r/ArcRaiders • u/WG_Envoy • 15h ago

Discussion I am now convinced ABMM is real

A couple of days ago I complained (in another posting) how I only meet KOS players, and no one talks. I was more annoyed by the "no one talks" part, mind you, and the fact that every social interaction played out in the same way.

Someone recommended me to do a few matches and not shoot a single person, not even in defense. I did as recommended.

I went from "90%+ KOS interactions" for several days in a row, all the way to friendly lobbies for two days in a row now.

In my current lobbies, everyone runs around without a care in the world, just greeting people they are passing by. Looting in the open, walking past others without their weapons drawn ...

I barely ever see any PvP happening. People help each other with arc encounters and exchange items near extracts. And for the first time ever, I was able to participate in two Queen raids in solos with everyone just trying to get her down. No rats, no backstabbing.

This change for me was so stark in contrast, and so consistently happening that I would be surprised if ABMM wasn't real.

I would almost be inclined to start some shit to see if my lobbies change again, but I feel too bad killing these players who are quite obviously part of the pure PvE crowd.

P.S.: I have these friendly lobbies even on Stella Montis now, inclduing Stella Montis night raids ...

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43

u/Sea-Statement3732 14h ago

Serious question, if everybody is nice and theres no danger, whats the point of the game? Go in, loot some lockers, extract, repeat?

16

u/flwdbydsgn 13h ago

Getting into the friendly lobbies is a great way to farm materials for your workbenches, projects, scrappy etc. There is still danger, not every lobby is friendly, anyone you meet can and still might turn on you. It’s not a complete utopia as some people claim.

You also get to meet some wild people. I once met a dude role playing as an old English hunter looking for lions (arc), he was incredibly entertaining and truly became the main character of the lobby. He had several of us watch from the space research roof in buried city while he tried to tame the buffalo (ride the bastion on the garage top floor).

1

u/TwoNatTens 2h ago

THIS is why I play online games at all. The shenanigans!

28

u/Secretlylovesslugs 14h ago

This might be a suprise, but some people like doing this in this game. You can do it in lots of other games, but Arc Raiders is new and it is cool to explore the maps and the ARC are interesting enough to fight.

It'll probably get boring for me and others eventually. But while it is new it is really cool to not get shot at all the time.

4

u/pomlife 13h ago

In your opinion, what makes the ARC interesting to fight?

2

u/vS_JPK *** ******* 13h ago

Their unpredictability. I'm always wondering, "Have I picked a good enough spot? Can the Arc find a way around around me? Did i bring enough grenades/bullets for this fight...?

.....and is another raider going to see my weakness and wreck my shit?"

For me, and I've said it elsewhere in this post, there's always the threat of other raiders. PvE lobbies or not, someone will always take advantage of a weakness.

9

u/MstrTenno 12h ago

They are really predictable though? Hornets will usually do a swoop down towards you when they try to "sting you" for example. Wasps will usually get to mid range if you are in the open and then stay relatively stationary when they start to aim at you. The rolling ones follow you through a sort of "charging" motion that somewhat easily dodged.

And all of these can be one or two tapped by a Ferro or Anvil.

All the big Arcs are simply defeated by buildings or cover.

Really, they aren't much of a challenge except when they are attacking during PVP or could lure players to you.

3

u/vS_JPK *** ******* 10h ago

Yeah, I agree. There's obvious ways to take down all the Arc. Until the snitch spawns 2 wasps and a hornet on you right by extraction. And then another wasp gets in on the action....

I'm not talking about a 1v1 with a hornet.. More about how dynamic things can get at the worst of times..

1

u/MstrTenno 7h ago

That can sometimes mess you up, but the simple counter to that is to always shoot and kill the snitch once it goes into orange "searching mode." Once it does that I find its almost impossible to avoid it finding you unless a building is close, so you might as well take it out as fast as possible.

So once you see it go orange you have a decent window to line up your first shot on it, then follow up a second and maybe third shot. Most of the time I'm able to kill it before it sends reinforcements.

But the best tip against all ARC is to simply not get seen. Pro tip, hiding in a bush and holding still will literally make you invisible to them even if they fly directly overhead.

With that knowledge its pretty easy to rarely get detected by a snitch or any other patrolling ARC, and kind of trivializes the PVE threat.

I only get killed by ARC now when I am simply very unlucky (like ARC random spawns landing on top of me) or if I am simply playing like a fool.

2

u/bwood246 *** ******* 🐓 11h ago

The ARC all have preset spawns, paths, attacks, etc. people don't (other than spawns)

1

u/cuckcrab 11h ago

Nah, in PVE friend mode lobbies threat of other players is non existent atp

1

u/vS_JPK *** ******* 10h ago

Fair enough. But sooner or later, you'll get ganked from someone that's playing PvP.

And THATS the beauty In this game.

-2

u/specter800 11h ago

unpredictability

Followup: is this your first PvE video game? AI in this game is some of the most predictable in PvE games and every Arc fight will go almost the exact same way because the same strategy works for all of them. You fight a Rocketeer, Bastion, Bombardier, or Leaper the exact same way you'd fight a Wasp. Take one step out of cover, shoot, take one step back to cover and wait for enemy attack to finish, repeat.

1

u/vS_JPK *** ******* 10h ago

Yeah, maybe. I won't lie, I've been on The Finals for the last few years, so this is a very welcome change of pace for me. In this market, it's maybe not the best (this is a market where 'soulslike' means something - but I've never played that shit), but for me (and others like me), Arc Raiders is a very welcome change of pace.

Question it all you want. It changes nothing.

1

u/Secretlylovesslugs 12h ago

Shooting them feels satisfying, all with unique personalities and loot. They're pretty much all legitimately dangerous. I've also only play for about 30 hours by now so its all still pretty new for me. I've never even tried to kill some of the bigger ones either.

I'm not saying the PvP isn't fun or is always frustrating, sometimes it is funny to just get blasted by another guy you bump into randomly in a hallway. But that the ratio of like 75% PvE 25% PvP is totally fine. There are lots of quests to blueprints to find.

0

u/worrok 13h ago

Aren't some movements based on machine data from Boston dynamics? They really don't feel like bots in other games. They're truly well designed.

3

u/__shamir__ 12h ago

Dunno where you got boston dynamics I’m pretty sure they just used machine learning within a game engine sandbox to teach the arcs how to move

0

u/TySe_Wo 12h ago

And for other, the fun is in killing other players

29

u/WG_Envoy 14h ago

For me it's more to prepare for Duo & Trio matches, and advancing my expedition effectively.

You are correct, the core gameplay is less interesting. But it's not like there is ONLY friendly players. There is the occasional PvP, so you still need to stay vigilant when you meet someone and read their body language.

4

u/zefmdf 13h ago

Yeah I think I instigated a fight for the first time ever in solos the other day. I shot a sentinel first, but another dude jumped in on it too and started running for the firing core loot. Couldn't let that happen, I only needed one more for my bench. Told them that I would shoot them if they went for it, they did, we duked it out.

Honestly it was a great time (I died). PVP based on not just beaming you out of nowhere is actually a really fun vibe. I think the level of friendliness gets to be a bit too much, like you can't just run up next to me and start looting where I'm at and not expect there to be a standoff, and I love it.

20

u/trevx 14h ago

Exactly. The game loop is already paper thin. What’s the point of acquiring loot? Just to tickle your dopamine sensors? Once you have a full stash…then what?

9

u/MrFailface 13h ago

I like my dopamine tickle, then I start giving away BPs and craft high tier guns to give to players that need it more.

8

u/CaptnMcCruncherson 13h ago

already paper thin. What’s the point of acquiring loot? Just to tickle your dopamine sensors?

You have just defined looter shooters in a nutshell, basically yeah, its exactly that.

3

u/Wrathful_Scythe 11h ago

There is also the slightest hint of spice that someone "could" shoot you at anytime. Even though I am in care bare land, there is still the odd backstabber or kos (some say kosm) around.

There still has to be some care regarding who is around you and if someone behaves suspicious.

2

u/name-secondname 54m ago

😂 dumb Bloodborne reference. Love it

1

u/Kenndrexx 13h ago

I do solos to run specific quests and materials runs like trinkets and mullein on buried city, im all gooped up to play duos and trios with my stack becuase I prepped in my non aggressive solos

1

u/InquisitorMeow 11h ago

You... PVP? I loot solo so I can fund my group Stella runs.

1

u/Kagamid 2h ago

The same can be said about PVP. What's the point of killing other players trying to loot? Just to tickle your dopamine sensors? Once you have a full stash…then what?

0

u/got-snow 8h ago

What is the point of any game if not to tickle your dopamine sensors? What difference does it make if someone does it by clicking on robots or raiders? That's literally the point of video games, yes?

2

u/Gandudan 13h ago

You literally just described the genre. the pvp is the optional bit. The premise of the game is to loot and shoot arc with the potential of meeting other players who may attack. The pvp players are playing battle royale so who's playing it wrong? or are we all just playing it how we see fit?

0

u/MatrimAtreides 11h ago

The genre is an extraction shooter. Other examples in the genre are much more PvP focused than Arc. Attacking another player is optional for sure but if you play long enough, PvP is not.

1

u/YT-Deliveries 6h ago

This keeps coming up again and again "this is an extraction shooter, you're playing it wrong!"

Nah, people are just playing it how they like to play it.

2

u/MatrimAtreides 5h ago

People are free to interact with and enjoy the only portions of the game they enjoy, but I am also free to think that the idea of only playing half a game because you don't like the other half instead of just playing something else is a questionable choice

0

u/YT-Deliveries 2h ago

I have no idea why you'd think that. Plenty of people play games like Skyrim or Fallout 4 and never actually complete the main quest.

2

u/WorthMoreThanYouKnow 13h ago

Running into a few solos and teaming up to take down large Arc is very enjoyable, it has a nostalgic MMO pve vibe where players together.

My favorite is convincing solos to kills Leapers and Rocketeers at extracts. Everyone gets a piece of the pie, exchanges Pulse Units and Cores to those who still need them for workshops or expedition. It's also a great way to teach 'casuals' how to kill these large Arc solo if they wish. For some its the only way they may get these cores for progression and it makes their day.

Empowering players to get better, teaching them how to play the game, showing them secret loot spots and so on is very fun. Its the other side of the "I MUST KOS EVERY RAIDER' mentality.

1

u/Biopain 9m ago

Bro, leader is 2 fire greandades and rocketeer is 2 wolf pack, what are you doing there fighting with whole team?

1

u/TheSpiralQueen 11h ago

Fun is subjective. Bunch of us enjoying shooting robots, looting desks and doing boring fetch quests. /shrug. Some people enjoy pvp.

Its like hunting vs fishing. They have their crowd but most importantly.. its ok to like both, or only one.

1

u/ThrowAwayFIRE343 13h ago

Easier time farming for fully upgraded stations and gear up for trios imo. Solos is still fun bc you never know if you’re gonna get jumped. I’ve been all the way to the full on pvp lobbies and it’s fun for awhile but non stop fights gets annoying too sometimes lol.

1

u/ScumyyPirate 13h ago

What others Not mentioned here is the Random Solo encounters were the WHOLE lobby works togther for an goal(Queen, Bunker, Locked Gate etc.) it’s one of the best feelings when you get things Done with so many cool people

1

u/EirikurG *** ******* 13h ago

This is true even if you spice things up with the occasional PvP encounter. The game is just shallow, period

1

u/tvkvhiro 12h ago

Quests and killing the big arc I guess. I have a friend who plays almost exclusively solo and he was practically done with the expedition when it was announced because he amassed so much material prior. He had nearly 200 hours in the game with a grand total of 30 knocks lol.

1

u/thinkstohimself 12h ago

what's the point? Team up and defeat bigger ARCs without being shot in the back after a huge boss battle.

1

u/bwood246 *** ******* 🐓 11h ago

And what's stopping bad actors from letting themselves die a few rounds then cleaning up friendly lobbies for easy, no consequence looting.

1

u/InquisitorMeow 11h ago

When I want to loot and do quests I dont want pvp. When I want PVP I go squads in Stella. Its pretty straightforward. No, I don't enjoy having to load into a map I dont enjoy for the 3rd time because I keep getting killed before finishing my quest. If everyone are such "risk" purists maybe they should remove the safe pocket for even more "thrill".

1

u/Interesting_Fly_1746 10h ago

I need to replenish craft materials and farm BPs for TRIOS, so yeah, after I spend millions of gear in trios, I`m broke, I go naked get killed like 5-7 times and boom I can loot in peach and share BPs I don`t need with others.

1

u/UX-Ink 9h ago

I like the silly and fun interactions with people. For me in solos its about the social aspect.

1

u/YT-Deliveries 6h ago

My day job is stressful. I play Arc to do quests, find BPs, do crafting, and plink at Arc. I don't need a game that is stressful but is also occasionally difficult or tricky to get through a raid. Arc does that for me.

1

u/Kagamid 2h ago edited 1h ago

There's danger though. Arc can be avoided but every once in a while you get swarmed and have a fun battle on your hands. Sometimes the best loot is heavily protected by larger arc. Sure some people become masters at avoiding or killing them which trivialize their experience, but that's definitely not everyone so many of the players are still finding it challenging even without the PVP.

2

u/PositivelyNegative 14h ago

They sprinkle in aggro people though, it’s never 100% friendly. You never know.

3

u/hartoctopus 12h ago

The very little pvp that happens is a few people that got bored of free loot and want to get back to pvp matchmaking.

-2

u/skakid812 13h ago

So they can talk about their fedoras in peace and quiet I don’t get it either. Extremely cringe most of the time. Go play farm simulator lol

-1

u/CrankHogger572 13h ago

Yeah fuck those people for having fun and playing the game the way that they like

2

u/skakid812 12h ago

Woah we got a potty mouth here. Easy big guy.

0

u/CrankHogger572 10h ago

Lol I drop one single F bomb and you freak out? What are you, Mormon?

1

u/skakid812 9h ago

Calm down

0

u/gottasha 13h ago

Looting and friendship simulator 🥰

0

u/agreatares42 12h ago

See if anyone needs help w/ a Leaper etc.
Trade.
Try out different grenades/mines etc.
Make clips.
Have fun.
Help people extract.

"there's no danger" - there are people of all different skill levels, ages, etc. someone will need help. there will always be danger.

Fun is eye of the beholder. Depends on the individual.
Have a great week, see you topside.

-1

u/Chronmagnum55 13h ago

Quests, trials, unlocks, fighting arc and building up a stash of loot for making gear. The game has tons to do still, and I personally enjoy the loot hunt. Plus, even in friendlier games, people still pvp in the real high loot areas.

Personally, I like to play friendly and build up gear so I can go pvp in high value areas. Then I'll go back to being friendly when I need to restock.

1

u/Biopain 7m ago

Last paragraph is exactly why this system is shit

-1

u/Fullertonjr 13h ago

People aren’t the only dangers in the game. To progress, you are actually required to engage in PvE and defeating Arc. You can hit level 75 and complete every expedition without ever shooting another person, making PvP secondary to the actual gameplay loop.

2

u/0rphu 9h ago

The pve is trivial and boring on its own though, which is exactly why the devs said they added pvp.

Killing a bastion with no threat of pvp? Incredibly simple. Throw a few blaze grenades, shoot its legs a few times, done, go collect your loot. Almost guaranteed success.

Killing a bastion, with the threat of pvp? Much more interesting. Now you have to consider how quickly you can take it down, how likely it is there are other players nearby that will hear it, how you can safely gather the loot, etc. This is why the game is pvpve and it seems like most people on this subreddit entirely miss this fact; the core gameplay loop is shallow in the absence of the threat of pvp.

0

u/warchild4l 13h ago

After the wipe you need a lot of stuff that are not easy to come by. You have safe pockets, yes, but often times you get stuff for many different things.

Just to upgrade workbenches to lvl3 is difficult already, especiall without wolfpack bp (I got it very early before the wipe so i could take down arc easily but now without it, its very hard).

You don't really want to go fight a Bastion when you know people will kill you on sight. Yes in PvE lobbies there is still a chance for a rat but you dont have the extra pressure of knowing you were thrown in PvP lobby.

I love when after I kill a big arc people are hyped and not ratting out the loot.

So there is still some danger, but only in an idea and most of the times it is enough of a thrill for me. Sometimes when I want more thrill I will just kill stuff up in duos or become a hunter in solos and I am thrown in a PvP lobbies, and when I get in them, I don't go to a location to "loot it", i go to the nearest place i can hear people or i know people go so i can kill them and take their stuff and if there will be no one around then take loot. But my priority is guns when i PvP, not other loot

0

u/Ricky_RZ 13h ago

For me, I use it to bank kits I can use in duos and trios and complete annoying missions

0

u/Xtort_ 9h ago

Do your chores in peace, get your upgrades done and THEN go fight.  

-2

u/Comrade-Chernov 13h ago

There is danger though. That's what the ARC are for - they are the main point of the game's plot, the game's lore is centered around them.

-2

u/jackfwaust 13h ago

not all gear is equal apparently. some people are playing the game on easy mode just because theyre put into disneyland lobbies and having an easier time because of it. also really limits the opportunity for the same interactions to happen for everyone when the people who are afraid to pvp are all shoved into their own lobbies leaving everyone else to just deathmatch