While solo play is possible, this game truly shines when played with a coordinated squad. The synergy between different classes and weapons can turn a desperate battle into a calculated slaughter. This article focuses on advanced combat tactics and squad composition to help you dominate the battlefield against both machines and humans.
Communication and role definition are the pillars of a successful team. If everyone is running around doing their own thing, you will be picked off one by one. You need to move as a unit, cover each other's angles, and combine your abilities to overcome the overwhelming odds of the surface.
Mastering Squad Dynamics
A balanced squad is a winning squad. You ideally want a mix of long-range support, close-quarters aggression, and utility. Having one player dedicated to carrying heavy weapons for anti-ARC duties while the others focus on anti-personnel combat is a solid baseline strategy. Discuss your loadouts in the lobby before launching.
The leader should call the shots. This prevents hesitation during critical moments. Whether it is deciding which loot location to hit or when to retreat from a lost fight, having a designated shot-caller keeps the team focused. Trust your leader, even if the plan is risky; hesitation kills faster than bad plans.
Role Assignment in Combat
The "Pointman" leads the formation, checking corners and engaging threats first. They should have high mobility and close-range weapons. The "Support" stays in the middle, providing ammo, healing, and covering fire. The "Rear Guard" watches the back, ensuring no enemy squads sneak up on you while you are distracted.
Switching roles on the fly is sometimes necessary. If your Pointman goes down, the Support needs to step up to hold the line while the Rear Guard goes for the revive. Flexibility is key. understanding the strengths and weaknesses of every squad member allows you to adapt to the chaos of battle.
Communication is Key
Voice chat is essential. Call out enemy locations using compass bearings (e.g., "Enemy squad, North 340, behind the red truck"). Vague callouts like "over there" are useless and lead to confusion. Be precise and concise. Clear comms allow your team to focus fire and delete threats instantly.
Ping systems are also powerful. Use the in-game ping to mark loot, enemies, and waypoints. A visual marker combined with a voice callout is the most effective way to share information. Even if you are not on voice chat, using the ping system is mandatory for good teamwork.
Squad Composition Tips
The Tank: Heavy armor and LMG to draw aggro from machines.
The Medic: Revive speed boost and healing gadgets are vital.
The Scout: Sniper rifle and sensors to gather intel.
The Grenadier: Explosives to clear buildings and destroy walkers.
The Ghost: Silenced weapons for flanking maneuvers.
Engaging the ARC Threat
The machines are not mindless zombies; they have specific behaviors and weaknesses. Shooting a drone in the chassis does little damage. You must aim for the glowing red optical sensors or the heat vents on their backs. Precision is rewarded with critical damage numbers and faster kills.
Environmental destruction can be used to your advantage. Many structures in the game are destructible. You can blow up a wall to create a new line of sight or collapse a ceiling onto a group of enemies. Use the physics engine to create chaos and opportunities.
Weak Points and Armor
Heavily armored ARC units require "stripping." You need to use explosives or high-caliber rounds to break off their armor plates before you can damage their internal components. Coordinate with your squad: one person strips the armor, and the others pour fire into the exposed weak point.
Flying drones are a nuisance. They often repair other machines or call in reinforcements. Prioritize taking out the support drones first. If you leave them alive, they will undo all the damage you deal to the larger units, wasting your precious ammunition and time.
Using Environmental Hazards
The world itself is dangerous. Explosive barrels, electrical hazards, and unstable structures are scattered everywhere. Luring a squad of enemy players or a giant ARC machine near a cluster of explosive barrels can end a fight instantly. Be aware of your surroundings and use traps.
Be careful of the "ARC Storms." These dynamic weather events reduce visibility and spawn dangerous lightning anomalies. However, they also mask your movement. Using a storm to rotate or extract can cover your retreat, provided you don't get struck by lightning yourself.
Combat Rules of Engagement
Focus Fire: Everyone shoots the same target to kill it fast.
High Ground: Always fight from an elevated position.
Don't Bunch Up: Spread out to avoid grenade wipes.
Secure Kills: Confirm kills on players so they can't be revived.
Retreat: Know when a fight is lost and run away.
Conclusion on Squad Play
Winning as a squad feels incredible. The tactical depth of this game is what keeps players coming back. Master your role, communicate effectively, and learn the enemy patterns. This ARC Raiders walkthrough has given you the tactical blueprint; now you must execute it in the field.
However, technical glitches can break up the best teams. If you or a squadmate cannot boot the game, it ruins the night. Refer to our dedicated troubleshooting guide for an ARC Raiders not launching fix to ensure your whole squad is ready to drop together.
