ARC Raiders Where to Find Comet Igniter Location Guide
The Shrouded Sky update for ARC Raiders hit on February 24 and immediately reshaped how players approach every raid. What used to be predictable loot routes and safe rotations across the Rust Belt are now disrupted by violent hurricanes,roaming ARC patrols,and dynamic events that demand constant awareness. At the center of the chaos is one crucial objective item: the Comet Igniter. If you are progressing the Weather Monitoring System project,you cannot avoid it. And if you have tried to farm it blindly,you already know how punishing the process can be.
This guide breaks down where to find the Comet Igniter,how the spawn mechanics actually work,and what tactics consistently secure the drop without wasting runs.
Understanding the Comet Event
The Comet Igniter does not spawn in static containers or hidden vaults. It drops exclusively from a specific ARC unit tied to dynamic comet crash events. When the event triggers,you will see a bright arc streak tear across the sky before impact. Seconds later,an armored spherical ARC unit deploys at the crash site.
This is your target.
The ARC resembles a heavily plated orb with a glowing blue front core. It patrols a small radius around the landing zone. Its behavior follows a predictable alert chain:
Neutral patrol state.
Yellow alert once it detects movement or sound.
Red alert when fully engaged.
Charge spin-up phase.
Self-destruction if not eliminated in time.
If it self-destructs,it drops no Comet Igniter. That is the most important rule. You must eliminate it cleanly before the detonation cycle completes. When killed properly,the central core husk consistently drops the Comet Igniter.
Best Regions to Hunt Comet Events
While comet crashes can occur across multiple sectors,several zones have proven far more reliable in my runs and community testing.
Rust Belt Open Fields
The wide,exposed industrial plains of the Rust Belt offer excellent visibility. Hurricanes can complicate long-range engagement,but the open terrain allows you to track arc streaks clearly. I have had the most consistent spawns near broken rail yards and collapsed factory outskirts. Avoid interior industrial buildings during hunts because sound cues are harder to interpret.
Weather Monitoring Station Vicinity
It sounds obvious,but dynamic event frequency seems slightly higher in areas adjacent to Weather Monitoring System objectives. This may be anecdotal,but multiple runs in this region yielded faster comet rotations. The terrain is moderately open with scattered debris,making it manageable for positioning.
High-Elevation Cliffs and Lookouts
If you want to hunt efficiently,elevation is your best tool. Climbing to high vantage points increases your ability to visually confirm arc trails. From cliffs or tower rooftops,you can quickly determine landing direction and rotate before other squads contest the site.
How to Secure the Kill Before Self-Destruct
The ARC sphere is not mechanically complex,but hesitation kills runs. The charge sequence begins shortly after red alert engagement. You will hear a rising mechanical whine accompanied by visible rotational acceleration.
Here is what consistently works:
Focus Fire the Core
The glowing blue frontal core is the primary weak point. Heavy weapons or precision rifles shred it quickly. Do not spread damage across the armor plating.
Maintain Mid-Range
Too close,and you risk getting caught in the self-destruct blast. Too far,and damage falloff may prevent you from finishing the kill before detonation. Mid-range engagements offer the best balance of survivability and DPS output.
Avoid Prolonged Kiting
Running in circles wastes your kill window. Instead,use cover to break line of sight briefly,then re-engage with controlled bursts.
Use Hurricane Windows
Storm gusts affect movement and aim stability. Engage during calmer intervals if possible. Hurricanes add chaos,but they also create audio cover from other players. If you move decisively,you can finish the ARC before rival squads even realize a comet dropped.
Squad vs Solo Considerations
Solo Players
As a solo raider,preparation matters more than aggression. Bring burst damage options and reliable healing. The key is committing early. If you hesitate once red alert triggers,you likely lose the drop.
Squads
With coordinated teammates,assign roles immediately. One player anchors damage on the core. Another controls perimeter threats. The third monitors for player interference. The ARC itself is manageable; third-party squads are the real danger.
Loot Confirmation and Extraction
After a successful kill,approach the central core husk quickly. The Comet Igniter appears in the ARC remains. Looting speed matters. Other players track comet impacts just like you do.
Do not overstay the crash zone. Once you secure the Igniter,rotate toward extraction immediately. Comet sites act like magnets for conflict.
Common Mistakes That Cause Wipes
Waiting Too Long to Engage
Some players observe the ARC for too long,trying to line up perfect shots. The charge timer does not wait for you.
Underestimating the Self-Destruct Radius
The explosion is larger than it looks. If you are close when it detonates,you will likely be downed even behind partial cover.
Ignoring Environmental Threats
Hurricanes can shift debris,reduce visibility,and distort sound. Tunnel vision on the ARC gets players eliminated by roaming threats or enemy squads.
Over looting After the Kill
Grab the Igniter and leave. The crash site is not a farming zone.
Gear Considerations for Efficient Hunts
You do not need endgame equipment,but consistency improves dramatically with reliable burst damage weapons and adequate healing supplies. Players who want to minimize early progression grind sometimes prioritize gearing before dedicated comet farming. Entering underprepared leads to frustration,especially if multiple wipes drain resources.
Final Thoughts
The Comet Igniter hunt in ARC Raiders is not random chaos. Once you understand the arc trail signal,spawn behavior,alert phases,and self-destruct mechanics,the process becomes controlled and repeatable. Elevation scouting,decisive engagement,and disciplined extraction are what separate successful runs from wasted raids.
The Shrouded Sky update changed the pacing of the Rust Belt dramatically. Hurricanes disrupt traditional routes,ARC threats roam more aggressively,and dynamic events like comet crashes force players into high-risk,high-reward engagements. But that tension is exactly what makes securing the Comet Igniter satisfying.
If you're still struggling to kit out for these hunts, quick side note-I've seen folks grab solid starter heavies and meds fast over at mmoexp.com for Arc Raiders Items. Saves the early grind when you just want to test spots like these.