The surface of ARC Raiders is a relentless place. While fighting for survival, the community has embraced an unofficial, item-for-item trading system for swapping rare blueprints and essential materials.
ARC Raiders Trading Guide: Finding Safe and Reputable Partners
But beware: since you have to physically drop your items to trade, you are always vulnerable to betrayal. This ultimate ARC Raiders Trading Guide will show you the best practices for finding trustworthy partners and securing your valuable loot.
Best Practices for Safe In-Raid Trading
The heart of an ARC Raiders trade happens when you and your partner are standing face-to-face. Since the game has no formal trade window, you must follow strict safety protocols to ensure you don’t lose your hard-earned gear.
Communication is Key: Use Proximity Chat (VoIP)
Good communication is the single most important safety tool.
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Clearly State the Terms: Before dropping anything, clearly confirm the specific items being swapped (e.g., “Anvil BP for 50x Advanced Components”).
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Establish a Drop Protocol: Agree on a simultaneous drop. A common protocol is, “We both drop our items on the count of three.“
Choose a Safe Zone for the Exchange
Do not attempt a high-value trade in a hot-drop or high-traffic area.
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Near Extraction Points: Trade near an accessible extraction point. This ensures a quick getaway once the transaction is complete.
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Low-Traffic Areas: Pick a quiet, out-of-the-way spot on the map, far from known enemy spawn zones or high-loot landmarks.
Maintain Strategic Distance
Stay close enough to supervise the trade, but far enough to protect yourself.
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Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Maintain a distance where you can easily see the dropped item and your partner’s actions.
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Avoid Melee Range: Do not stand so close that your partner can easily score a quick melee hit or instant kill you before you react.
Secure the Transaction and Escape
The moment the trade is complete is the most vulnerable moment.
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Confirm the Drop: Ensure both items are on the ground and confirmed by both parties.
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Quickly Loot: Immediately pick up your new item.
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Exit Strategy: Immediately make for the nearest extraction point. Do not linger—the goal is to get the loot into your stash!
Finding Reputable ARC Raiders Trading Partners
In a game where every player is a potential threat, you must vet your trading partners before trusting them with your valuable loot. The most reliable way to trade is through established community channels where reputation can be tracked and verified.
The Best Way: Dedicated Community Hubs
The most secure and reliable trades happen when a third-party platform tracks a trader’s reputation.
| Platform | Key Feature | Safety Benefit |
| arc-trades.com (Recommended) | User-Rated Profiles & Verified Listings | Allows you to check a Raider’s history and rating before ever meeting in-game. |
| Official & Fan Discords | Moderated Trading Channels | Look for members with a ‘Trusted Trader‘ or similar verified role assigned by server mods. |
| Subreddits | Dedicated Trading Posts/Threads | Use the platform’s user flair system to track successful trades or warnings. |
These platforms often include LFG (Looking For Group) integration, making it easy to find a squadmate who is also interested in trading while you run a raid.
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Avoid players who exhibit these red flags, as they are often indications of a potential scammer:
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No Reputation/History: If a user has a brand-new account on a community platform with no trade history or reputation, proceed with extreme caution.
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“Too Good to Be True” Offers: Be wary of unbelievably cheap blueprints or extremely rare items offered for common scraps. Trust your gut!
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In-Raid Only Offers: Players who refuse to discuss the trade on a safe external platform and insist on trading immediately after meeting in-raid are highly suspect. They don’t want their scam tracked.
ARC Raiders Trade Etiquette and Item Valuation
Knowing the community-accepted value of your items prevents you from getting scammed. Certain items act as the “currency” of the ARC Raiders trade economy.
The Trade Currency Hierarchy
The community generally values specific items the highest due to their scarcity and in-game impact:
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Blueprints (BPs): High-tier weapon BPs are the currency of choice. A learned BP is worthless to you, but a spare can net you a fortune!
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Highest Value BPs: Typically those for powerful or popular weapons like Jupiter, Anvil, or Bettina.
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High-Tier Materials: Refined materials needed for late-game crafting are highly sought after.
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Examples: ARC Circuitry or Advanced Components.
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Bulk Common Materials: Trading common materials in large quantities (e.g., 50x Metal Parts for a specific BP) is a common, stable way to exchange value.
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Trinkets: These are rarely used in player-to-player trades as they have a fixed vendor value (Raider Coins) and are not considered trade-specific currency.
Raider Tip: Never trade a common item for a high-value blueprint one-for-one. Use a community price check tool (if available on your trading platform) to ensure a fair swap.
Conclusion: Trade Smart, Not Hard
Trading in ARC Raiders is a high-risk, high-reward activity. While the lack of an official in-game market makes it thrilling, it also demands responsibility. Always remember the fundamental rule: All in-game trading is done at your own risk.
By sticking to verified community platforms, checking a trader’s reputation, and strictly following the safe drop protocols, you can minimize the risk and successfully swap your way to a full stash of high-tier gear.
Safe Raiding, Trader!
Last Updated on December 1, 2025
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