8 Best Skills To Level First In Arc Raiders

Leveling up in Arc Raiders isn’t just about increasing your power — it’s about unlocking the right skills that make every raid smoother, faster, and more rewarding. With over 40 different skills divided into Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival categories, choosing which ones to level first can make or break your early-game experience. Whether you want to move faster, carry more loot, or survive longer against the ARC, focusing on the right abilities early on will give you a huge advantage. In this article, we’ll cover the 8 best skills to level first in Arc Raiders, explaining what they do and why they’re essential for building momentum from your very first raids.

#8: In-Round Crafting

In-Round Crafting is one of the most underrated early-game skills in Arc Raiders, but it can make a massive difference once you start taking longer and riskier raids. This skill allows you to craft essential items while topside, giving you the flexibility to restock healing items, ammo, or utilities without returning to your hideout. Since resources can deplete faster than expected during extended fights or scavenging runs, being able to craft on the spot can often be the difference between surviving and losing everything. It’s especially valuable for solo players who can’t rely on teammates for backup, making it a smart skill to unlock early for consistent survival and efficiency.

#7: Looter’s Instincts

Looting is a core part of Arc Raiders, and efficiency matters when every second counts. The Looter’s Instincts skill helps you open containers and reveal loot much faster, saving precious time during each raid. While it may not sound like a game-changer at first, those few seconds add up quickly — especially when you’re racing against other players or the ARC’s forces. Faster looting means you can collect more materials, move between points of interest quicker, and reduce your exposure while scavenging. It’s a simple yet highly practical skill that boosts your overall efficiency and keeps your runs smooth from start to finish.

#6: Agile Croucher

In Arc Raiders, staying quiet can be just as powerful as pulling the trigger. The Agile Croucher skill helps you move faster while crouched, making it a must-have for players who rely on stealth and smart positioning. Normally, crouching drastically reduces your movement speed, which can make sneaking around risky. However, with this skill, that penalty is significantly reduced, allowing you to stay mobile while remaining silent. Whether you’re flanking enemy players, avoiding detection from nearby Arcs, or lining up the perfect ambush, Agile Croucher keeps you quick, quiet, and ready to strike at the right moment.

#5: Silent Scavenger

Looting in Arc Raiders can be risky — every sound you make could alert nearby enemies or rival players. That’s where Silent Scavenger comes in. This skill reduces the noise you create while looting, making it much harder for others to pinpoint your location. It’s especially useful in tense situations where you’re trying to gather supplies while staying hidden from aggressive players or patrolling Arcs. By keeping your actions quiet, you lower your chances of being ambushed mid-loot and increase your odds of surviving longer raids. In short, Silent Scavenger lets you stay stealthy, collect more safely, and potentially turn the tables on unsuspecting opponents.

#4: Youthful Lungs

If stamina keeps you alive in Arc Raiders, then Youthful Lungs is one of the best upgrades you can get early on. This skill increases your maximum stamina, allowing you to sprint, dodge, and fight for much longer before running out of breath. When paired with other stamina-focused perks like Marathon Runner, it turns your character into a mobility powerhouse that can outmaneuver both players and Arcs with ease. More stamina means you can reposition faster, chase down enemies, or escape dangerous fights without slowing down. Simply put, Youthful Lungs gives you the endurance edge every successful raider needs.

#3: Marathon Runner

Stamina management can make or break your run in Arc Raiders, especially during extended fights or long escapes. The Marathon Runner skill helps you conserve stamina while moving, letting you cover more ground without constantly running out of energy. This extra efficiency gives you more control in combat—allowing you to dodge, sprint, and reposition without feeling drained. It’s a crucial skill for both offensive and defensive playstyles, letting you stay active for longer periods. Whether you’re escaping an ambush or pushing aggressively toward an objective, Marathon Runner ensures your stamina never holds you back.

#2: Gentle Pressure

In Arc Raiders, breaching containers is one of the loudest actions you can perform — and it often paints a big target on your back. The Gentle Pressure skill helps solve that problem by reducing the noise created during breaches. While it doesn’t make the process completely silent, it significantly shrinks the radius in which enemies and other players can hear you. This gives you a better chance to loot valuable containers without immediately drawing unwanted attention. If you prefer a cautious or stealth-based approach, Gentle Pressure is one of the best early skills to keep you alive while still securing top-tier loot.

#1: Proficient Pryer

Speed is everything in Arc Raiders, especially when you’re looting out in the open. The Proficient Pryer skill shortens the time it takes to breach containers and Arc Probes, letting you grab your loot and get out before anyone spots you. Since these interactions often leave you completely exposed, every second saved can be the difference between surviving or getting ambushed. This skill doesn’t just make looting faster—it makes it safer. If you plan on farming valuable gear or hitting high-risk areas often, Proficient Pryer should be one of the very first skills you unlock.

Conclusion

Mastering the right skills early in Arc Raiders can make a massive difference in how quickly you progress and survive each raid. Focusing on essentials like Proficient Pryer, Gentle Pressure, and Marathon Runner ensures smoother looting, faster movement, and better stamina control, all of which give you a real edge in combat and exploration. The more efficiently you move, loot, and fight, the more rewards you’ll bring home. Prioritize these core skills first, and you’ll be ready to take on even the toughest challenges the Arc can throw at you.