Crude Explosives in Arc Raiders: Farming, Crafting & Uses
Crude explosives in Arc Raiders are a craftable throwable item used primarily for breaking open locked supply caches and dealing area damage to enemies. You reliably farm them by looting containers and enemy drops in the open world, and you craft them at a workbench using common materials. This article covers where to find them, how to craft them, and what they are actually good for.
Why Crude Explosives Matter in Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders is a cooperative third-person shooter set in a world overrun by ARC machines. You and your squad drop into a map, complete objectives, and extract with loot. Crude explosives are one of the few items that can destroy the locked caches that appear randomly in the world. Those caches often contain high-tier weapons, armor, and crafting materials, so carrying a crude explosive can turn a mediocre run into a profitable one.
They also work as a panic AoE (area-of-effect) weapon. When you are surrounded by ARC units or enemy players, throwing a crude explosive at your feet and backing away can clear the area or force enemies to reposition. They are not as strong as a frag grenade, but they are cheaper and easier to craft.
How to Farm Crude Explosives Reliably
Farming crude explosives is about knowing where to look and what to prioritize. The drop rate is not guaranteed, but you can increase your chances by following these steps:
- Loot every container you pass: toolboxes, ammo crates, lockers, and duffel bags all have a chance to drop crude explosives.
- Check the back of supply trucks and inside buildings with red or yellow markings; these often have higher-tier loot tables.
- Kill ARC patrols and scavenger enemies; they sometimes drop explosives as loot.
- Open caches that require a keycard or lockpick; they frequently contain crafting materials, including explosives.
- Visit the same farming route every raid, especially areas with a high density of containers like industrial zones or military checkpoints.
If you are playing with a squad, communicate who needs explosives and who is carrying them. Duplicates can be shared, and you can avoid wasting time by having one player focus on looting while others cover.
Crafting Crude Explosives: Materials and Recipe
Crude explosives can be crafted at any workbench in the hub area or at field workbenches found in the map. The recipe requires common materials that you will accumulate naturally:
- Metal scraps – found from dismantling weapons and armor, or from looting scrap piles.
- Chemicals – found in medical crates, lab areas, and some industrial containers.
- Duct tape – a common item that appears in toolboxes and hardware stores.
The exact quantities vary by patch, but typically you need around 2-3 metal scraps, 1-2 chemicals, and 1 duct tape per explosive. Crafting takes about 10 seconds, and the item goes directly into your inventory. You can craft multiple at once if you have the materials.
If you are short on chemicals, focus on looting areas with medical tents or research buildings. If you are short on duct tape, hit hardware stores and construction sites. Metal scraps are almost everywhere, so they are rarely the bottleneck.
How to Use Crude Explosives Effectively
Crude explosives have two main uses: breaking caches and combat. For caches, stand close enough to throw the explosive at the base of the crate, then back away to a safe distance. The explosion will destroy the lock, and you can open the cache normally. Be careful not to stand too close; the blast can damage you and your teammates.
In combat, use them to flush out enemies behind cover or to create space when you are being pushed. Throw the explosive at the enemy’s position, then move to a new angle. The explosion also damages ARC robots, making them useful against groups of weaker machines. However, they are not effective against heavily armored targets, so save them for soft targets or caches.
One important tip: crude explosives can be picked up and thrown back if you are not careful. When you throw one, it has a short fuse, so try to cook it (hold it for a second) before throwing to reduce the chance of it being thrown back.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Many players think crude explosives are rare, but they are actually quite common if you know where to look. The issue is that they are often hidden in containers that players skip. Another misconception is that they are useless against ARC bosses; while they do less damage than dedicated grenades, they can still stagger smaller machines and create openings.
Another common problem is accidentally blowing yourself up. The blast radius is larger than it looks, and the fuse is short. Always throw from behind cover or at a distance. Also, be aware that crude explosives can be destroyed if they are shot while on the ground, so throw them right before you need them.
If you are having trouble finding them, try playing on a lower difficulty or in a less crowded server. More players mean more competition for loot, and you may get fewer drops per raid.
Costs and Alternatives
Crafting crude explosives is cheap, but it does use materials that could be used for other items. If you are short on chemicals, you might want to save them for medkits or weapon mods. In that case, consider using a lockpick to open caches instead. Lockpicks are rarer but can be found in the same containers, and they do not require crafting.
Alternatively, you can use a weapon with a high fire rate to break the cache lock, but this is not reliable and wastes ammo. The best alternative is to bring a teammate with a lockpick or a spare crude explosive. Sharing resources is often more efficient than everyone crafting their own.
Safety and Etiquette in Co-op
When playing with a team, always announce when you are throwing an explosive. Friendly fire is a real risk, and a poorly placed explosive can down a teammate. Also, avoid using crude explosives in tight indoor spaces where the blast can bounce off walls and hit you.
If you are the one carrying explosives, let your team know how many you have. That way, they can plan the route and decide when to use them. In public lobbies, it is polite to share with players who do not have any, especially if they are the ones who found the cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can crude explosives destroy any cache?
No, only caches with a lock that has a red glow can be destroyed by explosives. Some caches require a keycard or a specific tool, and explosives will not work on them. Look for the lock type before wasting an explosive.
Where is the best place to farm chemicals for crafting?
Medical tents, research labs, and areas with green crosses on the map are the best spots for chemicals. They appear as small bottles or canisters, and you can often find 2-3 per container in those zones.
Do crude explosives work on ARC vehicles?
They deal some damage but are not effective against heavy vehicles. You are better off using anti-vehicle weapons or calling in an airstrike. Save your explosives for infantry and light machines.
Can I carry more than one crude explosive at a time?
Yes, you can carry up to three in a single inventory slot. If you find more, they will take up additional slots. Prioritize carrying two or three, as they are light and useful.
Is it better to craft or find crude explosives?
Both are viable. Crafting is reliable but uses materials that could be used elsewhere. Finding them is free but random. A good strategy is to craft one or two before a raid and then supplement with any you find in the world.
Do crude explosives work on players?
Yes, they damage other players, which makes them useful in PvP encounters. However, they are not as strong as dedicated PvP grenades, so use them for area denial rather than direct kills.
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