Best Armor Tier List

Complete armor tier list for Arc Raiders covering helmets, vests, and backpacks ranked by protection and value.

Category: Tier List · Updated 2026-08-31

Shields

• Heavy Shield (Epic): Maximum protection. Absorbs the most damage before breaking. Heavy weight trade off. Best for aggressive PvP where you expect to take hits.

• Medium Shield (Rare): The community standard. Good protection with reasonable weight. The most popular choice across MetaForge and community builds. Used in the majority of loadouts.

• Light Shield (Uncommon): Minimal protection but lightweight. Best for rat builds and speed focused playstyles where avoiding combat is the priority. Budget option.

Augments (Most Popular)

• Looting Mk.3 (Survivor): By far the most popular augment across community builds. Recharges HP when downed. Used in the vast majority of MetaForge loadouts. Essential for solo play.

• Looting Mk.2: Mid tier augment. Good for farming runs where you want extra backpack capacity without the cost of Mk.3.

• Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive): For pure PvP aggression. Boosts combat effectiveness. Used in dedicated PvP builds.

• Combat Mk.3 (Flanking): Alternative combat augment for repositioning playstyles. Good for scout oriented builds.

• Looting Mk.1: Budget option. 18 backpack slots for around 800 Coins. Good starting augment for new players.

• Combat Mk.2: Mid tier combat augment. Reliable for general purpose builds.

• Tactical Mk.2: Utility focused augment. Good for support roles in squad play.

Optimal Loadout by Progression

Early game: Light Shield + Looting Mk.1 + Bandages. Focus on Dam Battlegrounds for materials.

Mid game: Medium Shield + Looting Mk.2 + Herbal Bandages. Run Buried City and The Spaceport.

Endgame: Medium Shield + Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) + Herbal Bandages + Shield Rechargers. Farm The Blue Gate and Stella Montis.