What Your Arc Raiders Skin Says About You
In Arc Raiders, your outfit does more than just look cool. It also sends a big signal to other players about what kind of raider you might be in player versus player encounters. Are you the kind soul who hands out loot and teams up for tough Arc fights, or the silent type who smiles in proximity chat then blasts people at the extract?
Because Arc Raiders mixes PvE and PvP, every encounter with another raider is a quick judgement call. Do you wave, speak up, and hope they are chill, or do you take the shot before they can? Over time, plenty of players have started reading outfits like warning labels. Certain cosmetics just have an aura that screams friendly team mate or sweaty PvP maniac.
Here is a fun rundown of how different Arc Raiders outfits tend to be perceived in the wild, and how that might affect the way other players react when they spot you across the ruins.
Skins That Scream PvP Threat
Some cosmetics just radiate danger. They look like the kind of thing a person wears when they are loading into a match specifically to hunt other players. If you run these outfits, expect to get shot at first and questioned later.
- Aviator looks simple and unassuming, almost like a casual explorer in jeans and a shirt. The catch is that it is a reward for a fairly late quest. That means anyone wearing it has experience and is choosing to appear low key. Many players assume Aviator users are trying to trick them, so they will often take the first shot.
- Striker is a fan favourite look and a favourite of the writer too, but it has the classic edgy vibe. Think gas masks, tactical gear, and Call of Duty style menace. This is the skin of someone who probably is here for PvP and will not hesitate to drop you for your loot.
- Macrame is all sharp visual energy. Ribcage robes, a sweeping hat, face coverings. It screams cultish PvP monster. If you are wearing Macrame, do not be surprised if people assume you will shoot first and decide to beat you to it.
- Riposta may be inspired by fencing gear, but in a world of bullets and Arcs it reads as serious threat. Heavy chest armour and a blank, ominous mask make you look like someone who wins duels. Most players will not risk trying to talk to you if they catch you unprepared.
There is also a second tier of suspicious outfits. These are not guaranteed villains, but they make people uneasy enough that they will often keep their distance or open fire if you hesitate.
- Origin, the default skin, seems harmless. It might mean someone is new and just learning the game. It might also mean a hardened raider is hiding their experience behind starter gear. That uncertainty makes a lot of players nervous. You will usually get a chance to speak, but not for long.
- Bog Walker looks like a stylish swamp scientist with a hood and mask. It is a great set, and it has built a reputation. Many Bog Walker users play aggressively or pretend to be friendly before betraying you. People love the skin but rarely trust the person wearing it.
- Driftcoat, Leviathan and Torpedo all have a similar vibe. They are striking, often dark or dramatic, and popular among skilled raiders. Whether it is a dramatic coat, an old diver suit, or an eye catching profile, these looks tell people you have style and probably plenty of combat confidence. Most players will be wary around you.
Skins That Invite Uneasy Alliances
The middle group of outfits sit in that grey area. They do not scream bloodthirsty killer, but they also are not obviously harmless. Raiders wearing these are often good candidates for a temporary alliance, as long as you both keep one eye on each other’s backs.
- Ryder and Voyager are free Raider Deck skins, which makes them a common sight. They tend to signal someone who is invested enough to unlock cosmetics but not necessarily ultra sweaty. Ryder can look more aggressive depending on the styling, while Voyager’s bulky spacesuit and fluffy hat feel slightly friendlier.
- Astrolite, Chap, Cresta and Hawker all land around average in terms of threat level. They are rarely associated with notorious backstabbers, but they also do not guarantee safety. Think of them as wildcard outfits. Someone might be chill and down to fight Arcs, or just waiting for the perfect betray moment.
- Ombra, Radio Renegade and Velati have some tactical flair and colour without that full on sweatlord energy. Ombra’s poncho and gear can look edgy, Radio Renegade has the tools and radio that appeal to combat focused players, and Velati is subtle but stylish. People will usually try to talk before shooting, especially if you sound relaxed in voice chat.
- Voltedge looks a bit like a budget Eleven from Stranger Things, and oddly tends to be worn by friendlier players in practice. It is a paid cosmetic, but its general vibe is insecure or inexperienced rather than deadly. Many raiders will happily squad up with a Voltedge user.
Outfits That Make You Look Friendly
Then there are the skins that feel safe. These are looks people associate with cooperative players who are more interested in surviving the surface than farming other humans.
- Patrol is actually the opposite of harmless in terms of skill. It is locked behind high rank in Trials, so anyone wearing it is dedicated and capable. The difference is that they are often too valuable as allies to risk fighting. If you see Patrol, the smart move is usually to bargain and team up for big targets like Queens or the Matriarch.
- Sforza is a clean, simple outfit unlocked early but upgraded as you level. It does not give off menacing vibes and tends to be associated with dependable veterans who could crush you but usually do not bother. If you meet a Sforza raider, they are often worth trusting.
- Valente is pure cowboy energy. Bright colours, a matching backpack, and a lantern that ruins stealth make it clear this player is here for fun and spectacle more than sweaty PvP plays.
- Boonie has built a reputation as the good guy outfit. Many players wearing it turn out to be rescuers, helpful allies, or fellow Arc farmers. It is hard to suspect a Boonie raider of secret malice after enough positive encounters.
- Luna is the full spacesuit fantasy. Big helmet, padded legs, bright colours. It makes you an easy target, which suggests you either do not care about PvP or are so confident you do not need camouflage. Either way, most players are happy to buddy up with a Luna raider.
- Riot looks more like a cartoon fisherman than an elite mercenary. Tall boots, short overalls, and a strange helmet give it a goofy charm. You are clearly not trying to project killer aura, which usually earns you some goodwill.
Of course none of this is a hard rule. Any outfit can hide a cold blooded loot goblin or a generous Arc slayer. But in a game where a split second decision decides whether you say hi or pull the trigger, judging raiders by their wardrobe is all part of the fun.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/i-ranked-arc-raiders-skins-based-on-how-likely-i-am-to-shoot-them-on-sight-and-ive-become-the-thing-i-swore-to-destroy/
