kill the Arc Raiders Queen with one grenade Exploit Guide (2025)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stared down the massive spider-like Queen in Arc Raiders and felt that mix of terror and excitement. This towering monstrosity with over 33,000 health can wipe entire squads in seconds, making it the most feared enemy in the game. But what if I told you there’s a way to kill her with just one grenade? That’s right – I’m talking about the infamous blaze grenade trap exploit that’s been taking the Arc Raiders community by storm.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through both the exploit method and the legitimate strategies for taking down the Queen. Whether you’re looking to farm massive XP rewards quickly or want to conquer her the intended way, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.

What Is the Arc Raiders Queen?

The Queen isn’t just another ARC enemy – she’s the pinnacle of end-game content in Arc Raiders. This massive, spider-like mechanical monster only appears during Harvester Events, which you can identify by the ‘link’ icon next to certain maps on the selection screen. When you load into a Harvester Event, you’ll find the Queen guarding the valuable Harvester, making her the ultimate gatekeeper to some of the best loot in the game.

What makes the Queen so terrifying? Let me break down what you’re up against:

• Health Pool: A whopping 33,000 HP (though some sources say 22,000 – the exact number seems to vary)
• Threat Level: Extreme – this isn’t a boss you want to face unprepared
• Primary Attacks: Mortar fire, laser beams, EMP pulses, and devastating ground slams
• Weak Points: Joints (knees) and the Head Core that becomes exposed after breaking a leg
• Rewards: Up to 50,000 XP per kill plus high-tier loot from the Harvester

I’ve faced this beast dozens of times now, and I can tell you from experience – she’s not to be underestimated. But with the right knowledge, she’s definitely beatable, whether you’re using the exploit or going in guns blazing.

Why I Enjoy Playing Arc Raiders’ Harvester Events?

There’s something incredibly satisfying about the Harvester Events in Arc Raiders. For me, it’s the perfect blend of high-stakes combat and strategic gameplay. When I first started playing, I’d avoid these events like the plague – the Queen seemed impossible to beat, and I’d end up losing all my hard-earned loot.

But then I discovered the community around these events. I joined squads, learned the patterns, and eventually started taking down Queens regularly. The rush of successfully defeating this massive boss and claiming the Harvester’s loot is unmatched in the game. Plus, the XP rewards are insane – we’re talking 47,000 to 50,000 XP per kill, which makes it one of the fastest leveling methods in the game.

What I love most is how each Harvester Event feels different. Sometimes you get a perfect spawn near cover, other times you’re exposed in the open. The Queen’s attack patterns vary, and you never know when other players might show up to either help or hinder your progress. It’s this unpredictability that keeps me coming back for more.

How to Kill the Queen With One Grenade (The Exploit Method)

Alright, let’s get to what you’re really here for – the one grenade exploit that’s been making waves in the Arc Raiders community. I’ve used this method myself, and I have to admit, it’s almost too good to be true. Here’s exactly how it works:

What You’ll Need?

• Blaze Grenade Traps: These are blue-rarity grenades that are surprisingly common
• A basic weapon: Any gun will do – you just need something to shoot the trap
• Basic supplies: Bandages and shield rechargers just in case
• Nerves of steel: Getting close to the Queen is terrifying, even with this exploit

Getting Your Blaze Grenade Traps

The best part about this exploit is that Blaze Grenade Traps are incredibly easy to obtain:

• Looting: Check containers, supply crates, and enemy drops throughout the Rust Belt
• Crafting: You can craft them using just 1x Blaze Grenade and 1x Wire
• Availability: Most players have stacks of these from regular gameplay

I recommend bringing at least 3 Blaze Grenade Traps, even though one should be enough. Trust me, you don’t want to be that person who misses their shot and has nothing to fall back on.

Step-by-Step Exploit Guide

Here’s exactly how I pull off the one-grenade Queen kill:

1. Approach with caution: Get as close to the Queen as possible without triggering her aggression. I’ve found that approaching from behind or underneath works best – she’s less likely to detect you there.
2. Position yourself: Get right under her body, between her legs. This gives you the perfect angle to place the trap where it will stick to her underside.
3. Place the trap: Throw or place the Blaze Grenade Trap so it sticks to the Queen’s body. Some players swear by placing it in the gap between her head and body, but honestly, I’ve found that anywhere on the underside works just fine.
4. Trigger the explosion: Here’s the crucial part – Blaze Grenade Traps don’t automatically explode. You need to manually trigger them by shooting the trap once it’s attached to the Queen.
5. Back away quickly: As soon as you shoot the trap, get to cover. The explosion is massive and will instantly kill the Queen, but you don’t want to get caught in any splash damage.

Why This Works (For Now)

The reason this exploit works is that Blaze Grenade Traps appear to be bugged, dealing way more damage than intended against all enemies, including the Queen. This isn’t just a little damage boost – we’re talking instant kill levels of damage that make the Queen’s 33,000 health pool irrelevant.

Important note: This is almost certainly a bug that will be patched soon. The developers are likely aware of it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s fixed in the next update. If you want to try this method, I’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later.

How to Kill the Queen Legitimately (The Intended Method)

Now, let’s talk about how to take down the Queen the way the developers intended. This method requires more skill, better gear, and often teamwork, but there’s a certain satisfaction in defeating this boss legitimately that the exploit just can’t match.

The Best Loadout for Legitimate Queen Kills

After dozens of Queen fights, here’s what I’ve found works best:

Primary Weapon: Hullcracker

• This is hands-down the best ARC killer in the game
• Bring 200-250 rounds if you’re solo, or 70-100 per person in a trio
• Its explosive damage is perfect for breaking the Queen’s leg joints

Secondary Weapon: Venator or Anvil

• Venator is great for dealing with smaller ARC enemies that spawn during the fight
• Anvil provides sustained damage against the Queen once her core is exposed
• Both work well against human intruders who might try to steal your kill

Essential Grenades

• Showstopper: Non-negotiable for Queen fights. Stuns her for 10 seconds, giving you a perfect damage window
• Wolfpack: Great for dealing with adds like Rocketeers, though its targeting can be iffy on the Queen’s core

Healing Items

• Herbal Bandages: Bring multiple – you’ll need them
• Shield Rechargers: Essential for surviving the Queen’s devastating attacks
• Defibrillators: Crucial for reviving teammates in trio runs

Augments and Gadgets

• Combat Augment III or II: Allows you to equip the Heavy Shield
• Heavy Shield: Absolutely necessary for surviving the Queen’s laser beam attack
• Snap Hook: Incredibly useful for repositioning, dodging attacks, or even jumping on the Queen
• Raider Hatch Key: Put this in your safe pocket – you don’t want to win the fight only to die at extraction

The Legitimate Strategy: Break a Leg, Burn the Core

The legitimate strategy revolves around a simple but effective pattern: break a leg, then burn the core. Here’s how I do it:

1. Find good cover: Don’t fight the Queen in the open. I prefer buildings or structures that provide good angles while limiting exposure. On the Dam Battlegrounds map, the Power Gen Complex on the north side is perfect.
2. Bait and focus: Have one person peek to bait the Queen’s mortar attack. As soon as the shells are in the air, everyone else focuses fire on a single leg joint.
3. Break the leg: Once you break a leg joint, the Queen will stagger, and her Head Core will drop into view. This is your moment to shine.
4. Stun and burn: Throw a Showstopper to stun the Queen for 10 seconds. Everyone should immediately dump their highest DPS into that glowing core.
5. Survive the laser: The second you hear the laser charge up, get back into cover. Don’t get greedy – that laser attack can one-shot you even with a Heavy Shield.
6. Repeat: Rotate to the next leg, break it, burn the core. All while this is happening, you must control the adds that spawn. Use Wolfpacks or shock grenades to deal with Rocketeers.

Solo vs. Team Strategies

Solo Play: The strategy is similar but much more intense. You’ll need to kite the Queen around cover, peek-shooting leg joints when you can. When the core exposes, use your Showstopper and dump everything into it before retreating. It’s doable solo, but it requires perfect timing and patience.

Team Play: This is where the fight really shines. With a trio, you can have dedicated roles – one person baiting attacks, two focusing on legs, everyone burning the core when it’s exposed. Communication is key, and with good coordination, you can take down the Queen much faster than solo.

Arc Raiders Queen Rewards and XP

Whether you use the exploit or legitimate methods, the rewards for defeating the Queen are substantial:

• XP Rewards: 47,000 to 50,000 XP per kill, making it one of the best XP farms in the game
• Loot from the Queen: High-tier ARC parts and components
• Harvester Loot: Access to one of the richest loot pools in the game
• Achievements: Various trophies and achievements related to Queen kills

The time investment varies dramatically between methods:

• Exploit method: 3-5 minutes from spawn to extraction with a good Queen spawn
• Legitimate method: 15-30 minutes depending on skill level and team coordination

Latest Arc Raiders Updates and Patch Notes

As of November 2025, the blaze grenade trap exploit is still working, but given how widely it’s being shared on social media and YouTube, I expect it to be patched soon. The developers haven’t officially commented on it yet, but it’s clearly not intended behavior.

Recent updates have focused on:

• Bug fixes for various weapons and gadgets
• Balance changes to ARC enemy behaviors
• Quality of life improvements to the Harvester Event system
• New loot tables for end-game content

Keep an eye on the official Arc Raiders patch notes for any changes to the Queen fight or blaze grenade trap functionality.

Tips and Tricks for Queen Success

Whether you’re using the exploit or legitimate methods, these tips will help you succeed:

General Tips

• Always bring a Raider Hatch Key: I can’t stress this enough. Don’t let your hard work go to waste at extraction
• Know when to retreat: Sometimes backing off and resetting is better than pushing your luck
• Control the adds: Smaller ARC enemies can be just as dangerous as the Queen if ignored
• Use cover effectively: The Queen’s attacks are devastating in the open – use buildings and terrain to your advantage

Exploit-Specific Tips

• Practice placement: The angle and placement of the blaze grenade trap can make or break this strategy
• Have backup traps: Sometimes the first trap doesn’t stick properly – always bring extras
• Be quick: The longer you take, the more likely the Queen will detect and attack you

Legitimate Method Tips

• Focus fire: Coordinate with your team to all attack the same leg joint
• Time your stuns: Save Showstoppers for when the core is exposed for maximum damage
• Manage your resources: Don’t waste your best ammo on adds – save it for the Queen’s core
• Learn the patterns: The Queen’s attacks are telegraphed – learn the audio and visual cues

FAQs About Killing the Queen in Arc Raiders

Q: Is the one-grenade exploit considered cheating?

A: Technically, yes – it’s using a bug to bypass intended gameplay. However, since it’s not explicitly against the terms of service and the developers haven’t patched it yet, many players consider it fair game. Use your own judgment.

Q: Will I get banned for using the blaze grenade trap exploit?

A: It’s unlikely since it’s an in-game bug rather than third-party software, but there’s always a risk when using exploits. The developers could potentially take action if they determine it’s being abused.

Q: What’s the fastest way to farm Queens?

A: Currently, the exploit method is by far the fastest – you can complete a full run in 3-5 minutes with good spawns. The legitimate method takes significantly longer but feels more rewarding.

Q: Can I solo the Queen legitimately?

A: Yes, but it’s much more challenging. You’ll need perfect gear, excellent timing, and a lot of patience. I recommend trio runs for most players attempting legitimate kills.

Q: What’s the best weapon for the Queen fight?

A: The Hullcracker is universally considered the best weapon for the Queen fight due to its high damage against ARC enemies and explosive rounds that are perfect for breaking leg joints.

Q: How often do Harvester Events occur?

A: Harvester Events rotate regularly on the map selection screen. Look for maps with the ‘link’ icon – these indicate active Harvester Events where the Queen will spawn.

Q: What level should I be before attempting the Queen?

A: For the exploit method, you can attempt it at any level since it’s more about positioning than gear. For legitimate methods, I recommend being at least level 15-20 with good end-game gear.

Q: Are there other exploits for the Queen?

A: Currently, the blaze grenade trap is the most well-known exploit. There are rumors of other methods, but none have been as widely documented or proven effective.

Conclusion

There you have it – the complete guide to killing the Queen in Arc Raiders, whether you want to use the infamous one-grenade exploit or take her down the legitimate way. I’ve spent countless hours facing this massive boss, and I can tell you that both methods have their merits.

The exploit method is fast, efficient, and perfect for farming XP and loot quickly, but it feels a bit like cheating and will likely be patched soon. The legitimate method is more challenging, requires better gear and coordination, but provides that incredible satisfaction of actually earning your victory.

Personally, I’ve used both methods, and I appreciate what each offers. The exploit helped me gear up quickly when I was starting out, while the legitimate method gave me some of the most memorable gaming moments I’ve had in Arc Raiders.

Whatever method you choose, remember to have fun with it. The Queen fight is one of the most exciting encounters in the game, and whether you’re one-shotting her with a grenade or engaging in an epic 20-minute battle, it’s an experience that defines what makes Arc Raiders so great.

Now get out there and show that Queen who’s boss! And if you have any questions or want to share your own Queen-killing strategies, drop them in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your experiences with this epic boss fight!

Looking for more Arc Raiders strategies? Check out our Arc Raiders Launch Tower Pro Loot Strategies and Arc Raiders: Toaster Locations Pro Tips for even more ways to dominate the game!