The ARC Raiders skill tree looks simple at first: pick perks, get stronger. But in an extraction shooter, “stronger” isn’t only damage—it’s survival, speed, loot efficiency, and escaping with value. Most people don’t “lose fights,” they lose time: looting too long, running out of stamina at the worst moment, getting stuck overweight, or taking a bad route because their build can’t support plan B.

That’s why the skill tree is a run-winning system, not a menu.

In this guide you’ll get:

• How the skill tree works (and why it’s gated)
• Exactly how skill points work (and what “76 points” really means)
• What each tree (Mobility/Survival/Conditioning) is best at
• The best skills to unlock first and why they’re picked
• The veteran meta: what high-hour players prioritize, and what they call traps
• Synergies, build paths, mistakes, recovery, and planner tools

Every section stays detailed all the way through—no rushed ending, no thin “wrap-up.”

What Is the ARC Raiders Skill Tree?

ARC Raiders lets you invest skill points into a tree to shape how your Raider performs in real situations: moving through danger, managing stamina, carrying loot, crafting in the field, interacting with security containers, recovering from downed states, and generally getting out alive with value.

It’s not a typical RPG “class” tree. It’s closer to a survival efficiency system:

• Mobility keeps you moving, escaping, repositioning, and surviving traversal mistakes.
  
• Survival turns runs into profit: faster looting, better carry capacity, field utility, and access to locked value.
• Conditioning is the clutch layer: weight handling, combat stamina, downed recovery, and interaction efficiency when the run turns messy.

The reason the skill tree feels so impactful is simple:

• Gear is temporary.
• Skill efficiency is permanent.

Skill Tree Structure Explained

The Three Skill Trees

ARC Raiders has three distinct trees:

• Mobility
• Survival
• Conditioning

Think of them like this:

• Mobility = stamina economy + movement forgiveness.
• Survival = loot speed + carry value + field stability.
• Conditioning = pressure resistance (combat + downed + heavy load scenarios).

Why You Can’t Focus on Just One Tree

Deeper nodes are gated behind “points spent” requirements. That means you can’t rush the end of a tree without investing in earlier nodes first.

If you go all-in on one tree too early, you risk:

• locking yourself out of crucial utility in another tree
• burning points on diminishing returns (especially if you overstack Mobility)
• becoming strong in one scenario but fragile in the rest (bad in extraction shooters)

Best practice: build a foundation across trees first, then specialize.

Skill Points Explained (How Progression Really Feels)

How Many Skill Points Do You Get?

The baseline system is straightforward:

• 76 total skill points
• earned from levels 0–75

Can You Get More Than 76?

Yes, depending on progression systems:

• Some Projects can grant bonus points beyond the normal cap.
• Endgame systems can also create “catch-up” opportunities, so players aren’t permanently behind forever.

Why Skill Points Feel Scarce

Because early mis-spends affect everything:

• stamina = whether you escape
• loot speed = whether you get jumped mid-search
• weight handling = whether you die overweight
• crafting/utility = whether you recover after a bad fight

So the goal isn’t “pick the best perk.”
It’s “pick the best perk at the right time.”

Since skill points are unlocked through ARC Raiders leveling, players who level slowly will naturally unlock the ARC Raiders skill tree at a much slower pace.

Skill Tree Rules & Gating Mechanics (The Part Most Guides Skip)

Here’s the logic that keeps your build future-proof:

• Pathing matters: you’re buying access as much as you’re buying power.
• Unlock > Max (early): early points should unlock multiple future options.
• Max > Unlock (mid/late): once your core toolkit exists, max what you actually feel every run.

A simple planning question that rarely fails:

Does this perk still help me if I never shoot?

If yes, it’s usually a safe buy early.

How Skills Actually Win You Runs (Real Gameplay Impact)

This is why the same few skills dominate meta conversations.

1) Stamina = Options

Stamina is your “decision budget.” More stamina + better stamina economy means:

• you can reposition mid-fight instead of hard-committing
• you can outrun bad encounters and reset
• you can rotate between POIs without arriving exhausted
• you can leave danger before it becomes unavoidable

2) Loot Speed = Less Exposure

Looting is when players die, because you’re locked in the UI and predictable. Loot speed perks reduce:

• time spent helpless
• time spent standing still
• the chance of being third-partied after a fight

3) Carry Weight = Higher Extraction Value

Carry capacity isn’t comfort, it’s value. More weight means:

• fewer “leave loot behind” decisions
• higher average extraction payout
• better progression per hour, because each safe run is worth more

4) Utility = Consistency

Field crafting, interaction speed, and anti-trap perks don’t look flashy, but they stop runs from collapsing.
Consistency is what makes a build feel “OP” across 50 raids, not 1.

Mobility Skill Tree – Full Breakdown & Meta Insight

What Mobility Controls

Mobility is the movement economy:

• stamina pool and stamina drain
• sprint uptime
• movement forgiveness (vaulting, rolling, fall damage)
• reposition speed in fights
• escape reliability when things go bad

High-Value Mobility Skills (What They Do in Real Terms)

• Marathon Runner: keeps sprinting useful longer and makes rotations safer.
• Youthful Lungs: gives you a bigger stamina buffer so you’re not forced to stop moving at the worst time.
• Calming Stroll: helps you “reset” stamina while moving like a normal player instead of standing still.
• Sturdy Ankles: saves runs by reducing “one bad drop” punishment when you’re learning routes or escaping fast.
• Carry the Momentum: improves movement flow when chaining actions, which matters during escapes and push timing.
• Effortless Roll: makes defensive movement less punishing and can save you during messy close-range fights.
• Nimble Climber / Vaulter-style skills: improve traversal efficiency and cut downtime when moving through vertical spaces.

Mobility Tree Trap (Why You Should Cap It)

Mobility feels amazing, so players keep spending. But beyond the stamina core, value can flatten out.

Rule of thumb:
Take Mobility for stamina and basic forgiveness, then pivot into Survival/Conditioning where long-term value stacks harder.

Survival Skill Tree – Loot, Economy & Utility

What Survival Controls

Survival is your “make the run worth it” tree:

• faster looting (less exposure)
• carry weight (higher payout)
• field crafting and utility (run stability)
• access to locked value (security interactions)

Core Survival Skills (And What They Actually Enable)

• In-Round Crafting: the “run stabilizer.” Lets you recover without relying on perfect loot RNG. This is huge early because it turns “bad luck” runs into survivable runs.
• Looter’s Instincts: reduces time in loot UI. Less time stuck = fewer cheap deaths.
• Broad Shoulders: increases carry capacity so your safe routes pay off more.
• Traveling Tinkerer: supports field utility so you can keep moving without returning empty-handed.
• Looter’s Luck: multiplies value per run once your fundamentals are solid.
• Security Breach: access tool for locked value loops, best when your routes actually include secure containers.
• Minesweeper: situational but extremely high impact on trap-heavy routes—this is “save my run” value when it applies.

Why Survival Is Often the Real Meta

Because you don’t need to win every fight.
You need to win the economy.

Survival perks reduce deaths during loot, increase extraction value, and make bad runs recoverable.

Conditioning Skill Tree – Combat & Survivability

What Conditioning Controls

Conditioning is your “pressure resistance” layer:

• combat stamina and performance under stress
• weight handling (loaded movement survival)
• downed recovery (saving wipes)
• interaction speed and consistency

High-Impact Conditioning Skills (And When They Shine)

• Used to the Weight: critical once you start extracting heavy consistently. Prevents “I’m rich but slow” deaths.
• Fight or Flight: helps you keep moving and fighting longer when fights don’t end quickly.
• Survivor’s Stamina: boosts clutch stamina behavior when you need it most.
• Unburdened Roll / Loaded Arms: supports fighting and moving while loaded, which is a real endgame problem.
• Downed But Determined / Back on Your Feet / Crawl-style nodes: save squads and solos when you’d otherwise bleed out or get finished.

When Conditioning Becomes Essential

Conditioning becomes non-negotiable when:

• you’re carrying expensive runs consistently
• you’re fighting more players
• you’re being third-partied often
• you need recovery tools to keep one mistake from ending everything

Early, Mid & Late Game Skill Value (Timing Matters)

Below is the clean “when is it best” view. This stops regret builds.

Skill Value Timing Table

Skill / Category	Early Game	Mid Game	Late Game	Why It Matters
Stamina core (Marathon Runner, Youthful Lungs)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Keeps options open, prevents forced fights
Loot speed (Looter’s Instincts)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Less exposure = fewer cheap deaths
In-Round Crafting	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Turns bad luck runs into recoverable runs
Fall forgiveness (Sturdy Ankles)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	Saves new routes/escape drops
Carry capacity (Broad Shoulders)	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Value scales with better routes and loot
Weight handling (Used to the Weight)	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Prevents overweight deaths as you extract richer
Locked value access (Security Breach)	⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Spikes once your routes include secure containers
Downed recovery package	⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Becomes huge when fights are frequent

Skill Synergies That Multiply Value (The “Feels OP” Layer)

Synergy Table (Clean View)

Synergy	Best For	What It Solves
Marathon Runner + Youthful Lungs + Calming Stroll	Everyone	Never running out of options mid-rotation
Looter’s Instincts + Broad Shoulders + Looter’s Luck	Loot-focused players	Faster loot + more loot + better payoff
Broad Shoulders + Used to the Weight + Loaded/roll support	Endgame extractors	Heavy runs without becoming a slow target
Security Breach + utility/interaction pathing	Route planners	Turning secure containers into consistent profit

Why Synergy Beats Single Skills

A single perk gives a small advantage. A synergy changes your run pattern:

• you rotate differently
• you loot faster
• you carry more
• you escape reliably under load

That’s why veteran builds look “samey”, they’re stacking systems, not vibes.

ARC Raiders Skill Tree Build Archetypes (Playstyle-Based)

1) Solo Stealth Looter (Low Risk, High Consistency)

Goal: survive → loot → extract → repeat
Core priorities:

• Stamina core first (so you can rotate safely)
• Loot speed early (so you don’t die in UI)
• In-Round Crafting (so RNG doesn’t end your run)
• Broad Shoulders + weight handling midgame (so each extraction is worth it)

How it plays:

• fewer fights, more resets
• never loot too long in one spot
• avoid “hero plays” unless you must

2) Fast Mobility Runner (Route Control + Escape)

Goal: choose fights, escape bad ones, control timing
Core priorities:

• stamina core early
• movement forgiveness next
• then pivot into Survival (so speed equals profit)

Big rule: don’t fall into the Mobility trap. Speed with no value is just fast dying.

3) PvP-Focused Fighter (Pressure + Recovery)

Goal: win fights and still extract
Core priorities:

• stamina core (mandatory)
• Conditioning for combat stamina and survivability
• Survival picks that reduce downtime after fights (loot speed + carry)

Why it works:
Fights are rarely 1v1. The build that wins is the one that can fight, reset, then fight again.

4) Balanced All-Rounder (Best Starting Build)

Goal: no regrets, adapts to any lobby
Path logic:

• early stamina core
• early Survival stability (craft + loot speed)
• midgame carry + weight handling
• late game: locked value + recovery tools as needed

5) Prestige / Post-Wipe Grinder (Efficiency Maxing)

Goal: scripted progression and long-term efficiency
Key concept: plan in phases (early stamina → movement stability → survivability → loot speed → value access → recovery)

This build type rewards players who think in “runs per hour,” not “one perfect raid.”

Skill Tree Traps & False Value Skills (What NOT to Do)

Trap 1: Over-Investing in Mobility

Mobility feels strong, so players keep spending. But if you’re dying while looting, dying overweight, or lacking sustain, more movement perks won’t fix the core problem.

Fix: stamina core + stability first, then refine Mobility.

Trap 2: Ignoring Survival Because It’s “Not Exciting”

Survival perks are boring because they’re reliable. But reliability is what makes you rich.

Fix: prioritize loot speed + in-round crafting early, then build value stacking.

Trap 3: Maxing Nodes Too Early

Early game value is unlocking your toolkit. Max later when you know what your runs actually need.

Fix: unlock paths first, max after your baseline is complete.

Trap 4: Blindly Copying Builds

Even if a build is good, it might be good for:

• a different playstyle
• a different route
• a different patch/meta

Fix: copy the logic (stamina → stability → value → recovery), not the exact points.

Planning Your Skill Tree Before Spending Points (No Regrets System)

Step 1: Pick Your Run Goal

Choose one:

• consistent extraction
• PvP dominance
• loot value per run
• speed/route control

Step 2: Plan 20–30 Points Ahead

Don’t plan “next point.” Plan your next unlock gates:

• What do you want by point 10?
• What do you need by point 25?
• What’s your late-game capstone (value access or recovery)?

Step 3: Unlock First, Max Later

• Early: unlock stamina + stability + loot safety
• Mid: max what you feel every run (carry/weight/utility)
• Late: max profit loops and clutch recovery

Step 4: Assume Respec Isn’t Free (Even If It Exists)

Planning still matters because your playstyle and the meta will change.

Patch, Meta & Balance Awareness (Staying Ahead)

Why Meta Converges

Players optimize for the same survival fundamentals:

• stamina
• loot safety
• carry value
• access to locked value
• recovery tools

That’s why you keep seeing the same names across guides and veteran builds.

How to Adapt If Skills Change

When a skill gets adjusted, don’t rebuild from scratch. Replace the function:

• if value access changes → lean harder into loot speed + carry + consistency
• if mobility perks change → keep stamina fundamentals, shift points into survival/conditioning
• if recovery changes → adjust your downed package based on how often you get finished

The best players don’t chase one “broken” perk—they chase systems that survive balance patches.

Stuck or Regretting Your Skill Tree? Read This (Recovery Plan)

If you feel like you ruined your tree, you didn’t. You just need to stabilize your runs.

Step 1: Identify the Real Failure Point

• dying while looting → loot speed + rotate sooner
• dying overweight → carry + weight handling
• losing fights because you can’t reposition → stamina core
• constant third parties → loot faster + leave earlier

Step 2: Stabilize With Universal Fix Skills

Universal stabilizers that help almost everyone:

• stamina core
• loot speed
• in-round crafting
• carry capacity

These don’t lock you into one archetype. They stop the bleeding.

Step 3: Don’t “Fix” It By Going Full Mobility

If your real problem is time exposed or lack of sustain, speed won’t save you. It just gets you to the same mistake faster.

In many cases, players feel stuck not because of bad skill choices, but because unfinished ARC Raiders quests delay access to experience, unlocks, and progression systems.

Tools & Skill Tree Planners (Optional Support)

If you like visual planning:

• use a skill tree planner to map gates, paths, and point totals
• save a baseline “76-point” build
• create small variants by shifting 5–10 points for specific playstyles

Important: a planner can’t tell you what kills you most often. Your match history does.

ARC Raiders Skill Tree FAQ (Real Player Questions)

How many skill points do you get?

Baseline: 76 from levels 0–75, with potential bonus points through progression systems.

How many points should go into Mobility?

Usually: stamina core first, then stop unless you’re a movement-heavy player. Mobility past essentials is where many people waste points.

Is Survival mandatory?

If you want consistent extractions and profit, practically yes. It’s the stability and economy tree.

Do skills affect PvP damage?

Most high-value picks improve stamina, positioning, recovery, and downtime—not raw damage. You win PvP through options, not just aim.

Can I recover from early mistakes?

Yes. Stabilize with universal value skills first, then reshape your build based on your actual death reasons.

Are looting skills worth it if I fight a lot?

Yes. Post-fight looting is where third parties punish you. Faster looting reduces your most common “cheap death” window.

Does walking vs crouching matter?

Some skills and mechanics are conditional, and certain perks reward specific movement behavior. If you care about stealth and stamina, test your movement habits and treat stealth perks as situational.

Final Thoughts – Building a Skill Tree That Actually Works

The best ARC Raiders skill tree isn’t “Mobility max” or “rush one capstone.” It’s a build that:

• keeps you moving when it matters
• keeps you alive when you get surprised
• turns map time into loot without dying in UI
• scales with your ability to extract heavier and more consistently

If you want one simple mental model:

1. Stamina first (options)
2. Survival next (stability + profit)
3. Conditioning after (clutch + heavy extraction survival)

And if you’re worried you “built wrong,” remember: you don’t need a perfect tree to win—you need a tree that reduces your most common death.