Ammo Types Explained in Arc Raiders

Complete guide to ammo types in Arc Raiders. Learn which ammo works with which weapons, where to find each type, and how to manage your ammunition supply.

Published 28 March 2026. Updated 31 October 2026.

Understanding Ammo Categories

Arc Raiders uses multiple ammo types. Each weapon takes one, named on its own page, and one weapon class can mix them. Most pistols and SMGs take Light Ammo, most shotguns take Shotgun Ammo, and the sniper rifles take Medium Ammo (the Osprey) or Energy Clips (the Jupiter). Assault rifles and battle rifles are split across several types, so check the weapon before you stock up. Knowing which ammo your loadout requires prevents frustrating shortages mid raid.

Ammo Availability by Zone

Different raid zones have different ammo distribution patterns. Zones with lots of military installations tend to have more medium and heavy ammo. Urban zones often have light ammo scattered in buildings. Plan your weapon choice around the ammo availability of the zone you are raiding.

Crafting Ammunition

You can craft all ammo types at the appropriate crafting station. The material costs are low per unit but add up quickly if you burn through ammo carelessly. Craft ammo in bulk before raids rather than relying entirely on finding it in the field. A full ammo supply gives you confidence to take fights when needed.

Ammo Conservation Strategies

Every bullet counts in Arc Raiders, especially on longer raids. Aim for precision shots rather than spray and pray. Use semi auto or burst fire modes when targets are far away. Switch to melee for weak enemies to save ammunition for tougher threats. Running out of ammo in the middle of a fight is often fatal.

Special Ammunition

A few weapons fire ammo of their own. The Jupiter and Aphelion use Energy Clips, and the Hullcracker and Rascal use Launcher Ammo, an explosive payload that gets through ARC armor better than Heavy Ammo. Both are rarer than the common ammo types, so save them for the fights where they matter.

Loadout Ammo Planning

The smartest raiders plan their loadouts to minimize ammo diversity. Running two weapons that use the same ammo type means every ammo pickup benefits both weapons. If your primary uses medium ammo, consider a sidearm that also uses medium ammo. This simplifies your supply chain and reduces the chance of running one weapon dry while having surplus for the other.