Welcome to the first installment of our “Rags to Riches” series in ARC Raiders BluePrints, where we dive deep into the gritty and exhilarating world of Spironza. This series aims to showcase the full experience of the game—from completing quests and navigating trials to intense PvP encounters—capturing every high and low of life as a Raider. Episode one sets the stage for a journey through the Rust Belt, filled with strategy, loot, and the harsh realities of survival.

Starting From Scratch: Tutorial Tactics and Early Loot

Our adventure begins at the tutorial level, where smart resource management is key. By carefully stashing loot and exploiting the tutorial's hidden mechanics, we managed to exit with a decent haul of weapons, materials, and containers—a huge advantage when starting with nothing.

Key early acquisitions included:

Berleta pistol for emergency defense

Various loot bags and duffel containers for resource storage

Materials essential for crafting and quest completion

This approach demonstrates the importance of preparation. By planning your inventory and prioritizing essential items, even the tutorial stage can become a springboard for a successful first raid.

Customizing Your Raider and Scrappy

Next, it was time to create our Raider and outfit Scrappy, the loyal companion rooster. Blending into the environment with proper gear isn't just cosmetic—it can help you avoid early detection and gain a tactical edge. Upgrading Scrappy early allows passive resource collection, which becomes increasingly valuable as raids grow more complex.

Important first upgrades included:

Skill points in survival, enhancing looting speed, noise reduction, and mobility

Scrappy upgrades using collected resources like apricots, lemons, and wires

Strategic weapon selection: a mix of range (Pharaoh) and close quarters (Stitcher)

The First Raid: Risk, Reward, and PvP Encounters

The first solo raid took us to Hydro, a hot spot for both loot and combat. Early scouting and careful looting led to a massive first haul, including:

Level 4 Stitcher and Level 1 Anvil with strong attachments

58,000 coins, 15k XP, and two skill points

Rare components like arc alloy, duct tape, and dog collars

PvP encounters highlighted the harsh reality of Spironza: trust is scarce, and decisions must be made in seconds. A combination of tactical retreats, smoke grenades, and quick looting ensured survival without unnecessary confrontation.

Free Loadout Strategy: Maximizing Rewards

In addition to traditional raids, we experimented with free loadout runs. These allow players to enter with randomly assigned weapons and items, reducing the cost of experimentation while still offering high-stakes gameplay. Key takeaways included:

Prioritizing valuable resources like arc alloy, wires, and adrenaline shots

Navigating extraction points carefully to avoid ambushes

Using looting augments to increase inventory efficiency and maximize resource collection

Free loadout runs proved an effective way to gain resources, complete quests, and upgrade your workshops, all while staying agile in unpredictable PvP situations.

Managing Workshops and Quests

Back at base, the focus shifted to crafting and progression. Our workshop management strategy included:

Crafting gunsmiths and workbenches to expand capabilities

Tracking quests for resource gathering and raid objectives

Recycling items for essential components like batteries and wires

Efficient workshop management ensures that your gear and companion are always ready for the next raid, maintaining the momentum of progression.

Episode One Wrap-Up: Lessons Learned

Episode one of “Rags to Riches” set a strong foundation for the series:

Smart looting in early zones provides a crucial advantage

Proper Raider and Scrappy upgrades are essential for efficiency and survival

PvP encounters require tactical patience and quick decision-making

Free loadouts offer high rewards with minimal risk

Workshop and inventory management form the backbone of long-term success

The journey has only begun, and Episode Two promises batteries, additional quests, and higher-level raids. For fans following along, this series offers an immersive look at cheap ARCR Coins from the ground up—a mix of strategy, chaos, and the thrill of survival.

Comment “humble” if you made it this far and are ready to join the adventure in Spironza. Episode Two awaits, and the Rust Belt is unforgiving.