Arc Raiders Customization: Outfits & Bundles
Arc Raiders lets you personalize your character with a character creator, earnable outfits, and purchasable bundles, though the full scope of the system will only be clear at launch. You can change your raider’s look through a detailed character creator and equip cosmetic outfits that are earned in-game or bought with real money. This article explains what is known about the customization options, how outfits and bundles work, and what to expect from the game’s cosmetic economy.
Background: What We Know So Far
Arc Raiders is a free-to-play co-op third-person shooter developed by Embark Studios, the team behind the extraction shooter The Finals. The game was first announced in 2021 and is set for release in 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Because the game is not yet fully released, some details about its customization systems come from official announcements, developer interviews, and early beta tests. The developers have confirmed that the game will feature a character creator and cosmetic items, but they have not yet revealed the complete catalog of outfits or bundles.
Character Creator: What You Can Customize
From the footage and developer commentary shown so far, Arc Raiders’ character creator lets you adjust your raider’s appearance before you jump into the fight. The creator is expected to include the following options:
- Face: Choose from a range of facial presets, then tweak features like jawline, cheekbones, eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Skin tone: Select from a variety of skin tones and possibly add scars or other facial details.
- Hair: Pick a hairstyle and hair color, with both natural and more stylized options.
- Body type: Adjust height, build, and proportions to some degree.
- Voice: Choose a voice for your character, which may affect in-game callouts.
It is not yet confirmed whether the character creator will allow for fine-grained slider adjustments or only preset combinations. The Finals, Embark’s previous game, uses a simple preset-based system, so Arc Raiders may follow a similar approach, but the developer has suggested that the creator will be more detailed.
Outfits: How to Get Them
Outfits in Arc Raiders are cosmetic items that change your character’s appearance. Based on the game’s free-to-play model and the developer’s statements, outfits will be obtainable in two main ways:
- In-game earnable: Some outfits will be earned by playing the game, such as completing missions, leveling up your raider, or achieving certain milestones. These are likely to be basic or themed sets that reflect the game’s sci-fi setting.
- Purchasable: A store will offer premium outfits and bundles that you buy with real money. These will likely be more elaborate, with unique designs, colors, and effects.
It is not yet clear whether outfits will provide any gameplay advantage. In most free-to-play shooters, cosmetics are purely visual, and Embark has stated that they want to avoid pay-to-win mechanics. However, the exact nature of the store and the pricing has not been announced.
Bundles: What’s Included
Bundles are packages of cosmetic items sold together, usually at a slight discount compared to buying items separately. In Arc Raiders, a bundle might include:
- An outfit (a full set of clothing or armor).
- Weapon skins for one or more weapons.
- Character accessories, such as helmets, masks, or backpacks.
- Emotes or victory poses.
- Sprays or banners for your profile.
The developers have not detailed specific bundles, but this is a common structure in games like The Finals, Valorant, and Apex Legends. Expect bundles to be themed, such as a “Scavenger� set or a “Cybernetic� set, and to rotate in and out of the store.
How to Choose What to Buy or Earn
With limited information, you’ll want to prioritize based on your playstyle and budget. Here are some factors to consider:
- Visual preference: Do you want a tactical look, a flashy sci-fi outfit, or something that stands out in a crowd?
- Rarity: Items are often categorized by rarity (common, rare, epic, legendary). Higher rarity usually means more detail and exclusivity.
- Price: Bundles are usually more cost-effective than buying items individually, but only if you want most of the items in the bundle.
- Earning potential: If you’re not spending money, focus on earning outfits that are available through gameplay. Some may be time-limited events.
It’s wise to wait until the game launches to see the full store and earnable items before making any decisions.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that outfits will affect gameplay stats. In the vast majority of free-to-play shooters, cosmetics are purely visual, and Embark has not indicated any gameplay effects. Another common question is whether the character creator will let you change your appearance after creation. Many games now allow this, but it’s not confirmed for Arc Raiders. If you can’t, you may need to create a new character to change your look.
Another issue players worry about is whether the store will be pay-to-win. Based on the developer’s philosophy and the industry norm, it’s highly unlikely that outfits or bundles will provide any combat advantage. The game is designed to be fair to all players.
Comparisons to Other Games
Arc Raiders’ customization is likely to feel similar to other free-to-play shooters. For example, The Finals has a character creator with presets and a store with outfits and weapon skins. Warframe offers deep customization with armor sets and color palettes. Apex Legends has a battle pass that rewards cosmetic items. Arc Raiders will probably blend these approaches: a decent character creator, a store with bundles, and a battle pass for earnable cosmetics.
Costs and Safety
Pricing for Arc Raiders’ cosmetics has not been announced. In similar games, a single outfit might cost $10–$20, and a bundle could be $20–$40. The game is free-to-play, so you don’t need to pay to start playing. When the store goes live, be cautious about spending: set a budget, and remember that cosmetics are optional. Also, be wary of third-party sites offering “cheap� currency or items—these are often scams and can compromise your account. Always use the official in-game store.
Alternatives to Buying
If you don’t want to spend money, you can still customize your character. Many free-to-play games offer earnable cosmetics through:
- Battle pass: A seasonal progression system that rewards cosmetic items for free and premium tiers.
- Challenges: Complete specific in-game tasks to unlock exclusive outfits.
- Leveling: Reach certain account levels to earn basic outfits or accessories.
- Events: Participate in limited-time events to earn themed items.
Arc Raiders will likely have a battle pass, as it’s a standard feature in free-to-play games. This gives you a steady stream of cosmetics without extra purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my character’s appearance after creation?
It’s not confirmed. Many games allow you to edit your character later, but some lock it at creation. If Arc Raiders doesn’t allow it, you may need to create a new character to change your look.
Will outfits give me any gameplay advantage?
Almost certainly not. Cosmetics are typically purely visual in free-to-play shooters, and Embark has not indicated any gameplay effects. You won’t get stronger or faster by wearing a rare outfit.
How much do bundles cost?
Pricing hasn’t been announced. Based on similar games, expect a bundle to cost between $20 and $40, but this is speculation. Wait for official details.
Can I earn outfits without paying?
Yes, likely. Most free-to-play games offer earnable cosmetics through battle passes, challenges, and events. Arc Raiders will probably have a similar system, though the specifics aren’t known yet.
Will there be a battle pass?
It’s highly likely, as battle passes are a standard monetization method in free-to-play shooters. The Finals, from the same developer, has a battle pass, so Arc Raiders likely will too.
Can I sell or trade outfits?
No. Cosmetics are tied to your account and cannot be traded or sold. This is typical for free-to-play games to prevent market manipulation.
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