The Skulker, one of three new ARC enemies in Arc Raiders, can be beaten by shooting out its four wheels and then targeting its head, according to a player guide published this week.
Key points
- The Skulker is one of three ARC enemies added by the Frozen Trail update, alongside the Bully and the Hydra.
- It roams the field on Pendola Pass, the new map, and tends to retreat before attacking again.
- The guide says players should shoot its four wheels first, then its head once it is disabled.
- Its tail-mounted weapon fires in bursts, so players should keep moving instead of standing in front of it.
- Defeating a Skulker yields a Skulker Targeter, needed for the new Weapon Amplification System.
The machine has become a nuisance for players since the Frozen Trail update. It tends to pull back and return when players least expect it. Embark Studios released the update, which it calls the biggest since launch, on Oct. 8 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Where the Skulker appears
The Skulker is a field enemy on Pendola Pass, the new map. It roams the field alongside the Bully, the other new ground enemy. The third addition, the Hydra, is a set-piece fight aboard the Frigate.
The guide says the Skulker usually patrols the map’s outskirts and the area just outside buildings and shelters. It also says players meet it during map conditions such as Redirection. Redirection is tied to Pendola Pass. The guide also lists Frigate as a condition where the Skulker appears, but that could not be confirmed, since the Frigate is linked to the Hydra.
How to beat it
The guide calls the Skulker’s wheels, which it also refers to as legs, its main weakness. They are visible at all times, so players can fire at them immediately. Shoot them one by one. Once all four are destroyed, the machine is disabled and players can shoot its head.
The Skulker fires bursts from a weapon mounted on its tail. The guide advises against standing in front of it and says to keep moving and dodge as needed. It describes the enemy as neither as large as the Bully nor as fast-firing as the Hydra, and says patience is the key to the fight.
A third-party guide from Timesaver.gg also advises keeping the Skulker in sight and fighting it with a squad.
Suggested loadout
The guide rates the Skulker a moderate threat. Its recommendations reflect the author’s opinion rather than official guidance from Embark.
- Shield and augment: a light shield with the Looting Mk. 1 augment.
- Weapons: any weapon with strong ARC penetration, including the Renegade, Bettina, Anvil, Osprey or a basic Ferro.
- Healing: basic bandages and a couple of shield rechargers.
- Grenades: at least two Seeker Grenades, which the guide says work well against Skulkers.
The update also added the Stiletto, a semi-automatic alternative to the Renegade. Details are in DroidFeats’ report on the Arc Raiders Stiletto rifle.
Loot and rewards
A defeated Skulker breaks into several parts. Players can loot the tail for the special ARC part and the rest for common materials.
- Skulker Targeter (special loot)
- Heavy Ammo
- Advanced ARC Powercell
- ARC Thermo Lining
- ARC Coolant
- ARC Data Module
The Skulker Targeter is a material for the new Weapon Amplification System. Players can also place the targeter on the ground, where it fires at anyone who enters its area.
About the update
Frozen Trail also adds the Outpost, a fifth weapon quality tier, grappling gadgets and Reward Passes that replace Raider Decks. Pendola Pass is unlocked after 25 played rounds, according to Overgear’s Frozen Trail overview.
Embark has also tightened enforcement ahead of the update. It moved to immediate permanent bans for cheaters, as DroidFeats reported when Arc Raiders announced the policy. Earlier, the studio ran Twitch Drops for the previous release, covered in the report on the Arc Raiders Riven Tides drops.
