Heroes of the Storm Build Guides
ARC Raiders is a very complex game. It’s not as straightforward as some other multiplayer games where you have a very clear objective and it’s easier to understand if a match went “good” or “bad.”
This game’s very open-ended design leaves a lot of people wondering what’s the best strategy for every aspect of the game. What are the best weapons? What are the best routes? Is it better to play solo or in a squad?
Now, sadly, I won’t delve into the best weapons and routes in this article. However, if you want to gear up better without having to rely on trying out guns when you take them from other players or guessing the best looting routes. Then using ARC Raiders blueprints provided on this page is probably the best way to go.
The ARC Raiders experience is drastically different whether you’re playing by yourself or with a team. So, in this article we’re going to delve into what makes each of these choices unique and which one is the best one for you.
Let’s talk a little about what ARC Raiders’ core loop is so that we’re all on the same level.
ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter. That means that you’re dealing with other players as well as enemy AI machines. The overall objective is to go into a raid, gather valuable loot that you can find everywhere on the map, and try to escape alive.
Dying before being able to extract means you will lose everything you had on you. Very high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
ARC Raiders has different matchmaking pools depending on the size of your party.
Each match has dozens of other players, with more joining in as the match goes on. This means that if you play by yourself, you won’t be thrown against teams of players… unless you want to, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Playing ARC Raiders solo feels a lot quieter, scarier, and more random.
Other players aren’t necessarily enemies. There’s a social engineering aspect of the game in this mode specifically where you try to wager if the random player in front of you is truly friendly or just pretending. Even if you think they’re friendly, you have to keep in mind they might betray you at any moment.
Solo play offers a surprising number of advantages.
Groups are loud. It only takes one careless player to give your position to an entire squad.
Other players might argue over loot or even when you have to extract. I, for one, prefer to make every choice for myself.
It’s cool when your teammates find something cool for themselves. However, if you’re like me, you might have that evil voice that goes, “Man, I was about to loot that container.” Playing by yourself means you can grab anything with no guilt and without having to share.
I can’t even count the number of times I wanted to retreat from a fight only for the rest of my team to push and get us all killed. You don’t really have that problem when playing alone. You choose when to escape fights or when to start them.
Now flip the script.
Squad matches are more predictable. Something of note is that there are practically no friendly random players roaming around. Probably because everyone already has a group. The loot is also distributed among everyone, meaning you’re less likely to find good loot, but you’re more likely to get out alive.
What makes this method so popular?
Mentioned this briefly before, but the ability to revive anyone on your team with no need of an item is an absolute game changer.
ARCs can be very durable. But three guns can take down almost every challenge in this game. Even players… though queens and matriarchs are a different story.
Squads can make sure some are looking around while the rest carry forward. You’re a lot less likely to get a surprise attack if everyone plays a role.
High danger areas aren’t as intimidating if you enter with other players!
Here’s a quick breakdown of how the two playstyles compare.
| Feature | Solo Play | Squad Play |
| Survivability | Low (very unlikely revives from random players) | High (revives possible) |
| Stealth | Excellent | Difficult |
| Loot ownership | 100% yours | Shared between teammates |
| Combat strength | Limited | Strong coordinated firepower |
| Risk level | High | Moderate |
| XP potential | Lower overall | Higher due to longer survival |
By now you might’ve realized there’s no real “best” way to play. There are just situations in which one is more advantageous than the other.
If you accept the risks, this method can be very good.
If you’re looking to make your wallet fatter or just looking for some ARC Raiders blueprints, then it’s better to go solo so you don’t have to worry about teammates grabbing the most valuable items.
If there’s a new map or event happening, diving in solo can let you roam around at your own pace until you’re familiar with the map. Otherwise, you might become the weakest link in your team!
A lot of players like to do what’s been called “ghost runs,” in which they try to go in and out of a raid quickly with little to no confrontations. This requires a lot of stealth, which just isn’t as easy to do with a squad.
Sometimes together is better.
Delve into the most dangerous areas. Alone? High-risk. Together? Easy-peasy!
Other players can offer some of the rarest items in the game, and overtaking them is a lot easier with an effective squad.
There are a lot of contracts that need you to go to highly populated areas and do something. This is a lot safer to do with some buddies taking care of you.
There’s a mode that got added recently, and I would be remiss not to mention it in this article. Solo vs. squad pits you by yourself against full teams of 3. Why? For a 20% XP bonus that you retain even if you die in the run.
This mode is brutal and only for the most hardcore of players. It demands that you’re good at every aspect of the game and then some. Only people seeking a challenge should play this. It’s not really good for much else.
Generally, yes. Solo players can’t be revived and must handle enemies and other players alone, which increases the risk.
Not necessarily. However, you have to share loot with the rest of the team, and you never know when one party member is hogging all the ARC Raiders blueprints!
Squad play is usually easier for beginners because teammates can help with combat and learning the game.
So which is the best composition overall? There’s no real answer to that question. There’s only what you get and what you need.
Need really high-tier loot? Maybe partake in some social play and talk your way into and out of situations? Try going solo.
Want to take on other players? Maybe do a hard contract where you take on powerful ARC? Squads is the right one for you.
It speaks highly of the game that players can get two drastically different experiences within the same package. So, which one is your favorite?
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