In ARC Raiders, most of the time, as long as you don't actively attack others, you can enter a good PvE lobby. The players there are generally friendly, either there to loot or to attack ARC, and generally won't attack other players.
However, there are always some malicious players - they will sneak up on you from behind when you're not looking, stealing your items and loot, severely disrupting the originally friendly atmosphere of PvE lobby. These players have a well-known nickname among the player community: Rats.
This guide will explain how to accurately identify these malicious players in PvE rooms and effectively avoid their attacks.
Appearance Mechanism
In the game's matchmaking system, the combat environment a player is placed in is not completely random, but dynamically determined by a mechanism based on aggression and damage output. Some malicious players exploit this mechanism to enter friendly rooms.
Low Damage or Frequent Deaths Lead to Demotion
Even those who intentionally try to participate in PvP, if they are frequently killed and deal very little damage, the system will determine them as low-threat and match them in PvE rooms.
Deliberate Downgrading Strategy
Some players who aren't skilled in PvP can't obtain the loot they want in their designated PvP rooms. Therefore, they exploit loopholes in the matchmaking system - by resetting matchmaking or refraining from attacking others for extended periods - to artificially lower their aggression rating, thus being placed in lower-level rooms. In these rooms, they can easily acquire equipment and bring it back to their original tier.
Due to this mechanism, the majority of players appearing in friendly rooms who appear to be skilled players or who have deliberately downgraded are poor shooters and lack the ability to control the pace of combat. Even if they launch a preemptive strike, they often fail to win due to their lack of skill.
Furthermore, a large proportion of these players use free ARC Raiders Items, such as Stitcher, Rattler, and Kettle, because they either can't enter the actual PvP lobby or are forced to rely on basic equipment.
Identification Techniques
In PvE rooms, the first and most likely items you'll find in drawers are Stitcher, Ratler, and Kettle. However, the recent ARC Raiders update nerfed the Stitcher and Kettle while buffing Rattler. Therefore, if a malicious player appears, they're highly likely to be carrying a Rattler, which can be one way to identify them.
Also, trust your spider-sense - if someone slowly approaches you without warning or responding, first check if they've drawn a weapon, especially Stitcher. Next, observe your surroundings and look for nearby cover or a quick escape route.
If you confirm the opponent is a Rat and they attack you, don't panic. They don't carry their own magazines, so they won't have much ammo. Also, Stitcher has a long reload time. After finding cover, don't heal yourself first; instead, use the reload time to counterattack.
In another scenario, if you have no cover nearby, sprint and dodge in any direction. This makes it difficult for the enemy to pinpoint your location and kill you instantly. Most malicious players are not very skilled, so you can simply dodge first and observe how many bullets they waste, then counterattack when they need to reload.
Avoid Being Ambushed
To more effectively avoid being ambushed, you need to shift from passive defense to proactive anticipation. Never turn your back to any other player for an extended period, and closely observe for suspicious actions such as sudden pauses, weapon switching, or unusual turns - these are all precursors to attack.
Before entering the battlefield, mark a low-risk evacuation elevator on the map and plan at least two escape routes for different areas. This could save your life in a critical moment. Ziplines are one of the safest and fastest means of movement in the game. When you find yourself being chased, use the zipline to create distance or switch to the other side of the map.
After calling the elevator, you will have a two-minute wait. Don't rush in during this time - first hide behind nearby safe cover and wait until the last few seconds before rushing in. If you are unfortunately attacked by other players during your evacuation, try using the patrolling ARC mechanical units in the environment. Shoot or lure them into engaging in combat, creating chaos and strive for a chance to escape.
Advanced Stealth Techniques
In PvE lobby of ARC Raiders, advanced stealth hinges on comprehensive control of sound, light, and environmental interactions.
First, always treat footsteps as the most direct source of intelligence - move slowly and stealthily, avoiding unnecessary running, recklessly crashing into doors, or stepping on broken glass. These details act like alarm bells in a highly sensitive audio system.
Second, when encountering sloping terrain, utilize the sliding maneuver. This allows you to descend quickly and silently without consuming precious stamina.
Light management is equally crucial: in dark areas, avoid using flashlights unless absolutely necessary. The beam of light will easily reveal your location, attracting unwanted attention.
Finally, always avoid conflict zones where ARC units are located, as the gunfire from engaging them will attract other players like a magnet. Be especially wary of the scanning capabilities of ARC units like Snitch. Once locked on, your location information may indirectly fall into the hands of Rats.
Equipment
In the early stages of ARC Raiders, you can use the free equipment provided by the system. Even if you die, you won't lose any resources, allowing you to easily familiarize yourself with the map layout, enemy spawn points, and extraction routes – the safest and most efficient way to learn.
In the later stages of the game, when you re-enter PVE mode, you can selectively bring in some necessary high-level ARC Raiders Items, such as Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) and Surge Coil.
Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) provides a versatile pocket that allows you to take high-value loot found during a match out of the game without being stolen by malicious players, including your weapons.
Surge Coil is a very useful trap. Placing it around you will shock and briefly stun any ARCs that approach, as well as any malicious players trying to ambush you from behind.
The crafting blueprints for Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) and Surge Coil are extremely rare. Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) has a chance to drop from Stella Montis Night Raid or Blue Gate; while Surge Coil must be found in matches with Electromagnetic Storm map active.
As everyone knows, matches with Electromagnetic Storm map are incredibly dangerous. You not only need to be wary of groups of ARCs patrolling nearby, but also of enemy players looking for Surge Coil Blueprint.
Therefore, if you prefer PvE mode and are a less skilled player who isn't good at combat, you can choose to buy ARC Raiders Surge Coil Blueprint from EZG.com. EZG.com guarantees to place it in your inventory at the best price and with the safest and fastest service.
Skill Tree
For ARC Raiders, prioritize skills that directly improve mobility and looting efficiency, such as Marathon Runner or Youthful Lungs. These skills significantly extend your sprint time or increase movement speed, making them extremely useful for quickly traversing open areas or escaping pursuit.
Looter's Instincts speeds up the looting of containers and items, reducing your time exposed. Remember, every second you stay put increases the risk of being targeted by malicious players.
Teamwork
Creating a safe environment relies not only on individual skill but also on proper teamwork and mindset management. Before matchmaking, try to form a fixed squad with like-minded teammates, adhering to a pacifist approach. This effectively increases the chances of the system sending you to a cooperative PvE lobby.
Furthermore, once you've completed your objective, immediately retreat; don't risk fighting for extra chests or corpses. After each match, make it a habit to submit feedback.
If you encounter malicious players ambushing you during a match, you can select negative feedback on the review screen and specify that you encountered malicious PvP. Although this hasn't been officially confirmed, numerous player experiences suggest that this helps speed up the matchmaking process.
In short, avoiding malicious players and PvP risks in ARC Raiders' PvE lobby isn't about luck or coincidence, but rather a comprehensive strategy based on a deep understanding of the game's underlying rules. May these tips help you achieve victory in PvE mode and prevent you from being harassed by malicious players.
