ARC Raiders is one of those games that can hook you fast, but if we’re being honest, it can chew you up just as quickly. It’s not just the ARC bots chasing you down – it’s the other players lurking around for a shot at your loot. That constant risk of being jumped mid-run keeps you on edge. Early on, you might be focused on figuring out the basics, but then you realise you’re dying more to human opponents than to the AI. That’s where the frustration kicks in. If you want to turn things around and actually make it to extraction with a full haul of ARC Raiders Items, the way you handle these encounters needs to change, big time.

Back when the game first launched there was this kind of unwritten trust. Seeing another squad didn’t always mean trouble – sometimes you’d throw in together to tackle a big mech and split whatever dropped. It felt good, and that’s part of what made those early matches so memorable. But that vibe has mostly gone now. Things have shifted hard into a more hostile style of play. You still might bump into someone who’s friendly, but the odds aren’t great. I’ve learned the hard way that assuming cooperation just sets you up for a fast trip back to the respawn screen.

One of the biggest trip-ups is being too slow to react. You see somebody and think, “Maybe they’re cool,” and you wave or hit an emote. In the seconds it takes to do that, they’ve already got a bead on you. In the current state of ARC Raiders, hesitation gets you dropped. Most people you meet will shoot on sight. It’s not personal – they just want your stash and they don’t care how. Once you accept that, you start making quicker decisions and stop giving strangers the benefit of the doubt.

The smartest adjustment you can make is flipping your approach: aim to control the fight before it starts. Soon as you hear steps or catch sight of movement, move into cover, angle yourself for advantage, and be ready to pull the trigger. Getting the first shot off – and ideally the first hit – usually decides who walks away. It’s not about playing dirty; it’s about surviving in a space where mercy is rare. Adopting that mindset changes you from prey to predator out there.

It might feel harsh if you’ve got that old-school co-op spirit, but the reality is this version of ARC Raiders rewards decisiveness over diplomacy. Play with intent, keep your eyes open, and never give away your position until you’re ready to strike. Once you start stacking a few successful runs and making it out loaded with ARC Raiders gear, you’ll see why this shift is worth it.Upgrade your ARC Raiders loadout instantly with powerful items from u4gm.com, delivered fast and always secure.