Armor System Explained in Arc Raiders

Deep dive into Arc Raiders armor mechanics. Damage reduction formulas, armor tiers, repair costs, and how to choose the right protection for every situation.

How Armor Works

Armor in Arc Raiders reduces incoming damage by a flat percentage based on the armor piece and its condition. A fresh epic vest might reduce damage by 40 percent while a damaged common vest blocks only 10 percent. Your armor degrades as it absorbs hits, so the protection value decreases throughout a raid unless you repair it.

Armor Tiers and Ratings

Armor comes in five tiers from common through legendary. Each tier provides a higher base damage reduction value and more durability before breaking. Legendary armor can absorb significantly more punishment than common armor before needing repair. The jump from rare to epic armor is especially noticeable and worth pursuing as a mid game goal.

Helmets, Vests, and Full Sets

Your body armor consists primarily of a vest and helmet. The vest protects your torso while the helmet guards against headshots. Some armor sets include additional pieces like arm guards or leg plates. Full matching sets sometimes grant bonus protection beyond the individual piece stats. Check the <a href="/tier-list/armor">armor tier list</a> for the best combinations.

Armor Repair and Maintenance

Carry repair kits on every raid. Repairing armor mid raid restores its damage reduction to full effectiveness. Without repair, your armor degrades to zero protection and you are effectively unarmored. The material cost of repair kits is much lower than crafting replacement armor, making regular maintenance the economical choice.

Choosing Armor for Your Playstyle

Aggressive players who take lots of hits should prioritize high tier armor with maximum durability. Mobile players who dodge damage can afford lighter armor with less weight. Team tanks need heavy armor with high repair capacity. Solo players benefit most from medium armor that balances all these factors. Match your armor to how you actually play, not how you wish you played.

When to Upgrade Your Armor

Upgrade your armor whenever you unlock a new tier at your crafting station. The protection increase per tier is significant enough to change your survivability in raids. Do not wait to stockpile the best materials for legendary armor. Use whatever tier you can currently craft while working toward the next level. Wearing good armor now is better than wearing great armor eventually.