Ready to face Arc Raiders’ toughest boss? The Queen is a massive, spider-like mechanical nightmare that guards the game’s best loot during Harvester Events. This isn’t a fight you stumble into unprepared—you’ll need the right weapons, tactical positioning, and a mountain of ammo. Here’s everything you need to take down this extreme-threat ARC and walk away with legendary gear!
Table of Contents
Arc Raiders Finding the Queen
The Queen only spawns during Harvester Events on Dam Battlegrounds and Acerra Spaceport. Look for maps marked with a “link” icon when selecting your expedition. She patrols near the Harvester machine, and you’ll hear her mortar fire from a distance—hard to miss once you’re close!
Pro tip: Join at the start of a match, not mid-game. You’ll need maximum time to position, fight, loot, and extract safely.
Essential Loadout & Gear
| Item Category | Recommendation | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Hullcracker | 200-300 rounds (solo) |
| Secondary Weapon | Venator | Full ammo |
| Augment | Raider Augment IV | 1 (24 backpack slots) |
| Shield | Heavy Shield | 1 |
| Healing | Herbal Bandages, Shield Rechargers | 5-10 each |
| Revival | Defibrillators | 2-3 |
| Grenades | Showstopper, Wolfpack | 10+ Wolfpack |
| Utility | Snap Hook, Raider Hatch Key | 1 each (key in safe pocket!) |
Official Game: Arc Raiders on Steam
The Hullcracker is absolutely essential—it’s the best ARC killer in the game. The Venator works like magic against those pesky Wasps and Hornets that spawn during the fight.
For more Arc Raiders strategies, visit our extraction shooter hub and survival tactics guide.
Queen’s Attack Patterns
Understanding her abilities is critical for survival:
Mortar Barrage: Fires 2-5 mortars that land around you and explode into fire 2 seconds after impact
Laser Beam: Periodic high-damage sweep that scorches the ground
Close-Range Counter: EMP pulse and ground slam when you get too close
Adds: Spawns Rocketeers, Wasps, and Hornets throughout the fight
Winning Strategy: Break and Burn
The strategy is simple: break a leg, then burn the core. Here’s the step-by-step approach:
Step 1: Secure Power Gen Complex
On Dam Battlegrounds, the Power Gen Complex on the north side provides reliable sightlines and cover. Use the metal staircase or rooftop for safer angles. Fighting in the open is suicide!
Step 2: Focus Fire on Leg Joints
Have one person peek to bait the mortar attack. As soon as the shells are in the air, everyone else unloads on a single leg joint. Commit to one leg at a time—don’t spread your damage.
Step 3: Target the Head Core
Once a leg breaks, the Head Core drops into view. Use the Showstopper to stun the Queen for 10 seconds, then use the Snap Hook to jump on top and hit the Head Core directly. This is your maximum damage window!
Step 4: Manage the Adds
Use Wolfpack grenades primarily to delete Rocketeers that respawn throughout the fight. Don’t let adds overwhelm you—clear them quickly between damage phases.
Step 5: Repeat Until Down
Keep cycling: bait mortars → break joints → burn core → clear adds. Plan for roughly 200-300 Hullcracker rounds to down the Queen solo, or 70-100 per player in a trio.
Check our boss fight strategies and competitive shooter tips for more advanced tactics!
The Loot Jackpot
The Queen’s debris includes ARC Alloy, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Motion Core, Magnetic Accelerator, and the Queen Reactor—a legendary drop used for crafting end-game weapons like Jupiter (bolt-action) and Equalizer (beam rifle).
Critical: Dash straight towards the Harvester and loot as many blueprints into your safe pockets. Other Raiders will fight you for the loot, so prioritize high-value items first!
Visit our loot optimization guide for extraction strategies!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I defeat the Queen solo or do I need a full squad?
While technically possible solo, it’s extremely difficult and requires perfect positioning, 200-300 Hullcracker rounds, and exceptional aim. Most players recommend a trio (3 players) for efficiency—you can coordinate fire on weak points while one baits mortars and another clears adds. Solo runs take significantly longer and leave you vulnerable to other Raiders stealing your kill or loot. If you’re determined to go solo, master the Power Gen Complex positioning and bring backup weapons in case your Hullcracker breaks mid-fight.
Q2: What should I prioritize if my inventory gets full during the Queen fight?
Always keep your Raider Hatch Key in a safe pocket—this is non-negotiable for guaranteed extraction. After the Queen dies, immediately grab Queen Reactors (legendary tier, used for crafting Jupiter and Equalizer), Magnetic Accelerators (for crafting more Hullcrackers), and any blueprints you see. Drop lower-tier materials if needed. The Queen can drop up to 9 Queen Reactors total, so even if multiple squads are fighting over loot, you should walk away with at least one. Extract immediately after looting—don’t stick around trying to grab everything, as other players will converge on the Harvester.
