Best Starter Loadouts in Arc Raiders

Every raid in Arc Raiders plays out differently — from your spawn point to the enemies and players you encounter, no two runs feel the same. That unpredictability means your loadout choice can make or break your survival early on. While luck still plays a part in what loot you find, starting with the right setup gives you a strong edge from the moment you drop in. Whether you prefer playing aggressively, staying stealthy, or scavenging safely, your choice of augment, weapons, and quick-use items can shape your entire run. In this guide, we’ll go over the best starter loadouts in Arc Raiders that help you survive, fight smarter, and extract with valuable loot.

Best Augments for Beginners In Arc Raiders

Augments are the foundation of every loadout in Arc Raiders, determining your shield type, item capacity, and overall utility. Picking the right one early on can greatly improve your efficiency during raids.

Looting Mk. 1 – Ideal for new players focused on scavenging and maximizing loot. It offers the highest weight limit (50) and the most general inventory slots, though it restricts you to light shields only.

Combat Mk. 1 – The perfect balanced choice for most beginners. It gives you moderate inventory space and allows the use of medium shields, making it reliable for both looting and combat encounters.

Tactical Mk. 1 – Best suited for survival-oriented players. It grants an extra quick-use slot for healing or throwable items, helping you stay alive longer in tough fights, though it comes with smaller inventory space.

Once you progress and unlock blue-tier augments like Looting Mk. 2, you’ll gain additional bonuses such as trinket slots or higher capacity. However, avoid risking these rare versions in dangerous raids early on, as losing them can set you back significantly.

Best Guns for Beginners In Arc Raiders

No matter which augment you equip, you’ll always have two weapon slots available in Arc Raiders. During the early stages, you can craft or obtain a handful of starter weapons that perform well depending on your preferred playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of the best beginner guns and when to use them:

Stitcher – A fully automatic SMG that’s perfect for newcomers to extraction shooters. It has low recoil and is easy to control, though it trades raw power for stability. Ideal for close-range encounters and fast reactions.

Ferro – A powerful single-shot rifle that hits like a truck, capable of breaking shields or taking down weaker enemies in one hit. Its main drawback is the slow reload speed, so accuracy and timing are crucial to make the most of it.

Rattler – A reliable all-round rifle that combines solid damage with precision. It’s semi-automatic, giving you a balance between control and firepower, making it one of the best beginner-friendly weapons for any situation.

Hairpin – A silenced weapon that excels in stealth-based runs. It’s great for quietly taking out enemies without drawing attention, though it sacrifices damage and armor penetration compared to louder options.

While the Hairpin is situational, the Ferro and Rattler stand out as the strongest beginner picks overall, giving you flexibility and consistent performance throughout your early raids.

Best Quick Use Items for Beginners In Arc Raiders

When it comes to quick use items in Arc Raiders, your options are limited early on, but choosing the right ones can greatly improve your chances of survival. The two essentials you should always prioritize are bandages and shield rechargers, as they keep you alive in both PvE and PvP encounters.

Bandages are your main healing tool and far more practical than crafting-based items like fabric, which take time to use mid-fight. Carry at least five bandages in every run — they’ll save you more times than you can count. Shield rechargers, on the other hand, are crucial for maintaining your defenses after taking heavy hits from Arcs or enemy players.

For utility, binoculars are excellent during the early game, allowing you to safely scout areas ahead before engaging. Lastly, equip grenades or smoke grenades for tactical plays — grenades help you clear out enemies fast, while smokes let you escape or reposition during intense firefights.

A well-balanced quick-use setup of healing, defense, and utility ensures you stay alive longer and extract with better loot — the key to progressing efficiently in Arc Raiders.

Early Game Safe Pocket Guide

In Arc Raiders, your safe pocket is easily one of the most valuable features in your loadout. Found on the right side of your inventory (except when using a free loadout), this slot guarantees that whatever you store inside will return with you to the hideout — even if you’re eliminated during a raid. Because of that, proper management of this slot can make or break your early progression.

When starting out, never fill your safe pocket before entering a raid. Instead, keep it empty so you can store rare or high-value items you find during the run — such as keys, blueprints, or upgrade materials. These items are often required for crafting and base improvements, and losing them can slow down your progress significantly.

Since getting knocked out early on is common, always prioritize securing your best finds in this pocket before continuing your run. Treat it like an insurance policy — it’s there to protect your most important loot and ensure that every raid, win or lose, still pushes your progression forward.

Conclusion

Building the right starter loadout in Arc Raiders can completely change how smoothly your early raids go. With the right combination of augment, weapons, and quick-use items, you can survive longer, loot more efficiently, and gain the experience needed to tackle tougher missions. Early on, it’s best to focus on balance—bring healing, a reliable shield recharger, and weapons that suit your comfort level, like the Ferro or Rattler. As you level up and unlock stronger gear, you can start experimenting with specialized builds that match your playstyle. For now, mastering these starter loadouts will give you the perfect foundation to thrive in the dangerous world of Arc Raiders.