ARC Machine Enemy Guide#

In ARC Raiders, the enemy ARC are a mysterious machine force occupying the surface. Their AI behavior, spawn distribution and coordination are the main variables behind how dangerous a map feels. This page compiles every machine enemy that has appeared in community guides and official material, with identification tips and counterplay organized by threat tier.

Note: no official figures have been released for the health or damage of any machine enemy. This page only gives identification traits and tactics; treat in-game testing as the source for numbers.

Full Roster#

Low Threat Tier: First Learn Not to Get Bogged Down#

Tick#

The smallest machine unit, extremely annoying when it shows up in groups. Their threat is not single-target damage but the fact that the noise of a fight drags larger enemies in. Key points:

• Detour when distance allows; Ticks are not worth spending ammo on;
• When you must clear them, use melee or low-noise methods so gunfire doesn’t reveal your position;
• If surrounded, create distance and pick them off one at a time; never brawl in tight spaces.

Shredder#

A ground melee unit whose output comes from charges and close-quarters damage. The counter is the range gap: keep your distance, shoot while backing off, and never let it reach your face.

Medium Threat Tier: Enemies That Change Your Route#

Hornet and Wasp#

These two flying attack units are the most common aerial threats on the surface. What they share is high mobility and strong pursuit; they differ in size and attack intensity. Key points:

• The moment you hear flight noise, find a roof or cover — flying units are suppressed far more indoors than outdoors;
• Shoot them down before resuming looting; dragging a flying unit around the map is like carrying a siren;
• Hit rates while moving are low, so the fastest way to make them stop is to hide behind cover, let them close in, then counterattack.

Surveyor#

A recon unit. The real danger of recon enemies is not their own firepower but summoning reinforcements after spotting you. When you see one, either destroy it before it raises the alarm or leave its detection range immediately.

Bombardier#

An area suppression unit whose thrown attacks cover a wide area. Its attacks have clear wind-up and landing markers: once you see the throwing arc, move sideways to dodge — never back straight up, since the impact zone usually covers the spot you were just standing on.

Leaper#

A high-mobility unit whose leaping charges make mid-range kiting difficult. The key is predicting the landing point: once it jumps, the landing spot is largely predictable, so sidestep early and fire into its landing recovery.

Rocketeer#

A long-range suppression unit whose rockets hit hard and fly on threatening trajectories. Get into cover the instant you hear the launch sound, and prioritize the Rocketeer over ordinary infantry units because its damage curve is brutal against players with no shield.

High Threat Tier: Bastion#

Bastion is a heavy patrol unit with thick armor and fierce frontal firepower. One patrols beneath Blue Gate, guarding the high-quality loot underground. Key points:

• Don’t trade shots with a Bastion in the open; look for a flank or high ground;
• Its frontal armor can deflect light weapon fire, so heavy weapons and dedicated anti-ARC weapons are far more efficient;
• Gunfire from a Bastion fight draws nearby players — once it is down, be ready for third parties at any moment.

Dedicated anti-ARC weapons (rocket launcher types) are built for exactly this kind of heavy armor; for weapon choice see Weapons and Attachments.

Extreme Threat Tier: Queen and Matriarch#

Queen#

A large boss-tier unit whose individual combat power and health far exceed regular machines. The default rule when you run into a Queen: unless a quest or a drop requires it, go around. Forcing the fight needs heavy firepower and enough room to maneuver.

Matriarch: Endgame Super Boss#

The Matriarch is the super boss of Stella Montis, larger than the Queen and currently the game’s difficulty ceiling. The combat traits compiled by the community are as follows:

The fight breaks into three steps:

1. Clear the field: deal with the escort group first, especially long-range units like Bombardiers and Rocketeers, so the boss fight isn’t a pincer;
2. Break the shield: focus fire to break the energy shield — while it is up, your damage is basically wasted;
3. Burst: once the shield is down, the whole squad pours damage into the body while taking turns drawing the missile swarm.

Defeating the Matriarch drops the Matriarch Reactor — the key material for crafting the Legendary combat rifle. For the full endgame gear route, see Elite Enemies and High-Risk Zones.

General Engagement Discipline#

1. Sound management: ARC patrols follow patterns, so before engaging confirm how many other machine groups are nearby;
2. Two-front awareness: gunfire from an ARC fight exposes you to other players too, so keep attention on the human threat while fighting machines;
3. Retreat first: against any machine enemy, the cost of retreating is far lower than the cost of a squad wipe and a restart;
4. Weapon match: use standard firearms on light-armored crowds and dedicated anti-ARC weapons on heavy units — never bring the wrong ammo.

Related Pages#

• Elite Enemies and High-Risk Zones — complete tactics for the Queen and Matriarch
• Weapons and Attachments — dedicated anti-ARC weapons and sidearm choice
• Map Guide: Blue Gate — practical play in the Bastion patrol area
• Stella Montis Map Guide — where the endgame boss appears