ARC Raiders is right around the corner, and the excitement is real as players prepare to test their skills against both AI threats and rival raiders. The game’s talent system offers a wide array of builds to suit different play styles, and picking the right setup can make all the difference in your expeditions. While the skill tree may see some tweaks once the game officially launches, understanding the core talent options and how they interact will help you make the most of your early runs - regardless if you’re flying solo, running with a squad, or jumping into PvP.

This guide presents a comprehensive look at the ARC Raiders skill tree, followed by the best talent builds for solo play, squad PvE, and PvP. Each section draws from extended play experience and community insight, aiming to help you navigate your ideal path in the field.

ARC Raiders Best Skill Tree Build Guide

The ARC Raiders skill tree is divided into three branches:

• Mobility: Focuses on movement, stamina management, vaulting, sliding, and dodging.

• Conditioning: Emphasizes survivability, encumbrance, damage resistance, and shield synergy.

• Survival: Covers looting speed, stealth, crafting, and inventory management.

Each branch offers a mix of generalist, defensive, and specialized perks, allowing players to invest points according to their preferred approach. Some talents enhance basic movement (like sliding, rolling, or vaulting), while others support heavy looting or enable advanced healing and crafting options.

Stamina management is a recurring theme in ARC Raiders. Many high-value perks increase maximum stamina or reduce its consumption, directly affecting your ability to dodge, sprint, or escape dangerous encounters. Inventory management and looting speed are also central, especially for those who want to maximize their haul before extraction.

Talent points are gained by leveling, and unlocking the upper tiers in a branch requires investing a set amount of points in lower-tier skills. This system encourages both deep specialization and hybrid builds, depending on your focus.

ARC Raiders Best Skill Tree Builds for PvE Solo/Squad

Playing solo in ARC Raiders means facing threats from both AI and other raiders, often without backup. The solo build balances stamina, movement, and looting efficiency, so you can avoid unnecessary fights, stay agile under pressure, and extract with valuable loot.

1. Solo Survivalist Skill Tree

This skill tree build is designed specifically for solo players, focusing on maximizing stamina, stealth, survivability, and efficient looting. As a solo player, you need to outlast both AI and other raiders, escape from bad situations, and carry home as much loot as possible. By investing heavily in Conditioning and Survival, you gain more stamina, regenerate it faster even when encumbered, make less noise, carry more loot, and have perks to help you recover and escape when critically hurt. This build is highly balanced for solo extraction, letting you play safe, stealthy, and strong.

Best Skills to Set Up

Conditioning

• Youthful Lungs: (Max) Increases max stamina.

• Stubborn Mule: (2 points) Stamina regen less affected by encumbrance.

• Used to the Weight: (Some points) Reduces movement penalty from weight.

• Good as New: Faster stamina regen while healing.

• Broad Shoulders: (Max) Increases max carry weight.

• Loaded Arms: Equipped weapon reduces encumbrance.

• Gentle Pressure: (Max) Less noise while breaching.

• Blast: (Max) Hearing is less affected by explosions.

• Sturdy Ankles: (Max) Take less fall damage.

• Proper Breeding: (4 points) Required to unlock final perks.

• Little Extra: Breaching generates more resources.

• Security Breach: (Final Perk) Lets you breach security lockers.

Survival

• Looter’s Instinct: (Max) Loot revealed faster.

• Silent Scavenger: (Max) Make less noise while looting.

• Just Another Plant: (Max) Less noticeable while crouched.

• Suffer and Silence: Less noise when critically hurt.

• Looters Luck: (Some points) Chance to reveal more items when looting.

• Distracting Aura: (2 points) ARC enemies are less accurate when targeting you.

• Unburdened Roll: First dodge roll after shield break is free.

• Traveling Tinker: Unlocks more items to field-craft.

• Raider Scraps: Chance to find extra field-crafted items from raider containers.

• Down But Not Determined: Takes longer to collapse when downed.

• Turtle Crawl: Crawl faster while downed.

• Back On Your Feet: (Final Perk) Health regenerates up to a certain limit while critically hurt.

Skill Tree Path

1. Start in Conditioning

• 5 points: Youthful Lungs (max this first for stamina pool)

• 2 points: Stubborn Mule (stamina regen when encumbered)

• 2+ points: Used to the Weight

• 1 point: Good as New (stamina regen while healing)

2. Switch to Survival

• 5 points: Looter’s Instinct (max for fast looting)

• 5 points: Silent Scavenger (max for quiet looting)

• 5 points: Just Another Plant (max for stealth when crouched)

3. Back to Conditioning for Deeper Perks

• Max out Broad Shoulders (5 points, to carry more loot)

• 1 point: Loaded Arms (reduce weapon encumbrance)

• 5 points: Gentle Pressure (less noise when breaching)

• 5 points: Blast (max for hearing protection from explosions)

• 5 points: Sturdy Ankles (max to reduce fall damage)

• 4 points: Proper Breeding (to reach 36 total for final perk)

• 1 point: Little Extra

• 1 point: Security Breach (final perk, breach security lockers)

4. Back to Survival for More Utility

• 2 points: Suffer and Silence

• 2 points: Distracting Aura

• 1 point: Unburdened Roll

• 2 points: Traveling Tinker

• 2 points: Raider Scraps

• 2 points: Looters Luck

• 5 points: Gentle Pressure (if not already done)

• 1 point: Down But Not Determined

• 1 point: Turtle Crawl

• 1 point: Back On Your Feet (final survival perk for self-healing at low HP)

Conditioning and Survival give you superior stamina, stealth, weight management, and healing—everything a solo player needs to survive, loot efficiently, and escape tough encounters. Follow the path above to unlock the most important perks early, then fill out the rest to suit your playstyle. This is the best all-around solo build for ARC Raiders!

2. Solo Machine Skill Tree

This build is tailored to make solo players fast, efficient, and highly survivable, enabling you to escape, chase, out-loot, and out-fight both AI and players. It maximizes stamina, movement, and looting speed while making you resilient to encumbrance and self-sufficient through in-raid crafting. With this setup, you’ll be able to carry more loot, move and recover faster, and always have the supplies you need, making solo extraction and survival much easier.

Best Skills to Set Up

Mobility

• Nimble Climber (1)

• Marathon Runner (5)

• Youthful Lungs (5)

• Slip and Slide (3)

• Sturdy Ankles (1)

• Calming Stroll (1)

• Carry the Momentum (1)

Conditioning

• Used to the Weight (5)

• Good as New (1)

• Broad Shoulders (5)

• Stubborn Mule (5)

• Gentle Pressure (5)

• Proficient Prior (5)

• Unburdened Roll (1)

• A Little Extra (1)

• Loaded Arms (5)

• Fight or Flight (5)

• Security Breach (1)

Survival

• Agile Croucher (4)

• Revitalizing Squat (4)

• In Round Crafting (1)

• Looter’s Instinct (5)

• Silent Scavenger (1)

• Traveling Tinkerer (1)

• Looters Luck (5)

Skill Tree Path

1. Start in Mobility

• 1 point in Nimble Climber (to unlock the tree)

• 5 points in Marathon Runner

• 5 points in Youthful Lungs

• 3 points in Slip and Slide

• 1 point in Sturdy Ankles (to reach 15, unlock passives)

• 1 point in Calming Stroll

• 1 point in Carry the Momentum

2. Move to Conditioning

• 5 points in Used to the Weight (offset shield/gear penalties)

3. Survival for Self-Sufficiency and Looting

• 1 point in Agile Croucher (to unlock path)

• 1 point in Revitalizing Squat

• 1 point in In Round Crafting (craft bandages/shields mid-raid)

• 5 points in Looter’s Instinct (fast loot reveal)

• 4 points in Agile Croucher (max it)

• 4 points in Revitalizing Squat (max it)

• 1 point in Silent Scavenger (to reach 15, unlock passives)

• 1 point in Good as New

• 5 points in Broad Shoulders (max carry weight)

• 5 points in Stubborn Mule (regen stamina even when encumbered)

• 1 point in Traveling Tinkerer (unlock more fieldcraft items)

• 5 points in Looters Luck (reveal more loot per search)

4. Go Deeper in Conditioning for Survival & Loot

• 5 points in Gentle Pressure (less noise breaching)

• 5 points in Proficient Prior (faster breaching)

• 1 point in Unburdened Roll (free roll after shield break)

• 1 point in A Little Extra (more resources)

• 5 points in Loaded Arms (equipped weapon weighs almost nothing)

• 5 points in Fight or Flight (regain stamina when hurt)

• 1 point in Security Breach (breach high-tier lockers)

5. Any Remaining Points

• Effortless Roll and Heroic Leap for dodge roll efficiency/distance OR

• Crawl Before You Walk if you want better downed movement (especially for squads)

ARC Raiders Best Skill Tree Builds for Squard

Balanced, Specialized, and Support Builds for Teams - In squad play, each member can specialize, covering different roles to maximize efficiency and survivability. Here are a few archetypes based on the skill trees:

1. Balanced Build (Generalist)

Ideal for players who want a bit of everything and to fill in gaps as needed.

• In-Round Crafting 1 & 2: Craft essential items on the fly.

• Stamina Efficiency & Max Stamina: Foundational for all builds.

• Stamina Regen While Walking: Keeps you ready for action without needing to stop.

• Free Dodge Roll at Sprint Start: For rapid repositioning in combat.

• Faster Breaching: Quickly open doors, panels, and robots.

• Silent Looting & Faster Loot Reveal: Reduces downtime and exposure during looting.

• Increased Inventory Capacity: Carry more for the team.

• Quieter Crouch Movement: Useful for stealth approaches.

This well-rounded setup is effective in both combat and looting scenarios, ensuring adaptability across different objectives and map events.

2. Loot Goblin Build

Perfect for the squad member dedicated to maximizing loot.

• All bottom Survival Tree perks: Silent looting, crafting, fast crouching.

• Max Inventory & Over-Encumbrance Mitigation: Carry as much as possible.

• Security Breach: Access security lockers for additional loot sources.

• Double Item Reveal & Fast Looting: Rapidly clear entire areas.

• Moderate Mobility & Conditioning: Enough to avoid being an easy target, but sacrifices some survivability for loot focus.

Gear Suggestions for Loot Goblin:

• High-capacity backpacks.

• Utility items for quick escapes.

• Defensive gadgets to hold positions while looting.

3. Turtle/Tank Build

For players who want to soak up damage and draw aggro.

• High Investment in Conditioning: Focuses on HP recovery, damage resistance, and shield synergy.

• Extended Downed State: More time for teammates to revive you.

• Resource Generation on Breach: Gain more from interacting with objects.

• Loaded Arms: Equipped weapon impacts encumbrance less, freeing up capacity.

• Regeneration at Critical HP: Automatic HP recovery when health is low.

This approach is all about staying in the fight and protecting teammates during intense encounters.

ARC Raiders Best PvP Skill Tree Builds 

PvP in ARC Raiders rewards sharp movement and quick decision-making. The most competitive builds center around superb stamina management, advanced dodging, and staying lethal even when encumbered.

1. Slidemaster PvP Build

This skill tree is all about maximizing your combat movement, stamina management, and fight recovery, ensuring you’re always the hardest target to hit in any gunfight. By centering on Slip and Slide, which makes you harder to hit and lets you regenerate stamina while sliding, you gain a massive edge in close-quarters PvP. Combined with Marathon Runner and Youthful Lungs, you’ll never run out of stamina while chasing or escaping, and Effortless Roll and Unburdened Roll keep your dodges cheap and frequent. Conditioning perks like Used to the Weight and Loaded Arms let you tank up with shields and loot without slowing down, while the survival picks ensure you can keep fighting longer. This build is designed for players who want to outmaneuver and outlast every opponent in the most intense firefights.

Best PvP Skills to Set Up

Mobility

• Slip and Slide (slide further, lower profile and stamina regen)

• Marathon Runner (movement costs less stamina)

• Youthful Lungs (increased max stamina)

• Effortless Roll (dodge rolls cost less stamina)

• Unburdened Roll (first dodge roll after shield break is free)

• Heroic Leap (sprint dodge roll further)

Conditioning

• Used to the Weight (shields slow you less)

• Loaded Arms (equipped weapon has less impact on your weight)

Survival

• Good as New (increased stamina regen while healing)

• Survivor Stamina (heal when critically low HP)

• Looter’s Instinct (faster looting)

• Suffer and Silence (less noise when critically hurt)

• Broad Shoulders (carry more weight)

• Raider Scraps (extra loot from enemy players)

Skill Tree Path (Step by Step)

1. Mobility Tree (movement comes first)

• Start with Slip and Slide (max this out as soon as possible)

• Invest in Marathon Runner (max)

• Max Youthful Lungs

• Add points to Effortless Roll (as needed for your playstyle)

• Put a point into Unburdened Roll

• Get Heroic Leap for even better movement in fights

2. Conditioning Tree

• Put points into Used to the Weight (max it out to offset shield penalties)

• Invest enough to unlock Loaded Arms (max this if possible)

3. Survival Tree

• Pick up Good as New for strong synergy with healing in PvP

• Take Survivor Stamina for emergency heals and stamina boost

• Grab Looter’s Instinct (max, for faster loot during/after fights)

• Take Suffer and Silence (for stealth and survival)

• Max Broad Shoulders (carry more gear/loot without slowing down)

• Get Raider Scraps if you want even more loot from PvP kills

4. Fill Remaining Points

• Prioritize any further stamina or movement bonuses that match your style

• If you prefer more looting speed or less noise, add to those nodes

• Avoid unnecessary vaulting or breaching perks; focus on combat and stamina

2. Versatile Vanguard Solo PvP Build

This build gives you top-tier movement, efficient stamina use, fast and quiet breaching, and the means to craft vital supplies mid-raid. You’ll stay mobile, flexible, and always ready for PvP action, with enough looting perks to recover quickly after every fight. It lets you traverse the map quickly, reposition with ease, outlast opponents in prolonged fights, and always have the supplies you need. With core skills like Marathon Runner, Youthful Lungs, Heroic Leap, and In Round Crafting, you're equipped to rotate, escape, or chase down targets, while also staying topped up with shields and bandages during intense battles. The build is rounded out with strong looting and encumbrance perks, ensuring you can always grab what you need and get out alive.

Best Skills to Set Up

Survival:

• Agile Croucher (move faster while crouched)

• In Round Crafting (craft shields/bandages in-raid)

• Looter’s Instinct (loot is revealed faster)

• Silent Scavenger (less noise when looting)

• Revitalizing Squat (stamina regenerates while crouched)

• Suffer and Silence (move quieter when critically hurt)

• Broad Shoulders (carry more weight)

• Looters Luck (chance to reveal more loot)

Mobility:

• Nimble Climber (faster climb/vault)

• Marathon Runner (reduces stamina cost when moving)

• Youthful Lungs (increases max stamina)

• Slip and Slide (slide further/faster)

• Effortless Roll (dodge rolls cost less stamina)

• Heroic Leap (sprint dodge roll further)

• Carry the Momentum (sprinting after dodge roll doesn't cost stamina)

• Sturdy Ankles (less fall damage)

Conditioning:

• Used to the Weight (shields slow you less)

• Proficient Prior (faster breaching)

• Gentle Pressure (less noise when breaching)

• Blast (hearing less affected by explosions)

• Fight or Flight (regain stamina when hurt)

• Loaded Arms (equipped weapon has less impact on encumbrance)

• Little Extra (breaching generates more resources)

Skill Tree Path (Step-by-Step)

1. Start with Survival for Utility

• 1 point: Agile Croucher

• 2 points: Path to In Round Crafting

• 1 point: In Round Crafting

2. Move to Mobility for Movement Core

• 1 point: Nimble Climber

• Max out: Marathon Runner

• Max out: Youthful Lungs

3. Go to Conditioning for Breaching and Encumbrance

• 1 point: Used to the Weight

• Max out: Proficient Prior

• 3 points: Gentle Pressure

• 1 point: Blast

• 1 point: Fight or Flight (optional, for stamina on damage)

• Max out: Loaded Arms

• 1 point: Little Extra

4. Back to Mobility for Advanced Movement

• Add points to Nimble Climber and Slip and Slide until you reach 15 points in Mobility

• 1 point: Effortless Roll

• Max out: Heroic Leap

• 1 point: Carry the Momentum

• 1 point: Sturdy Ankles

5. Return to Survival for Looting and Weight

• Max out: Agile Croucher

• Max out: Looter’s Instinct

• 1 point: Silent Scavenger

• 2 points: Revitalizing Squat

• 1 point: Suffer and Silence

• Max out: Broad Shoulders

• 1 point: Looters Luck

6. Fill Remaining Points

• Add more to Effortless Roll, Nimble Climber, or Slip and Slide as preferred

• Additional points can go into stamina-related or noise reduction perks, depending on your playstyle

3. Legacy Raider Balance Build for PvE & PvP

This build is designed for maximum effectiveness in both PvE and PvP, with a strong focus on stamina efficiency, mobility, stealth, fast looting, and weight management. Instead of chasing end-tree perks, it prioritizes the best point-for-point skills in each tree, letting you outmaneuver, outlast, and outplay both AI and real players. With this setup, you’ll have the stamina to escape, chase, or survive, the speed and stealth to loot safely, and the flexibility to carry heavy gear without being bogged down. It’s a truly balanced build that adapts to every encounter you face.

Best Skills to Set Up

Mobility

• Nimble Climber (1)

• Marathon Runner (5)

• Youthful Lungs (5)

• Slip and Slide (3)

• Sturdy Ankles (1)

• Calming Stroll (1)

• Crawl Before You Walk (5)

• Vigorous Vaulter (1)

• Carry the Momentum (1)

• Effortless Roll (5)

• Heroic Leap (up to 3, optional)

Conditioning

• Used to the Weight (5)

• Gentle Pressure (5)

• Proficient Prior (5)

• Unburdened Roll (1)

• A Little Extra (1)

• Loaded Arms (5)

Survival

• Agile Croucher (5)

• Looter’s Instinct (5)

• Silent Scavenger (2)

• Suffer and Silence (up to 3, only if needed to progress)

• Broad Shoulders (5)

• Looters Luck (1)

• Revitalizing Squat (1, optional)

• In Round Crafting (1, optional)

Skill Tree Path

1. Start With Mobility for Core Movement

• 1 point: Nimble Climber (just to unlock)

• 5 points: Marathon Runner

• 5 points: Youthful Lungs

• 3 points: Slip and Slide

• 1 point: Sturdy Ankles

• 1 point: Calming Stroll (unlocks at 15 points)

2. Move to Conditioning for Weight & Breaching

• 5 points: Used to the Weight

• 5 points: Gentle Pressure (top path)

• 5 points: Proficient Prior

• 1 point: Unburdened Roll (unlocks at 15 points)

• 1 point: A Little Extra (middle path)

• 5 points: Loaded Arms

3. Go to Survival for Fast, Safe Looting

• 1 point: Agile Croucher (to unlock Looter’s Instinct)

• 5 points: Looter’s Instinct

• 4 points: Agile Croucher (total 5/5 for fast crouch movement)

• 2 points: Silent Scavenger

4. Progress for Carrying Power and More Loot

• Up to 3 points: Suffer and Silence (if needed to unlock next skills)

• 5 points: Broad Shoulders

• 1 point: Looters Luck

5. Fill Remaining Points for Utility and Flex

• 5 points: Crawl Before You Walk (mobility, fast downed crawling)

• 1 point: Vigorous Vaulter (vault while out of stamina)

• 1 point: Carry the Momentum (open left path)

• 5 points: Effortless Roll

• Up to 3 points: Heroic Leap (optional, for longer dodge rolls)

6. Optional Utility

• 1 point: Revitalizing Squat and 1 point: In Round Crafting (if you want in-raid crafting), or distribute remaining points into survivability or movement as you prefer.