ARC Raiders Lore Explained
Uncovering the history, timeline, and mysteries of the Rust Belt (Year 2180)
The World: 2180
In the year 2180, Earth is no longer ours. The mysterious machines of the ARC patrol the Rust Belt of South Calabretta, turning once-thriving cities into lethal scavenge grounds. When one machine falls, another is printed to take its place in the endless cycle of the mechanical expansion.
In the hidden city of Speranza, thousands seek shelter underground, their lives sustained by the vital supplies recovered from the surface. Among the fierce competition for these resources, only a few dare to face the machines head-on.
They are known as Raiders.
The Fall of Civilization
Years ago, the arrival of the ARC machines changed everything. Their origin remains a mystery, but their impact was devastating. Cities fell, nations collapsed, and the surface of Earth became a deadly playground for these mechanical invaders.
The few who survived retreated underground, forming small communities and settlements in the remnants of subway systems, bunkers, and natural cave networks. These became the last bastions of humanity, known collectively as the Underground.
The Exodus (2165–2170)
When ARC first appeared, those with wealth and power initiated "The Exodus" – a mass evacuation to off-world colonies. The Exodus shuttles roared into the heavens from massive sites like Acerra Spaceport, leaving a beleaguered Earth behind.
The global elite took the most stable resource caches and the most advanced technology, leaving billions to scramble for whatever was left in the "Rust Belt." This abandonment is the defining trauma of the survivors living in Speranza today.
The Chronology of the Fall
The Arrival (2160s)
The Day the Sky Changed.
The ARC descended without warning, targeting global power infrastructure and industrial centers. Conventional militaries were overwhelmed by the machines' industrial efficiency.
The Exodus (2165–2170)
Abandonment of Earth.
Wealthy elites flee from Acerra Spaceport to off-world colonies, taking the best technology with them.
The First Wave (2170–2175)
A Decade of Resistance.
Desperate human resistance peaks in South Calabretta. Battles like those at **The Dam** (Alcantara Power Plant) define the era.
The Great Descent (2176–Present)
Driving Humanity Underground.
The ARC terraforms the surface, forcing survivors into the sinkholes and establishing the chasm-city of Speranza.
The Raiders
From this desperate situation emerged a new kind of survivor – the Raiders. These rogue gunslingers and adventurers brave the surface to scavenge resources, fight ARC machines, and bring back valuable materials to the underground communities.
Raiders repurpose and kitbash materials, trinkets and ARC parts into new items, tools and weapons. Like post-apocalyptic cowboys, this new reality has made them jaded and resilient.
While many civilians and traders rely on Raiders for survival, the Raiders themselves have their own agendas, looking for adventures and opportunities to thrive in this desolate world.
The First Wave
The period when ARC first appeared and humanity was nearly wiped out is known as the First Wave. During this time, crucial battles were fought, including at locations like the Alcantara Power Plant ("The Dam"), which served as a Raider stronghold.
Though the Raiders lost many battles during the First Wave, the knowledge gained about ARC's weaknesses and patterns allowed the survivors to establish the underground settlements that exist today.
The Rust Belt
The areas where Raiders operate on the surface are collectively known as the Rust Belt. This region contains various environments, from arid deserts with buried cities to toxic, waterlogged battlegrounds around old power facilities.
The Rust Belt is lethal and dangerous, patrolled by ARC machines of various sizes and capabilities. Raiders can only stay on the surface for limited periods before they must return underground through extraction points.
ARC Machines
The ARC machines come in various forms, each with their own characteristics and weaknesses. One notable type is APOLLO, flying ARC drones that rely on their thrusters to stay airborne. Targeting these thrusters is an effective way to bring them down.
Destroyed ARC enemies can be scavenged for valuable resources, making them not just threats but also essential sources of materials for the underground communities. Raiders who are skilled at taking down ARC machines are highly valued.
Speranza: The Chasm-City
Speranza isn't just a bunker; it’s an architectural miracle of survival. Built into the subterranean infrastructure of South Calabretta that was swallowed by massive sinkholes, the city literally dangles over the abyss.
It is the oldest neighborhood in the massive underground city-state known as Toledo. Here, survivors live in a "Kitbash Economy," where old-world currency is worthless and life depends on scavenging machine alloys and the technical genius of the founder, Celeste.
"We don't live in the dark because we're afraid. We live in the dark because we own it." - Speranza Proverb
Lore FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What year does ARC Raiders take place?
ARC Raiders is set in the year 2180, roughly 20 years after the initial ARC Arrival.
Is ARC Raiders PVP or PVE?
It's an extraction survival game featuring both PVE (against ARC machines) and optional PVP between Raiders competing for identical resources.
Where do the ARC machines come from?
Their origin is a mystery. Some believe they are off-world colonists, others suggest they are pre-Exodus AI gone rogue.
Raider Survival Tips
Raiders survive through ingenuity. One essential piece of knowledge is that items stored in a Safe Pocket will not be lost if you're knocked out. Always prioritize high-value alloys and rare blueprint data for these secured slots.
The underground economy depends heavily on these recovered resources, creating a delicate balance between risk and reward. Check the Comparison Hub before committing your hard-earned materials to a new craft.
