In ARC Raiders, shield types are fixed to specific Augments that dictate build configurations. Three categories exist – Light, Medium, and Heavy variants. While entry-level Light Shields require minimal setup, advancing to Medium options demands strategic planning. Accessing Medium Shields necessitates equipping either Tactical MK1 or Combat MK1 Augments through specialist vendors.

Obtaining the Combat MK1 from Clinic merchant Lance enables Medium Shield usage. Basic loadouts restricted to Light Shields favor agile gameplay, whereas Medium variants trade slight mobility loss for enhanced defense. Corresponding Augments simultaneously boost storage capacities for extended missions.

Understanding Shield Mechanics in ARC Raiders

Augment tier progression governs shield availability. Higher-tier equipment becomes accessible via bench upgrades and resource investments. Securing Heavy Shields mandates reaching Equipment Bench Tier 3, while Medium options become available through Clinic transactions.

• Heavy Shields: Demand Raider Augment III+ and Tier 3 crafting capabilities. Sacrifices agility for maximum protection.
• Medium Shields: Require MK1 Augments obtained through Clinic trades or crafted materials. Balances defense and mobility.
• Light Shields: Default option with basic Augments. Ideal for rapid movement and exploration.

Augment Acquisition Process

Specialist vendor Lance in the Clinic exchanges Equipment Bench-crafted components for performance-enhancing Augments. After securing initial Free Loadout Augments through extraction or crafting, players can upgrade to Combat MK1 configurations. These modifications unlock Medium Shield functionality while expanding inventory potential at Loadout Stations.

Advanced Augments emerge through bench upgrades, with Tier 3 unlocks enabling Heavy Shield operation. While offering superior protection, these encumber movement significantly. Strategic players often favor Medium configurations for versatile combat scenarios requiring both resilience and agility.