How to Get and Use ARC Performance Steel in ARC Raiders

ARC Performance Steel is one of the most valuable mid-to-late game materials in ARC Raiders. Whether you're crafting upgrades, stocking up on Metal Parts, or simply looking for fast Raider Coins, knowing how to farm and use this resource efficiently can dramatically improve your progression.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly where to find ARC Performance Steel, the best enemies and zones to farm it from, and whether you should recycle or sell it depending on your playstyle and progression stage.

What Is ARC Performance Steel?

ARC Performance Steel is a rare recyclable crafting material dropped primarily by ARC machines in ARC Raiders. While it doesn't directly unlock story progression or quests, it plays an important role in the game's economy and crafting ecosystem.

Unlike basic scrap or components, ARC Performance Steel offers high recycling yields, making it especially valuable when converting materials into Metal Parts for advanced gear upgrades and Workshop crafting. It also sells for a solid amount of Raider Coins, making it useful even if you're not crafting heavily.

Where to Find ARC Performance Steel

ARC Performance Steel does not spawn randomly like common loot materials. Instead, it primarily drops from ARC machines, especially medium and high-threat enemies found in contested or high-density combat zones.

🔧 ARC Enemies That Drop Performance Steel

While any ARC enemy can potentially drop Performance Steel, your best chances come from tougher mechanical units, including:

• Leapers – Mobile jump attackers often found near industrial zones
• Bastions – Heavy armored units guarding key choke points
• Bombardiers – Long-range explosive units in open zones
• Matriarchs & Queens – High-tier elite enemies in advanced areas
• ARC Probes – Smaller units that still offer valuable drops

The harder the machine and the more dangerous the zone, the higher your chances of finding ARC Performance Steel — especially when clearing clusters of enemies instead of isolated patrols.

📦 Containers & Environmental Loot

In rare cases, ARC Performance Steel can also appear in loot containers, wreckage piles, or machine remains scattered across high-threat zones. However, container spawns are unreliable compared to enemy drops and should be treated as a bonus rather than a primary farming method.

Best Farming Routes & Zones

To farm ARC Performance Steel efficiently, you want areas that offer dense ARC spawns, repeatable patrol routes, and manageable extraction paths. Below are some of the most reliable farming zones and loops.

For maximum efficiency, pick one of these zones and run a loop-based route: clear ARC clusters, loot drops, extract safely, then repeat. Consistency outperforms randomness when farming Performance Steel.

How to Use ARC Performance Steel

Once you’ve secured ARC Performance Steel, the next decision is whether to recycle it for crafting materials or sell it for Raider Coins. Both options are valid depending on your current needs.

♻️ Recycling ARC Performance Steel

Recycling ARC Performance Steel yields a high number of Metal Parts, making it one of the most efficient conversion items in the game. This is especially valuable when:

• You’re upgrading weapons or armor frequently
• Your Workshop requires advanced crafting components
• You’re bottlenecked by Metal Part shortages

💰 Selling ARC Performance Steel

Alternatively, ARC Performance Steel can be sold directly to vendors for a strong payout in Raider Coins. This is ideal when:

• You already have surplus Metal Parts
• You need fast currency for purchases or repairs
• You’re optimizing inventory space

🧠 Recycle or Sell — Which Is Better?

Farming Tips & Optimization Strategies

If you're serious about stacking ARC Performance Steel quickly and safely, these strategies will significantly improve your success rate:

• Prioritize elite ARC clusters: Grouped enemies offer better drop chances than roaming scouts.
• Clear zones methodically: Avoid sprinting through areas — machines hidden in side corridors often drop high-value loot.
• Don’t over-loot junk materials: Free inventory space ensures you can extract rare drops safely.
• Extract early if needed: A single Performance Steel is often worth more than risking everything for extra scrap.
• Repeat reliable loops: Consistency outperforms randomness in farming runs.

Best Loadouts for Farming ARC Performance Steel

Because ARC Performance Steel drops mostly from tougher enemies, running the right build dramatically improves farming efficiency and survival rates.

🎯 Recommended Solo Loadout

• High-damage primary weapon (assault rifle or marksman rifle)
• Explosive or crowd-control secondary for clustered ARC units
• Mobility perks for repositioning during Bastion fights

👥 Recommended Squad Composition

• DPS Raider: Focuses on machine takedowns
• Control Raider: Slows or stuns elite ARCs
• Support Raider: Revives and ammo sustain

Balanced teams can clear elite ARC zones faster, increasing Performance Steel drops per run while reducing extraction risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Does ARC Performance Steel unlock quests or missions?

No. ARC Performance Steel is not tied to story progression or quest completion. It exists primarily for crafting conversion and economic value.

❓ Can ARC Performance Steel spawn in containers?

Yes, but rarely. Enemy drops — especially from elite ARC machines — are far more reliable sources.

❓ Which enemies drop ARC Performance Steel most consistently?

Leapers, Bastions, Bombardiers, and elite ARC commanders offer the highest drop chances, especially in high-threat zones.

❓ Is it better to farm solo or in squads?

Solo farming works well for lower-tier zones, but squads dramatically improve safety and efficiency when targeting elite ARC clusters.

❓ Should I hoard ARC Performance Steel?

Not usually. Because it takes up valuable inventory space, it's better to recycle or sell it consistently rather than stockpiling.

Final Thoughts

ARC Performance Steel is one of the most rewarding materials to farm in ARC Raiders — not because it gates progression, but because of how efficiently it converts into crafting power or currency. Whether you're optimizing your Workshop output or just stacking Raider Coins, mastering Performance Steel farming gives you a real advantage in the long run.