In the harsh, robot-infested world of ARC Raiders, your shield isn't just another piece of gear—it's your lifeline. Understanding how to craft, recharge, and strategically use the different shield types is the key to surviving longer and securing more loot. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to master your personal defense systems.
Understanding Shield Types: A Trade-Off Between Defense and Mobility
There are three main tiers of shields in ARC Raiders, each offering a distinct balance of protection and mobility. Choosing the right one depends entirely on your preferred playstyle.Here’s a quick overview of the stats:
| Shield Type | Charge | Damage Reduction | Weight | Movement Speed Reduction |
|---|
| Light Shield | 40 | 40% | 5.0 units | 0% |
| Medium Shield | 70 | 42.5% | 7.0 units | 5% |
| Heavy Shield | 80 | 52.5% | 9.0 units | 15% |
What This Means for Your Gameplay:- Light Shield: Perfect for agile "run-and-gun" players. The zero movement penalty lets you dodge and flank with ease, but you'll need to be more evasive as it offers the lowest damage reduction.
- Medium Shield: The all-rounder choice. It provides a solid boost to your survivability without crippling your mobility, making it a fantastic and versatile option for most situations.
- Heavy Shield: The tank's best friend. If you plan to stand your ground and absorb significant punishment, this is your shield. Just be prepared to move much slower, making you vulnerable to flanking and area-of-effect attacks.
How to Craft Every Shield
You cannot craft shields from the get-go. Your first step is to establish a Gear Bench in your personal Workshop. This station unlocks the blueprints for all shields and augments.
Once your Gear Bench is operational, you can start manufacturing yourdefenses. Here are the crafting recipes you'll need to unlock:
| Shield Type | Required Crafting Materials | Gear Bench Level |
|---|
| Light Shield | 2x ARC Alloy, 4x Plastic Parts | 1 |
| Medium Shield | 1x ARC Circuitry, 4x Battery | 1 |
| Heavy Shield | 1x Power Rod, 2x Voltage Converter | 2 |
Pro Tip: Shields have durability that depletes as you take damage. Always check its condition before araid. If it's below 20%, repair it at your workshop to avoid having itbreak at a critical moment.
Keeping Your Defenses Up: How to Recharge Shields
Your shield won't last forever in the field. Knowing how to recharge itmid-mission is a crucial skill. You have several options, from findingloot to crafting specialized tools.
| Item | Shield Charge | Application Time | How to Acquire |
|---|
| ARC Powercell | 20 | 3s | Found as loot in the world. |
| Shield Recharger | 4 per second | 2s | Crafting: 5x Rubber Parts, 1x ARC Powercell Purchase from Lance: 1,560 Coins |
| Surge Shield Recharger | 50 | 5s | Crafting: 1x Electrical Components, 1x Advanced ARC Powercell Purchase from Lance: 3,600 Coins |
When to Use Each Recharger:
- ARC Powercell: A common find and a quick, disposable fix for a minor shield top-up.
- Shield Recharger: Your reliable, go-to tool. It provides a steady stream of charge over time, perfect for recovering after a skirmish.
- Surge Shield Recharger: The emergency "oh-no" button. It has a long application time butdelivers a massive burst of charge, ideal for getting back in the fightwhen you're critically low.
Final Strategic Takeaways
Mastering shields in ARC Raiders is about more than just equipping the one withthe biggest number. Consider your loadout holistically. Are you astealthy scout? The Light Shield is your friend. Planning to assault aheavily guarded ARC point? The Heavy Shield might be worth the speedtrade-off. Always keep a few rechargers in your pocket, and manage yourinventory weight to ensure you can still move effectively. Now, get outthere, Raider, and make the ARC pay.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S
Genre(s): Third-person shooter
Developer(s): Embark Studios
Publisher(s): Embark Studios
Release date: October 30, 2025
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