ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders

Research & Development

Master ARC Raiders R&D. Unlock weapon, armor, and gadget upgrades. Learn about Research Points and strategic progression paths.

Progression in ARC Raiders is deeply tied to your Research & Development efforts. Investing time and resources into R&D allows you to unlock new technologies, enhance existing equipment, and gain access to powerful new abilities that are crucial for overcoming increasingly difficult ARC threats.

The R&D Tree: A Path to Power

The Research & Development system functions as a branching tree, where each node represents a specific upgrade or unlock. gather specific resources and sometimes complete certain objectives to advance down each branch. Prioritizing your R&D path can significantly shape your playstyle and effectiveness.

  1. Weapon Augmentations: Unlock new firing modes, elemental damage types, or increased magazine capacity for your firearms.
  2. Armor Enhancements: Improve your defensive capabilities, increase resistance to specific damage types, or gain utility perks like faster movement or improved stealth.
  3. Gadget Upgrades: Enhance the effectiveness of your deployable gadgets, such as turrets, drones, or deployable shields, making them more potent tools in combat.
  4. Base Defenses: Research upgrades for your base's defensive structures, making them more resilient against ARC incursions.
  5. New Technologies: Discover entirely new pieces of equipment or abilities that can fundamentally change how you approach combat and exploration.

Resource Requirements and Research Points

Advancing in R&D requires not only specific crafting materials but also 'Research Points.' These points are typically earned by completing missions, defeating specific enemy types, or discovering data logs scattered throughout the world. Managing your resource inventory and actively seeking out sources of Research Points is key to rapid progression.

Strategic R&D Choices

Consider your preferred playstyle when making R&D choices. Are you a frontline assault specialist who needs better weapons and armor? Or a support role player who benefits more from enhanced gadgets and utility upgrades? Some branches might also unlock synergistic bonuses when combined with specific character builds or gear sets.

Unlocking Advanced Gear

Many of the most powerful weapons, armor pieces, and gadgets in ARC Raiders are locked behind the R&D system. This encourages players to engage with the progression mechanics and provides a clear sense of accomplishment as they unlock new tiers of equipment. Don't neglect R&D; it's your primary engine for staying ahead of the ARC.