Arc Raiders: Tier List and Expedition Loadout Recommendations

Success in Arc Raiders Expeditions depends not only on knowing the available weapons but also on understanding which ones are meta-competitive at the current balance patch. Tier lists collate weapon performance across criteria like damage output, handling, armor penetration, ammo economy, and adaptability to both PvP and PvE engagements.

Tier Definitions (Meta Context)

• S-Tier: Top-performing weapons with strong performance in multiple roles (PvP, PvE, boss encounters).

• A-Tier: Highly competitive choices; excel in many but not all combat scenarios.

• B-Tier: Situational or requires player skill/attachments to reach potential.

• C/D-Tier: Weapons that underperform compared to alternatives or are niche.

Current Meta Tier List (General)

S-Tier

• Ferro — Exceptional heavy-ammo bolt-action rifle; excellent armor penetration against ARC enemies and strong in long-range duels.

• Anvil — Heavy pistol with massive per-shot damage; great against both ARC machines and human players.

• Bettina — Assault rifle with remarkable balance of damage, control, and adaptability.

• Hullcracker — Devastating against ARC targets (area explosive effect).

(These picks consistently appear in top tiers across multiple sources.) 

A-Tier

• Tempest — Versatile assault rifle with good mid-range performance.

• Renegade — Marksman rifle suitable for precise engagements.

• Osprey — Effective sniper for long-range picks.

• Vulcano — Shotgun with strong close-range burst potential.

• Jupiter — Legendary sniper with serious damage.

(A-Tier weapons remain very effective, especially with attachments or in specific roles.) 

B-Tier

• Rattler — Reliable assault rifle, but outclassed by higher options.

• Bobcat — Fast SMG useful in close quarters.

• Arpeggio & Venator — Situational; good DPS but less utility than higher tiers.

(Best for players mastering recoil and map positioning.) 

C/D-Tier

• Kettle, Stitcher, Burletta, Hairpin, Torrente — Generally outpaced in damage or versatility.

• Equalizer, Il Toro — D-Tier in broad PvP/PvE use; niche roles only.

(Balance patches and meta shifts have pushed these toward the bottom for most expedition builds.) 

Recommended Expedition Loadouts

Below are meta loadout templates tailored to your team’s likely combat environment, whether focused on ARC threats, enemy players, or a mix.

1. Balanced PvE Expedition (ARC Focus)

Primary: Ferro

Secondary: Anvil

Support: Hullcracker

Rationale: Ferro excels at picking off armored ARC units at range, Anvil fills gaps with heavy damage at closer ranges, and Hullcracker breaks armor on groups or large ARC encounters. This combination gives sustained damage and versatility against threats encountered in most expeditions.

2. PvP-Centric Expedition Loadout

Primary: Bettina

Secondary: Vulcano

Pistol/Sidearm: Anvil

Rationale: Bettina’s balance of damage, range, and accuracy suits most player engagements. Vulcano delivers decisive close-quarters kills, and Anvil compensates with heavy pistol damage when gunfights tighten. This loadout emphasizes quick kills and adaptability against other raiders. 

3. Hybrid PvP + PvE Loadout

Primary: Tempest or Renegade

Secondary: Bobcat

Utility: Osprey

Rationale: Tempest/Renegade covers mid and long-range combat effectively. Bobcat provides a high fire rate for close-quarters resistance, while Osprey offers overwatch and backup sniping if teams split up or need suppression at range.

Loadout Tips — Attachment Priorities

1. Extended magazines — Improve sustained fire, especially for SMGs and ARs.

2. Vertical grips — Tame recoil on assault rifles.

3. Scopes/Optics — Vital on long-range weapons like Ferro, Osprey, and Renegade.

4. Suppressors — Useful on secondary weapons for stealth or ambush approaches.

Higher weapon levels and attachments make substantial performance differences; always upgrade and tailor mods to your expected engagement distances.

Closing Guidance

• Adapt to team role: Long-range specialists benefit from snipers, while aggressive frontliners prioritize high fire-rate weapons.

• Balance ammo types: Ensure you carry reserves for heavy, medium, and light ammo based on selected weapons.

• Experiment: Meta lists are guides; personal comfort and accuracy often outweigh raw tier placement.

By the way, if you need to gain a greater advantage, you'll need to prepare ample resources such as ARC Raiders Items and ARC Raiders Coins to help you quickly establish an advantage during your expedition.

MMOexp ARC Raiders Team