Arc Raiders Solo vs Squad: Which Is Better for Quests?

For completing quests in Arc Raiders, solo play is generally better for speed and control, while squad play is better for tackling high-difficulty objectives and surviving extended expeditions. The right choice depends on your goal: if you want to clear story and side quests efficiently without coordination overhead, go solo; if you are pursuing endgame or high-tier quests with tough enemies, a squad offers the firepower and revive safety you need.

Background: How Questing Works in Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders is a cooperative third-person shooter set on a ruined Earth overrun by ARC, an automated machine army. Players take on the role of Raiders, scavenging for resources, completing missions, and fighting off waves of hostile machines. Quests are the primary driver of progression, ranging from simple fetch-and-return tasks to multi-stage objectives that require defeating elite enemies or surviving timed assaults.

Quests are divided into main story missions and optional side objectives. Side quests often reward crafting materials, blueprints, or currency, while main quests unlock new areas and gameplay mechanics. The game is designed to be played with up to three players, but it fully supports solo play with scaled enemy counts and difficulty.

How Solo Play Affects Quest Completion

When you play solo, the game adjusts enemy density and health pools to match your lone presence. This means you can move through quests faster because you don’t have to wait for teammates, coordinate loot distribution, or communicate. You also have complete control over your loadout and approach—stealth, brute force, or a mix—without needing to compromise.

However, solo play has clear drawbacks. If you go down, there is no one to revive you; you must rely on self-revive items or restart the quest. Some objectives, especially those that require holding a position against waves of enemies, become significantly harder because you have to cover all angles alone. You also miss out on the synergy of different class abilities, which can make certain quests feel like a slog.

How Squad Play Affects Quest Completion

Playing in a squad of two or three changes the dynamics. Enemy scaling increases, but you gain the ability to revive each other, split up to cover multiple objectives simultaneously, and combine abilities for crowd control and burst damage. For quests that require defending a point or escorting a payload, a squad is almost mandatory on higher difficulties.

The trade-off is coordination. If you play with random players, communication can be lacking, leading to split objectives and wasted time. With a coordinated group, you can assign roles—one player draws aggro, another flanks, a third handles revives—which can make even the toughest quests manageable. But for simple quests like “collect 5 data chips,” a squad might actually slow you down because you have to wait for everyone to gather the items.

Choosing the Right Mode for Different Quest Types

Not all quests are created equal, and the optimal mode depends on the specific objective. Here is a practical breakdown:

• Collection/Scavenger quests: Solo is faster. You can zip through areas, grab items, and extract without waiting for teammates. Squad can be useful if the items are in high-danger zones, but it’s often overkill.
• Defense/Holdout quests: Squad is strongly recommended. The enemy waves are relentless, and having multiple revivers and turrets makes a huge difference. Solo is possible but requires top-tier gear and a lot of patience.
• Boss/Elite elimination quests: Squad is safer. Bosses have large health pools and devastating attacks; a squad can rotate aggro and revive each other. Solo is for experienced players with optimized builds.
• Exploration/Story quests: Solo is fine for the story, as you can take your time to read lore and explore. Squad can be fun, but you might feel rushed.
• Time-limited events: Solo is often better because you don’t have to wait for matchmaking or coordination. You can repeat runs quickly to farm rewards.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that solo play is always harder. In reality, enemy scaling in Arc Raiders is generous—solo enemies have significantly less health and damage, so many quests are actually easier alone because you can pick off enemies one by one without being overwhelmed. The real difficulty in solo is the lack of a safety net; one mistake can end a run.

Another issue is the “revive economy.” In solo, you have a limited number of self-revives (usually tied to consumables), and once they are gone, it’s game over. In squad, as long as one teammate is alive, they can revive you indefinitely, but they have to risk themselves to do it. This trade-off is often misunderstood by players who assume squad is always easier.

Costs and Rewards: Time vs. Risk

Time investment is a major factor. Solo runs are typically shorter because you don’t spend time on matchmaking, waiting for teammates to loot, or coordinating strategies. However, if you fail a quest, you have to restart from the beginning, which can waste more time than a squad that might have succeeded on the first try.

Rewards are the same regardless of mode—quests give the same XP and loot whether you are solo or in a squad. The only difference is that squad play might allow you to tackle higher-difficulty versions of quests (if the game offers difficulty tiers), which can yield better rewards. But that is a choice, not a requirement.

Safety and Stress: The Human Factor

Playing solo is less stressful in terms of social pressure—you can pause, take breaks, and play at your own pace. Squad play with friends can be more fun, but it can also be frustrating if teammates are underleveled or uncoordinated. Playing with random players carries the risk of griefing or AFK players, which can ruin a quest.

For players who are new to the game, solo is a good way to learn the mechanics without feeling rushed. For veterans, squad is the way to push endgame content and get the most out of the cooperative design. Ultimately, the “better” mode is the one that aligns with your playstyle and the specific quest you are attempting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete all quests solo in Arc Raiders?

Yes, all quests can be completed solo, including the main story. The game scales enemy difficulty to your player count, so it is always possible. However, some endgame or high-difficulty quests may be extremely challenging solo and require optimal gear and skill.

Does squad play give more rewards in quests?

No, the rewards are the same for solo and squad quest completion. The only difference is that you might be able to access higher difficulty settings with a squad, which can offer better loot, but the base quest rewards are identical.

Is matchmaking available for squad quests?

Yes, the game has matchmaking for cooperative missions. You can queue with random players or invite friends. Keep in mind that playing with randoms can be hit or miss in terms of coordination.

What is the best class for solo questing?

There is no single best class, but classes with self-sustain or defensive abilities tend to be more forgiving solo. For example, a class with a shield or healing ability can help you survive longer. Experiment to find what fits your playstyle.

Does the game scale enemy health up in squads?

Yes, enemy health and damage scale with the number of players in your squad. This keeps the challenge balanced, but it also means that a squad of three will face tougher enemies than a solo player.

Can I switch between solo and squad mid-quest?

No, you cannot switch modes mid-quest. You must choose your party size before starting a mission. If you want to change, you have to abandon the quest and restart.

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