How to Board the Frigate Safely in Arc Raiders
Boarding the frigate in Arc Raiders is one of the most dangerous operations you can attempt, but it’s also where the best loot and extraction points are located. This guide covers the safe route from the surface to the frigate’s interior, what gear to bring, and how to avoid the biggest threats. You’ll learn the exact steps to approach, breach, and extract successfully.
What You’ll Need
- A full health kit and at least two shield cells.
- A weapon with medium-to-long range (e.g., a marksman rifle or assault rifle) for covering fire.
- A melee weapon or a shotgun for close-quarters combat inside the frigate.
- Grenades (frag or EMP) to clear rooms or disable turrets.
- A teammate or two—going solo is possible but significantly riskier.
- Knowledge of the extraction point on the frigate (usually the rear cargo bay).
Step-by-Step
- Scout the area from a distance. Before approaching the frigate, use a vantage point (hill or building) to identify the landing zone, guard positions, and any automated turrets. Mark targets for your team.
- Clear the perimeter. Eliminate any hostile NPCs or other players near the frigate’s landing zone. Use suppressed weapons if available to avoid drawing attention from inside the ship.
- Approach from the rear or sides. The main entrance (front ramp) is heavily guarded. Instead, move toward the side hatches or the rear cargo bay. These are less monitored and provide quicker access to interior cover.
- Breach the hatch. Interact with the hatch to open it. Be ready to throw a grenade inside immediately if you suspect enemies are waiting. If you have an EMP grenade, use it to disable any nearby turrets or electronics.
- Enter and take cover. Move inside quickly, but don’t rush forward. Use the first available cover (crates, walls) and check your corners. The interior is a maze of corridors and rooms.
- Clear room by room. Move methodically, using the “slice the pie� technique—check each corner as you enter a room. Communicate with your team to avoid splitting up. Prioritize high-traffic areas like the bridge and cargo hold.
- Watch for traps and turrets. Look for laser tripwires and floor panels that might indicate traps. Turrets can be shot down or disabled with EMP grenades. Do not trigger alarms—they summon reinforcements.
- Reach the extraction point. The extraction point is typically in the rear cargo bay. Once you’re there, secure the area and call for extraction. Defend the position until the timer ends.
- Extract. When the extraction timer reaches zero, you’ll be lifted out. Stay inside the marked zone until the animation completes. Do not leave early or you’ll miss the extraction.
Common Mistakes
- Rushing the front ramp. The front ramp is a kill zone—enemies and turrets focus fire there. Always use side or rear entrances.
- Going in without a plan. Boarding without scouting or communicating with your team leads to chaos and quick deaths.
- Ignoring audio cues. Footsteps, turret hums, and door sounds give away enemy positions. Use headphones to hear them.
- Triggering alarms. Alarms call in waves of reinforcements. If you set one off, fall back and reposition rather than fighting in the open.
- Not bringing EMP grenades. Turrets and electronic doors are common. EMP grenades make them trivial.
- Extracting too early. Calling extraction before the area is secure leaves you vulnerable to ambushes during the wait.
Tips
- Use the frigate’s verticality—some rooms have upper walkways that give you a tactical advantage.
- Carry a medkit that heals over time, not just instant heal, to survive prolonged firefights.
- If you have a recon character, use their ability to scan for enemies inside the frigate before entering.
- Keep an eye on the minimap—enemy pings appear when they fire unsuppressed weapons.
- When holding the extraction point, place your back to a wall and cover all entrances. Use smoke grenades to block sightlines.
Troubleshooting
- You’re getting shot from an unknown position. Use cover and reposition. Check the upper walkways and vents. If you can’t locate the shooter, retreat to a previous room and re-enter from a different angle.
- The hatch won’t open. Sometimes hatches are locked from the inside. Look for a control panel nearby or a keycard on a dead enemy. If you have a breaching charge, use it.
- You’re overwhelmed by enemies. Fall back to a choke point and use grenades. Don’t try to fight in the open. If you’re alone, consider abandoning the boarding and extracting from the surface.
- The extraction point is camped. Wait for the campers to leave or engage them from a distance. Use a sniper rifle or throw a decoy grenade to draw them out.
- You’re low on health with no medkits. Search the frigate’s supply rooms—they often contain medical crates. If you’re near the extraction point, call extraction and hope for the best, but prioritize finding health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I board the frigate solo?
Yes, but it’s much harder. You’ll need to be more cautious, use stealth, and avoid prolonged firefights. Bring plenty of healing items and use the environment to your advantage.
What’s the best loadout for boarding?
A versatile assault rifle for medium range, a shotgun for close quarters, and a pistol as backup. Grenades are essential, especially EMPs for turrets.
How do I avoid triggering alarms?
Don’t shoot cameras or break windows. Move quietly and take out enemies with suppressed weapons. If you see a laser tripwire, disable it or jump over it carefully.
Where is the extraction point on the frigate?
It’s usually in the rear cargo bay, marked by a glowing pad. Check your map for the exact location—it can vary slightly between matches.
What happens if I die inside the frigate?
You’ll drop your loot and respawn back on the surface. You can try to re-board, but the frigate may have moved or the enemies may be on high alert.
Can I extract from the frigate without boarding?
No, the extraction point is only available inside the frigate. You must board and reach the designated area to extract with the high-tier loot.
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