Most players hear about the First Wave pretty early, either through lore entries or environmental storytelling. In simple terms, the First Wave was the moment when ARC machines first appeared and changed the world completely.
In general, the First Wave happened right after humanity thought things were finally stabilizing. The ecological collapse had already caused massive damage, but people were rebuilding. Cities were adapting. Then ARC started falling from the sky.
This wasn’t a slow invasion. Machines didn’t arrive through borders or warning signals. They dropped straight down, hostile from the start, and wiped out whatever progress had been made. For players, understanding the First Wave helps explain why the world of Arc Raiders looks broken, defensive, and improvised rather than fully rebuilt.
What Were ARC Machines Like During the First Wave?
Usually when new players hear “ARC,” they imagine the highly refined machines seen later in the game’s timeline. But during the First Wave, ARC units were more basic.
They were still lethal, but in practice they had clearer weaknesses. Most players who dig into the lore notice that early ARC designs lacked advanced coordination and adaptability. This matters because it explains why the first Raiders were able to fight back at all.
In general, the First Wave ARC relied more on brute force than tactics. They overwhelmed locations through numbers and raw firepower, not precision. That gave survivors time to study patterns, identify weak points, and experiment with countermeasures.
This early imbalance between danger and predictability shaped how Raider tactics evolved.
How Did the First Raiders Survive?
Most players assume Raiders were always skilled scavengers with strong combat knowledge. In reality, the first Raiders were regular survivors who learned through failure.
They survived by doing a few key things:

• Avoiding open ground whenever possible
• Building layered defenses instead of single strongholds
• Sharing information about ARC behavior

In practice, Raiders learned that static cities were death traps. So they built outposts instead of towns. These outposts were small, modular, and disposable. If ARC destroyed one, the loss was limited.
You can still see traces of this thinking in Topside today. Many structures aren’t meant to last forever. They’re meant to delay, distract, or funnel enemies.
Why Are Old Outposts Still Visible in Topside?
Players often ask why so many abandoned defenses and structures still exist across the map.
The reason is simple: they worked, at least for a while.
During the First Wave, Raiders built an extensive network of defensive positions. These weren’t just shelters. They were early-warning systems, supply caches, and fallback points.
Most players exploring Topside are walking through the remains of those early survival strategies. In general, the environment itself is a record of trial and error. Every ruined wall or collapsed tower reflects a lesson learned the hard way.
How Long Did the First Wave Last?
The First Wave wasn’t a single battle or short event. It lasted over a decade.
That surprises many players. Usually people imagine a brief invasion followed by recovery. In Arc Raiders, recovery never really came. It was constant pressure.
Over those years, Raiders refined their tactics, improved weapons, and coordinated resistance efforts. Losses were heavy, and survival wasn’t guaranteed. Entire groups disappeared. Others became legends.
This long struggle is why Raiders are viewed less like soldiers and more like survivors with combat skills.
What Was the Battle of Victory Ridge?
Victory Ridge is often mentioned as a turning point, and for good reason.
In practical terms, it was the moment when Raiders finally pushed ARC out of the Rust Belt. It wasn’t a clean victory. The land was destroyed, and the cost was enormous.
Most players should understand Victory Ridge not as a heroic final stand, but as a desperate, coordinated effort that barely worked. ARC withdrew, but not because it was fully defeated. It left behind wreckage, husks, and long-term damage.
The victory bought time, not safety.
Did the First Wave Actually End?
This is a question many players misunderstand.
The First Wave ended in the sense that ARC retreated. But ARC was not eliminated. It was forced back.
In general, this is why the lore treats the First Wave as a temporary success rather than a final win. Raiders gained several years of relative calm, but everyone knew it wouldn’t last.
This context makes later events feel more grounded. The Second Wave isn’t a surprise invasion. It’s the return of something that was never truly gone.
How Does First Wave Lore Affect Gameplay Today?
For most players, lore feels separate from mechanics, but the First Wave actually explains many gameplay decisions.

• Why equipment feels scarce
• Why defenses are improvised
• Why scavenging is central to progression

In practice, Raiders don’t operate like a modern army because they never had the chance to become one. Everything is reactive, adaptive, and temporary.
Some players choose to shortcut progression and buy rare ARC Raiders items easily on U4N, but even then, the game’s systems still reflect a world built on survival rather than abundance.
What Should New Players Take Away From the First Wave?
In general, the First Wave teaches one core lesson: survival comes before dominance.
Most players who understand this lore approach the game differently. They avoid unnecessary fights, respect enemy patterns, and treat every run as expendable.
The world isn’t designed to be controlled. It’s designed to be endured.
That mindset aligns closely with how the first Raiders survived the First Wave—and why their legacy still shapes every match today.
High-Level Play Tips: Order ARC Raiders Account Safely from U4N