The Best Resources to Always Track in ARC Raiders

Welcome to Gaming News, your definitive guide to navigating the dynamic world of ARC Raiders. In the thrilling, post-apocalyptic landscape of ARC Raiders, understanding and efficiently managing your resources is not just an advantage, it’s the cornerstone of survival and victory. As you venture into the alien-infested territories, engaging in intense firefights and undertaking perilous missions, the ability to consistently track and acquire the most crucial resources will dictate your success. This comprehensive article delves deep into the essential resources you must always monitor, from the earliest moments of your Raiders’ journey through the early game, the crucial mid-game power spikes, and the demanding endgame where every advantage counts. We will explore not only what to look for but also why these resources are paramount and the optimal strategies for their acquisition and utilization.

Understanding the Resource Ecosystem in ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders presents a unique ecosystem where resource management is intrinsically linked to combat prowess, crafting capabilities, and overall mission effectiveness. The alien threat, known as the Evolver, is relentless, and their presence often dictates the availability and scarcity of vital materials. Resources in ARC Raiders can be broadly categorized into crafting components, consumables, and specialized materials. Each category plays a distinct role, and mastering their flow is key to outmaneuvering your opponents and achieving victory.

Core Crafting Components: The Building Blocks of Survival

These are the fundamental elements that form the backbone of your equipment and upgrades. Without a steady supply of these, your ability to adapt and overcome the escalating challenges will be severely hampered.

Scrap Metal: The Universal Foundation

Scrap Metal is arguably the most abundant and universally useful crafting component in ARC Raiders. It’s the initial material you’ll encounter and will continue to be a staple throughout your entire playthrough.

• Early Game Significance: In the early stages, Scrap Metal is crucial for repairing basic armor, crafting your first few weapon attachments, and fabricating essential utility items like medkits. Prioritizing the collection of Scrap Metal from downed enemies, destroyed environmental objects, and supply caches will allow you to maintain a baseline level of combat readiness. Even simple actions like upgrading a helmet or chest piece with Scrap Metal can provide a noticeable survivability boost.
• Mid Game Utilization: As you progress into the mid-game, Scrap Metal remains indispensable. It’s required for more advanced weapon modifications, including scopes, improved magazines, and specialized stocks that drastically alter weapon performance. Furthermore, you’ll need Scrap Metal for crafting higher-tier armor sets, offering enhanced protection against various alien types and environmental hazards. The ability to quickly craft and repair gear in the heat of battle often hinges on having a readily available stockpile of Scrap Metal.
• Endgame Demands: Even in the endgame, Scrap Metal doesn’t lose its relevance. While you might be focusing on rarer materials, Scrap Metal is still needed for the final upgrades and repairs of your most powerful gear. It’s the material that allows you to maintain your arsenal at peak performance for prolonged engagements and challenging endgame missions where enemy attrition is high. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to gather Scrap Metal, as you can never have too much.

Electronic Components: Powering Your Arsenal

Electronic Components are vital for the sophistication and functionality of your gear, particularly your weapons and specialized gadgets.

• Early Game Focus: In the early game, securing Electronic Components allows you to craft basic weapon sights, ammo rechargers, and rudimentary utility modules. These components can significantly improve your accuracy and your sustained firepower, giving you an edge against the initial wave of weaker alien lifeforms. Look for them in lockers, fallen drones, and within the wreckage of abandoned facilities.
• Mid Game Advancements: The mid-game sees Electronic Components becoming increasingly important for weapon customization. They are essential for crafting advanced targeting systems, electronic countermeasures, and specialized firing modes that can exploit enemy weaknesses. Furthermore, these components are often required for crafting support equipment like deployable shields or tactical scanners. A well-equipped Raider in the mid-game relies heavily on the functionality provided by well-crafted electronic modules.
• Endgame Refinement: For endgame content, Electronic Components are critical for unlocking the full potential of your weapons and gear. This includes high-precision aiming modules, overclocking circuits for temporary combat boosts, and advanced defensive systems. The difference between surviving a critical encounter and succumbing to overwhelming odds can often be attributed to the presence of these sophisticated electronic enhancements. Their scarcity in the endgame necessitates a proactive approach to their collection.

Polymers and Plastics: The Versatile Backbone

Polymers and Plastics are fundamental for creating durable yet lightweight components, essential for both offensive and defensive equipment.

• Early Game Utility: At the outset, Polymers and Plastics are used in the fabrication of lighter armor plating, grenade casings, and basic tool upgrades. These materials offer a good balance of durability and weight, allowing for more agile movement while still providing a decent level of protection. You’ll find them in various containers and fallen structures.
• Mid Game Construction: As the mid-game unfolds, Polymers and Plastics become crucial for crafting medium-tier armor sets, specialized ammo types (like incendiary or armor-piercing rounds), and upgrade modules for your suit’s systems. Their versatility allows for a wide range of applications, from reinforcing your personal defenses to enhancing the effectiveness of your offensive capabilities.
• Endgame Durability: In the endgame, while rarer materials take center stage, Polymers and Plastics are still needed for reinforcing critical armor sections, crafting high-capacity magazines, and manufacturing specialized deployable equipment. Their widespread use means they are a constant requirement for maintaining your gear and ensuring you are prepared for any contingency.

Consumables: The Immediate Boost to Survival

These are items that provide instantaneous benefits in the heat of battle or during critical moments of exploration. Their availability and judicious use can be the difference between life and death.

Medical Supplies (Medkits): The Lifeline

Medical Supplies, commonly found in the form of Medkits, are your primary means of healing. Their importance cannot be overstated.

• Early Game Necessity: In the early game, Medkits are your lifeline. You’ll be taking damage frequently from skirmishes with basic alien units and environmental hazards. Having a few Medkits on hand allows you to recover from minor injuries and continue your exploration without being forced to retreat. Prioritize looting any Medkits you come across.
• Mid Game Resilience: The mid-game introduces more challenging encounters with tougher enemies and larger swarms. Medkits become essential for maintaining your combat effectiveness through prolonged firefights. Being able to quickly heal after taking significant damage allows you to stay in the fight and support your squad. They are also crucial for recovering from fall damage or other environmental threats.
• Endgame Survival: For endgame missions, Medkits are absolutely critical. These missions often involve sustained combat, high enemy density, and difficult objectives. A well-stocked inventory of Medkits is essential for the entire squad to survive and complete these demanding challenges. Efficient use of Medkits is as important as having them. Don’t be afraid to use one when you’re in a tight spot; it’s better than being incapacitated.

Ammo Packs: Sustaining Firepower

Ammo Packs are vital for keeping your weapons loaded and ready to engage the enemy. Running out of ammunition in a critical moment is a recipe for disaster.

• Early Game Assurance: In the early game, having Ammo Packs ensures you can engage the limited number of enemies without worrying about conserving every shot. This allows you to practice your aim and familiarize yourself with different weapon types. Looting Ammo Packs from fallen enemies and supply points is a fundamental early game practice.
• Mid Game Sustenance: As you face larger enemy patrols and more frequent combat, Ammo Packs become crucial for sustained offensive operations. You’ll be expending more ammunition engaging tougher foes, and without replenishment, your combat effectiveness will plummet. Keeping your primary and secondary weapons well-fed with Ammo Packs is paramount.
• Endgame Necessity: The endgame often features prolonged and intense combat scenarios where ammunition management is a key strategic element. Having ample Ammo Packs allows you to unleash sustained barrages on powerful enemies and clear objectives efficiently. Prioritizing the acquisition of Ammo Packs for your preferred weapon types is a smart tactical decision in the endgame.

Grenades and Explosives: Area Denial and Crowd Control

Grenades and Explosives offer tactical advantages, allowing for area denial, crowd control, and the effective elimination of clustered enemies.

• Early Game Tactical Edge: In the early game, grenades can be used to clear out small groups of enemies or flush them out from cover, providing a tactical edge without expending significant ammunition. They are also effective for dealing with environmental hazards that might block your path.
• Mid Game Battlefield Dominance: The mid-game introduces more densely packed enemy formations. Grenades and explosive charges become indispensable for controlling the battlefield, dealing significant damage to groups of enemies, and breaking through defensive lines. Crafting various types of grenades (frag, EMP, incendiary) can offer unique tactical solutions.
• Endgame Strategic Impact: In the endgame, grenades and explosives are critical for dealing with large waves of powerful enemies, destroying fortified positions, and creating openings for your team. Their ability to inflict area-of-effect damage makes them invaluable for managing overwhelming odds and achieving mission objectives that require significant firepower. Always ensure you have a good stock for intense engagements.

Specialized and Rare Materials: The Endgame Catalysts

These are the high-value resources that unlock the most potent upgrades, powerful weapons, and essential endgame equipment. Their acquisition often requires completing more challenging objectives or exploring more dangerous areas.

Alien Alloys: Forging Superior Gear

Alien Alloys are the premium crafting materials derived from defeated elite enemies or found in hazardous, high-tier zones.

• Mid Game Aspirations: While primarily an endgame material, the mid-game is when you should start actively seeking out sources of Alien Alloys. Completing challenging optional objectives or venturing into slightly more dangerous areas might reward you with these rare components. Their presence signals the path towards significant power upgrades.
• Endgame Essential: In the endgame, Alien Alloys are absolutely critical for crafting the highest-tier armor sets, legendary weapon modifications, and unique utility items. These materials provide superior stats, unique properties, and the ability to withstand the most formidable alien threats. Actively farming for Alien Alloys from elite enemies and designated resource nodes in high-level zones is a primary objective for endgame progression.

Data Cores and Schematics: Unlocking New Technologies

Data Cores and Schematics are the keys to unlocking new crafting recipes, blueprints, and technological advancements.

• Early Game Discovery: In the early game, you might stumble upon basic schematics that unlock new weapon attachments or armor pieces. These discoveries are crucial for expanding your crafting options and improving your gear. Always check any interactive terminals or fallen data units.
• Mid Game Expansion: The mid-game requires more advanced schematics to craft specialized equipment and powerful weapon mods. Discovering Data Cores from challenging enemies or within hidden caches allows you to unlock access to these crucial blueprints, enabling further specialization and combat effectiveness.
• Endgame Innovation: For the endgame, Data Cores and Schematics are vital for unlocking the most advanced technologies, including unique weapon blueprints, experimental armor sets, and game-changing utility modules. These are often found in highly guarded locations or dropped by the most powerful bosses, making their acquisition a significant undertaking that directly impacts your endgame power ceiling.

Energy Cells: Powering Advanced Equipment

Energy Cells are a more specialized resource, often required to power advanced weapons, deployable devices, or suit abilities.

• Mid Game Specialization: In the mid-game, you might begin to utilize weapons or gadgets that require Energy Cells to function. Finding and conserving these cells becomes important for deploying your most powerful tools effectively during critical moments.
• Endgame High-Tech: The endgame heavily relies on Energy Cells for powering advanced weapon systems, experimental gadgets, and ultimate suit abilities. These powerful tools can turn the tide of battle, but their effectiveness is directly tied to your supply of Energy Cells. Farming specific zones or completing certain missions might be necessary to ensure a consistent supply.

Strategic Resource Acquisition: Where to Find What You Need

Knowing what to track is only half the battle. Understanding where and how to acquire these resources efficiently is paramount to consistent success in ARC Raiders.

Looting and Scavenging: The Foundation of Resource Gathering

The most direct method of resource acquisition is through looting and scavenging. This involves:

• Environmental Interaction: Thoroughly exploring abandoned structures, wrecked vehicles, and overturned supply crates. These often contain Scrap Metal, Electronic Components, Polymers, Ammo Packs, and sometimes even Medkits.
• Defeated Enemies: A significant portion of your resources will come from the fallen bodies of the Evolver. Different enemy types might drop specific components, so understanding their loot tables can be beneficial. Elite enemies are more likely to drop rare materials.
• Supply Caches and Lockers: These are designated points of interest that usually offer a guaranteed amount of useful resources. Prioritize opening them, especially when you are in need of specific items.

Mission Rewards and Objectives: Earning Your Supplies

Completing missions and achieving objectives often comes with valuable resource rewards.

• Primary Mission Completion: Successfully completing main story missions or critical side quests will often grant significant resource caches, including rare materials and high quantities of common components.
• Secondary Objectives and Challenges: Don’t overlook the secondary objectives within missions. Completing these can yield bonus resource rewards, providing a significant boost to your inventory.
• Public Events and Activities: In shared-world elements of ARC Raiders, participating in public events or dynamic activities can offer unique resource drops or bonuses upon completion.

Trading and Crafting: Maximizing Your Inventory

While not always a direct acquisition method, trading and crafting play a crucial role in resource management.

• Vendor Systems (If Applicable): If ARC Raiders features any form of vendor or trading system, utilize it to exchange surplus resources for items you desperately need. Be mindful of fluctuating prices and availability.
• Crafting for Necessity: Sometimes, the best way to acquire a needed item is to craft it yourself, provided you have the necessary components. This is especially true for Medkits and Ammo Packs. Prioritize crafting these consumables when your stock is low.
• Deconstructing Unwanted Gear: If you acquire duplicate or undesirable gear, deconstructing it can often yield valuable crafting components, including Scrap Metal, Polymers, and occasionally even Electronic Components. This is an excellent way to recycle unwanted items into useful materials.

Tracking Resources for Every Game Stage

A proactive approach to resource management is crucial. Here’s how to adapt your tracking strategy for each phase of your ARC Raiders experience:

Early Game: Establishing a Foundation

In the early game, the focus is on survival and basic progression.

• Primary Focus: Scrap Metal, Electronic Components, and Medkits.
• Secondary Focus: Polymers, basic Ammo Packs.
• Strategy: Prioritize looting everything. Don’t be overly selective. Every bit of Scrap Metal helps in repairing your initial gear. Ensure you always have at least 2-3 Medkits on hand. Conserve ammunition where possible by utilizing melee or environmental hazards.

Mid Game: Powering Up and Specializing

The mid-game is about enhancing your combat effectiveness and exploring more challenging content.

• Primary Focus: Advanced Electronic Components, Polymers, specialized Ammo types, and any available Alien Alloys or Schematics.
• Secondary Focus: A healthy stock of Medkits and standard Ammo Packs, Grenades.
• Strategy: Begin actively seeking out higher-tier loot zones. Complete optional objectives that reward rare materials. Start experimenting with weapon modifications that require more advanced components. Don’t neglect your consumable stock, as fights become more demanding.

Endgame: Dominating the Battlefield

The endgame is where you leverage your accumulated knowledge and resources to face the ultimate challenges.

• Primary Focus: Alien Alloys, rare Schematics, Energy Cells, high-tier Consumables (overcharged Medkits, specialized grenades).
• Secondary Focus: Maintaining a robust supply of Scrap Metal and Electronic Components for repairs and basic upgrades, advanced Ammo types.
• Strategy: Focus on farming specific high-level areas for Alien Alloys and rare schematics. Optimize your gear with the best possible upgrades. Conserve powerful abilities that require Energy Cells for critical moments. Coordinate with your team for resource sharing and strategic scavenging runs.

Conclusion: The Everlasting Pursuit of Resources

In ARC Raiders, the pursuit of resources is a continuous and vital endeavor. From the initial moments of survival to the climactic endgame confrontations, understanding which materials to prioritize, where to find them, and how to best utilize them is the definitive path to success. By diligently tracking your Scrap Metal, Electronic Components, Polymers, Medical Supplies, Ammo Packs, and the increasingly crucial Alien Alloys and Schematics, you will not only survive the alien onslaught but thrive within it. Equip yourself with this knowledge, maintain a vigilant approach to resource management, and you will be well on your way to becoming a legendary Raider. Gaming News is committed to providing you with the insights needed to conquer any challenge. Keep exploring, keep scavenging, and keep adapting – your survival depends on it.