ARC Raiders Guide: How to Obtain the Comet Igniter

Introduced in ARC Raiders' "Shrouded Sky" update, the Comet Igniter is a crucial item for progressing the Weather Monitoring System project-a multi-stage objective that unlocks valuable rewards like Raider Tokens and a backpack charm. Unlike common loot, this item cannot be crafted, found on the ground, or purchased from vendors. To obtain it, you'll need to hunt and defeat a specific ARC enemy: the Comet. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to find, defeat, and loot Comets effectively, ensuring you secure the Comet Igniter every time. At the same time, it may also allow you to obtain additional rewards, such as ARC Raiders BluePrints.

What Is a Comet Igniter, and Why Do You Need It?

Before diving into the hunt, it's important to understand the purpose of the Comet Igniter. This rare drop is not just a collectible-it's a mandatory component for Stage 2 of the Weather Monitoring System project, which requires one Comet Igniter alongside other tech parts like Snitch Scanners and Wires. Without it, your progress in the project will stall, locking you out of endgame rewards.

Additionally, the Comet Igniter has secondary uses: some crafting trees include it in recipes for explosives and specialty rounds, and the player community often trades surplus igniters for quick credits in Discord channels and in-game marketplaces. Stockpiling a few igniters can save you time later, whether you're advancing the project or need extra resources.

The Only Way to Get Comet Igniter: Defeat the Comet ARC Unit

The Comet Igniter is exclusively dropped by Comets-new rolling, sphere-shaped ARC enemies added in the Shrouded Sky update. These metallic foes are heavily armored and highly aggressive, making them a tricky target for even experienced raiders. The key rule: you must destroy the Comet before it self-detonates. If it explodes, the Comet Igniter is destroyed along with it, leaving no loot behind.

Comets do not have a fixed spawn timer or location, but they follow predictable patterns. They are outdoor enemies (never spawning on the indoor Stella Montis map) and often patrol open fields, near landmarks, or along flight paths. They may even drop from the sky as part of ARC reinforcements, leaving a visible trail as they land-a helpful cue for spotting them early.

Where to Find Comets (Top Spawn Hotspots)

While Comets can appear on most maps, some areas have higher spawn rates, saving you time on the hunt. Focus on open, outdoor zones, as Comets avoid enclosed spaces. Here are the most reliable hotspots to check:

Dam Battlegrounds: This map is a top choice for farming Comets, especially during hurricane conditions, which increase their spawn probability. Look near the control tower, water treatment elevator, floodgates, and dome complex-these areas often have 1-2 Comets patrolling at once.

Bluegate: Head to the warehouse complex, head house, or warehouse air shaft. Up to three Comets can spawn here, and their rolling movement makes them easy to spot against the industrial backdrop.

Buried City: The area north of Plaza Rosa POI is a hotspot, even though it's also a spawning ground for Bastions. Keep an eye out for rolling spheres amid the ruins.

Spaceport: Check the staff parking area, rocket assembly building, and launch towers. The rocket assembly building often spawns 2-3 Comets at once, and the vertical terrain (ladders, ramps) makes it easy to kite them.

How to Defeat Comets (Avoid the Self-Detonation)

Comets are deadly but manageable with the right strategy. Their biggest threat is their self-detonation: when they spot you, their lights shift from neutral to yellow (detected) to red (attack imminent), and they roll toward you at high speed before charging an explosion. This explosion can strip your shield and kill you instantly, so maintaining distance is key.

Start by engaging Comets from a mid-to-long range. This gives you time to deal damage before they close in. Listen for their distinct mechanical "honk" sound-this audio cue helps you spot them even if they're out of sight.

Target their weak point: the exposed core. When a Comet charges its explosion, it opens up to reveal its core-a vulnerable spot that takes significantly more damage than its armored exterior. Shooting the core cuts down the fight time and increases your chances of looting the igniter.

Best Weapons and Strategies for Killing Comets

To destroy Comets quickly, use high-damage, armor-piercing weapons. Heavy weapons like the Anvil or Hull Cracker are ideal: the Anvil takes 4-6 shots to take down a Comet, while the Hull Cracker only needs 2-3 shots to finish it off. Avoid standard weapons-they won't cut through the Comet's armor fast enough to prevent detonation.

For solo players, prioritize kiting. Use vertical terrain (like ladders or ramps) to reset distance if the Comet gets too close. Funnel it into narrow lanes to control its path, and keep firing at its core until it's destroyed. If you have a Showstopper Grenade, toss it to stun the Comet-this creates a window to deal massive damage without risk.

Squads have an advantage: coordinate fire to take down Comets in seconds. One player can distract the Comet while others focus fire on its core. This synergy ensures you destroy the enemy before it can detonate, even on higher difficulty levels.

For the most reliable results, use the Wolf Pack deployable. Throwing it near a Comet instantly eliminates it, guaranteeing a Comet Igniter drop if you loot the core remains afterward. This is the fastest way to farm igniters, especially if you're in a hurry.

Looting the Comet Igniter (Critical Step)

Once you destroy the Comet before it explodes, it will split into two lootable parts: an outer metal ring and a central core. The Comet Igniter is only in the central core-don't waste time looting the outer ring, which only contains common parts like ARC Coolant.

After looting, remember to successfully evacuate the raid. If you die before extracting, you'll lose the Comet Igniter, even if you looted it. Always prioritize extraction once you have the item, especially if you're low on health or ammo.

Troubleshooting: What If the Comet Igniter Doesn't Drop?

Occasionally, a destroyed Comet may not drop a Comet Igniter. This is likely a bug mentioned in the game's patch notes, which the developers are working to fix. If this happens, simply hunt another Comet-drops are consistent when you follow the steps above.

Another common mistake: letting the Comet detonate partially. Even if you damage it heavily, if it completes its detonation sequence, the core (and igniter) will be destroyed. Always focus on fast, high-damage attacks to finish it off quickly.

Final Tips for Farming Comet Igniters

To farm Comet Igniters efficiently, queue into maps with hurricane conditions (they boost Comet spawns) and stick to the hotspots mentioned earlier. Bring plenty of ammo for your heavy weapons, and consider bringing a Wolf Pack deployable for instant kills. Upon completing this task, you will acquire rare resources during your exploration—such as cheap ARC Raiders Items and Coins—to help you advance your progress in the game.

If you're playing solo, take your time-rushing often leads to mistakes and lost loot. Use cover to your advantage, and don't be afraid to reposition if a Comet gets too close. For squads, communicate with your team to coordinate fire and extraction.

With these strategies, you'll be able to consistently get Comet Igniters, progress the Weather Monitoring System project, and unlock all its rewards. Remember: patience, distance, and targeting the core are the keys to success. Happy hunting, Raiders!