I’ve spent countless hours diving into ARC Raiders, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Augments are the backbone of every successful raid. Forget about fancy weapons or epic loot for a moment – your choice of Augment determines everything from your carry capacity to your survival chances when things go south.
After the recent 1.13.0 update shook up the meta, understanding all Arc Raiders Augments has become more crucial than ever. Whether you’re a solo rat trying to maximize loot or a team player looking to support your squad, the right Augment can be the difference between extracting with a full inventory or respawning with nothing.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every Augment in the game, share my personal experiences, and reveal the strategies that have helped me dominate raids consistently.
Augments are essentially your character’s backbone in ARC Raiders – these devices adjust your backpack space, weight capacity, and Shield compatibility. Think of them as your character’s class system, but with way more flexibility and tactical depth.
Every Augment offers different bonuses, and the rarer ones grant unique perks that can completely change how you approach dangerous situations. The beauty of Augments lies in their specialization – some turn you into a walking tank, others into a lightning-fast looter, and some into the ultimate team supporter.
Here’s the kicker: Augments cannot be adjusted while Topside (in a raid), so your choice before heading out matters more than you might think. When you get knocked out, your equipped Augment also loses durability in increments of 30, adding another layer of strategy to your loadout decisions.
Let me tell you about the time I discovered the Tactical Mark II – this Augment completely changed how I approach team play. I was running a standard Combat Mark I build, struggling with shield breaks and getting caught in bad positions. Then I crafted the Tactical Mark II, and suddenly, every time my shield broke, a smoke grenade would automatically deploy.
I’ll never forget the raid on Stella Montis where this saved my entire squad. We got pinned down by an enemy team, and as my shield shattered, the smoke gave us the cover we needed to reposition and turn the fight around. That’s the magic of Augments – they’re not just stats on a spreadsheet; they’re game-changing tools that create memorable moments.
For my solo runs, I swear by the Looting Mark III Survivor. There’s nothing quite like being able to carry 80kg of loot while knowing you can heal back to 75% HP when downed. I once survived a three-minute firefight against multiple squads, downed twice, and still extracted with a full inventory because this Augment kept me in the fight.
Choosing your Augment isn’t just about picking the highest tier – it’s about matching your playstyle and goals. Let me break down the decision-making process that has served me well:
Are you going for pure loot extraction? PvP dominance? Team support? Your primary goal should dictate your Augment choice.
Looting-focused players should gravitate towards the Looting series, especially the Mark II and III variants. The Looting Mark II offers incredible value with 60kg capacity and auto-priming grenades, while the Mark III Survivor is the ultimate loot goblin’s dream with 80kg carry capacity.
Combat-oriented Raiders will find their home in the Combat series. The Combat Mark III Aggressive stands out with its 2 HP/5s regeneration and heavy shield support, making it perfect for aggressive pushes.
Team players should look at the Tactical series. The Tactical Mark II with its smoke grenade on shield break is a lifesaver, while the Mark III Healing can turn the tide of team fights with its healing cloud on revive.
Your skill tree choices should complement your Augment, not fight against it. If you’ve invested heavily in Mobility skills, lighter Augments with better movement work better. Survival-focused skill trees pair beautifully with looting Augments.
Different maps favor different approaches. Stella Montis with its tight corridors rewards heavy shields and combat-focused Augments, while The Spaceport with its open areas favors tactical positioning and looting builds.
Based on hundreds of raids and extensive testing, here’s my definitive tier list for all Arc Raiders Augments:
Getting your hands on the best Augments requires strategy. Here’s what I’ve learned about farming efficiently:
These are your starter options, available from Gear Bench Level 1 and trader Lance. They’re cheap to craft with basic materials like plastic and rubber.
The sweet spot for cost-effectiveness. Available from Gear Bench Level 2 and Lance. These use rare materials but offer significant upgrades over Mark I variants.
The endgame options, requiring Gear Bench Level 3. The blueprints for these are primarily found in loot rooms behind breach doors during raids. My favorite farming spot is the secure room in the lower levels of The Blue Gate – I’ve found multiple Mark III blueprints there.
The January 2025 update brought significant changes to Augments:
New Additions:
Balance Changes:
Meta Impact: These changes have shaken up the tier list significantly. The new Safekeeper Augment is becoming popular among players who frequently run with expensive weapons, while the buff to Combat Mark III Aggressive has made it a top-tier choice for aggressive players.
After hundreds of raids, I’ve picked up some advanced strategies that most players overlook:
The Broad Shoulders and Loaded Arms skill tree nodes can completely change which Augments work for you. With maxed-out weight skills, the Tactical Mark II becomes incredibly viable despite its low base weight capacity.
Don’t just look at shield compatibility – consider the movement speed penalty. Heavy shields on maps with lots of verticality can be more trouble than they’re worth. Sometimes, a medium shield with a Tactical Augment gives you better overall survivability.
Your safe pockets are your insurance policy. I always keep my most valuable items (rare keys, expensive meds, quest items) in safe pockets, regardless of which Augment I’m using. The Looting Mark III Safekeeper takes this to another level by protecting your primary weapons.
Many Augment passives have cooldowns. Learn to track these mentally – the smoke grenade from Tactical Mark II or the healing from Combat variants can save your life if you time your engagements around them.
While you can’t swap Augments mid-raid, you should have multiple Augments ready for different situations. I keep a looting Augment for farming runs, a combat Augment for PvP-heavy lobbies, and a tactical Augment for team play.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes learning Augments, so let me save you some pain:
Don’t craft Mark III Augments too early – The material cost is massive, and you might find the blueprint you actually want later. Stick with Mark II until you’re sure about your endgame choice.
Don’t ignore the Free Loadout Augment – It’s actually an incredible farming tool when you’re starting out. The random gear you spawn with can be sold for profit to bootstrap your first real Augment.
Don’t overlook passive abilities – That tiny healing might seem useless, but in extended fights, it adds up. The smoke grenade from Tactical Mark II has won me more fights than I can count.
Don’t copy builds blindly – What works for pro players might not work for your playstyle. Experiment and find what feels natural to you.
A: No, Augments cannot be swapped while Topside. Make your choice before heading out.
A: Augments lose durability when you’re knocked down (30 durability per knockout), but they can be repaired at the workshop.
A: The Looting Mark III Survivor is generally considered the best solo Augment due to its massive carry capacity and self-heal when downed.
A: Having multiple Augments for different situations is ideal, but if you’re starting out, focus on mastering one that fits your primary playstyle.
A: Absolutely, if you’ve found the right blueprint for your playstyle. The unique abilities and significantly better stats make them game-changing.
Arc Raiders Augments are more than just equipment – they’re your identity in the game. Whether you’re a loot-hungry scavenger, a tactical team player, or an aggressive combat specialist, there’s an Augment that perfectly matches your style.
The key to mastery is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different Augments, learn from your mistakes, and gradually build your collection. The meta will continue to evolve with updates, but the fundamental principles of matching Augments to playstyle will always remain.
Remember, the best Augment is the one that helps you extract successfully and have fun doing it. Now get out there, craft your perfect loadout, and show those ARCs who’s boss!
