Arc Raiders Electromagnetic storms and loot explained
Electromagnetic storms in Arc Raiders are a map condition that reduce exit options
Electromagnetic Storms in Arc Raiders are map conditions that add bolts of lightning to the map that strike randomly for major damage, not to mention stunning certain enemies when they land. Electromagnetic storms are an event that cycle around pretty frequently in most of the maps, and are probably one of the easiest ones to handle as a rule, as Lightning isn't too hard to evade and it can actually be used to your benefit. Still, it comes with its own challenges and restrictions, as we'll lay out in our full guide to this event below.
What do Electromagnetic Storms in Arc Raiders do?
An Arc Raiders Electromagnetic Storms will appear on certain maps periodically, several times a day, for periods of up to an hour. When they do it will give you a second option to enter them while an Electromagnetic Storm is present.
During the Electromagnetic Storm map modifier, the following effects will be in play:
- Lightning Strikes will periodically hit random spots, marked by sparking sections of ground. Get away from these or take huge damage!
- The Difficulty rating for the map is increased so expect more and tougher enemies.
- Less extraction points will be active than normal, reducing options for exfiltration
- No Raider Hatches will be open, meaning you can't use Raider Hatch Keys
- Trials points are doubled.
- Lightning strikes have a chance to leave behind the Arc Raiders Fossilized Lightning item.
Electromagnetic storms do not appear to increase loot quality in any obvious way unlike Night Raids. Although there is evidence that you'll get different loot and possible better loot in unnamed areas, while crashed Probes and Couriers appear greater numbers.
It means that the arguably higher risk doesn't equate to better material rewards, so don't hold out for stacks of Arc Raiders blueprints.
Electromagnetic Storms tips for Arc Raiders
Electromagnetic Storms in Arc Raiders come with their own complexities and nuances that you need to keep in mind. Having survived (and died) in a few, here's what I've learned about them:
- Always have spare stamina. With lightning ready to come down at any moment and very little warning for it, make sure you have stamina in the tank for rolling out of the way at the last second. Looks out for the sparks and dive before it's too late!
- Use lightning to your advantage! If you can get an Arc robot into the path of lightning, they'll be stunned and take serious damage. It's a great advantage if you can pull it off, but not easy
- Stealth is easier here. With regular thunder booming in the background and a dark environment, it's easier to sneak around and to cover up noises you make.
Finding all kinds of (s)crap out Topside? Check what's worth keeping and what's not with our Arc Raiders Loot Cheat Sheet! Or if you're hoping to be a team player, find out about reviving enemies and dead teammates in Arc Raiders.
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Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.
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