There is no single headshot multiplier or shots-to-kill figure that applies to every weapon in ARC Raiders. Embark’s dated balance notes show that multipliers vary by weapon and change between updates; the official material available here does not establish a universal current rule for how headshots interact with shields. To compare damage or time-to-kill (TTK), you need the weapon, its balance version, and the target’s shield and health state.
What is the headshot multiplier in ARC Raiders?
It depends on the weapon and balance update. Embark’s February 24, 2026, Update 1.17.0 notes document different headshot-multiplier changes for the Stitcher and Venator. Those figures describe changes made in that update; they are not a complete current stat table for every weapon.
Stitcher: multiplier reduced from 2.5 to 1.75
In Update 1.17.0, Embark reduced the Stitcher’s headshot multiplier from 2.5 to 1.75 and its base damage from 7 to 6.5. The notes also say per-shot dispersion increased by around 50%. Embark explained that the changes aimed to bring headshot TTK closer to body-shot TTK by reducing both full-spray accuracy and the multiplier. The former 2.5 value should not be presented as the post-update value. Read the Shrouded Sky Update 1.17.0 notes.
Venator: multiplier reduced from 2.5 to 2
The same update reduced the Venator’s headshot multiplier from 2.5 to 2 and its base damage from 9 to 8. Embark framed the change as a response to the weapon’s high performance and TTK. The Kettle’s base damage was also reduced, from 10 to 8.5; the cited note does not give a Kettle headshot-multiplier change. These are dated patch values, not a guarantee that every figure remains unchanged in later updates. See Embark’s Update 1.17.0 weapon changes.
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Later balance notes do not establish a new damage value
In Live Update 1.45.0 on September 8, 2026, Embark said it reduced Aphelion weapon sway to improve aiming stability. That is an accuracy-and-handling adjustment, not evidence of increased damage or a changed headshot multiplier. Check ARC Raiders’ official news and updates.
Do headshots deal extra damage to shields?
The official material cited here does not settle whether headshot multipliers apply to shield health, how damage is split between shields and health, or whether excess damage carries through when a shield breaks. Treat those interactions as unconfirmed rather than assuming a universal shield formula. A calculator or player report may describe a particular test or build, but it does not by itself establish a current rule for every weapon and target.
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For a reliable comparison, identify the exact game version and target state, then verify the interaction in that scenario. A result from an unshielded target, for example, cannot on its own answer how a headshot affects a shielded target.
How many shots does it take to kill, and what does TTK mean?
Shots-to-kill is the number of landed rounds needed to defeat a target under stated assumptions. TTK is the elapsed time to land the lethal hits. Neither has one universal answer: weapon damage and firing cadence matter, as do hit location, shield and health, missed shots, and—if estimating a real fight—recoil, dispersion, aim time, and reloads.
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A simplified way to estimate TTK
If a hypothetical weapon needs N landed shots and fires at a known cadence, a basic interval estimate counts the gaps between shots: for evenly spaced shots, there are generally N − 1 intervals from the first hit to the lethal hit. This is a model, not a measured in-game result. It excludes time to aim, missed rounds, reloads, and any uncertainty about shield damage. Do not treat a shots-to-kill count as though it were a TTK measurement.
What to specify when comparing weapons
- The dated weapon damage and multiplier values, with the patch version they come from.
- Firing cadence and relevant recoil or dispersion, which affect the chance and timing of landed hits.
- The target’s shield and health state, plus whether the comparison uses headshots, body shots, or a mix.
- Whether the result is a theoretical landed-shot model or includes aiming, misses, and reloads.
- How recent and authoritative the underlying figures are.
Embark’s official updates show that balance can change, but the cited sources do not provide a complete, up-to-date weapon table or shield-specific TTKs. Avoid ranking all weapons by a single multiplier or kill-time figure without a current, clearly described test.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you play ARC Raiders?
The official site lists ARC Raiders for Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GeForce NOW. Availability can depend on platform and region; consult the official ARC Raiders site for current platform information.
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