How to Master the Scrapborn Raid in ARC Raiders

Gear fear is a common roadblock in looter shooters, but the Scrapborn Raid playstyle in ARC Raiders offers a thrilling solution. By starting with almost nothing, you transform the intense scavenging experience into a high-stakes, rewarding stealth thriller. This guide breaks down the “Scrapborn” method, explaining the rules, the mindset, and the phases of this unique challenge.

ARC Raiders: The Ultimate Guide to Scrapborn Raiding

What Exactly is a Scrapborn Raid?

A Scrapborn Raid is a self-imposed, progressive playstyle defined by one core principle: starting from zero.

It is a run initiated with an empty inventory—you bring only what you can store in your secure, or “prison,” wallet (usually a few rounds of ammo and non-essentials).

The Rule for Running the Raid:

• Between raids: You drop off all non-essential loot into your stash.

• For the next raid: You only refill your secure wallet (butt pocket) with items like a few extra rounds of ammo or medical supplies. Nothing else from your main stash is brought along.

The goal is to let the story of the raid unfold naturally, building your loadout based on your successful scavenging, not pre-prepared gear.

Why Embrace the Scrapborn Challenge?

This playstyle offers significant advantages that enhance the ARC Raiders experience:

• Eliminates Gear Fear: Since you start with nothing, there is no expensive gear to lose. Every successful extraction feels like a pure gain.

• Leverages Experience: If you’re an experienced player, this allows you to utilize your vast knowledge of map layouts, enemy behavior, and social dynamics to your maximum advantage.

• Focused Supply Gathering: It’s an excellent way to specifically hunt for certain resources or weapon parts without the pressure of a full, valuable loadout.

• High Satisfaction: Building a full, powerful loadout from scratch during a single run is far more satisfying than simply equipping a free loadout.

Playing the Scrapborn Way: Progression Phases

The Scrapborn Raid is a methodical climb, starting with nothing and slowly building capability. Here is the suggested progression:

Phase 1: The Scrap Phase

This is the initial, most challenging stage where you have no shields, no weapons, and minimal supplies. Your immediate priorities must be met in this order:

1. Find Bandages: Healing is the absolute priority to survive minor scrapes.

2. Acquire a Weapon: Any weapon will do, turning you from a helpless target into a threat.

3. Find a Shield: Shields are essential for survivability against other Raiders and Arc threats.

4. Charge the Shield: A shield is useless without power. Arc power cells become extremely valuable.

Survival Strategy:

• Be Social: Many players are friendly and willing to share bandages or a shield recharge if you simply ask. Being social and collaborative can get you far.

• Rat and Third-Party: Approach fights between other Raiders quietly. Hostile players often leave light shields and basic healing behind after a successful kill. Be smart and secure the remains without becoming the next target.

Essential Scrap Phase Tips:

• Power is Priority: Arc power cells are more abundant than dedicated shield rechargers, making them key for initial shield use.

• Versatile Tools: Grenades are your best force multipliers. They are highly versatile and should be prioritized over most other tools.

• Improvised Weapons: Crude explosives can reliably take out air targets or cause useful chaos near groups of enemies.

• Escape Mechanics: Flamer parts can be used both to initiate a fight and, more importantly, to block routes and prevent you from being followed during an escape.

• Slow and Steady: Take your time. There is no rush or urgency. Your only goal is to get out safe with whatever you can.

Phase 2: The First Extract

Congratulations! Getting back to Speranza in one piece, even with minimal gear, is a respectable achievement.

• Secure Your Gains: Drop off everything you successfully looted that you don’t need for the next run.

• Repair and Refill: Repair any favorite items you acquired. Refill only a stack of ammo or your secure pocket supplies.

• Head Back Out: Do not grab a full kit from your stash. The Scrapborn Raid continues from a basic foundation.

Phase 3: Basic Kit and Beyond

At this stage, you should have secured a weapon and reliable healing supplies. If you’re doing well, you may have found a proper basic kit.

• This kit gives you real flexibility, allowing you to choose what to loot and giving you quick access to essential tools in a firefight.

• The Story is Yours: From here on, the specific path is up to you. This is where you twist the rules and build your loadout based on the ever-evolving story of your personal raid.

Stay safe out there, Raider, and enjoy the true thrill of earning your gear one piece at a time.

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Last Updated on December 22, 2025