In ARC Raiders, Merits are a limited-time progression currency tied to seasonal or event reward tracks. They act like a temporary battle-pass system, letting players unlock cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and special gear as they play through live events.

The core idea is simple: you earn Merits by gaining XP during a raid, but only the XP you successfully extract counts. The conversion is straightforward—100 extracted XP equals 1 Merit. If you die before extracting, you lose all unbanked progress from that run, which makes survival just as important as farming.

This system pushes players into a loop of risk and reward: loot fast, fight smart, and extract alive if you want to progress efficiently.

How Merits Work in Practice

Every match you play generates XP from a variety of actions:

Opening containers and looting points of interest

Killing ARC machines or enemy players

Completing objectives and surviving encounters

However, XP only becomes Merits when you successfully extract from the raid. That’s the key mechanic that defines how fast you progress.

A practical example:

If you collect 2,000 XP in a raid but die before extraction, you earn 0 Merits.

If you extract safely, that same run gives you 20 Merits.

This is why consistency and survival matter more than high-risk plays.

Best Ways to Farm Merits Efficiently

1. Fast Loot Runs (Highest Consistency Method)

One of the most efficient strategies is speed-looting dense loot areas. The goal is not to fully clear rooms, but to maximize XP per minute.

A useful trick is that XP is granted the moment a container interaction completes. You don’t need to wait to see what’s inside—once the opening sound triggers, the XP is already yours. This allows a “loot-and-run” style where you move quickly between containers.

Good farming areas include dense urban zones like Buried City, especially interiors filled with drawers, lockers, and desks. High-density buildings such as hospitals, libraries, and transit hubs tend to offer the best XP flow per minute.

The key is repetition: quick entry, fast looting, immediate movement to the next building, then safe extraction.

2. Event Collectibles and Rare Objects

During limited-time events, special collectibles appear across maps. These often include rare items like miniature ship models or themed artifacts tied to seasonal storylines.

These objects usually spawn in hidden or low-traffic locations such as:

Tables inside abandoned buildings

Coastal or shoreline zones

Boss-adjacent areas after fights

Finding and extracting these items often grants a large XP boost compared to standard loot. This makes them one of the most efficient burst methods for Merit farming when they are active.

Using environmental tools like detectors or carefully sweeping map edges increases your chances of finding them.

3. High-Value ARC Targets (Combat Farming)

For players who prefer combat over looting, taking down large ARC machines is the fastest way to earn XP in a single encounter.

High-tier enemies such as massive walkers and elite boss units provide large XP payouts when destroyed. These fights are difficult, but they can generate more progress in one encounter than several looting runs combined.

To farm effectively:

Use armor-piercing weapons or explosive-heavy loadouts

Focus on weak points rather than body damage

Coordinate with other squads when possible

One important detail: PvP alone does not reward Merits directly. XP comes primarily from objectives and ARC combat, not from eliminating other players. That means even in contested zones, cooperation against large ARC threats can be more efficient than fighting each other.

Why Extraction Matters More Than Everything Else

The Merit system is built around a single pressure point: extraction.

No matter how much XP you earn, it is only converted into Merits if you survive the raid. This creates a clear risk balance:

Safe extraction = steady Merit income

Greedy farming = higher XP but higher loss risk

Balanced play = optimal long-term progression

Most efficient players treat extraction as the real objective, not just survival.

Merit Reward Track Overview

Merits are spent on seasonal progression tracks that rotate with live events. The total required amount to complete a full track typically ranges from roughly 1,000 to 3,500 Merits, depending on the event structure.

Rewards usually include:

Cosmetic Outfits

Full character sets and armor variations that change your Raider’s appearance.

Raider Tokens

A secondary currency used for purchasing items in event shops or cosmetic rotations.

Gear Upgrades and Blueprints

Functional unlocks such as backpacks, attachments, and utility gear that improve gameplay options.

Emotes and Cosmetic Flair

Non-combat customization options like gestures, charms, and visual accessories that personalize your Raider.

The Merit system in ARC Raiders is designed to reward consistent, smart play rather than pure aggression. Players who focus on fast looting routes, efficient event farming, and safe extractions will progress much faster than those chasing constant fights.

If you treat each raid as a resource run instead of a kill race, Merits become a steady and predictable progression path rather than a grind.