Prickly pears might seem like a minor collectible in Arc Raiders, but finding them can make the difference between surviving a scrap and running out of supplies in the field. Here’s where to spot them and how to gather them safely before someone else does.
Where to find prickly pears in Arc Raiders
Prickly pears only appear on maps that have cacti, so focus your runs on Dam Battleground and Buried City, where the desert-style zones are concentrated. Sweep along the cactus clusters on the northern and southern edges of Dam Battleground, and then check the southern edge and outskirts of Buried City, where multiple cactus patches sit close to extraction points. The fruit itself usually spawns on the ground at the base of these plants rather than directly on the cactus, so slow down near each cluster and scan the sand carefully before moving on.
Prickly pears primarily spawn near cacti plants, most of which you can find on either the Dam Battlegrounds or Buried City map.Prickly pears aren’t a guaranteed spawn, but much like other fruits in the game, you have a chance to find them on the ground nearby. If the Lush Blooms event is active, you’ll have a much higher chance of finding them, so keep an eye out for that. Unfortunately, you can’t kick the cactus like you can the trees for lemons and apricots, because the last thing you want is a needle in your foot.
Here are some of the best locations to find prickly pears:
- Dam Battlegrounds
- Near the road between Ruby Residence and West Broken Bridge, by Victory Ridge.
- Around the Red Lakes Hatch extraction point.
- North of the Generator Hall and Power Generation Complex.
- Buried City
- South of Plaza Rosa, near the edge of the map.
- East of Plaza Rosa, in the south-east corner.
- East of Piazza Arbusto, amongst the foliage.
An alternative, albeit less reliable method, is to find wicker baskets in residential areas, mostly on Buried City. These will usually spawn a plethora of fruit inside, including the potential for prickly pears, but there’s no guarantee.
Best loadout for farming resources safely in Arc Raiders
A very safe, resource-focused loadout in Arc Raiders prioritizes cheap gear, extra secure inventory, and mobility over killing power. The idea is: risk almost nothing, grab as much as possible, and always have at least one or two safe slots for rare items.
Core philosophy
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Run a minimal or budget loadout so dying is basically irrelevant; you’re trading combat strength for zero financial risk.
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Maximize secure storage (safe pocket and looter augment) so key resources are kept even on failed extracts.
Recommended “safe farm” loadout
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Primary: a cheap, reliable rifle/SMG (for example Kettle/Anvil-tier guns) with minimal or no attachments; only enough ammo to defend or break contact, not to hunt players.
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Secondary: optional or very cheap sidearm, or skip entirely if you want true minimal risk.
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Armor: one low- to mid-tier shield (green-tier is enough) to survive random ARC shots or one bad PvP burst.
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Healing: 3-5 bandages or basic meds; just enough for emergency recovery during a retreat.
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Utility:
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1-2 smoke grenades or similar to break line of sight during escapes or to cross open areas.
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Optional: one mobility/position tool like a zipline or rope launcher if your routes use vertical shortcuts or risky crossings.
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Augments and safe slots
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Use a looter-type augment (Mk1 or Mk2) to increase carry capacity and gain extra safe slots; this is the single most important choice for a farming build.
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Always equip a safe-pocket item (looting kit/similar) so at least one-two item stacks are fully secure on death.
How to play this loadout
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Avoid fights: dodge ARCs, skirt patrol routes, and back off from players; use voice/”don’t shoot” and smokes rather than taking duels.
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Run strict routes: go straight to high-yield spots (resources/quest items), fill inventory, then extract early instead of staying to fight.
If you say which map you’re farming (Dam Battleground, Buried City, etc.), a map-specific version of this loadout and a sample route can be suggested.
Which augment gives the most secure loot slots
The augment that currently gives the most secure loot (safe pocket) slots is Looting Mark III Survivor, with 3 safe pockets.
Augments with the most safe pockets
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Looting Mark III Survivor – 3 safe pockets, very high weight limit (around 80 kg) and strong overall looting stats; generally regarded as the top looting-focused augment because it combines big backpack, high weight, and the most secure slots.
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Tactical Mark III Defensive – also offers 3 safe pockets while focusing more on shield tankiness and survival (integrated shield recharger, solid backpack and weight).
When to use which
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Pick Looting Mk III Survivor if your priority is maximum loot safety plus capacity (best for high-value farming runs where you still expect danger).
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Pick Tactical Mk III Defensive if you lean into heavier combat or team play, want a strong shield and survivability, but still want 3 safe pockets for key items.
