When choosing a loadout in ARC Raiders, you can use a custom loadout with your own gear or go for a free loadout with second-hand gear. Free loadouts usually have the most basic items, but sometimes, it might be worth using them instead of risking your sweet stash.
Here’s how to use free loadouts, what gear you can get from them, and when is the best time to use them in ARC Raiders.
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How to use a free loadout in ARC Raiders
After selecting a map, you can switch between the Custom Loadout and Free Loadout tabs at the top. Free loadout gives you a random set of basic gear you can keep if you manage to extract. However, you can’t add any items from your own stash when selecting it.
Here’s what a typical free loadout includes in ARC Raiders:
- Free Loadout Augment (14 backpack slots and four quick-use slots).
- Uncommon Light Shield
- Common rarity weapon
- Weapon ammo
- Bandages
- Shield Rechargers
- Grenades or other quick-use items
Free Loadout Augment has significantly less inventory space, and most importantly, doesn’t have a safe pocket. This means there’s no way to save any items if you die on the run. Then again, the loadout is free, and you can use it as many times as you want.
If you extract with the free loadout, you can trade the Free Loadout Augment for any Uncommon Augment at Lance, free of charge.
The rest of the gear is basic and limited in quantity. You might get one Shield Recharger and only a couple of bandages. Grenades and other quick-use items are also random. One run, you may get a Barricade Kit, in another, a grenade, and in a third, nothing at all.
When should you use a free loadout in ARC Raiders?
Free loadouts are best for so-called scavenger runs, where you only focus on gathering materials and resources. With basic gear and limited healing items, you can’t afford to engage in many gunfights, especially against ARC. Free loadouts are also great for completing some of the quests, like delivering a Field Crate, as you don’t need to extract to finish them.
If you want to hunt down ARC machines or are looking for a specific item, consider using your own gear. At the very least, you get a safe pocket to stash an important item, and more supplies can help you stay in the fight for longer.
Published: Oct 30, 2025 02:17 pm