ARC enemies demand different responses: Bully charges, Skulker ambushes and can return after retreating, and Hydra is a stationary three-part turret on the Frigate. Embark’s published guidance for these newer threats centers on cover, timing, awareness, and attacking during openings. For the older threats it names, the official overview gives broad descriptions rather than verified, step-by-step counters. This guide reflects information available through October 8, 2026.
What to know before fighting an ARC
ARC machines range from small ground and flying threats to large machines such as the Leaper and Queen. Embark’s overview identifies enemy roles and broad dangers, but it does not establish exact weak points, health values, damage thresholds, or weapon-by-weapon counters. Those details should not be treated as confirmed here. Embark’s overview of ARC Raiders was published October 13, 2025.
The Frozen Trail update, live October 8, 2026, adds the Bully, Skulker, and Hydra to the named threats covered here. The official descriptions offer limited tactical guidance for those three, not a complete combat manual for every ARC in the game. Embark’s Frozen Trail 2.0 update notes list the update’s additions.
How to fight the Bully
The Bully is an aggressive machine that gallops toward its target and uses multiple lethal attacks. Embark’s preview advice is to use cover, time your response, and land accurate shots; it does not identify a specific weak point or weapon counter.
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- Get to cover. Don’t rely on standing in the Bully’s path and trading attacks.
- Wait for your opening. Time your response to its aggressive approach rather than firing inaccurately under pressure.
- Take accurate shots. The published guidance stresses accuracy, but does not specify where to aim or how much damage is required.
This is Embark’s published guidance, not a guarantee of a particular kill time or outcome. The Frozen Trail preview describes the Bully and its recommended approach.
How to handle a Skulker that disappears
The Skulker waits at the edge of vision, attacks, and may retreat while distracting you. Its retreat is not a reliable sign that the encounter is over: Embark warns that it can return.
- Keep track of the threat when it pulls away instead of treating the disappearance as a confirmed defeat.
- Stay alert for its return; the official description does not specify a fixed retreat duration, return route, or detection method.
Embark’s Frozen Trail preview describes the Skulker’s ambush-and-retreat behavior.
How to fight the Hydra on the Frigate
The Hydra is a stationary turret encountered on the Frigate. It is split into three autonomous sections and has three weapon systems, making attention and timing central to Embark’s published advice. The preview recommends diverting its attention, taking cover quickly, and attacking rapidly when an opening appears.
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- Coordinate attention diversion. If you are playing with others, use coordinated attention diversion as Embark advises; the source does not prescribe a particular role assignment.
- Move to cover quickly. Do this as the Hydra’s attention shifts rather than staying exposed.
- Attack rapidly during an opening. The official advice is to exploit an opening, but it does not specify a target section, weapon, or damage threshold.
These are the published recommendations, not a verified solo strategy or a guarantee that a particular approach will defeat the Hydra. Embark’s preview describes its three-part structure and tactical guidance.
What Embark says about the other named ARC enemies
For the older threats named in its October 2025 overview, Embark provides broad role and danger descriptions. It does not give the same kind of limited tactical sequence it later published for the Bully and Hydra.
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Pop and Fireball
Embark identifies Pop and Fireball as ground-based ARC enemies. The overview does not establish their weak points, specific attack patterns, or a reliable way to defeat either one.
Wasps, Hornets, and Rocketeers
These are identified as flying ARCs. The overview does not provide exact counters, aiming advice, or weapon recommendations for them.
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Leaper
Embark describes the Leaper as a large machine whose destructive leap makes it a threat. That description signals danger, but does not establish a precise dodge timing, weak point, or guaranteed solo tactic.
Queen
The overview characterizes the Queen as a formidable threat and cautions that an unprepared Raider will likely be defeated. It does not provide a verified step-by-step boss strategy, nor does it rule out a seasoned Raider finding a way to take it on.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which enemy details are confirmed—and which are not
The descriptions support broad distinctions: ground and flying threats, a large leaping machine, a formidable boss, an aggressive charger, an ambusher that may return, and a stationary multi-part emplacement on the Frigate. They do not support numerical rankings, exact weak-point callouts, precise ammunition requirements, or reliable kill-time comparisons. Check current in-game information and update notes for changes before relying on a particular tactic; behavior can change with updates.
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