ARC Raiders Leveling Guide: How To Level Up Fast
Key Takeaways
How to level up fast in ARC Raiders:
- Chain safe extractions for steady XP growth.
- Scavenge everything. Partial searches still grant XP.
- Stay Topside as long as it is safe to stack minute-based XP.
- Pick one quest per raid that matches your route.
- Prioritize Looter’s Instinct and Proficient Pryor on your Skill Tree.
Introduction
Welcome to our comprehensive ARC Raiders Leveling Guide. The game grants XP for scavenging, damaging and destroying ARC units, minutes survived, and successful extraction. Quests and weekly Trials add bursts of progress.
Each level grants one skill point in Conditioning, Mobility, or Survival. This guide focuses on simple loops, clear priorities, and practical tables so you can level up fast without wasting time.
Note: Treat each raid as a timer. Convert minutes and searches into guaranteed XP, then extract on schedule.
What is the max level in ARC Raiders?
The maximum level in ARC Raiders is 75. You receive one skill point per level. You cannot fill the entire tree, so planning matters.
How long does it take to reach level 75?
Leveling in ARC Raiders is a long-term grind. Based on community benchmarks and player data, reaching the max level of 75 usually takes around 250 hours of active gameplay.
MAX OUT YOUR RAIDER EASILY!
For reference, a content creator reached level 37 in roughly 55 hours of playtime while progressing efficiently, which is considerably faster than an average player. Since XP requirements scale dramatically after level 50, most players can expect the grind to level 75 to take over 200 hours of active gameplay, depending on extraction success rate and XP optimization per raid.
Your pace still depends heavily on run length, extract rate, and how many XP sources you combine per raid. Safe loops commonly produce about 5,000–10,000 XP per run, while high-efficiency sessions that include heavy scavenging and clean extractions can reach 15,000–20,000+ XP. Averaging 3–4 successful extractions per hour puts most players in the range of 15,000–40,000 XP/hour, depending on skill and consistency.
Note: Even with efficient routes, ARC Raiders leveling is meant to be a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on consistent extractions and long-term progression rather than short XP spikes.
ARC Raiders Leveling Unlockables
How to unlock Trials?
Trials in ARC Raiders unlock at Level 15. They serve as the game’s competitive ranking system, where Raiders compete for leaderboard positions and exclusive rewards by completing weekly challenges.
What are Trials?
Once unlocked, Raiders gain access to the Trials Menu, which presents five weekly Trials Challenges. Each challenge tracks a specific in-game activity, such as damage dealt, successful extractions, or ARC eliminations. Completing these actions awards Trial Points for that challenge.
At the end of each extraction, your points are tallied and submitted to the leaderboard. Only your best score for each challenge counts toward your total rank. Reaching specific point thresholds will grant exclusive rewards such as materials, cosmetics, and leaderboard placements.
Note: Trials reset weekly, so consistency and improvement are key to climbing ranks and earning the best seasonal rewards.
How to unlock Projects?
Projects become available once your Raider reaches Level 20. They represent long-term progression goals that eventually lead to the game’s prestige system, known as Expeditions.
What are Projects?
Expedition Projects expand the world beyond Speranza into the dangerous tunnel networks beneath the Rust Belt. Most survivors never venture this far, but experienced Raiders can choose to risk it all by setting out into uncharted territory.
Starting an Expedition is effectively a one-way journey. Your current Raider carries all their gear and possessions into the unknown, and their story ends there. However, your next Raider will begin with a unique permanent advantage earned from that previous Expedition.
Note: Expeditions act as the prestige reset system in ARC Raiders, allowing veterans to start fresh with lasting bonuses, deeper world lore, and new opportunities beyond the Rust Belt.
ARC Raiders Skill Tree Fast-Leveling Path
Prioritize nodes that convert time into safe XP and reduce exposure.
- Looter’s Instinct speeds up looting so you clear more containers per minute.
- Proficient Pryor reduces breach time for doors and containers.
- Gentle Pressure take one point for lower breach noise. Extra points have smaller returns for leveling.
- Round out with carry, mobility, survivability to raise extract rate.
Suggested early paths
- Scavenger first Looter’s Instinct then Proficient Pryor then Gentle Pressure one point then mobility or defense.
- Balanced Proficient Pryor one point then Looter’s Instinct then basic defense and utility.
Note: Anything that speeds up loot or cuts exposure usually beats small damage bonuses during leveling.
IMPROVE YOUR ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE FAST!
How XP Is Calculated in ARC Raiders
Each raid summary screen breaks down your experience gained into multiple categories. Understanding how XP is distributed helps you plan efficient runs and maximize progression.
- Damaged ARC – XP for dealing damage to ARC enemies.
- Destroyed ARC – XP for killing ARC units directly.
- Destroyed ARC (Assist) – XP for contributing to a teammate’s ARC kill.
- Scavenged – XP from looting containers, ARC fragments, and corpses.
- Damaged Raider – XP for damaging other player Raiders in PvP.
- Knocked Out Raider – XP for eliminating an enemy Raider.
- Time on Surface – XP gained for every minute survived topside.
- Safe Return Bonus – XP earned upon successful extraction.
| XP Source | Example XP (Level 19 Run) | Percentage of Total | Description |
| Damaged ARC | 4,462 XP | 17.6% | Damage dealt to ARC units during combat encounters. |
| Destroyed ARC | 200 XP | 0.8% | XP granted for landing the killing blow on ARC enemies. |
| Destroyed ARC (Assist) | 800 XP | 3.2% | Assisting teammates in destroying ARC units. |
| Scavenged | 9,250 XP | 36.4% | Searching containers, ARC fragments, and looting bodies. |
| Damaged Raider | 883 XP | 3.5% | Inflicting damage on opposing player Raiders. |
| Knocked Out Raider | 1,000 XP | 3.9% | Eliminating an enemy Raider. |
| Time on Surface | 4,553 XP | 17.9% | Earned passively over time for staying alive topside. |
| Safe Return Bonus | 4,230 XP | 16.7% | Granted after a successful extraction with your loot. |
| Total XP Earned | 25,378 XP |
In this sample raid, the player earned 25,378 XP — with scavenging and time survived providing the majority of the experience. Surviving longer and extracting safely often contributes more XP than combat alone.
Note: Focus on consistent scavenging and safe extractions. Combat adds valuable XP, but dying before extraction forfeits your Safe Return Bonus and efficiency.
The fastest way to farm XP in ARC Raiders
Build a loop that stacks minute based XP with constant searches and ends at a predictable extract.
Best leveling activities
- Pick one quest that matches the run objective.
- Scavenging first – tap every container body and ARC husk.
- Selective ARC combat – destroy light units on route, avoid the big ones.
- Opportunistic PvP – engage only when you are in advantage and loot corpses for extra XP.
Best Maps to Level in ARC Raiders
The most efficient maps for leveling in ARC Raiders are those with dense interior zones, clustered loot spots, and minimal ARC resistance. These locations let you chain fast scavenging runs, survive longer, and extract safely with consistent XP gains.
Below are the Top 3 Best Maps for Leveling in ARC Raiders:
- Buried City – The best and easiest map for leveling. Features tightly packed urban ruins, many searchable interiors, and low ARC density. Perfect for fast, low-risk scavenging loops with nearby extraction routes.
- Dam Battlegrounds – A balanced map combining medium enemy activity with excellent loot density. Great for learning efficient extraction paths and practicing XP farming through a mix of scavenging and light combat.
- Spaceport – Offers a strong mix of loot zones, hangars, and enclosed structures ideal for safe farming. While ARC patrols can appear around open landing areas, careful routing keeps it highly profitable for consistent XP.
For optimal results, focus on quick 10–15 minute loops inside these maps, prioritizing scavenging, safe extractions, and minimal combat. Avoid large open areas that slow down your progress and attract unnecessary fights.
Tip: Choose maps with at least two close extraction points and multiple interior clusters. Consistent scavenging runs in Buried City, Dam Battlegrounds, or Spaceport can easily yield 10,000–15,000 XP per raid with minimal risk.
Filler XP sources
- Stay Topside to stack the minute tick.
- Hit field depots and airdrops you pass.
- Partial searches count even on empties and squad opened containers.
- Clean extraction secures your bonus and banks the run.
ARC Raiders Power Leveling Tips and Tricks
Small optimizations add up over an evening. Use the checklist and keep runs simple.
Pre-raid tips
- Choose one quest aligned with your route.
- Map check. Mark two extracts and a three stop interior loop.
- Pack ammo heals and shields. Leave space for upgrades.
In-raid tips
- Breach fast and loot fast with Proficient Pryor and Looter’s Instinct.
- Tap every container, body, and ARC fragment. Even the partial searches count.
- Avoid big ARCs. Noise invites players. Stay off the radar for maximum efficiency.
- Overweight or low meds means you should go to the nearest extract point.
- Carry a Hatch Key for low profile exits.
Quick leveling loop
- Pick a matching quest.
- Mark two extracts and a three POI interior loop.
- Tap everything you see for extra XP.
- Kill light ARC only. Only take big ones when you need parts.
- Only engage in PvP when you are in advantage and remember to loot bodies.
- Stay alive to stack minute based XP then extract on schedule.
Note: Consistency beats spikes. Aim for banked XP every time.
Frequently Asked Questions. ARC Raiders Leveling
1. What is the max level in ARC Raiders
The maximum level in ARC Raiders is 75.
2. Do partial searches grant XP
Yes. Interact and back out if needed. You still get XP.
3. Is scavenging or PvP better for XP
Scavenging is the most reliable baseline. Add PvP only when you have an advantage.
4. How do I respec the skill tree
Use Expedition unlocked via Projects at level 20 for a full reset.
5. What is the fastest way to level up
Chain safe extractions. Loot everything. Stack time alive. Run a quest that matches your route.
Final Thoughts
Leveling efficiently in ARC Raiders is about discipline. Plan a loop, turn minutes and searches into guaranteed XP, avoid ego fights, extract on time, and repeat. As your routes improve and your tree fills, your XP per hour rises naturally.
Personal note: Revisit your loop every few levels. One new interior stop or a single QoL point can add a surprising amount of XP across a session.
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