Arc Raiders is a shooter where you have to grab loot and escape. Every time you play, you risk losing your good gear for a chance to find even better stuff. For many players, the cycle of getting gear, losing it, and starting over can be frustrating.
Luckily, the game has a great feature to help: free kits. These are free, pre-made sets of gear that let you keep playing after a bad round. They help you get your gear back without having to risk your best items.
This guide will show you how to use free kits to rebuild your gear, how to escape more often, how to fight other players and robots with basic gear, and the right attitude you need to succeed.
What Are Free Kits in Arc Raiders?
Free kits are sets of gear the game gives you for free. You can use them to join a match without risking any of your own items. You can use them as many times as you want.
These kits come with common guns, some basic gear, and ammo, but they don’t have the powerful weapons or healing items you can find in the game.
The best part? If you manage to escape with a free kit, you get to keep both the gear it came with and any new loot you found. This means every successful trip makes your personal stash better.
Why Free Kits Are a Lifeline
When you’ve lost your good gear, free kits are your way back in.
You Risk Nothing: If you die, you lose nothing. But if you escape, you gain everything you found.
Learn Without Fear: You can practice fighting and learning the map without worrying about losing your favorite gear. Every mistake is just a lesson.
Rebuild Your Stash: Every successful run with a free kit adds more ammo, healing items, and gear to your collection for future matches
What’s in a Free Kit?
Free kits have their limits:
Basic Protection: You only get a light shield.
Small Backpack: You only have 14 spaces for loot, so you have to choose carefully.
Common Weapons: You get standard guns, not the powerful ones.
Limited Supplies: You get some ammo, a grenade, two bandages, and one extra random item.
No Safe Pocket: If you die, you lose everything you were carrying.
Loadout Limitations: Making the Best of What You’ve Got
Since your gear is basic, you need to change how you play.
Play it Safe: Stay away from busy areas where players with strong gear are fighting. It’s better to stay on the edges of the map.
Loot the Outer Areas: While most players run to the middle, you can find plenty of ammo and gear in the quieter outside areas of the map. Look for abandoned containers and robot husks.
Target Robot Husks: These robots are great for finding ammo. Different types drop different ammo, so go for the ones that match your gun.
Avoid Heavy Fighting: Areas with a lot of player-vs-player action are very dangerous when you only have basic gear. It’s better to avoid these spots and live to fight another day
Optimizing Your Extraction Runs
Getting out alive means being sneaky, knowing the map, and moving carefully.
Watch for Other Players: As soon as you start, look around for other players. Try to avoid fights. Most players with good gear will try to kill you on sight.
Know the Safe Spots: Learn which areas on the map have good loot but aren’t too dangerous. Quiet areas with lots of containers are often a great choice.
Go for Events Carefully: Supply drops and other events offer great gear, but they also attract many players. The big flare from a supply drop tells everyone where you are, so be ready for a fight.
Be Careful at Escape Points: Don’t call for your escape ride in a busy area. Enemies with good gear often hide near these spots, waiting to ambush you. Watch from a safe distance first
Combat Strategy: How to Fight with a Free Kit
Fighting with basic gear is different. You can’t just out-shoot people. You need to be smarter.
Weapon-Specific Tactics
Pharaoh (Medium-Range Rifle): This gun is best from a medium distance. Shoot, then hide behind cover. Use grenades to stop enemies from rushing you.
Stitcher & Kettle (Shotguns): These are only good in very close fights. Always stay near cover and have a plan to run away if you need to reload.
Rattler (Pistol): This is the weakest gun. Avoid fights with other players if you can. If you have to fight, make sure you have an escape route.
PvP and PvE
Be Sneaky: Don’t start fights unless you have to or know you can win.
Use Your Gun the Right Way: Don’t try to snipe with a shotgun or fight up close with a slow rifle. Use your gun for what it’s made for.
Use Your Gear: Items like Lures can distract robots, and Showstoppers can stun enemies. This can help you get away or get a easy kill.
Teaming Up: You can team up with other players you meet, but don’t trust them too much. Keep an eye on them, as they might turn on you for your loot.
Save Your Health: You don’t have much healing, so avoiding damage is your top priority. Don’t get into reckless fights. Only start a fight after you’ve found some extra healing items.
Advanced Tips for Maximizing Free Kit Value
- Smart Upgrades: Put your skill points into the “Survival” category. This lets you craft basic supplies like ammo and bandages during a match. This helps you stay alive longer and bring home more loot.
- Learn the Map: Take time to learn where players start, where the best loot is, and when the escape points become active. Knowing this lets you avoid fights and find more stuff.
- Smart Escapes: Always try to use the escape point that will close the soonest, as long as it’s in a quiet area. Watch it from a safe spot before you run to it. If another player is already there, you can sometimes jump in at the last second. Even if you get knocked down as the doors close, you still get to keep your loot.
- Know When to Take a Chance: Once you know the map well, it’s okay to sometimes take a careful risk in a busier area for a chance at really good loot.
- Manage Your Backpack: Don’t fill your bag with junk. Leave space for the truly good items that will help you in future matches.
The Right Mindset for Starting Over
Using free kits isn’t just about skill; it’s about your mindset.
Don’t Get Too Attached to Gear: You will lose your stuff. It’s part of the game. Free kits help you learn from your mistakes and get back in the action.
Focus on Getting Better: Every match is a chance to improve your skills without the fear of losing your favorite gear.
Enjoy the Win: The feeling of escaping with great loot when you started with nothing is a huge win. It builds your confidence.
PvP Mastery with Free Kits
It might seem strange, but free kits are great for learning how to fight.
Learn the Basics: Without strong shields or powerful guns, you are forced to learn how to move, find good positions, and make smart decisions fast.
Learn from Mistakes: Bad moves get you killed quickly, which teaches you to play smarter.
Get Better for the Long Run: The skills you learn with a free kit will help you when you use your best gear. You’ll die less and bring home more loot.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve purchased your copy of Arc Raiders, free kits are more than just a backup plan—they are a smart way to keep moving forward in a world that’s full of surprises. By using them, you can rebuild your gear, become a better player, and turn a bad situation into a good one.
Whether you play alone or with a team, free kits give you endless chances to get better and gather more loot. Be careful, play smart, and never forget that sometimes, starting with nothing can lead to your biggest victories.
