SOCIAL EXPLORE Discussion Category Open Discussion | Share Your Thoughts What is ARC Circuitry and why do players care about it?

  • What is ARC Circuitry and why do players care about it?

    Posted by voidthecurse on January 26, 2026 at 1:09 AM

    Where does ARC Circuitry actually come from during normal play?

    The short answer is ARC enemies. The longer answer is that not all ARC encounters are equal.

    Most players get their first ARC Circuitry from destroyed ARC machines during normal scavenging runs. Probes, Surveyors, Couriers, and Rocketeers are common early sources. Bigger enemies like Bastions, Barons, and Queens can drop it too, but those fights are risk-heavy and usually not worth forcing just for circuitry.

    You can also craft ARC Circuitry from ARC Alloy at the Refiner. This is reliable but slow. Alloy itself is common, but the conversion rate is expensive, and it ties up your Refiner for a while. Most experienced players treat refining as a backup option, not a primary farming method.

    Burned ARC Circuitry can appear when salvaging old ARC husks, but this is inconsistent. You should see it as a bonus, not something you plan around.

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    Is it better to farm ARC enemies or refine ARC Alloy?

    In practice, farming ARC enemies is more efficient if you already fight them during your runs. Refining ARC Alloy only makes sense when you have excess alloy and nothing else queued.

    The key thing players overlook is opportunity cost. Refining 8 ARC Alloy into 1 ARC Circuitry locks your Refiner and delays other upgrades. If you are still pushing workshop levels, that delay matters.

    Most veteran players let circuitry accumulate naturally through combat and only refine alloy when they are one or two units short of a recipe and don’t want to risk another run.

    <hr>
    What is ARC Circuitry used for that actually matters?

    ARC Circuitry shows up in three places that affect progression:

    1. Crafting higher-tier gear

    2. Repairing medium shields

    3. Upgrading the Refiner

    Medium Shields are the most common sink. Repairing them costs ARC Circuitry, which means frequent shield users burn through their stock faster than expected.

    Power Rods and certain weapons also require circuitry, but those are usually planned crafts. Shield repairs are reactive and catch people off guard.

    The Refiner upgrade to level 3 is where many players get stuck. That upgrade needs a large amount of ARC Circuitry at once. This is why experienced players stop selling circuitry early, even when coins feel scarce.

    <hr>
    Should you ever sell ARC Circuitry for coins?

    Most experienced players would say no, unless you are very early in the game or absolutely desperate for cash.

    The sell price looks decent, but coins are easier to replace than circuitry. You can farm coins safely. You cannot safely farm ARC enemies without risk.

    There is also a hidden cost: once you sell circuitry, you often end up buying crafted items later that indirectly cost more circuitry than you sold. This is why people regret early sales.

    On console communities, this regret sometimes shows up as players searching for arc raiders blueprints for sale xbox because they sold materials early and are trying to shortcut progression later.

    <hr>
    How do players usually store and manage ARC Circuitry?

    Good players treat ARC Circuitry like a reserve currency, not a crafting ingredient.

    Common habits include:

    • Keeping at least 10 units in storage at all times

    • Never using the last stack unless it unlocks a workshop upgrade

    • Avoiding shield repairs if extraction is likely

    Because the stack size is small, people often underestimate how fast it disappears. Two shield repairs can wipe out half your stash.

    Another common trick is to delay repairing medium shields until you have multiple damaged ones, then repair them in one session. This makes your circuitry usage more intentional.

    <hr>
    Is recycling ARC Circuitry ever worth it?

    Recycling ARC Circuitry gives ARC Alloy. Salvaging gives even less.

    In practice, this is almost never worth doing unless you made a mistake or need alloy urgently for a different upgrade. ARC Alloy is easier to get than ARC Circuitry, so converting backward is inefficient.

    The only time players do this is during workshop planning, when they miscount alloy requirements and need a quick fix without another run.

    <hr>
    What mistakes do newer players make with ARC Circuitry?

    The most common mistakes are predictable:

    • Selling it early for coins

    • Overusing medium shields without planning repairs

    • Refining alloy too aggressively instead of farming naturally

    • Crafting gear before upgrading the Refiner

    Another mistake is forcing ARC fights just for circuitry. This often leads to deaths, lost loot, and no net gain. Circuitry should be collected opportunistically, not hunted recklessly.

    <hr>
    How does ARC Circuitry fit into long-term progression?

    ARC Circuitry is a pacing mechanic. The game uses it to slow players just enough that workshop upgrades feel earned.

    Once your Refiner is upgraded and your shield usage stabilizes, circuitry pressure drops. At that point, you usually have enough incoming supply to maintain your loadouts.

    Until then, every unit matters. This is why veteran players talk about ARC Circuitry so often. It is not flashy, but it quietly controls how fast you advance.

    <hr>
    Final practical advice from experienced players

    If you want a simple rule to follow: never sell ARC Circuitry unless you fully understand what you are giving up.

    Let it build up naturally. Use it deliberately. Treat shield repairs as a cost, not a free reset. If you do that, you will almost never hit the progression wall that frustrates newer players.

    Editor’s Choice: Arc Raiders Locked Gate Blue Gate Key Locations

    voidthecurse replied 6 days, 8 hours ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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