways to deal with it effectively. In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about the Rocketeer, including its weaknesses, strategies to fight it, and the loot it drops upon destruction.
Rocketeer Overview
The Rocketeer is a highly-armored, aerial ARC unit equipped with powerful missile launchers. It is designed to wreak havoc in key areas, often guarding high-threat locations or patrolling areas to hinder Raider progress. The sheer power of the Rocketeer lies in its ability to fire missiles from long-range, inflicting significant damage on Raiders who are caught unawares. With its thrusters keeping it airborne, it is a menace that needs to be dealt with strategically.
Key Features:
Missile Launchers: The Rocketeer is armed with four targeting lasers that lock on to enemies. Once these lasers align, it launches one to four missiles that can quickly eliminate a Raider if they're not careful.
Thrusters: Like other flying ARCs such as the Wasp and Hornet, the Rocketeer utilizes thrusters to stay airborne. While these thrusters are a clear weak point, destroying them requires significant firepower.
Armor: The Rocketeer boasts heavy armor that makes it resistant to most conventional weapons. Focused efforts are required to take it down.
Combat Role: The Rocketeer is typically used to guard strategic positions or patrol areas of high importance, making it a significant obstacle for Raiders trying to secure or destroy objectives.
Rocketeer Combat Mechanics
The Rocketeer's primary mode of attack revolves around its advanced targeting system, which enables it to lock onto enemies from afar. The four yellow lasers it emits will turn red when it has fully locked on to a target. Once locked, it fires one to four missiles in rapid succession, with each missile packing a heavy punch. A single missile can deal substantial damage, and two or more hits can be enough to bring a Raider down.
Attack Behavior:
Laser Lock-On: The four yellow lasers initially lock onto nearby targets. Once these lasers turn red, the Rocketeer will launch missiles, each dealing high damage.
Missile Barrage: The Rocketeer can unleash a series of up to four missiles at once. These missiles not only deal massive damage but also have an area-of-effect (AoE) component, meaning that even if you're behind cover, you may still be hit by splash damage if you're too close to the blast zone.
Flying and Positioning: The Rocketeer can use its thrusters to maneuver in the air. It is important to note that while its thrusters are a weak spot, it is often difficult to hit them due to the Rocketeer's high mobility.
Combat Tips for Fighting the Rocketeer
Dealing with the Rocketeer requires careful planning and precise execution. Below are a few strategies to help you survive and ultimately defeat this airborne juggernaut.
1. Seek Shelter and Cover
The Rocketeer is a deadly foe when engaged in open spaces. Its missile barrages can decimate Raiders with ease. The first rule of engagement is to always seek shelter before attacking. Look for buildings, solid structures, or any form of cover that can block the incoming missiles.
Buildings: Moving into a nearby building can be a great way to avoid the Rocketeer's long-range missiles. As a bonus, buildings often offer elevated positions for you to fight from.
Solid Cover: Position yourself behind substantial cover such as rocks, walls, or debris. Keep an eye on the splash radius of the missiles, as they can still hit you even if you're behind cover if you're within range.
2. Target the Thrusters
Every flying ARC, including the Rocketeer, has its thrusters as a critical weak point. While destroying its thrusters won't immediately kill it, it will severely limit the Rocketeer's mobility, eventually causing it to fall to the ground. Once it's on the ground, it will be vulnerable to further damage.
Focus on Two Thrusters: Try to focus your fire on the thrusters, especially the two main ones located at the rear of the machine. These are the key to bringing it down.
Use High-Penetration Weapons: Thrusters are heavily armored, so using high Armor Penetration (AP) weapons will give you the best chance of dealing damage. Look for weapons with high AP ratings to break through the thrusters' defense.
3. Take Advantage of Its "Eyebrow"
The Rocketeer has a prominent weak spot located above its missile launchers, often referred to as its "eyebrow." This spot is vulnerable to fire, and hitting it with high-velocity, high-damage weapons will help significantly weaken the Rocketeer.
Weapon Recommendations: Equip weapons with high fire rates or low reload times. These will allow you to deal consistent damage to the eyebrow, breaking down the Rocketeer's defenses quickly.
Armor Penetration: Use weapons with high Armor Penetration stats for maximum damage. This is especially important when targeting the Rocketeer's armored sections.
4. Snap Blast Grenades
Grenades can be a surprisingly effective tool against the Rocketeer. The Snap Blast Grenade, in particular, is a highly useful item for taking down the Rocketeer. Throwing these grenades directly onto the Rocketeer's body will cause significant damage and can even destroy the unit if enough grenades land.
Optimal Placement: Aim for the top or the front of the Rocketeer when throwing Snap Blast Grenades. Focus on the missile launcher or the weak points to maximize their effectiveness.
Multiple Grenades: If you have the chance, throw several grenades in quick succession to overwhelm the Rocketeer and deal devastating damage.
5. Lure Grenade Tactics
An effective strategy when facing multiple ARCs is to use the Lure Grenade. When fighting a Rocketeer and another ARC at the same time, the Lure Grenade can be used to make the Rocketeer target the other ARC instead.
How It Works: Stick the Lure Grenade to another ARC. When the Rocketeer locks on, it will target that ARC instead of you. This can provide a huge advantage, as the Rocketeer's missiles will damage the other ARC, helping you in the process.
6. Dodging the Missile Barrage
When the Rocketeer's lasers turn red, you know a missile barrage is imminent. You have a few options to dodge the attack:
Dodge Roll: The Dodge Roll can help you evade the incoming missiles if timed correctly.
Get Behind Cover: This is the safest option if you don't have enough time to dodge. Move quickly behind cover to avoid being hit by the splash damage.
Watch for Splash Damage: Even if you are behind cover, be cautious. Splash damage from the missiles can still reach you if you're too close.
Loot from the Rocketeer
When you successfully take down a Rocketeer, you are rewarded with a variety of useful loot. The loot typically comes in two categories: main debris loot and small debris loot.
Main Debris Loot:
ARC Alloy
ARC Powercell
ARC Motion Core
ARC Circuitry
Advanced ARC Powercell
Heavy Gun Parts
Rocketeer Driver
Heavy Ammo
Small Debris Loot:
ARC Alloy
ARC Powercell
Advanced ARC Powercell
Rocketeer Driver
The Rocketeer Driver is a particularly valuable item, as it is required to upgrade or craft high-tier gear. Keep an eye out for this item when looting the debris left behind after a Rocketeer's destruction.
The Rocketeer is a formidable opponent in Arc Raiders, but with the right strategies, you can defeat it and come out victorious. Always approach the fight with caution-seek shelter, target the thrusters and weak spots, and use grenades to your advantage. With the right tools, a focused approach, and a bit of strategy, you can take down this sky-dominating menace and reap the rewards of the battle, includes a large amount of ARC Raiders Coins and rare ARC Raiders Items.
By following these tactics, you'll be well-equipped to handle the Rocketeer and continue your fight for survival in the dangerous world of Arc Raiders.
MMOexp ARC Raiders Team