In Arc Raiders, you can obtain Advanced ARC Powercells from specific enemies. Here’s where to find them and how to use them.
Advanced ARC Powercells are one of the most valuable crafting materials in Arc Raiders. This rare resource drops exclusively from high-tier ARC enemies and serves multiple critical functions: direct shield restoration during combat, crafting ingredient for advanced equipment, and efficient inventory compression. Understanding where to find Advanced ARC Powercells and how to use them effectively will accelerate your progression and improve your survival rate during extraction missions.
In this Arc Raiders Guide you will learn:
- What Advanced ARC Powercells are and why they matter
- Which ARC enemies drop Advanced ARC Powercells reliably
- How to farm Advanced ARC Powercells efficiently
- When to use Advanced ARC Powercells versus recycling them
- How Advanced ARC Powercells compare to standard ARC Powercells
- Crafting recipes that require Advanced ARC Powercells
What Are Advanced ARC Powercells in Arc Raiders?
Advanced ARC Powercells are rare crafting materials that drop from elite ARC units. They occupy the same item category as standard ARC Powercells but offer significantly higher value density. Each Advanced ARC Powercell can be broken down into two standard ARC Powercells, making them a flexible resource that adapts to your immediate needs.
The item has a base recycling value of 640 credits, though recycling reduces this value by approximately 15 percent. Advanced ARC Powercells stack in smaller quantities than standard cells but weigh less per unit, making them efficient for inventory management during extended raids.
You can use Advanced ARC Powercells for crafting advanced gear and consumables at your hideout workbench. Their rarity and versatility make them one of the most sought-after materials in the game.
How to Farm Advanced ARC Powercells Effectively
Farming Advanced ARC Powercells requires deliberate target selection and loadout preparation. Follow this approach to maximize drops while managing risk.
Step 1: Equip anti-armor weapons before deployment
Bring weapons capable of penetrating heavy armor. Standard ammunition will drain your reserves without finishing armored targets like Bastions. Heavy ammo types or armor-piercing rounds ensure you can eliminate high-value targets before reinforcements arrive.
Step 2: Prioritize mixed ARC groups with elite units
Scan the map for patrol clusters that include Leapers, Rocketeers, or Bastions. These mixed groups offer both standard and Advanced Powercell drops in a single engagement, improving efficiency compared to hunting isolated targets.
Step 3: Assign a shield consumable to your quick-use slot
Elite ARC units deal significant damage. Keep a standard ARC Powercell or other shield item accessible so you can restore shields mid-fight without opening your full inventory.
Step 4: Loot immediately after each kill
Advanced ARC Powercells are high-value items that other players will contest. Collect drops as soon as enemies fall, then reposition to cover before sorting your inventory. Lingering at kill sites increases exposure to both ARC reinforcements and rival raiders.
Step 5: Extract after three to five elite kills
Advanced ARC Powercells are rare enough that a handful of successful engagements will fill your inventory with valuable materials. Extract when you have accumulated sufficient cells rather than risking extended exposure in contested zones.
When to Use Advanced ARC Powercells Versus Recycling Them
Advanced ARC Powercells serve two distinct functions: direct shield restoration, crafting ingredient, and conversion source for standard Powercells. Deciding which use case applies depends on your current inventory and immediate needs.
Recycle Advanced ARC Powercells into standard cells when:
- You have surplus Advanced cells but need basics for common crafting recipes
- Your hideout projects require large quantities of standard ARC Powercells
- You want to optimize inventory weight during long extraction runs
Save Advanced ARC Powercells for crafting when:
- You are working toward high-tier gear that requires rare materials
- Your hideout progression has unlocked advanced workbench recipes
- You have sufficient standard Powercells for immediate needs
Each Advanced ARC Powercell breaks down into two standard ARC Powercells through the recycling interface at your hideout. This conversion is lossless in terms of utility, making it a safe option when you need to rebalance your material stocks.
Which ARC Enemies Drop Advanced ARC Powercells in Arc Raiders
Advanced ARC Powercells drop exclusively from specific high-threat ARC units. Targeting these enemies is the most reliable method to accumulate this rare resource.
Confirmed Advanced ARC Powercell sources:
- Leaper: Fast-moving melee unit with high damage output
- Rocketeer: Long-range explosive threat that requires cover management
- Bastion: Heavily armored defensive unit with shield projection
- Bombardier: Area-denial unit with mortar-style attacks
- Sentinel: Mid-range combat unit with consistent damage
- ARC Surveyor: Reconnaissance unit that calls reinforcements
- The Queen: Event boss with high risk and high reward
These enemies appear less frequently than standard patrols and require heavier firepower to eliminate. Bastions and Rocketeers in particular demand anti-armor weapons and tactical positioning to defeat efficiently.
Arc Raiders Differences: Advanced ARC Powercells vs. Standard ARC Powercells
Standard ARC Powercells drop from all ARC enemies and are the most common crafting material in the game. Advanced ARC Powercells offer the same shield restoration effect when used directly but compress twice the value into a single inventory slot.
Key differences:
- Drop rate: Standard cells drop frequently from all ARC units; Advanced cells drop only from elite enemies
- Crafting requirements: Some advanced recipes specifically require Advanced ARC Powercells and will not accept standard cells as substitutes
- Recycling value: Advanced cells have higher credit value when recycled, though the percentage loss is similar
For inventory management during raids, carrying Advanced ARC Powercells instead of standard cells frees up space for other loot. For hideout progression, maintaining a reserve of both types ensures you can complete any crafting project without additional farming.
Crafting Recipes That Require Advanced ARC Powercells
Advanced ARC Powercells appear as ingredients in several high-tier crafting recipes. These projects typically weapon modifications, or upgraded equipment that improves your effectiveness during raids.
While specific recipes vary based on hideout progression and unlocked workbench tiers, Advanced ARC Powercells are commonly required for:
- High-capacity shield modules for extended combat endurance
- Specialized ammunition types with armor penetration or ARC-specific damage bonuses
Check your hideout workbench regularly as you unlock new crafting tiers. Recipes that require Advanced ARC Powercells will display the material requirement clearly in the crafting interface.
Additional Sources for Advanced ARC Powercells
Beyond direct combat drops, Advanced ARC Powercells can occasionally appear in salvageable ARC wreckage and lootable ARC Probes scattered across raid maps.
ARC wreckage salvage:
Large ARC husks and container structures in areas like the Old Battleground on Dam can be salvaged for mixed ARC materials, including rare drops like Advanced Powercells. These salvage operations are loud and attract attention, so secure the perimeter before interacting with wreckage.
ARC Probe loot:
Stationary ARC Probes are interactive devices that scan terrain and can be looted for ARC materials. They appear less frequently than wreckage, but offer a quick, low-risk source of crafting components when you encounter them.
Both methods provide supplementary Advanced ARC Powercells but should not be relied upon as primary farming routes. Direct combat with elite ARC units remains the most consistent and efficient source.
