ARC Raiders is not a game where raw gun skill alone will carry you through every run. Embark’s third-person extraction shooter is built around preparation, decision-making, and long-term progression. While weapons, shields, and gadgets define how you survive each individual deployment, your Raider’s skill tree ultimately determines how consistent and forgiving your overall experience will be.

Following the latest discussions and updates around ARC Raiders’ progression systems, it’s become increasingly clear that not all skills are created equal. With skill points gated by tier requirements across Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival, careless spending can slow your progress and make Topside runs far more punishing than they need to be. Below, we break down the most impactful skills to level first, based on the current state of the game and player experience.

Why Skill Priority Matters More Than Ever

Completing the full skill tree in ARC Raiders is intentionally slow. To unlock higher-tier abilities, you must invest a certain number of points into each branch, meaning every early decision carries long-term consequences. The recent focus on survivability, stamina economy, and looting efficiency has highlighted how a few well-chosen skills can dramatically improve extraction success rates.

Instead of spreading points thinly, players are better off targeting skills that reduce downtime, minimize vulnerability, and increase consistency across all runs, whether solo or squad-based.

Conditioning: Staying Alive Under Pressure

The Conditioning branch focuses on endurance and resilience, and several standout skills here directly influence how often you survive close calls.

“Used to the Weight” is arguably one of the most important early-game skills. Since shields are worn in nearly every Topside run, reducing their movement penalty has a constant, noticeable effect. It’s no coincidence that this skill sits at the very start of the branch.

“Proficient Pryer” and “A Little Bit Extra” form a powerful looting combo. Faster breaching means less time exposed, while extra resources from breached objects compound over dozens of runs. These small gains add up quickly, especially for players still building their crafting stockpile.

“Survivor’s Stamina” and “Downed but Determined” shine in high-risk situations. Faster stamina regeneration while critically hurt can be the difference between escaping an ARC patrol and getting overwhelmed. Meanwhile, extra time while downed creates more revival opportunities in squad play and reduces the frustration of near-miss failures.

Mobility: Mastering Stamina and Positioning

If Conditioning keeps you alive, Mobility determines whether you control the fight or react too late. The current gameplay meta strongly favors stamina-focused builds.

“Youthful Lungs” and “Marathon Runner” are foundational upgrades. Nearly every action in ARC Raiders consumes stamina, from sprinting to dodging to climbing. Increasing your stamina pool while reducing its cost makes exploration smoother and combat more forgiving.

“Calming Stroll” may sound situational, but it’s one of the most underrated skills in the game. Being able to regenerate stamina while walking allows you to stay mobile without fully stopping, which is invaluable when navigating patrol-heavy areas.

“Crawl Before You Walk” pairs exceptionally well with downed survivability skills. Faster crawling gives teammates more time to revive you and reduces deaths caused by being stranded just short of safety.

Finally, “Heroic Leap” has become increasingly important on maps with sparse cover. Extending your sprint dodge roll gives you an edge in repositioning, escaping ambushes, or closing gaps during firefights.

Survival: Efficiency and Tactical Flexibility

The Survival branch emphasizes awareness, inventory management, and adaptability, all of which have gained importance as players push into higher-risk zones.

“In-Round Crafting” is a game-changer. Being able to craft bandages or shield rechargers while Topside reduces dependency on pre-packed supplies and frees up backpack space for valuable loot.

“Broad Shoulders” and “Stubborn Mule” work best together. Increasing carry weight while reducing stamina penalties for over-encumbrance allows you to extract more value per run without turning your Raider into a slow-moving target.

“Minesweeper” offers both defensive and offensive advantages, letting you neutralize traps and turn enemy setups against them. “Looter’s Instincts” complements faster breaching by minimizing time spent in loot menus, reducing exposure during one of the most vulnerable moments in the game.

Long-Term Progression and Platform Accessibility

As ARC Raiders continues to evolve, players across platforms are investing more time into long-term progression systems. Whether you’re playing on console and topping up via a PlayStation Network Gift Card or expanding your library using Xbox Gift Cards, efficient skill investment ensures that every session feels rewarding, not wasted.

Conclusion: Build Smart, Survive Longer

The latest progression discussions around ARC Raiders reinforce a simple truth: smart skill choices matter as much as mechanical skill. Prioritizing stamina efficiency, survivability, and looting speed creates a foundation that supports every playstyle, from stealthy scavengers to aggressive squad fighters.

By focusing your early skill points on high-impact abilities across Conditioning, Mobility, and Survival, you’ll reduce failed runs, extract more consistently, and spend less time recovering from costly mistakes. In a game where every deployment carries risk, the right skills can turn near-disasters into successful extractions.