Well, it's begun, guys. Arc Raiders is slowly but surely becoming a more PvP-prone, trigger-happy place, and it was only inevitable. After all, people's loot stashes are getting packed, their weapons are becoming stronger, and not everyone opted for the wipe. Still, while it isn't a complete battlefield out there (pun intended), you must have definitely noticed how you've been getting into more fights with raiders recently.

I have, too, and I've also been welcoming of PvP in the game. I may never initiate a fight with another raider, but I've been having plenty of fun ending it. Considering how I've seen plenty of folks online lose their inventories worth $100K or more to other raiders and rats, I figured I could help, since I've been finding nothing but success when it comes to PvP fights.

Grenades are your best friend

They do way more than just go boom

Now, you might be thinking about taking higher-tier weapons and more powerful rifles and shotguns, since those would increase your odds at winning PvP battles, but you'd only be half-right. Something rather game-changing during fights are grenades, and it's a shame that they're slept on, by and large.

The Light Impact Grenades in the game, which are dirt-cheap to make, are extremely effective in a PvP battle. Firstly, you can use them to push someone out of cover, or push them further into their hiding spot, but more importantly, if you get hit by a couple of shots and need to make a quick break for it to heal or recharge your shields, just spamming these Light Impact Grenades behind you deters your rival from pushing you.

Even the Snap Blast Grenade is pretty effective at this, since it comes with a loud timer that screams "stay back!" to the enemy. You're also going to find Gas Grenades and Blaze Grenades handy. The former completely rid the enemy of their ability to sprint, and they keep coughing, giving away their position and which direction they're moving in. Blaze Grenades might be costly and rare, but they're perfect path-blockers when you need a minute to breathe and recuperate.

PvP fights in Arc Raiders are quick and intense, but they're almost always bullet-heavy. Make sure you're the player who uses their grenades effectively and cleverly, and I can guarantee you that you'll always come out the victor.

Not nearly enough players are slide rolling

Take advantage of how little-known this technique is

It's simple, really. Arc Raiders allows you to slide while running by hitting the Crouch button. It also allows you to Dodge Roll, and that Dodge Roll turns into a Sprint Roll, which goes further and faster if you're sprinting. So, just combine the two — 9/10 fights you'll get into will have both you and your enemy peeking from the corner of your respective covers. Just sprint ahead, slide, and before the slide is over, take your shot. Since the slide isn't over yet, just press the Roll button, and you can break all your forward momentum and Sprint Roll right back inside your cover.

This might sound like a mouthful, but it's genuinely simple. Sprint, slide, shoot, and roll before the slide is over. That's it. The enemy watching you might even come to a halt, thinking you're glitching all over the map, but this isn't an exploit. It's just a clever and efficient use of the game's movement systems that helps you get huge shots in while being a blur on the screen for your enemy.

You're not making enough headshots

It's baffling how so many are aiming center mass

Um, yeah, that's it. So many battles I've had, so many enemies I've met, and so many folks who have just, for some reason, not been taking headshots. I know there aren't a lot of very precise weapons in Arc Raiders, but I've seen too many people barraging with the Torrente or the Il Toro shotgun, but hitting center mass instead of still aiming for my head. Every extra second you get to still be alive is one where you can pop out a grenade, or heal and shoot back, so don't be the guy who lets their enemy get that opportunity.

Even if you're using a weapon like the Torrente, which comes with a huge reticle and almost zero accuracy in close quarters, just make sure you aim that thing at the head, at least towards the end or beginning of the fight when your clip is running out of ammo. A single well-placed headshot can change the tide of the game. I know it sounds like the most obvious suggestion ever made, but considering just how many players have had the jump on me and still not begun with the head, I do believe it needs saying.

Heal first, recharge later

Bandages first, recharger kits seconds

I did say that I've won nearly every single PvP battle I've gotten into, but I never said that I haven't taken damage. Of course you'll take significant damage in the middle of a fight, too. Now, since taking damage means losing your shield, you're going to be inclined to charge it up immediately after you get into cover. However, if your health is below 50%, make sure you heal first, and recharge your shield later. Not only could it give you a second longer to stay alive, but it'll also help your character control their low-health loud breathing, which is often a dead giveaway for your position.

Also, if you're going to be expecting PvP fights now, I must reveal that one of the biggest reasons I've been alive for longer in fights is because I wear nothing but a Medium Shield. I can't remember when I last used a Light Shield, and that's because there's just no point. At level 70 now, I've got enough resources and skills to be able to lift more weight with my combat kits, which allow Medium Shields. Trust me, no player ever expects your shield to be more resilient than they're used to. They're still lighter than Heavy Shields, but pretty darn tanky.

Block doors whenever you get the chance

That's an extra five seconds to heal, recharge, and reload

Trust me on this one. Door blockers and barricade kits are ridiculously cheap to buy or craft in Arc Raiders, which means that you should always have one or the other in your inventory when you load into a match. At worst, you don't get to use it, so you can just drop it anywhere to pick up something more valuable towards the end of a run, but in a fight? These things can come in pretty darn handy. Whenever you need to heal or recharge your shield, or make a quick repositioning move out of cover, enter the closest room and throw up a barricade or door blocker.

If the enemy knows what you're doing, they'll take a couple of seconds to think about their next move, giving you crucial time to heal, recharge, and reload. If they don't, they'll still have to breach or dismantle your obstacle, giving you the upper hand, leaving you free to either reposition, or just have a gun at the ready to greet them, or, well, have your best grenade waiting. These door blockers aren't just handy when you're looting special rooms, but extremely crucial in combat scenarios as well.

Arc Raiders is only going to get more chaotic

At the end of the day, PvP in Arc Raiders isn't going anywhere. It's only getting more frequent and chaotic, and definitely more fun. The tension, uncertainty, and absolute thrill of not knowing who you can trust is what gives this game its teeth.

So, the only thing you can rely on is your own readiness in a world where the community is slowly shifting from peace talks to quickdraws. Adapt, stay sharp, and be one of the few players who use all the resources at their disposal. Every fight you walk away from makes the next run even sweeter, I promise.