ARC Raiders Solo Farming Guide
Farming Queens and Matriarchs used to be simple: bring a Hullcracker, join a few randoms, delete the target in seconds, and walk away with a full inventory of reactors and magnetic accelerators. But after the 1.3 update dramatically increased Hullcracker ammo costs, far fewer players are willing to bring them into raids-and coordinated kills have become much less common.
Fortunately, solo farming these bosses is still not only possible but extremely efficient when you use the right method: stripping off parts, looting them, and leaving without ever killing the target.
This guide shows you how to do exactly that-using either the budget Pharaoh method or more advanced energy-weapon setups-plus the best extraction routes, tools, safe slots, and positioning strategies for both the Queen and the Matriarch.
The Core Strategy: Strip the Legs, Loot the Parts, Extract Safely
Whether you're fighting a Queen or a Matriarch, the logic is the same:
1.Pick a leg you can consistently see.
2.Focus fire on one specific section-upper or lower.
3.Break the piece off.
4.Allow the target to lose aggro.
5.Loot the dropped part (reactors, magnetic accelerators, and other high-value items).
6.Leave with your Raider Hatch Key.
Each individual leg part is shockingly valuable. Even breaking one and extracting with only a Pharaoh can yield huge profit. Breaking multiple parts compounds the gains dramatically.
Your Essential Loadout (Ultra Budget-Friendly)
You only need:
· Level 4 Pharaoh
o Works perfectly for stripping parts.
o Stealth/suppression traits help but are optional.
· 2-3 stacks of heavy ammo
· 10 basic bandages
· 5+ shield recharges
· Raider Hatch Key (mandatory for clean exits)
· Optional: Defibrillators
o Great for keeping random players friendly and preventing backstabs.
o Best Safe-Slot Rigs
· Survivor Rig (Recommended)
o Medium shields + 3 safe pockets.
o Budget alternatives:
· Looting Mk.2: 2 safe slots, light shields
· Looting Mk.3 Cautious: 2 safe slots, heavier load capacity
· Tactical Mk.2 Healing: 3 safe slots, reduced weight cap
Farming the Matriarch: Positioning & Execution
The Matriarch is more complex because she doesn't have a universal “ideal location” like the Queen's Harvester. But you can still farm her safely using smart elevation.
Best Example: Dam Battlegrounds
If she spawns near the Breereech, head to the broken platform section and set a:
· Zipline up to the Pipeline Tower, or
· Simply snap-hook directly to the top for instant safety.
From the top:
· The angled ramp provides perfect cover from missile barrages.
· Summons rarely reach you (except an occasional Rocketeer).
· You can safely peek, focus one leg segment, strip it, and retreat Once a part drops:
1.Stop shooting.
2.Break line of sight to force de-aggro.
3.Loot the part and extract.
Other Maps
If you can't get above her, fight her from indoor warehouse structures:
· They block missiles.
· They offer leg visibility.
· Smoke grenades or Photoc Cloak help handle her summoned adds.
Farming the Queen: The Harvester Method
This is the most consistent, player-friendly farming spot in the game.
Step 1: Clear the Harvester Event
· Blue (EMP): safe-your shield won't drain.
· Yellow (Fire): exit the building and wait it out.
Step 2: Insert the Three Canisters
· One spawns on the floor.
· Two more are found by breaching the containers on the upper level.
· Insert all three, destroy the yellow buttons, and repeat if needed.
Step 3: Break Legs & Collect Loot
Once the Queen activates:
· Exit the Harvester.
· Pick a leg segment and focus fire.
· Break as many parts as you want.
· Stop attacking to trigger de-aggro.
· Sneak behind and loot everything.
Players often cooperate here-offering a bandage and a defib goes a long way.
Advanced Option: Energy Weapons for Faster Stripping
If you want speed:
· Equalizer - best long-range stripping weapon.
· Affilion - nearly as good, better for player defense.
· Jupiter - workable but not ideal.
These require:
· Matriarch/Queen reactors
· Magnetic accelerators
· Complex gun parts
but the irony is you get all of these by doing this very method.
Energy weapons strip armor much faster-allowing faster in-and-out farming.
Killing the Boss (Optional)
If you want the kill instead of just the parts:
1.Strip all armor covering the core using Pharaoh/Hullcracker/Energy Weapons.
2.Use a high-DPS, accurate weapon:
o Renegade (upgraded) - best choice
o Pharaoh or Anvil also works with sufficient ammo.
Bring extra:
· Ammo (at least 300)
· Heals
· A backup shield
Final Thoughts
Solo farming Queens and Matriarchs after Patch 1.3 is entirely viable, highly profitable, and surprisingly fun once you get comfortable breaking legs, disengaging, and extracting cleanly. Start with the budget Pharaoh method, then upgrade into energy weapons once you're ready for more speed.
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