Defense missions are a cornerstone of survival in ARC Raiders, focusing on protecting your base, vital installations, or captured territories from relentless ARC assaults. These missions test your strategic placement of defenses, your squad's combat readiness, and your ability to manage resources under pressure. A well-executed defense can repel even the most determined ARC incursions.

The Importance of Defense Missions

These missions are crucial for:

Protecting Your Base: Preventing the ARC from destroying your primary operations and research facilities.
Securing Resources: Defending mining sites, power generators, or captured supply depots.
Holding Strategic Locations: Maintaining control of key areas on the map.
Earning Rewards: Successful defenses yield resources, experience, and sometimes rare items.

Types of Defense Missions

Base Defense: Repelling waves of ARC units attacking your main settlement.
Outpost Defense: Protecting smaller, forward operating bases or resource extraction sites.
Convoy Protection: Defending a moving target from ARC attacks (often overlaps with escort missions).
Siege Defense: Holding a fortified position against a sustained ARC offensive.

Preparing Your Defenses

Effective defense requires foresight:

Fortify Key Areas: Build walls, barricades, and deploy turrets strategically.
Establish Choke Points: Funnel ARC units into kill zones where they can be concentrated.
Deploy Defensive Units: Position your squad members and automated defenses for maximum coverage.
Power Management: Ensure your defensive structures have a reliable power source.
Repair Systems: Have repair crews or drones ready to fix damaged defenses.

During the Assault

When the ARC attacks:

Prioritize Threats: Identify and eliminate the most dangerous ARC units first (e.g., heavy assault units, siege breakers).
Manage Ammunition and Resources: Conserve ammo and use medical supplies wisely.
Adapt to the Attack: The ARC may change its approach; be ready to reposition your defenses.
Utilize Special Abilities: Deploy any defensive abilities or support systems you have researched.
Repair Under Fire: If possible, have engineers or drones repair damaged defenses during lulls in the attack.

Key Defensive Structures and Units

Structure/Unit	Purpose	Placement Strategy
Automated Turrets	Provide suppressive fire and damage	Covering approaches, protecting key points.
Energy Barriers	Slow down or block enemy movement	Creating choke points, protecting flanks.
Minefields	Deal explosive damage to advancing enemies	In front of defenses, along expected attack routes.
Repair Drones	Automated repair of structures and vehicles	Stationed near critical defenses.
Heavy Weapons Squad	Provide concentrated firepower against elite units	Positioned to cover key approaches or vulnerable areas.

Mastering defense missions is crucial for the long-term survival and growth of your human resistance, ensuring that your hard-won progress is not lost to the ARC's relentless onslaught.