The Medium Shield is a reliable mid-tier defensive item in ARC Raiders, offering fair protection without heavily slowing you down. It’s a common upgrade step for players who need more durability than the Light Shield but aren’t ready for heavier options. This guide breaks down exactly where to find it, how to craft and repair it, and the best strategies to farm Medium Shields efficiently during extraction runs.
What you should know about Medium Shield in ARC Raiders
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Item Name | Medium Shield |
| Item Type | Defensive Shield |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Shield Charge | 70 |
| Damage Mitigation | 42.5% |
| Movement Penalty | 5% |
| Weight | ~7 kg |
| Found In | Mechanical / Military / Scavenger Loot Pools |
| Primary Use | Defensive protection & mid-tier loadouts |
| Crafting Cost | 4× Battery + 1× ARC Circuitry |
| Repair Cost | 1× Battery + 1× ARC Circuitry (+50 durability) |
| Recycle Output | 1× ARC Circuitry |
| Sell Value | 2,000 Credits |
Where to find Medium Shield - most common locations
The Medium Shield comes from the mechanical/military loot pool, meaning it appears in areas with tech crates, industrial machinery, Raider camps, and mid-tier enemy patrol zones. Shield drops are less common than basic components, so prioritizing high-tech regions increases success.
Common spawn/loot sources
- Mechanical and tech crates in industrial zones
- Military-style caches and enemy encampments
- Mid-tier enemy patrol routes where advanced gear spawns
- Occasionally sold by traders once unlocked
Exact loot pools are randomized, but prioritizing tech zones significantly boosts your chances.
Pro tip: Some players report that trading with Lance or other traders may allow you to buy Medium Shields directly once unlocked in your progression, especially if you struggle to find them topside.
How to use Medium Shield in ARC Raiders
The Medium Shield equips as a defensive off-hand item, giving moderate protection and balanced mobility. It’s ideal for mid-game missions where incoming damage spikes, but stamina management is still important.
Crafting
You need 4 Batteries + 1 ARC Circuitry at a Gear Bench (Level 2+) to craft.
Repair
Repairing costs 1 Battery + 1 ARC Circuitry to restore ~50 durability.
Recycling
Recycling your shield yields 1 ARC Circuitry — often a cheaper way to “refresh” your shield compared to repairs.
Strategic tip: Because ARC Circuitry can be rare, in many cases it’s more efficient to recycle and craft a fresh shield rather than repair a heavily damaged one.
Tips for faster Medium Shield farming
- Focus on mechanical and military loot zones—avoid pure civilian areas
- Hit Raider outposts early before other players sweep them
- Use Safe Pocket to secure Batteries and ARC Circuitry for crafting
- Travel light to offset the shield’s movement penalty
- Run during quieter server hours to avoid contested tech zones
- Extract quickly once you secure high-value components
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