Blueprint Mechanics and Sources#

Blueprints are the core long-term progression asset in ARC Raiders: weapons, gear and augments all need blueprints before you can craft them. This page lays out the settlement rules for blueprints together with the complete community-compiled source list — it is the densest page in this section, so bookmark it.

How Blueprints Settle#

Blueprints follow one iron rule that sets them apart from ordinary loot:

• Blueprints only count toward your collection after a successful extraction;
• Die or run out the clock, and any blueprint picked up this run is lost outright;
• Blueprints do not occupy a weapon slot, but they do take backpack space — once you grab one, make extraction your priority.

The conclusion that follows from this rule: the acquisition window for a rare blueprint is extremely precious. Miss it once and you may have to wait for the matching event or weather condition to roll around again.

Event Blueprint Reference Table#

Special events are the main source of high-tier blueprints. The community-compiled mapping looks like this:

Note that most of these events count as high-pressure conditions — Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Night Raids all sit on the official list of high-pressure scenarios. See the Extraction Mechanics Explained page for the details.

Quest Blueprint Reference Table#

Clearing quest chains also rewards blueprints. The community-compiled mapping looks like this:

Hullcracker deserves top priority — it is a dedicated anti-ARC weapon, and the quest reward hands you a heavy-armor counter for free. See the Quest System page for how quests work.

Stella Montis Exclusive Blueprints#

The endgame map Stella Montis has its own set of exclusive blueprints, a mandatory farm list for endgame players:

The community agrees that the best blueprint room in the whole game is the Cultural Archives key room on Stella Montis — whenever conditions allow, every endgame run should route through it. For full point layouts and extraction point synergy on that map, see Stella Montis Map Guide.

Suggested Blueprint Farming Route#

String the lists above into a route by priority:

1. Early (first map stage): push the quest line to get the Hullcracker blueprint while learning the blueprint settlement rules;
2. Mid game: watch event rotations and prioritize the Harvester (two legendary blueprints in one event) and the Hidden Bunker;
3. Mid-to-late game: follow the quest list to round out utility gear such as the Trigger Nade and Lure Grenade;
4. Endgame: head straight for Stella Montis, plan your route around the Cultural Archives, and pick up crafting materials from the Assembly Workshops along the way.

One-Week Blueprint Farming Plan#

Turning the route advice into a weekly plan, for players with fixed play sessions:

The plan assumes you understand how events and weather rotate (always trust live in-game data) and that you have a solid block of time when the window opens — the opportunity cost of event blueprints is literally “miss it and wait for the next one.”

Three Rules of Blueprint Management#

1. Extract the moment you pick one up: once a rare blueprint is in your bag, this run’s objective switches immediately to “leave alive”;
2. Check for gaps before you drop: event blueprints depend on event windows, so confirm whether the relevant event is live before heading out;
3. Set crafting priorities: after unlocking, craft gear that “changes how you play” first — Hullcracker, Snap Hook and the like — rather than sidegrades that only bump numbers.

Related Pages#

• Weapon Guide and Modding — the role and modding of each weapon
• Crafting and Resource Economy — how blueprints turn into gear
• Quest System — prerequisites for quest blueprints
• Rare Drops and Loot Management — hauling strategies for high-value items