ARC Raiders How to Get Materials Fast (2026)

In ARC Raiders, gear is gated by materials, and materials are gated by how you farm them. The mistake most new Raiders make is scattering runs across the map hoping for loot. The players who progress fast pick a zone type on purpose and loop it.

The passive income you are already missing

Scrappy the Chicken hands you materials after every raid — even a death — but only if you stay past the one-minute mark, and the payout caps at 15 minutes. Never extract (or die) before one minute, and there is no material reason to linger past 15. Upgrade Scrappy as soon as you can afford it; the passive income compounds across every future raid. The first Scrappy upgrade needs a Dog Collar, commonly found in Residential red apartments.

Farm by zone type, not at random

Each area type concentrates a different material category:

• Industrial (factories, warehouses) — Batteries, Gears, Electronic Components, Toolsets. The core for ammo and explosives crafting.
• Medical (field hospitals, pharmacies) — Antiseptics, Syringes, Bandages. High demand, but a PvP hotspot.
• Residential (houses, apartments) — Dog Collars, Valuables, Food, Cosmetics. Quick credits, solo-friendly, low risk.
• Security Outposts (locked compounds) — Weapon Parts, Ammo, Access Keys, Armor Plates. Highest value, heavy resistance, keys or hacking required.

The rule of thumb: Industrial for crafting components, Medical for consumable mats and credits, Residential for safe quick value, Security Outposts when you can win the fight.

Recycle smart, refine early

Recycle everything you will not sell — low-value junk often breaks down into Metal, Plastic or Rubber Parts, and field recycling costs nothing. Carry refined and high-tier components out; recycle the filler. Build the Refiner early — it converts raw materials into the Uncommon and Rare components (ARC Alloy, Electrical Components, ARC Circuitry) that gate your best crafts.

The stations worth building

The free Workbench (unlocks after one round played) crafts basic weapons, most ammo, bandages and light grenades. Everything else costs materials: Gunsmith (20 Metal + 30 Rubber), Gear Bench (25 Plastic + 30 Fabric), Medical Lab (50 Fabric + 6 ARC Alloy), Explosives Station (50 Chemicals + 6 ARC Alloy), Utility Station (50 Plastic + 6 ARC Alloy), Refiner (60 Metal + 5 ARC Powercell).

Small tricks that add up

• Always extract with Metal Parts — metal is the most universally needed crafting material.
• Red Lockers and server cabinets contain premium loot.
• Assorted Seeds gathered in nature zones trade with Celeste at a 1:1 ratio for Metal or Rubber Parts when you are short.
• ARC Powercells are needed for the Refiner (Tier 2) and high-tier crafts — prioritize them alongside Gun Parts.

The beginner loop that ties this together is in the ARC Raiders beginner guide, and the guns you will craft are ranked in the best weapons guide.