Firefly and Comet: How to combat the new ARC enemies

Raiders,

Have you been kaboomed by a Comet? Have you been fried by a Firefly? 

Two new ARC machines have been spotted on the surface, and they demand new strategies for combat. Whether you’re being pursued by a floating flame thrower or mercilessly stalked by a rolling bomb, you need to think fast and act accordingly. 

Who better to help you navigate this new terrain than the architects of destruction themselves: the ARC Raiders developer team? Here are some handy tips and tricks to save you from disaster the next time you encounter the new ARC topside.

Firefly

This is a flying ARC, but not as you know it. While the Wasp and Hornet generally maintain a level of distance that lets you quickly find cover, the Firefly is tenacious and audacious – it might hold back at first, but it will happily hunt you into corners and unleash hellfire from above. 

“Bring a Photoelectric Cloak”
Junsik, Machine Learning Engineer

This isn’t an entirely reassuring suggestion from the developer that teaches the ARC to fight! He suggests the best way to avoid becoming a medium-rare Raider is to disappear. A Photoelectric Cloak is a device that confuses the ARC rendering you invisible for a period of time – if that’s the advice, the Firefly might be a serious challenge.

“Aim for the yellow gas tank, it’s a good way to take them out”
Alexander, Gameplay Programmer

Now we’re talking. Fireflies have to pack that heat somewhere, and if you look closely, you’ll see the oil tanker where their flame fuel is stored. It’s a tricky shot and not easy to pull off, but it might just be the best way to send these pests all the way to ARC heaven.

“Running away is not the play. If you can’t fight, get inside”
Leon, Fullstack Engineer

Turning your back on a Firefly is like turning away from a tiger. Fireflies are ruthless hunters with a special knack for tracking Raiders down. They often hold back while a Raider is already engaged before diving in to flush you from cover, but that doesn’t mean you can just book it to safety. If they catch you in the open, you’ll be toast before you can say “returning to Speranza”. You’re only safe when in substantial cover, but you really want to be inside. Anything else is asking for trouble. 

“Always be kind to your fellow Raiders, unless you run into a Firefly, in which case throw a Lure Grenade at them and run”
Sherilynne, Quality Analyst

On that heartwarming note, I think we can move on. 

Comet

While the Firefly is tactical and cunning, the Comet comes in all guns blazing. A heavily armored, rolling ball of explosives will affect Raiders in different ways; either helping to focus the mind or forcing you to run for your life. The explosive range is broad, and the impact is strong. You do not want to be anywhere near when the Comet begins its self destruction sequence. 

“Aggro the Comet from a distance. It’ll open up, exposing the inner weak point”
David, Senior Game Designer

The Comet might be heavily armored, but as with any ARC machine, it has its achilles heel. It might not be obvious at first, but when put under fire, the Comet will open up slightly, offering you the opportunity to strike its more delicate inner machinery.

“Use automatic weapons”
Oskar, Code and Animation Developer

Heavy weapons like the Anvil or Ferro will only get you so far here. Realistically, you need to get as many shots on target, as quickly as you can. You might find switching the armor piercing ammo for something with a greater fire rate will allow you to weaken the Comet faster. 

“When in a group, spread out. The Comet will try to get in the middle of your squad to inflict maximum damage”
Nora, Tech Designer

The Comet is gung-ho, but it isn’t stupid. It always wants to inflict the most damage, and since it only gets one shot to harm you, its positioning becomes especially important. Separate from your teammates to ensure you don’t all go down together – bear in mind, it’s a big bang… so stand well back!

“Shoot off the armor plating on the sides”
Victor, Game Programmer

If you are going for maximum damage and want to strip that armor off with force, aim for the sides. You might find it gets you a bit closer to destroying a Comet than aiming right down the middle. 

Unless of course the Comet is charging – if you can hold your nerve and stand your ground, you may be able to attack its weak spot from the front… just don’t miss!

Good luck out there

Both of these new ARC machines are focused predators with high damage output. You may not have the luxury of always winning a head to head, but with some quick thinking and nifty feet, you should learn to come out on top.

Best of luck out there,
The ARC Raiders Team