Farming the Queen or Matriarch in ARC Raiders has become a unique challenge in Patch 1.4, especially for solo players. With the Hullcracker nerfs in 1.3, traditional high-damage methods became prohibitively expensive, leaving solo and budget players searching for alternative strategies. Luckily, there are now efficient, cost-effective ways to loot valuable parts and still net serious gains without committing to a full kill.

This guide will walk you through solo-friendly strategies, essential gear, and the best methods to maximize ARC Raiders loot while minimizing expense.

Why Solo Looting Works Now

Previously, farming these bosses required either a Hullcracker or a coordinated team. Post-nerf, the Hullcracker has become extremely expensive, limiting player participation. Now, a smarter approach is to focus on breaking off parts rather than killing the target outright.

· Queen Matriarch Parts: Legs, armor plating, jaw plates, etc.

· Loot: Reactors, magnetic accelerators, complex gun parts, and valuable salvage.

· Strategy: Break parts → loot them → retreat before committing fully.

Soloing is viable because:

1. Parts drop high-value loot individually.

2. You can avoid conflict with other players by stealth or positioning.

3. You can scale up to full kills once comfortable with the method.

Recommended Gear for Solo Runs

The great news: you don’t need expensive gear to farm parts. Here’s what works best:

Weapons:

· Budget: Level 4 Pharaoh or Anvil — enough to strip legs and parts efficiently.

· Upgrade Option: Level 4 Renegade — faster fire rate for accurate DPS on cores.

· Energy Weapon Option: Equalizer or Affilion — superior for ultra-fast stripping.

Ammo:

· 2–3 stacks of heavy ammo for standard weapons.

· Energy clips: craftable (1 advanced arc power cell + 2 batteries → 5 clips).

Healing & Utility:

· 10 basic bandages.

· 5+ shield recharges.

· Raider hatch key — essential for quick extraction.

· Defibrillators — great for player interaction and survival.

Safe Slots / Shields:

· Looting Mark 2: light shield, 2 safe pockets.

· Looting Mark 3: cautious option, heavier but more slots.

· Survivor: medium shield, 3 safe pockets — best balance for looting runs.

Mobility:

· Snap Hook: climb to inaccessible locations, ideal for Matriarch.

· Zipline: an alternative for positioning, but requires careful placement.

Step-by-Step Solo Loot Strategy

Queen (Harvester) Method:

1. Clear the Harvester: Start by clearing the harvester to gain a safe platform.

2. Pick a Target Leg: Focus fire on one leg section (upper leg is easiest).

3. Break & Loot: Once the leg part falls, loot it immediately.

4. Optional: Repeat with all legs for maximum loot.

5. Avoid Aggro: Step back, let the Queen patrol, then loot remaining parts safely.

Tip: Use proficient prior skill tree perks to speed container access and harvester operation.

Matriarch (Pipeline Tower Example):

1. Locate a Safe Spot: Pipeline tower on Brereech map is ideal — use snap hook or zipline.

2. Cover & Attack: Stand behind a ramp to avoid missiles, pick a leg, and focus fire.

3. Break Parts: Once the leg is destroyed, wait for Matriarch to patrol and loot safely.

4. Adjust for Map: On Bluegate, the warehouse complex is good for cover; use smoke grenades or photoc cloak if needed.

Tip: Matriarch lacks a single safe zone like the harvester, so map awareness is key.

Weapon Methods Explained

Budget Pharaoh / Anvil Method:

· Goal: Break parts quickly, loot, and leave.

· Advantage: Extremely cheap, simple to execute solo.

· Optional Kill: Upgrade to Renegade for DPS on core.

Energy Weapons:

· Equalizer: Great range and sustained output for stripping parts.

· Affilion: Burst damage, more subtle for PvP interference.

· Requirement: Level 3 Gunsmith, blueprints for crafting.

· Strategy: Strip parts quickly → diage → loot → extract.

Hullcracker:

· Post-nerf: expensive but still effective if used differently.

· Strategy: Crack armor off parts → switch to DPS weapon for core.

· Tip: Store ammo in safe pockets to prevent total loss if you die.

Deadline Mines:

· Useful for direct kills, not optimal for solo loot/strip strategy.

· It can weaken legs faster, but won’t drop parts on a single deployment.

Loot & Crafting Considerations

· Reactors: 13k each or craft into magnetic accelerators/power rods.

· Magnetic Accelerators & Complex Gun Parts: High-value crafting materials.

· Energy Clips: Craft from advanced arc power cells + batteries for efficiency.

· Selling vs. Crafting: Decide if you want immediate cash or use ARC Raiders items to craft superior weapons.

Bonus Tip: Fully looting the Harvester itself is lucrative — energy clips stack up quickly and sell for 5k per five-stack.

Pro Tips for Solo Players

1. Communication: If other players arrive, be friendly — share loot or give a defib.

2. Positioning: Use high ground and hidden ramps to avoid aggro and maximize safety.

3. Patience: Diage targets to let parts drop safely, then loot.

4. Invest Gradually: Start with budget Pharaoh → upgrade to energy weapons or Renegade for speed.

5. Backup Gear: Extra shields and healing prevent losing a run due to poor timing.

Conclusion

Soloing the Queen and Matriarch in ARC Raiders Patch 1.4 is more viable than ever, even on a tight budget. By focusing on breaking parts, using smart positioning, and choosing the right combination of weapons and gear, you can net massive loot efficiently without committing to costly full kills.

Whether you want to go budget with a Pharaoh or upgrade to energy weapons for speed, this guide covers everything you need to loot, strip, and profit from these bosses—solo style.