Clean Hands in Arc Raiders: Full Guide
This guide walks you through earning the Clean Hands achievement in Arc Raiders, which requires you to complete a mission without killing any enemies. You’ll learn the exact steps, stealth tactics, and what to do when things go wrong.
What You’ll Need
- A mission you know well (e.g., the first or second story mission).
- Patience and a willingness to avoid combat entirely.
- Optional: a friend to help distract enemies or cover your escape.
- No special gear is required, but stealth-friendly loadouts (silenced weapons, if available) can help.
Step-by-Step
- Choose the right mission. Pick a mission you’ve already completed once, so you know the enemy patrol patterns and objective locations. Shorter missions are better; they reduce the chance of accidental detection.
- Set your loadout for stealth. Equip a weapon with a suppressor if you have one, but remember: you’re not planning to shoot anyone. Carry a melee weapon for breaking crates (if needed) and a medkit for emergencies.
- Start the mission and stay low. Crouch as soon as you spawn. Use cover (walls, crates, vehicles) to block line of sight. Move slowly; running creates noise and attracts attention.
- Learn enemy patrol routes. Watch enemies from behind cover. They usually walk a set path. Wait for them to turn away before moving. If you’re unsure, wait an extra few seconds—it’s better to be slow than detected.
- Use distractions. Throw objects (like rocks or bottles) to lure enemies away from your path. Aim for a spot far from where you need to go. When the enemy goes to investigate, slip past.
- Complete objectives without engaging. For each objective (e.g., hacking a terminal, collecting an item), approach from an angle that keeps you out of sight. If an enemy is too close, wait for them to move or use a distraction.
- Exit the mission. Once all objectives are done, head to the extraction point. Stay stealthy even here—enemies may spawn near the exit. Call the extraction and wait in cover until the timer ends.
- Confirm the achievement. After the mission summary screen, check if the “Clean Hands” achievement unlocked. If not, review your run: did you accidentally kill an enemy with a vehicle, explosion, or environmental hazard? Those count.
Common Mistakes
- Killing with environmental hazards. Exploding barrels, falling objects, or even a vehicle you drive over an enemy will void the achievement. Avoid using any explosive items or driving near enemies.
- Forgetting about turrets or drones. Some missions have automated defenses. Destroying them may count as a kill. Check if the achievement description says “no kills” or “no enemy kills”—if it’s the latter, turrets might be fine, but it’s safer to avoid them.
- Rushing. The biggest mistake is trying to speed through. Enemies have a wide detection cone, and running makes you visible through walls (the game has a sound indicator). Always crouch and move deliberately.
- Reviving a downed teammate. If you’re playing co-op and a teammate goes down, reviving them is fine, but if they killed someone earlier, the achievement is already void. Do this solo to keep control.
Tips
- Play on the easiest difficulty. Fewer enemies and slower reaction times make stealth much easier.
- Memorize the mission. Do a practice run where you don’t care about kills, just to learn patrol routes and objective locations.
- Use the “detection meter” to your advantage. When an enemy starts noticing you, the meter fills. If it gets to 50%, back off and hide until it resets. You don’t need to be completely out of sight—just break line of sight.
- Take breaks. If you get frustrated, pause and step away. Rushing leads to mistakes.
- If you’re playing co-op, communicate. Tell your partner to avoid all combat. One accidental kill ruins the run.
Troubleshooting
If the achievement doesn’t unlock after a clean run, here’s what to check:
- Did you kill an enemy indirectly? Explosions, fire, fall damage (if you knock an enemy off a ledge), or vehicle impacts all count as kills. Even if you didn’t pull the trigger, any death caused by you voids it.
- Did a teammate kill someone? In co-op, any kill by any team member counts. Run solo to be 100% sure.
- Did you kill a non-hostile creature? Some missions have wildlife or robots that aren’t enemies. The achievement might only care about “enemies” (hostile humans or robots). If you killed a passive creature, it might be fine, but check the achievement description.
- Did you fail a stealth objective? Some missions have optional stealth bonuses. If you’re detected but don’t kill anyone, you might still get the achievement. But if the mission requires you to remain undetected and you fail, you might not get it. Read the achievement description carefully.
- Is the achievement glitched? If you’re sure you did everything right, try restarting the game and re-checking your achievements. If it’s still locked, search online for known bugs—sometimes a patch fixes it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does killing turrets or drones count as kills?
It depends on the achievement’s wording. If it says “no kills” and turrets are considered enemies, then yes. If it says “no enemy kills,” turrets might be safe. To be safe, avoid destroying any automated defenses.
Can I use melee attacks?
Melee attacks are lethal and will kill enemies, so no. You can use non-lethal takedowns if the game offers them, but if you’re unsure, avoid any physical contact with enemies.
Does being detected void the achievement?
Generally, no. The achievement is about kills, not detection. You can be spotted and still get it as long as you don’t kill anyone. However, some missions have a separate “undetected” bonus—that’s different.
Can I complete it in co-op?
Yes, but only if your partner also avoids kills. One accidental kill by either of you voids it. It’s easier to do solo for full control.
What happens if I accidentally kill an enemy?
You can restart the mission from the last checkpoint. The achievement is based on the entire mission, so restarting the mission is the only way to reset your kill count.
Do environmental kills, like exploding barrels, count?
Yes. If your actions cause an enemy to die (e.g., shooting a barrel that explodes, or pushing them off a ledge), it counts as a kill. Avoid all environmental hazards near enemies.
Related
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