If you think Arc Raiders is an easy game to relax, loot, and explore, the Matriarch boss will make you think twice. This ARC titan is bigger than the Queen, hits significantly harder, and drops some of the best loot in the game. Its materials are high-tier and essential for upgrading your gear to the next level. In this guide, we’ll explain how to find and defeat the Matriarch in Arc Raiders.
Where To Find The Matriarch
You can’t just stumble into this mother of ARC Machines during a regular run. It only appears when the Matriarch Event is active on the map. When the event is available, a special icon will show up beside the map name on the selection screen.
Once you’re in the event map, finding the Matriarch is easy. Look for a massive six-legged machine that has glowing red lights on its head. The difficulty of the Matriarch changes depending on the map it’s in, and you can check the white bars on the map selection screen to see its level.
Dam Battlegrounds is the best map for fighting it. The layout gives you solid cover and plenty of high ground, both of which you’ll need to survive its attacks.
The Matriarch Stats
Before jumping into the fight, here’s what you need to know about the Matriarch:
- Health: 35,000 HP
- Weak spots: Joints and Head Core
- Main attacks: Rocket fire, gas mortars, flashbangs, and energy shields
- Special ability: Summons other ARCs when it’s taking damage
The Matriarch is fully armored, so you’ll need weapons that can punch through that plating.
Best Loadout to Fight the Matriarch
Hullcracker is the best weapon choice for taking down the Matriarch. It’s the strongest ARC killer in the game and performs perfectly in this fight. Just make sure to bring tons of launcher ammo.
For your secondary, bring the Venator or Anvil. Both can handle the ARCs the boss summons, as well as any human players trying to steal your kill. Their high damage and strong armor penetration make them reliable in every situation.
Use the Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive) or the Tactical Mk. 3 (Defensive) augment with a Heavy Shield, depending on your playstyle. Make sure to pack far more healing items than you would for a normal raid, this is a long and punishing fight.
For grenades, Wolfpack is your best option. It automatically targets ARCs and deals nearly 2,000 damage.
One last tip: keep a Raider Hatch Key in your safe pocket. Elevators get hectic during these events, and having a backup escape route can save your run.
How To Beat The Matriarch
After gearing up with the best loadout, the next step is to jump into the Matriarch Event map and take on the boss. Here are the best strategies to beat the Matriarch:
Step 1: Get the High Ground
Just like how Obi-Wan won the fight against Anakin, you need to get the high ground. The Matriarch’s biggest threats are its rockets, and they struggle to hit you when you’re positioned above it.
Before engaging, scout the area and identify safe spots with solid cover. Pick a vantage point and stay there while dealing damage. When poison gas drops in your area, rotate to another piece of cover and keep the fight safe and controlled.
Step 2: Hit the Weak Points
The Matriarch has heavy armor plating, so start by using your Hullcracker to break that armor. Once it’s stripped, aim for the weak points on its leg joints and head, right around the glowing red light, basically its “eyes.” Hitting these cores shreds its HP much faster than shooting the legs or body.
Step 3: Pause During the Shield Phase
When the Matriarch deploys its energy shield, stop attacking immediately. Bullets, explosives, and abilities won’t damage it during this phase. Use this downtime to heal, recharge shields, and reposition. Once the barrier drops, refocus your fire on the head core and keep the pressure going.
Matriarch Rewards
After a rather long fight, you can loot some great materials from the Matriarch:
- Matriarch Reactor (rare drop)
- Magnetic Accelerator
- ARC Alloy
- ARC Circuitry
- ARC Performance Steel
- Advanced ARC Powercell
- ARC Flex Rubber
- ARC Motion Core
- ARC Synthetic Resin
- ARC Thermo Lining
The Matriarch Reactor and Magnetic Accelerator are the big prizes. You need these for crafting top-tier weapons and upgrades.
This fight is all about staying alive and dealing steady damage. Don’t rush in without proper gear. Be patient and coordinate with your squad on who’s handling the spawned ARCs and who’s focusing on the boss. Good luck!