There is nothing quite like stepping into ARC Raiders on its own, as it manages to differentiate its solo experience in a way that many extraction shooters fail to. Mostly this comes from the PvE portion of the game, as players try to navigate the hard surface with the constant threat of ARC machines looming above them and on the ground in front of them. Despite its PvP elements, ARC Raiders does an impeccable job of ensuring it doesn't feel entirely like a PvP experience by balancing it with some demanding PvE gameplay that can be hard to get over at times.
At the same time, for all its praise, plays ARC Raiders soloing isn't all about peaks, and it's largely about perspective. Some runs can leave players feeling like they've made it through a warzone without ever firing a shot, while others can end abruptly when one player decides another looks like a light bag of loot. But that's what does ARC Raiders' solo experience so interesting, and it would undoubtedly not be what it is without two sides of its coin.
The tops of solo races in ARC Raiders
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Autonomy and self-pacing
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Unexpected interactions with players
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Focused switching efficiency
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Atmosphere and excitement
The low solo games in ARC Raiders
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Increased vulnerability
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Higher risk of loss
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Higher learning curve
The Highs of Solo Runs in ARC Raiders
Autonomy and self-pacing
Perhaps more than anything else, one of the game's highest peaks ARC Raiders solo is the opportunity it gives players to set their own pace and make their own decisions. With no obligations to a squad, players can enjoy a round the way they want. This is especially useful in a game like ARC Raiderswhere a wide variety of missions can lead to players jumping into a round to complete a minor task that their team may have already completed or may simply not care to complete. Then there are rare materials that players may need, and instead of finding those materials and then increasing their chances of losing them by staying longer, they may prefer to extract sooner rather than later.
Unexpected interactions with players
There also seem to be more surprise interactions with other players when playing alone. While playing with a squad naturally tends to attract the more PvP oriented side of it ARC Raiders' player base, going solo not only tips the balance more towards PvE but also encourages players to form unexpected alliances with each other to take down larger ARCs, complete quests or find specific items. Of course, teams can do all of this and potentially even more, but there's something strangely satisfying about finding help where it's least expected.
Focused switching efficiency
With ARC RaidersSince the game loop is essentially a race to get loot and mine as quickly and safely as possible, efficiency is key. Staying too long in one location both reduces the odds of players finding the loot they need in another zone and increases the chances of being caught unawares by opponents. Playing ARC Raiders however, solo can help mitigate this, as it allows for fewer distractions, faster decision-making, and a streamlined extraction. Since players only have themselves to worry about during a solo round, they can focus more on the loot they need.
Atmosphere and excitement
Then there's the obvious atmosphere and heightened excitement that comes with playing solo. When there is a lot of talk going on in the microphones, it is much more difficult to appreciate ARC Raiders' superb sound design, which is largely manifested in its terrifying atmosphere and menacing machinery. Even if it only creates tension, it goes in alone ARC Raiders increasing the risk of either bringing valuables into a round or trying to leave with them, as there is no one there to defend the lone player in their time of need. It may be considered a drawback for some, but for others it is an important part of the experience.
The Lows of Solo Runs in ARC Raiders
Increased vulnerability
The peaks and troughs of ARC Raiders' solo play primarily comes into perspective, as one player's thrill-driven excitement can be another player's frustration. However, playing without a team makes players more vulnerable, not only to other players, but also to the ARCs that patrol the surface. Playing ARC Raiders solo means players don't have teammates to flank, revive them, or take advantage of unless they manage to find another solo player willing to stick around and help out. It's an experience meant to make players feel isolated and helpless, but just because it's designed that way doesn't mean it's universally enjoyable.
Higher risk of loss
One thing that does ARC Raiders slightly more accessible is its Safe Pocket mechanic, which allows players to keep all items in their Safe Pocket even if they don't survive a round. Even with that mechanic playing ARC Raiders without a squad still puts players at a higher risk of loss than if they were to play with a full team of Raiders. In a solo race, the player bears every bit of that risk themselves, inadvertently making every decision more important and the potential outcome of said decision more difficult to face if it happens.
The risk is even higher when trying to interact with other players in one ARC Raiders solo run, because choosing to trust someone can be a million dollar mistake if they turn out to be untrustworthy later on. When playing with a full team, players have a few partners they know they can trust, but when trying to team up with other solo players in the game, trust is never guaranteed.
Higher learning curve
Finally, play ARC Raiders solo has a higher learning curve than playing with others. Without the handicap offered by having a full team of companions present, lone raiders must know maps, extraction points, the best loot routes in ARC Raidersand the most effective ways to avoid both NPCs and other players. A full team in ARC Raiders increases the chances that beginners can be carried through a round, but in a solo round players must carry themselves.
So which is better in ARC Raiders – Solo or Squad?
In the end, if it is better to play ARC Raiders solo or with a team depends on what players want out of the experience. Running with a team can feel like a more stable experience, with a safety net that can smooth out the rough edges of a tough run. But playing alone offers a completely different kind of experience that thrives on patience, awareness, and a sense of ownership over every choice made on the surface. Neither style replaces the other. They simply highlight different strengths of the game, and the better option will always be the one that matches how a player likes to approach the risks and rewards that define ARC Raiders.
- Released
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30 October 2025
- ESRB
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Teen/violence, blood
