I’ve been down in the Buried City more times than I can count, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Speranza couldn’t care less about your pride. I saw a random squad get wiped yesterday trying to go toe to toe with a Bastion out in the open — they didn’t last ten seconds. ARC Raiders is built to kill you, and you’ll only start surviving once you stop treating it like a run-and-gun shooter. Your gear matters, but don’t get fancy too soon. Stick to the “Standard Issue” starter set for your first runs; it’s there for a reason, and you’re not risking precious loot. It’s the best way to learn the terrain, practice tactics, and walk away with pure profit when you extract — especially once you start picking up ARC Raiders Items along the way.

Once you’re on the ground, shut it. Sound travels far in this game, and the audio is so sharp you can tell sprinting from crouch-walking. Sprinting is basically a flare to every bot and player nearby. I spend most of my time crouched, moving slow, keeping noise down. Hear footsteps you don’t recognise? Freeze. Listen hard. Nine out of ten times, whoever makes noise first ends up respawning. And when you do shoot, don’t waste bullets on the armour — aim for the glowing orange or yellow weak points. It’s the difference between dropping a Walker in three rounds or dumping a full mag for nothing.

Your stamina bar is more than a run meter; it’s your lifeline. Burn it all, and you can’t dodge roll when the fight turns nasty. I always keep about twenty percent in reserve just in case. Crossing big open ground? Holster your weapon — you’ll move faster and give enemy snipers less time to line up a shot. And don’t ignore early skills; “Looter’s Instincts” is huge. Being able to see loot through walls means you can grab what you need and get moving before anyone else spots you.

Greed kills more Raiders than bullets do. If you’ve found rare components or a solid blueprint, call it a day. Get out before things turn ugly. Main elevators? Forget them — they’re noisy, slow, and perfect ambush spots. Work towards finding a Raider Hatch Key; they open up silent, hidden exits that let you disappear in seconds. It’s the best way to dodge a squad that has you pinned and protect those hard-earned finds like cheap Raiders weapons without gambling it all on one more fight.