In ARC Raiders, Rocketeer Drivers are essential epic components that every serious player needs to progress. These rare items are primarily used to upgrade the Explosives Station from Level 2 to Level 3, unlocking stronger explosives, new crafting recipes, and enhanced firepower for your raider squad. Without them, you’ll hit a wall in late-game progression, making it harder to take on powerful ARC enemies and complete high-difficulty missions.
While Rocketeer Drivers can seem elusive at first, there are reliable methods to farm them-some high-risk but direct, others safe and efficient. This guide breaks down every proven way to get Rocketeer Drivers, along with tips to maximize your chances and avoid unnecessary frustration.
Understanding Rocketeer Drivers: What They Are and Why You Need Them
First, it’s important to know the basics of Rocketeer Drivers. Classified as epic recyclable items, they can be salvaged for valuable crafting materials like ARC Alloy and Advanced Electrical Components if needed-but their true value lies in workshop upgrades. To upgrade your Explosives Station to Level 3, you’ll need exactly three Rocketeer Drivers, along with other ARC Raiders Materials like Laboratory Reagents and Explosive Compound.
Beyond upgrading the Explosives Station, Rocketeer Drivers are not used in direct crafting of weapons or gear, but the upgrades they enable are game-changing. A Level 3 Explosives Station grants access to more destructive tools, which are crucial for taking down tough ARC units like Sentinels and Brutes.
Method 1: The Direct Approach – Hunting Live Rocketeers
The most straightforward way to get Rocketeer Drivers is to hunt and defeat live Rocketeer ARC units. These flying enemies are formidable, but they have a high (though not 100%) chance of dropping a Rocketeer Driver when looted after being destroyed.
Rocketeers are flying ARC units that patrol high-value areas across multiple maps. They are larger and more dangerous than common Hornet units, often escorted by smaller drones, and they rain down guided missiles that can eliminate an unprepared player in just a few hits. To take them down, you’ll need the right strategy and equipment.
Look for Rocketeers in these reliable spawn locations: Dam Battlegrounds (circling the control tower or generator hall), Buried City (patrolling the parking garage roof south of the research building), and Blue Gate (west of Pilgrim’s Peak). The Testing Annex in Dam Battlegrounds is a popular farming spot, as its large windows provide cover and a clear line of sight to patrolling Rocketeers.
When fighting Rocketeers, avoid open areas. Use heavy weaponry like the Hull Cracker Launcher or Wolf Pack Grenades to wear down their armor, and aim for their thrusters-destroying two thrusters will make them crash and become vulnerable. This method is best for experienced players or those with a team; solo players may struggle due to the Rocketeer’s high burst damage and rare spawns.
Method 2: The Safe Way – Scavenging Rocketeer Husks
For players who prefer a low-risk approach, scavenging Rocketeer Husks is the ideal method. These are the wrecked, dormant shells of Rocketeers scattered across the map, and they can be breached to loot valuable components-including Rocketeer Drivers.
While Rocketeer Husks can be found on any map, their drop rate for Rocketeer Drivers is higher during the Husk Graveyard event. This special world event spawns dozens of ARC husks (including Rocketeer variants) across the map, allowing you to loot them without fighting live enemies. It’s the safest and most efficient way to farm Rocketeer Drivers, especially for solo players.
To maximize your chances during the Husk Graveyard event, focus on two maps: Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport. In Dam Battlegrounds, head to the swamp region and old battleground area, where multiple Rocketeer Husks spawn together. Spaceport’s southern section is even better-running this area three times is often enough to collect all three Rocketeer Drivers you need.
When approaching a Rocketeer Husk, interact with it to breach the top. During the Husk Graveyard event, breaching may cause a brief electric shock that stuns you for a few seconds, but it deals no damage, so you can loot safely. Remember to ping husks to confirm they are Rocketeer variants before breaching them.
Method 3: Capitalizing on Events and Bonus Opportunities
While hunting Rocketeers and scavenging husks are the main methods, there are other ways to get Rocketeer Drivers-though they are less reliable. One such opportunity is ARC Couriers, fast-moving loot carriers that drop various ARC materials. While Rocketeer Drivers are a rare drop from Couriers, it’s worth checking them if you encounter them near crash sites.
Additionally, keep an eye out for Electromagnetic Storms during the Husk Graveyard event. These anomalies increase the drop rate of Rocketeer Drivers from husks, making it even easier to farm the components you need. You can track event timings using tools like MetaForge’s ARC Raiders event timers to never miss a Husk Graveyard spawn.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Rocketeer Driver Farm
No matter which method you choose, these tips will help you farm Rocketeer Drivers more efficiently. First, equip an Augment with a Safe Pocket-this ensures you won’t lose your Rocketeer Driver if you die during a run. Losing an epic component after a tough fight is frustrating, so this simple step can save you time.
For solo players, run solo sessions on Blue Gate or Spaceport. This eliminates competition from other players, allowing you to freely explore and loot all available Rocketeer Husks without interruption. If you’re playing with a team, split up to cover more ground and share any extra Rocketeer Drivers you find.
Finally, don’t waste Rocketeer Drivers on recycling unless absolutely necessary. While they can be turned into useful materials, their role in upgrading the Explosives Station is far more valuable for long-term progression. Focus on farming the three you need first, then consider recycling any extras.
Final Thoughts
Rocketeer Drivers may be epic and somewhat rare, but with the right methods, farming them is manageable. Whether you prefer the direct challenge of hunting live Rocketeers or the safety of scavenging husks during the Husk Graveyard event, consistency is key. Players will thus gain more cheap ARCR Items, Coins, and other resources.
Remember, you only need three Rocketeer Drivers to upgrade your Explosives Station-once you have them, you’ll unlock powerful new tools to dominate the battlefield. With the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to collect Rocketeer Drivers efficiently and continue your journey as a top-tier ARC Raider.
