Gaming opinion: Arc Raiders - Impossible to predict

Sports News Blitz writer Ryan Preston “Prestonie” talks about the random encounters that bring chaos and fun to the game. 

PVP, Solo, Duo

Tonight's gaming session was a little different from the usual. It started off with me messaging a friend. 

Me - “Hey, up for a game or two?”

Friend - “Sure, I still need to find that last light bulb”

My friend gets more enjoyment out of completing side quests and missions in video games than I do. 

He focuses on collecting everything required for all upgrades, whether that's for Scrappy to make a happier nest or to build his expedition caravan for next season. 

Me, not so much. I maxed out all my workbenches early on, so my goal is to find better blueprints or just do whatever I want each round. 

So we geared up in Speranza and headed to the Dam. We loaded five minutes after the match started, so not bad. 

Me - “Where do you actually find lightbulbs?”

Friend - “Residential areas, I think”

So that was our plan, check every drawer, cupboard and chest in the houses scattered to the North and North West of Dam Battlegrounds. 

No luck, despite searching each floor literally in every house, we didn’t find his lightbulb. We used a rather convenient hatch near the final house to extract. 

I then suggested we try Bluegate instead. The village is a yellow area, meaning higher chances for better loot. 

So another epic little cutscene of getting in the shuttles, and we’re there. Conveniently spawning at the beginning and close by. 

We searched high, and then we searched low. Nothing again. We didn’t even run into any raiders. 

As two matches can go, in general, they were the most peaceful you could ever hope for.

It wasn’t until I began writing this that I decided to check where you actually find them. Hint, it’s not residential. 

I guarantee that 90% of players have gotten frustrated with this game. Especially those of you looking for those ever-elusive rusted gears early on.

READ MORE: A beginner's guide to Arc Raiders

Seriously, why are they so difficult to find? 

After these two games, my friend had to leave. No problem, I’ll run solo.

The Spaceport bunker event was live. Perfect. 

The next four matches were some of the easiest I've ever had. As soon as that bunker is open, it’s peacetime. 

As I’d already done the bunker trial this week, my aim was for maximum profit. Hit every major area I could. 

It went well, from selling everything I brought back, I earned 150k, along with topping up my stores of valuable components.

I then decided to have a little fun. I’ve seen a few videos that use a Zipline, which gets you up to the control tower (no, it's not an exploit)

As I’m whizzing my way to the top, I hear raiders talking below me. 

“If I fall, catch me!”

 I fell…

Instantly, I’m downed, vertically and horizontally. 

That’s when a random raider came to my aid. 

“Quick, head to the hatch. I’ll go call it for you”

And he starts running like his own life depended on it. 

I start crawling, but I’m not going to make it. He rushes back and heals me up”

“Good luck, man, I hope you make it home”

And with that, my saviour is gone, but with his bandaging, I was able to make it back in time. (Thank you stranger)

I still haven’t lost anything tonight so far. I'm going for a final match, and I’m looking for fights.

Next match, I died, losing my purple augment, some good meds and grenades and more painfully my tier 4 Venator with blue mods.  He deserved the win. I should have played it better.

READ MORE: Gaming news: Arc Raiders - New game or new business?

One more game, I think to myself (again)

Same kit this time with a medium shield instead of a light. 

I head for a guard tower, hoping for a weapon crate spawn. No such luck. 

However, while I’m up there, I hear a player breaking into the door on the arrival building. 

He’s below me; I have a clear vantage point. 

I pull out my trigger nades, the little monsters that they are. The throws are perfect, landing just behind him. 

BOOM, he’s down instantly and off I go to loot. 

He wasn’t happy, being quite offensive, and I found out why when I started searching his stuff. 

Energy clips. It’s the first time I’ve actually seen them on anyone I’ve killed before. My excitement starts building. 

As more and more energy clips are revealed, my hopes are high. The final thing to be revealed? A Jupiter.

I could not believe it, there is no way I just got my hands on one so easily like that. I now understand why he was so angry. 

You better believe I ran like crazy, there’s a reason I always, and I do mean always, carry a hatch key on me. 

So, from non-existent lightbulbs and discovering how gravity works to finding one of the rarest guns in the game.

What a night.

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