ARC Raiders 1.3.0 Changes and Weapon Tiers Update

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Patch 1.3 Balance Shifts

Patch 1.3 brings targeted tweaks to keep combat dynamic. The Venator's upgrade fire-rate bonuses drop from 22/44/60% to 13/26/40%, with weight rising from 2 to 5—slowing its blistering pace while preserving damage output. Explosive damage against large ARC like Bastions sees a slight reduction for consistency, demanding precise Hullcracker shots on weak points. Launcher ammo crafting shifts to 1 ARC Motion Core + 2 Crude Explosives (now workbench-friendly, no blueprint needed), and buy bundles adjust to 6 for 4,500 Coins. Enter the Aphelion, a 2-round burst battle rifle firing high-velocity energy clips—it strips armor rapidly, delivers strong stopping power, and controls flyers like Hornets or Rocketeers by flipping them mid-air.

These changes eliminate past outliers, fostering varied loadouts. Upgrades still boost fire rate, reload speed, and handling across weapons, while attachments like suppressors aid stealth kills and grips tame recoil.

Pre-Patch PvE Snapshot

Before 1.3, light ammo weapons like Hairpin struggled with poor ARC penetration, limiting them to turbines or close Wasps. Shotgun ammo on Il Toro and Vulcano shared this flaw, excelling only up close. Medium ammo options like Torrente offered utility but exposed users during dumps. S-tier stood out: Anvil's versatile heavy hits, Jupiter's penetrating energy beams, and Hullcracker's 100-damage launcher oneshots defined ARC dismantling.

Post-Patch PvE Rankings

Hullcracker drops from god-tier—its explosive nerf, pricier ammo, and slower kills heighten risk during noisy exposures. Aphelion vaults to S-tier: energy rounds strip plates fast, high velocity halts Leapers and flyers (interrupting Rocketeer locks), but raw post-strip damage lags solo. Pair it with a follow-up like Anvil for exposed weak points (batteries, joints). Equalizer rises to A-top for armor-melting bursts, though wind-up leaves you vulnerable. Pharaoh remains budget king—heavy ammo, cheap upgrades halve reloads for sustained fire.

Focus fire rates: upgraded Renegade beams precisely; Anvil needs no attachments for all-range reliability.

Pre-Patch PvP Snapshot

Hairpin demanded pinpoint skill but faltered on mag size. Venator reigned S+ for unmatched close-medium DPS. Budget lights like Kettle/Stitcher shone upgraded (no recoil, cheap), while heavies like Vulcano stat-checked blindly.

Post-Patch PvP Rankings

Venator joins S-tier pack—still outtrades via headshot doubles, but Vulcano, Bobcat, or Il Toro can now compete. Kettle surges: upgraded, it's a recoil-free headshot spammer (7 bodyshots kill), outpacing Burletta despite click fatigue. Aphelion slots A-high: 3-4 bursts shred light/medium shields at range, pressuring off-angles; swap to shotgun for CQC. Play medium-range, use cover—its velocity freaks squads.

Upgrades matter: Arpeggio needs full investment for burst reliability; Tempest beams post-recoil fixes.

Why These Tiers Hold

Tiers reflect max-upgraded performance: light ammo lacks ARC pen but budgets PvP trades; energy excels stripping (Aphelion/Jupiter/Equalizer). Test in Stella Montis—pair Aphelion (armor bully) with Pharaoh (finisher). Hullcracker suits big-ARC emergencies, not primaries.

FAQs on ARC Raiders Patch 1.3.0 Weapon Changes

1. How does Aphelion excel against flyers like Rocketeers?

High-velocity bursts flip them, interrupting attacks via momentum disruption. Aim turbines for max control; follow with medium ammo for kills. Devs tuned it for team synergy—strip, then punish.

2. Is Hullcracker still viable post-nerf?

Yes, for Queen/Matriarchs—target weak points precisely. Costs rose (ammo craft harder), kills slower on Bastions, but blueprints abound. Alternatives: Deadline mines (pricier now) or Jupiter pens.

3. Venator changes: Does it ruin PvP?

No—Lv4 feels like old Lv3, but deliberate. Headshot-focus counters; pair with suppressor for flanks. Weight hike limits loadouts, balancing vs. shotguns.

4. Best budget PvE loadout after 1.3?

Pharaoh (cheap heavy, fast reload) + Stitcher secondary. Upgrade for fire rate; use attachments for recoil. Handles wasps to Bombardiers economically.

5. PvP: Kettle vs. Stitcher—which wins upgraded?

Kettle edges for no-recoil headshots (spam-friendly), Stitcher for smoother mag-dumps. Both light ammo monsters—Kettle if you tolerate clicking, Stitcher for flow.

Thanks for Reading

These adjustments make ARC Raiders healthier—no single god-gun dominates. Experiment loadouts; Aphelion's flyer control and Venator's tempered fury refresh metas. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for ongoing updates.

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