ARC Raiders gives you full freedom to create your own Raider, build their abilities, and shape their role in the field. In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about ARC Raiders characters—from the creation process to the types of builds and skills you can develop along the way.
How Character Creation Works in ARC Raiders
When you start the game for the first time, you’ll enter the character creation screen. Unlike traditional RPGs with complicated stat allocation, ARC Raiders focuses mainly on visual identity at the beginning, while your stats and performance are determined later through the gear you equip. Here’s how the process works:
Body Type Selection
You begin by choosing your character’s body type. ARC Raiders offers several preset builds, ranging from muscular frames to slimmer silhouettes.
Important note: In the current versions of the game, body type is purely cosmetic. It does not affect hitboxes, movement speed, or combat performance. All gameplay-impacting stats come from armor and gear you equip later.
Face Customization
Once the body is chosen, you move on to facial customization. You can adjust:
- Skin tone and texture
- Eye shape and color
- Hairstyles and futuristic hair colors
- Scars and tattoos to give your Raider a more battle-hardened look
Starting Outfit
Finally, you choose your Raider’s starting outfit. ARC Raiders is built around scavenging and upgrading gear, so you will replace your outfit frequently as you gather better armor and loot.
ARC Raiders Characters: Classes Explained
Here’s the most important thing many players misunderstand: ARC Raiders does not use traditional fixed RPG classes (like Medic, Sniper, or Tank). You don’t choose a class during character creation.
Your “class” in ARC Raiders is determined entirely by your loadout—what armor, weapons, and gadgets you bring into the mission.
Based on community playstyles and build recommendations, ARC Raiders characters generally fall into three customizable roles:
Heavy / Tank Build
- Focuses on heavy armor that provides high protection
- Carries LMGs, heavy rifles, or grenade launchers
- Ideal for drawing ARC aggression and shielding the team
Skirmisher / Scout Build
- Uses light armor for maximum movement speed
- Relies on snipers or quick-fire sidearms
- Suited for scouting, looting, and fast hit-and-run situations
Support / Tactician Build
- Uses gadgets designed for healing, detection, or team utility
- Blends defense and offense
- Perfect for helping the squad stay alive and organized
How to Choose the Build That Fits You
Since ARC Raiders lets you build your own class, the ideal setup depends on how you plan to play and what your mission objective is.
Solo Players
If you’re playing alone, a balanced stealth-leaning build is recommended. Equip gadgets that help with escape such as the Grappling Hook, and pick silenced weapons to avoid triggering large ARC packs or enemy players.
Squad Players
Teams should divide roles to avoid overlapping responsibilities:
- A defensive player focused on shields
- A high-damage teammate (DPS)
- A support Raider with revives and utility
Mission Goals
- Boss fights or large ARC battles: go heavy
- Quick in-and-out resource runs: use a light, high-stamina build
- Exploration and scouting: prioritize mobility tools and recon gadgets
ARC Raiders Skills and Gadgets Explained
Skills in ARC Raiders are not magical abilities. They are gadgets and pieces of technology that you equip before missions. Based on early meta analysis and tier lists, they fall into several main categories.
1. Mobility Gadgets
Movement tools are essential for survival in open environments:
- Grapple Hook: the most important mobility tool. Helps you reach rooftops, reposition quickly, or escape danger.
- Jump Pad: launches you and your teammates upward, great for flanking or aerial escapes.
- Zip Line: creates quick travel routes between structures.
2. Defense and Support Gadgets
- Revive Gun: often rated S-Tier. Lets you revive teammates from a distance without exposing yourself.
- Particle Shield: creates a temporary barrier that blocks ARC and enemy fire.
- Guardian Turret: deploys an auto-firing turret that protects your position while looting.
3. Offensive Gadgets
- Grenade Launchers: strong area-of-effect damage
- EMP Grenades: disable ARC machines temporarily and are crucial against tougher enemies
Tip: Don’t fill all your gadget slots with offensive gear. Balance mobility, defense, and firepower for a reliable build.
Can You Respec or Change Skills?
Yes—completely and freely.
ARC Raiders characters are extremely flexible. Since your skills come from your equipment, you can rebuild your entire playstyle simply by returning to the Hub and changing your loadout.
As you explore, complete raids, and gather resources, you’ll unlock and purchase more gadgets from vendors. Once unlocked, you can equip or remove them anytime.
The game actively encourages you to test different gadgets. If an aggressive strategy fails, you can switch to a supportive role next match without creating a new character.
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