How To Get Free Loadoutsin Arc Raiders

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-11-05 08:40:04
ARC Raiders is a tense extraction shooter where the core gameplay loop involves constantly raiding the Topside to secure valuable loot and upgrade your gear. This high-risk environment means that every raid comes with the threat of total loss—get eliminated by a ruthless ARC unit or a rival Raider, and you lose everything you brought and everything you found.For new players, or those who have just suffered a brutal streak of losses, finding yourself stripped of all guns and materials can be a serious setback. This is where the game’s ingenious Free Loadouts come into play. Designed to give players a fresh, risk-free start, mastering the Free Loadout is not just about recovery; it’s a strategic choice that can be used to conquer high-difficulty areas and safely tackle tricky quests.This guide will walk you through exactly how to equip a Free Loadout, what essential (though basic) gear it provides, and the key scenarios where using it grants you the ultimate tactical advantage.

Arc Raiders: How To Get Free Loadouts

How to Equip a Free Loadout

Accessing the Free Loadout is a simple process that requires navigating the pre-raid menu. Crucially, you don't have to lose all your gear to use this feature; you can opt for it at any time.

  • Select Map: From the main screen, click the 'Play' button and select the map you wish to raid.
  • Access Loadout Screen: You'll enter the loadout management screen, where you typically add or remove items from your Stash.
  • Choose Free Loadout: Look for the "Free Loadout" option at the top of your screen and click it.
  • Confirm: You will see a basic augment slot appear. You cannot add any other items to this screen; the rest of the gear will be automatically added to your inventory upon starting the game.
  • Important Note: If you have items already in your main loadout, your Stash must haveenough available space to return those items before you can switch toand launch with a Free Loadout. This ensures you don't lose yourcurrently equipped gear.

    What's Included in a Free Loadout?

    The Free Loadout is designed to be functional, providing the absoluteminimum required to survive and fight. While it is certainly worse thaneven the most generic custom loadout, the gear is perfectly adequate for a tactical run.

    Here is the exact gear package you receive:

    • Basic Augment: A complimentary augment is provided, which offers a slot for a light shield and up to 35 weight capacity. Crucially, this augment does not include a safe pocket slot, so any items you find must be successfully extracted to be saved.
    • Shield and Healing: You get one light shield with full durability and one shield recharger. You also receive two bandages for health recovery.
    • Primary Weapon: A random weapon is chosen from the starting tier: either a Stitcher I, Kettle I, or Ferro I.
    • Ammunition: The appropriate type of bullets will be supplied based on the random gun you receive.
    • Throwables: A small number of random throwables are also included.

    The Big Payoff: If you successfully extract with a Free Loadout, every item, including the augment itself and any gear you found, can be safely added to your Stash. This is a risk-free way to rebuild yourinventory.

    When to Strategically Use the Free Loadout

    Given its basic nature, many players assume the Free Loadout is only for when their Stash is empty. However, smart players use it as a tactical toolto maximize profit and minimize risk.

    1. High-Difficulty Exploration and Practice

    If you are a new player or testing a difficult, high-risk map for the first time, the Free Loadout is your best friend.

    • Risk-Free Scouting: Challenging higher difficulty maps is often the best way to learn enemy placement, key loot zones, and extraction routes. By using a FreeLoadout, you are guaranteed not to lose anything from your Stash, making difficult raids feel less punishing.
    • Skill Check: It forces you to rely purely on your mechanical skill and tacticalthinking, rather than high-tier gear, providing a more challenging andrewarding experience.

    2. Completing Quest Objectives

    Many quests in ARC Raiders require you to perform non-combat objectives, such as:

    • Running Across the Map: Traversing long distances to reach a specific area.
    • Finding Specific Areas: Locating hidden landmarks or POIs.

    It is incredibly dangerous—and wasteful—to attempt these kinds oflong-distance scouting missions with a custom loadout full of your bestgear.

    The Safe Approach: Start with a Free Loadout forthese quest runs. You eliminate the worry of losing high-value items to a surprise ambush or sniper. If you get eliminated while running yourquest route, the only loss is time.

    Loot Bonus: Since yourprimary goal is navigation, any loot you happen to find along the waybecomes a pure profit bonus upon successful extraction.

    Byutilizing the Free Loadout for high-risk scouting or low-stakesquesting, you maintain the strength of your Stash while continuing toprogress and gain experience on the Topside.

    Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S
    Genre(s): Third-person shooter
    Developer(s): Embark Studios
    Publisher(s): Embark Studios
    Engine: Unreal engine 5
    Release date: October 30, 2025
    Mode: multiplayer
    Video preview



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