ARC Raiders Augments Guide: Which One is The Strongest in Raid?
Augments are the core of raider gear in ARC Raiders, directly impacting a player's performance in every raid. They determine how much you can carry on the raid battlefield, how long you can survive in combat, and whether you can successfully extract.
Besides Free Loadout Augments, there are 12 available Augments in ARC Raiders. Their main purpose is to increase a player's carry capacity, weight limit, and shield compatibility.
ARC Raiders groups these Augments by color and tier, and each enhancement has different effects. I will briefly introduce them and select the three I believe are the strongest in the game.
Augments MK. 3 (Purple)
Augments MK. 3 offers 6 types of Augments, differentiated by different attributes: Looting, Combat, and Tactical. These Augments provide different buffs to raiders.
Looting Mk. 3
First, let's look at Looting Augments. For cautious players, the biggest advantage of Looting Augments is their 24 inventory slots, the most of all Augments. This prominent feature might be what makes Looting Augments slightly inferior in other aspects.
Looting Mk. 3 includes Cautious and Survivor. Objectively speaking, Survivor is stronger because it trades four extra inventory slots for better attributes in other areas. Most importantly, Cautious can only use Light Shields, not Medium Shields, making it weaker defensively.
Unless you want to bring back as many ARC Raiders items as possible during raids, if you're undecided between Cautious and Survivor, I strongly recommend Survivor. Its most powerful ability is that when you're knocked down by an attack, your health not only doesn't decrease but actually recovers, up to 75%.
This means you can remain downed and wait for your teammates to revive you. Even if you're a solo player, you can use this Augment to ensure safety; if you're downed, you can crawl to the extraction point and escape quickly.
Overall, the main advantage of Looting Augments is that you can take a large amount of loot.
Combat Mk. 3
Combat Mk. 3 includes Aggressive and Flanking. These two Augments have completely different styles. Flanking focuses more on light armor and practicality, while Aggressive is more geared towards direct PvP.
Flanking and Survivor are very similar in function, except that the weight limit and shield selection are significantly reduced, replaced by greater practicality. Its passive skill effect is also limited, as it requires you to use specific weapons to obtain the buff.
Aggressive's biggest advantage is that it can equip Medium or Heavy Shields; aside from this, it's relatively average in other aspects. If you plan to actively participate in PvP or PvE combat rather than quietly scavenging for supplies, then Aggressive is definitely worth considering.
Tactical Mk. 3
Tactical Mk. 3 includes Defensive and Healing. These two Augments serve drastically different purposes compared to Looting Augments.
Firstly, Defensive is the only Augment MK. 3 item besides Aggressive that can equip Heavy Shields. Its primary function is to provide defensive capabilities for the raider. Its passive effect allows the shield to recharge while sprinting, which is very useful for retreating or repositioning, but its practicality is limited in actual raids.
As for Healing, it's my favorite Augment besides Survivor. Although it has the lowest weight limit and backpack slots among the purple Augments, it has three safe pockets and can equip Medium Shields.
Furthermore, it offers players the best options for simultaneously equipping medicine, support items, and grenades, and it's extremely practical and efficient in combat. While the passive skill is somewhat lackluster, it can be ignored.
Augments MK. 2 (Blue)
There are three types of Augments MK. 2: Looting Mk. 2, Combat Mk. 2, and Tactical Mk. 2. Combat Mk. 2 is the only Augment that can equip Heavy Shields, which is why many players choose it.
Tactical Mk. 2 can equip Medium Shields and has a passive skill: when your shield breaks, it releases a smoke grenade, making it very useful in PvP. However, it's more suitable for solo players because the smoke can somewhat affect your teammates' combat output.
However, I believe that Looting Mk. 2 is the best Augments MK. 2. Its two safe pockets, extra backpack space, and increased weight capacity are more valuable than anything else, making it suitable for players who like to loot extensively.
Augments MK. 1 (Green)
If your Augments are still at MK. 1 level, you should primarily use Looting Mk. 1, as it offers the largest backpack space and weight limit. At this stage, your goal should be to bring back as much loot as possible.
The only advantage of Combat Mk. 1 and Tactical Mk. 1 is their ability to equip Medium Shields, but they bring back very little loot. Therefore, you should focus on scavenging until you can craft higher-level Augments.
Strongest Augments
In ARC Raiders, while each Augment is different, I believe the three strongest are:
- Looting Mk. 3 (Survivor)
- Tactical Mk. 3 (Healing)
- Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive)
Survivor is undoubtedly the strongest among players, usable regardless of your raid target. Healing offers more options in the game and is very effective when carrying a large amount of gear. As for Aggressive, if you ever want to carry Heavy Shields, don't hesitate to choose it.
The above is information on all Augments in ARC Raiders, along with their characteristics. To provide you with a helpful reference, I've selected the three strongest Augments. I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your looting in the new patch!
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold & Material Farming | Stockpiling Resources before TBC Pre-Patch Launch
TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch will launch on January 13, 2026. With the launch date approaching and the end of Phase 6 of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary approaching, you need to prepare in advance to create a perfect start for TBC Classic Anniversary.
When your WoW 20th Anniversary Phase 6 ends, your server will automatically transition to The Burning Crusade version. If you are a dedicated WoW 20th Anniversary player, you can now farm enough resources in the game to make your TBC journey smoother.
Next, I will introduce the important reserve resources that can be farmed in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary and will be carried over to WoW TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch, and how to obtain them.
Gold farming locations
Gold is the most consumable resource in the game, and it is indispensable regardless of which version server you are on. Especially in The Burning Crusade, a normal flight costs 800 gold, while an epic flight costs a whopping 5000 gold. Therefore, your primary goal is to continuously farm WoW Classic 20th Anniversary gold.
Here are the most popular gold farming locations in WoW Classic 20th Phase 6:
1. Eastern Plaguelands (EPL)
As the most severely affected area in Plaguelands, Eastern Plaguelands offers players a substantial gold reward. You'll need to acquire the following here:
- Plaguebloom
- Black Lotus
- Rich Thorium
- Runecloth
- Scourgestones
You can exchange these items for enough gold through auctions or by trading.
2. Silithus
Silithus is one of the zerg-infested areas in southern Kalimdor. You can use Twilight Cultist sets here to summon Twilight Members, obtaining Abyssal Signet or Abyssal Crest, both profitable trade items.
If you're lucky, you might also find extra Rich Thorium and Black Lotus here, both top-tier core resources.
3. Winterspring
Winterspring is a frozen valley in northern Kalimdor. These are your primary farming targets here:
- Icecap herbs
- Winterfall mobs (Essence of Water)
- Rugged Leather from Frostsabers
Icecap herbs, in particular, are extremely valuable and in high demand, still useful even in the early stages of TBC.
4. Dire Maul Tribute Runs (DM North)
Dire Maul has three winged sections. Players level 55 and above are advised to visit this area, especially North wing, the location of the famous Tribute Runs.
If your character is a Mage, you can solo this; other classes are best suited for a five-person group. After completing Dire Maul Tribute Runs challenge, you will receive the following rewards:
- Gold
- Librams
- Ogre Tannin
- High-value BoEs
5. Swamp of Sorrows
Swamp of Sorrows is widely recognized as one of the best gold farming spots, as it is rich in Blindweed, Gromsblood, and Stonescale Eel, as well as other materials.
You can combine herbalism and fishing here for maximum profit, as the swamp is not only suitable for herb growth due to the sea seeping into the land, but also teeming with creatures.
Materials
Besides gold, you can also stockpile high-value items in WOW 20th. Some can be exchanged for gold, while others are equally useful in TBC Pre-Patch.
1. High-Grade Ores
The most valuable items are high-grade ores. They can be exchanged for a large amount of gold and are also important materials for crafting. You can focus on these ores:
- Thorium Ore
- Rich Thorium
- Arcane Crystal
- Dark Iron Bar
- Dark Iron Ore
Sources:
- BRD
- Winterspring
- Molten Core
- BWL
- BRD Bosses
- Dark Iron Dwarf
These are core resources for crafting high-end gear and pushing your professions. However, too many will take up inventory space. Therefore, you should stockpile only the resources most important to you based on your character's needs.
2. Top-Tier Herbs
Herbs are essential materials for crafting Flask.
- Plaguebloom
- Icecap
- Dreamfoil
- Mountain Silversage
- Golden Sansam
Winterspring and Felwood are important sources of these herbs in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary. If you are an Alchemy profession, farming large quantities of herbs is your top priority.
3. Cloth
Runecloth is the most worthwhile cloth to farm in the game for TBC. As a high-level cloth material, it has a wide range of uses, and its drop sources are relatively numerous:
- Scholomance: Dropped by Skeletal or Elite Undead;
- Stratholme: Dropped by Undead or Elite mobs;
- BRD: Focus on Elite mobs and bosses.
In these locations, you can not only obtain Runecloth but also gold, ores, and herbs, making resource acquisition highly efficient.
4. Rare Recipes
Rare recipes are typically used to craft high-end equipment and items, so even in TBC Anniversary, they are indispensable items that can enhance your class's strength.
The most important of these are Thorium Recipes and Dark Iron Recipes, which can be farmed simultaneously in Blackrock Depths (BRD).
Besides stockpiling sufficient resources, the skills, gear, and character attributes you acquire in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary will carry over to WoW Classic TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch.
However, be aware that there are still some differences between the two game versions. Therefore, you should focus on consumables that are still valuable in TBC, as you'll likely use them extensively at the start of the game.
For other items whose value has decreased, such as Black Lotus, it's best to sell them for gold before Pre-Patch goes live.
In short, to gain a significant resource advantage in Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary, act now!
ARC Raiders New Patch Preview: Weapon Balance Changes, Major Bug Fixes, and Community - Requested Features
Since its launch in October 2025, ARC Raiders has seen a steady increase in player retention, thanks to its unique game setting, innovative enemy design, and new technological elements that keep different players engaged.
Most importantly, the developers are willing to respect and listen to player feedback, continuously optimizing the game to make it better.
Recently, ARC Raiders revealed that a new patch is coming soon. Because the developers being on holiday, the new patch is expected to be released around January 6th.
In the last patch, the developers fixed some issues with Cold Snap and added some new features, making the game experience smoother for players. This time, the developers directly solicited ideas and opinions from players on their official social media and promised to investigate and make changes promptly.
Content Changes
In the latest revealed information, the game’s development team is researching weapons and their performance in the game. This includes balancing adjustments for Trigger 'Nade and some bug fixes for Kettle. In addition, the developers will also fix some bugs reported by players.
Weapon Nerfs
This news was released on the developers'official social media. Someone asked the community manager when weapon balancing would be improved, and the CM said that they are researching some weapon changes, especially significant nerfs to Trigger 'Nade and Kettle.
While many players who love these two weapons don’t want the developers to change them, I still think the game needs some new balance adjustments and meta changes. As we all know, the core gameplay of ARC Raiders is PvP, so weapon balance is especially important. Some balance adjustments will give the game a fresh feel.
Given this, I think that while the developers are nerfing weapons like Trigger 'Nade and Kettle, they should also provide some positive compensation for the auxiliary functions of these weapons to make them more competitive.
Speaking of which, if the developers could make some changes to Bobcat, giving it a larger magazine capacity and making it more practical, I believe no one would object. It would be even better if they could improve Stitcher or restore Hullcracker to its original state, making the entire game more fun.
Bug Fixes
Next, let’s look at some bugs that the developers are investigating and fixing. First, there’s a problem that has existed since the game’s release: Achievements and Trophies don’t pop up correctly after completing a mission or winning. Many players have reported that this problem exists on both PS and Xbox. This bug might have a lower priority compared to other bugs, which is why it hasn’t been fixed for so long. However, leaving it unresolved is quite frustrating for players. A community manager said they would work on fixing it and would release a game announcement as soon as it’s resolved.
Additionally, more than one player has reported a bug on Stella Montis map where a door next to a medium-sized auditorium triggers a bug that prevents the character from moving.
Another bug exists in a different location on Stella Montis; when players interact with a door, a box prevents the interaction, forcing players to pause the game and surrender. The CM responded to this, asking for the specific location and stating that they are investigating the issue.
The last bug is an annoying one that appeared after the recent update. Whether you’re crafting ARC Raiders items in the game or in the main menu, the quantity resets, regardless of the number you previously set; it always reverts to 1.
The developers are aware of these bugs and have informed players that they are currently investigating them. The issues are expected to be addressed in the next update.
Player Wishlist
Besides fixing bugs and making some balance adjustments to weapons, players also hope the developers will add some new items, such as Raider decoys that mimic humans, which could distract enemies and greatly increase players’ chances of escaping or ambushing.
In addition, some players hope the developers will create gloves that can search other players’ Safe Pockets, which would add to the game’s fun, although this might be a terrifying prospect for new players. After all, if even Safe Pocket isn’t safe, where can you be safe?
Besides basic bug fixes, I also hope to see the developers make some adjustments to the sound design in this update.
There are always some crackling and distortion issues in voice chat, which is very annoying.
And while the cool music in the game sounds exciting, it lacks distinction. You can’t tell if the explosion sounds are coming from above or below, or which building they’re coming from, which significantly detracts from the game experience. Hopefully, the developers will address this and fix it promptly.
Overall, ARC Raiders is a game that is constantly improving the player experience and continuously releasing new content. Although there are some shortcomings, with the developers’ continuous improvements, it’s a game worth spending a lot of time and effort on. The above is all the information ARC Raiders developers have revealed about the latest patch plans. However, these are just speculations and suggestions from players regarding the update, and the exact changes in the new patch are still unknown.
We hope the developers will take the players’ suggestions into account and provide us with a smoother and more perfect gaming experience.
World Of Warcraft 2026 Roadmap Guide: Midnight Expansion, MoP Classic Phases, TBC 20th Anniversary & BlizzCon
First of all, please allow me to congratulate all players on another year of enjoying the vast game world, especially those who have been exploring the various expansions of World of Warcraft Classic, including expansions such as Cataclysm, Season of Discovery, Mists of Pandaria Classic, and War Within.
According to the developer’s recently released 2025 Yearbook, this year’s boss encounters totaled 1.2 billion hours, 115 million Sha of Angers were killed on Pandaria in MoP Classic, and nearly 2 million people died in all Hardcore modes. Were you one of them?
But today we’re not here to discuss the series’ major updates and key moments of the past year; instead, we’re inviting you to look ahead to 2026. Based on information from public sources and leaks, the developers themselves are very confident about the new expansion and many new features to be released next year.
Is that really the case? If you have the same question, why not check out WoW 2026 roadmap provided by EZG.com to find out! Before we get started, the release dates of the following seasons and phases are all guesses based on the developer’s original schedule. Please refer to official announcements for the most accurate information.
World Of Warcraft: Midnight
First up is the highlight of next year’s WoW Classic series, Midnight expansion, which is expected to officially launch on March 2, 2026, at 3:00 pm PST, and will bring many new features, such as a housing system, available specializations, selectable races, and explorable zones.
Currently, the developers have opened pre-orders for this new expansion, with Base Edition priced at $49.99, Heroic Edition at $69.99, and Epic Edition at $89.99. Each version allows you to experience this expansion’s housing system and Enhanced Level 80 Character Boost three days early, as well as get World of Warcraft: The War Within for free.
Based on the alpha testing content that every expansion undergoes, we know that WoW Midnight should still contain five phases. The first four phases will progressively offer players new explorable zones, stories and quests, and dungeons. The final phase will add a new profession and a host of other game content. Specific details will likely be revealed on the official expansion roadmap released next spring.
If we consider the developers’ usual update schedule of two to three months, the update time for each phase is roughly as follows, perfectly aligning with World of Warcraft’s long-standing principle of releasing a new expansion annually.
- Phase 1 will launch alongside the expansion.
- Phase 2 will launch in 2-3 months, possibly no later than May 2026.
- Phase 3 will launch similarly, possibly no later than September 2026.
- Phase 4 will probably launch no later than December 2026.
- Phase 5 will probably launch no later than March 2027.
Doesn’t it sound exciting to be able to experience so much new game content within a year? But there’s some bad news to let you in advance: these are all the best-case scenarios. The developers initially set the deadline for released for this new Midnight expansion as June 30, 2026, which means there’s a possibility that the release and early access may be delayed.
Mists Of Pandaria Classic
After introducing the upcoming Midnight expansion, we turn our attention to the currently popular MoP Classic. After its release on July 21, 2025, many players who were passionate about exploring World of Warcraft Classic universe flocked to it to see what it was all about and expressed their love for the much-improved expansion.
In particular, the new stories, quests, and raids contained in the new phases that are released now and then have made many players willingly immerse themselves in the mysterious continent of Pandaria. Since the expansion’s roadmap only included five phases at the time of its release, some players in the community are focusing on when the remaining two phases will be released next year.
Given that Phase 3, which players are currently playing, was released on December 9, 2025, based on the update frequency of this expansion, Phase 4 is very likely to be released in March next year. Will it also launch on 2nd? It’s highly unlikely, because no developer would be foolish enough to release a completely new expansion and a completely new phase at the same time, thus diverting players’ attention.
This is estimated to be around mid-March, and it shouldn’t be too far off. In this new phase, MoP Classic will see the addition of some Heroic Scenarios and four New Scenarios; that’s ordinary, isn’t it? The main event is in Phase 5, which is expected to be released next July and will bring exclusive content such as Siege of Orgrimmar Raid, Timeless Isle Quest Hub, and new Factions.
The Burning Crusade Classic 20th Anniversary
Another important event in WoW universe next year will be the launch of TBC Classic 20th Anniversary expansion, which is a transition from the original WoW Classic 20th Anniversary expansion. As of now, the only known information about this extension is that a pre-patch is expected to go live on January 13, 2026, and will consist of five phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 3.5, and Phase 4.
Since it is currently unclear how long the pre-patches in TBC Classic Anniversary will last, it is impossible to make conventional predictions about the release time of these phases. If we follow the usual pattern of pre-patches lasting 2-4 weeks, Phase 1 will be released no later than mid-February. Then, following the update cadence of TBC Classic released in 2021, Phase 2 will be released no later than May.
In fact, compared to the release time of each phase, all players should be more concerned about what more interesting game content this brand-new anniversary expansion can bring them. It is currently known that TBC 20th Classic Anniversary will include more selectable races, zones, and mounts. However, the most noteworthy change is that leveling will be much faster, primarily due to a reduced experience cap per level, and an increased chance of gaining farmable experience and WoW Gold.
Other Expansions & Event
It must be said that in 2025, besides the release of a lot of new content that attracted players, many expansions were also put on hold this year. For example, Season of Discovery expansion was proclaimed at the end of May this year to no longer develop any new content for the expansion, but only to maintain its daily operation.
As well as War Within will no longer release Season 4, but will instead be integrated with Midnight expansion to be released next year and the subsequent The Last Titan expansion to create a game world within Worldsoul Saga. This means that WoW War Within you get for free after pre-ordering Midnight will remain in S3 until the universe opens.
Finally, here’s some exciting news for fans of the developer’s many games: BlizzCon will be returning next year, tentatively scheduled for September 12-13, 2026, and tickets are already on sale. At this grand event, players from all over the world gather to exchange ideas and enjoy all the novel experiences brought by the developers, such as bringing the tavern in the game to real life and in-game role-playing competitions.
In summary, World of Warcraft universe in 2026 is incredibly vibrant and well worth exploring. New expansions, new phases, and new events will all surprise you. Believe me, this universe is endlessly fascinating. Wishing you the same enjoyable gaming experience next year as this year!
Call Of Duty Black Ops 7 & Warzone x Fallout Crossover: Release Time, Operator Skins, And What To Expect
Recently, the developers officially announced a surprising crossover between Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Warzone, and Fallout franchise, instantly sparking heated discussions across FPS community. Inspired by Amazon’s hit Fallout TV series, this collaboration introduces iconic characters, themed cosmetics, and potentially new gameplay experiences into Call of Duty universe.
Although Call of Duty and Fallout have collaborated before, most notably during Modern Warfare III x Fallout event, connections between the two franchises have been minimal in recent years. This renewed partnership has led many players to speculate that the crossover represents more than just fan service. Some believe it is a strategic move aimed at revitalizing both brands and reigniting long-term player interest.
Judging from early reactions on official Call of Duty social media channels, initial sentiment is largely positive. Players are excited to see new themes and characters enter the game, even if some remain skeptical that the event will go beyond surface-level cosmetics.
If you’ve just learned about this, don’t rush to take sides. This guide will provide you with all the details of this Fallout x Warzone and Black Ops 7 Crossover, including release date, highlights, and player feedback, which will give you a more thorough and clear understanding of the secrets behind this collaboration.
Launch Time
According to the developers, Bo7 and Fallout collaboration will launch during Season 1 Reloaded, so ideally it will launch alongside the new season. So, it is currently predicted that this collaboration will be officially launched on January 8, 2026, and will bring a more interesting game mode that is completely different from the regular season update.
Of course, some players believe that the collaboration event will not be launched on the same day as the new season, but the difference will not be too great, because Black Ops 7 Season 2 will probably be released in early February, so the most likely release time for the collaboration event is between January 8th and 15th.
Highlights
After discussing the release date, let’s take a closer look at some of the known and expected highlights of this Call of Duty and Fallout crossover. The most obvious example is the three Operator skins that appeared in the trailer: Lucy in her classic Vault suit, The Ghoul in his iconic cowboy outfit, and Maximus in his Brotherhood of Steel armor.
Furthermore, it’s easy to see that each character wields a brand-new weapon with a distinctive appearance, providing a fresher gameplay experience. Following the developers’ past practices, these skins and the blueprints needed to craft these weapons will probably appear in the in-game store of Black Ops 7 & Warzone Season 1 Reloaded.
Moreover, although the background of the entire trailer is the landscape from Nuketown map in Call of Duty series, it also contains many Fallout elements, such as dilapidated ruins and flying tiles everywhere. Given this, it’s reasonable to speculate that the new map players can explore in this collaboration event will be a variant of Nuketown map with a Fallout theme.
Some Speculations
In fact, this concludes the summary of all the collaboration details leaked by the developers. In addition to cosmetic skins, decorations, and blueprints, CoD Black Ops 7 will also feature some very cool Finishing Moves, Emblems, and Calling Cards as part of this collaboration, which will appear in the game as bundles.
Furthermore, Call of Duty Black Ops 7 & Warzone x Fallout collaboration may also feature a special game mode, similar to Modern Warfare III collaboration, where players can accumulate experience points or special currency by defeating enemies to unlock free rewards. This could potentially further entice players to explore the game.
If the exclusive event goes live, then its dedicated paid battle pass might also appear in this collaboration, which is highly anticipated because it would contain many exclusive benefits, such as one of the three operator skins mentioned earlier or a weapon blueprint. Regarding the cost, many players speculate it will be 1,100 CoD CP, the same as the regular seasonal premium battle pass.
What’s interesting here is that players have complained many times about the lack of realism in the character skins in CoD Black Ops series. Now, with actors in Fallout TV show, the developers may listen to player feedback and make these operator skins more realistic and lifelike. Meanwhile, more outlandish skins, such as Beavis & Butthead or Seth Rogen, may become less common.
Overall, if this Black Ops 7 x Fallout collaboration is a success, this event could become the most attractive game content for players at the start of next year. Following the conventional logic of the gaming market, collaborations between games and films, novels, or comics always benefit the game developers the most, but players also enjoy the best gaming experience - a win-win situation.
Whether this crossover delivers meaningful gameplay depth or remains primarily cosmetic will ultimately determine its long-term success. For now, anticipation remains high, and fans will be watching closely as Season 1 Reloaded approaches. Have fun playing the game and stay tuned for more updates.
ARC Raiders Blueprint Drops After Patch 1.7.2: Updated Drop Rates & Best Sources
Since the release of ARC Raiders' Cold Snap, the game's environment, content, and mechanics have undergone significant changes. While the winter mode adds some difficulty, the several missions and events introduced in patch 1.7.0 have provided substantial rewards, both in-game currency and rare items.
Besides these rewards, the acquisition of blueprints is the most pressing issue for all players.
The scarcity of blueprints in ARC Raiders was previously an open secret among players, with discussions primarily focusing on methods and locations for obtaining them. However, in recent days, discussions about blueprint drops have suddenly become exceptionally intense.
Drop Rate Changes
Before Cold Snap update, ARC Raiders Blueprints were known for their extremely low drop rates, except during certain high-risk events such as Night Raid and Electromagnetic Storm.
Most players might need to perform dozens of raids to obtain a single high-value blueprint, making acquiring a sufficient variety of blueprints one of the most challenging goals in the game.
However, after the recent ARC Raiders 1.7.0 patch, many players noticed a sudden and significant increase in blueprint drop rates. In some cases, optimized routes yielded two to three blueprints per raid, including several high-value, rare blueprints, greatly accelerating the blueprint acquisition process.
This phenomenon led many players to believe that the blueprint drop rate had been disrupted. Previously, blueprints were incredibly scarce, but now they were as easily obtainable as ordinary ARC Raiders items. Was patch 1.7.0 an overreaction?
The developers seemed to recognize the problem and promptly released patch 1.7.2, reducing the blueprint drop rate. If you missed the pre-nerf blueprint boom, don't worry, the developers have compensated players with Raider Tokens.
Blueprint Drop Status
The official statement indicates that the latest update primarily aims to adjust Blueprint drop rate to a more reasonable level. While the drop rate is significantly lower than in patch 1.7.0, overall, the overall drop rate is still higher than before Cold Snap version.
In other words, ARC Raiders Blueprint drop rate is now relatively balanced, and drops are no longer limited to specific routes but are more evenly distributed across various events.
While it's not guaranteed that every raid will yield multiple Blueprints, players who regularly log in and invest sufficient time can steadily accumulate Blueprints, which to some extent avoids repetitive farming by some players.
How To Farm Blueprints After Patch 1.7.2?
While there's no definitive answer regarding Blueprint drop rate, as most ARC Raiders Blueprints drop randomly in raids, sometimes relying on luck, obtaining the high-level Blueprints you desire in the game is something most players strive for.
Therefore, we've summarized the various ways to maximize your blueprint acquisition in the game:
- Completing Trials offers a chance to obtain blueprints as a reward; note that Trials unlock at level 15;
- Night Raids and Electromagnetic Storms continue to increase your blueprint drop rate;
- The Blue Gate contains many large containers, increasing the blueprint spawn rate;
- Uncovered Caches event increases the number of Raider Caches spawning on the map, which drop blueprints;
- Security Lockers remain a good place to refresh blueprints;
- ARC Surveyors have a decent chance of dropping blueprints upon death.
Finally, some blueprints seem to only spawn under certain map conditions or by completing specific quests:
- Tempest Blueprint only spawns during Night Raid;
- Vulcano Blueprint only spawns during Hidden Bunker;
- Jupiter and Equaliser Blueprints only spawn during Harvester;
- Completing Sparks Fly quest rewards Trigger Nade Blueprint;
- Completing Greasing Her Palms quest rewards Lure Grenade Blueprint;
- Completing Industrial Espionage quest rewards Burletta Blueprint;
- Completing Major's Footlocker quest rewards Hullcracker Blueprint and Launcher Ammo Blueprint.
The random drop of blueprints may result in duplicate blueprints in the game. You can choose to trade with other players or give them to your friends.
The brief Cold Snap event allowed many players to easily collect blueprints, but the current patch might be a better choice, offering sustainable and generous rewards while respecting the time and effort invested and maintaining the game's challenge.
Other Updates In Patch 1.7.2
We don't know if ARC Raiders official team will adjust the blueprint mechanics again in the future, but we believe the ultimate goal is to optimize the player experience, so we should focus on the current update.
In addition to adjusting the blueprint drop rate, Patch 1.7.2 also includes the following fixes:
- Hidden Bunker has reopened;
- Fixed an issue where repeatedly clicking the interaction button would prevent players from performing interactions when the network connection was poor;
- Added missing volumes to ensure players don't take cold damage when entering indoor areas during Cold Snap;
- Updated AMD GPU driver warnings;
- Fixed an issue where Unexpected Initiative quest failed to generate items, preventing quest completion.
These are some of the most important updates in the last two ARC Raiders patch updates. While it remains to be seen whether the studio will further optimize the blueprint system in future updates, all you need to do is pick up your weapons and work hard to complete your blueprint collection!