The latest weekly reset has dropped, and the ARC Raiders Week 23 Trials are officially live. Running from April 6 to April 13, 2026, this week's rotation brings a brutal mix of precision objectives and high-stakes combat across the Rust Belt. Raiders are tasked with navigating the deadly Buried City, disarming explosives at the Blue Gate, and going toe-to-toe with the terrifying new Vaporizer ARC units introduced in last week's Flashpoint update. Earning this week's progression stars is crucial for unlocking high-tier gear, including the coveted Dolabra Energy Shotgun blueprint. If you want to secure those rewards and extract with your loot intact, you need a flawless strategy.

ARC Raiders Weapon Builds for Trials: Preparing for the Vaporizer

Before dropping into the Rust Belt for the ARC Raiders weekly challenges April 2026, sorting out your loadout is non-negotiable. The Vaporizer requires a highly specific approach. Unlike the familiar Rocketeer, this aerial menace boasts a Matriarch-grade energy shield and a lethal delayed laser blast that will obliterate your shields and set your Raider on fire.

When assembling ARC Raiders weapon builds for trials, precision and raw armor-penetrating power are your best friends. The Anvil hand cannon—especially when equipped with the Anvil Splitter attachment and a Compensator—is an excellent choice for targeting the Vaporizer's small rotors and crippling its mobility. The Ferro sniper rifle also provides a reliable, budget-friendly way to pick off weak points from a distance.

However, the true MVP this week is the Hullcracker grenade launcher for massive core damage, paired with the Aphelion energy rifle. The Aphelion was once considered a niche pick, but it is surprisingly effective at melting the Vaporizer's rotors to force it to the ground. Pair these heavy hitters with a reliable Stitcher equipped with a Stable Stock to handle crowd control when smaller ARCs swarm your position.

How to Beat Vaporizers in ARC Raiders

Figuring out how to beat Vaporizers ARC Raiders style requires patience, positioning, and timing. You will primarily find these late-game machines patrolling during the Close Scrutiny map condition, aggressively guarding Assessor units. Their attack patterns are devastating, featuring a multi-target laser barrage and a sweeping ground laser that leaves a lingering trail of fire across the battlefield.

The golden rule for survival? Utilize hard cover constantly. When the Vaporizer locks onto you for its delayed single-target blast, break line of sight immediately by ducking behind structural pillars or concrete walls. Do not attempt to outrun the beam in the open. Furthermore, the machine's energy shield activates defensively when it detects incoming tracking projectiles like Wolfpack grenades or Hornet Driver usage. While the shield is up, the Vaporizer temporarily stops firing its laser. Use this brief window to reload, heal, and reposition. The exact moment the shield drops, hit the exposed belly core with your Hullcracker or launch a Wolfpack grenade to deal catastrophic damage.

ARC Raiders Blue Gate Mines Guide

Another major hurdle this week is the delicate explosive disarm objective. Our ARC Raiders Blue Gate mines guide is simple but vital: load into the Blue Gate map specifically during a Locked Gate Major Map Condition. To secure a three-star rating for this trial, you need to successfully disarm 14 hidden mines.

The trick here relies entirely on your pathing. Stay above ground topside; avoid heading down into the subterranean traffic tunnels where ARCs tend to bottleneck Raiders into deadly crossfires. The mines are scattered throughout the surface ruins. Approach them with extreme caution—sprinting or making sudden erratic movements will trigger the detonation radius and end your raid instantly. Walk up quietly until the interaction prompt appears, disarm the explosive, and cautiously move on to the next one. Keep a low profile and avoid engaging unnecessary ARC patrols while you work.

Raider Caches and Old Town Combat

Beyond massive boss fights and minefields, you also need to track down specific loot containers and clear out ARC presence in the desert ruins. Finding ARC Raiders Raider Caches locations is straightforward if you know what to look and listen for. These small tin boxes emit a distinct, low humming sound. You can load into almost any map—with the exception of Stella Montis—to hunt for them. Follow the audio cues, grab the loot, and stay alert for player ambushes.

Buried City Extraction Tips & Old Town Tactics

For the main combat trial, you must deal damage to ARC enemies specifically in the Old Town sector of the Buried City, formerly known in lore as Marano. This sandy, multi-story urban sprawl is packed with tight corners and hiding spots. Draw out standard enemies like Wasps, Ticks, and Hornets to farm your required damage numbers quickly without risking a full squad wipe.

When it's time to leave, rely on solid ARC Raiders Buried City extraction tips. The map's layout is incredibly dense, making it a haven for ratting players and opportunistic PvP ambushes. Stick to the sun-bleached rooftops of the crowded villas for seamless traversal, or cut through the Parking Garage to move safely between the Hospital and the Library POIs. Avoid the main open plazas where Rocketeers and enemy snipers have clear sightlines. Secure your extraction, bank your weekly stars, and get ready for the next drop.