ARC Raiders 
ARC Raiders splits its offering into two editions: Standard gets you the full game, while Deluxe adds a cosmetic bundle, Arc Raiders coins, and pre-order exclusives that won’t come back once the game is released. The price difference is around $20-30, depending on the platform, raising the question of whether founder aesthetics and shop tokens justify the premium.
What You Get In ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition
The ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game + the Wanderer cosmetic pack (Valente Outfit, Pathfinder Backpack, Blanket Roll), a Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy skin, and 2,400 Raider Tokens. Pre-ordering adds two bonus bundles – Astro and Lucky Duck – though the Astro bundle stays exclusive to pre-orders and won’t show up in post-launch upgrades.
ARC Raiders is a squad-based extraction shooter where you drop into hostile zones, grab loot, fight AI and other squads, then extract before getting wiped. The Deluxe Edition focuses entirely on cosmetics and premium currency, not gameplay advantages. Raider Tokens work as the game’s premium currency for buying cosmetics and customization in the store – they don’t boost stats or give combat edges.
Here’s what you actually get:
- Valente Outfit: Clean expedition gear with angular plating and fabric panels, plus subtle glowing accents that won’t turn you into a beacon
- Pathfinder Backpack: Weathered field pack with reinforced frame and visible pouches
- Blanket Roll: Backpack attachment that gives you that explorer aesthetic
- Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote: Quick-draw animation for lobbies and post-extract celebrations
- Cowboy Scrappy Skin: Themed body type that matches the founder cosmetic vibe
- Founders Banner: Profile customization showing Deluxe ownership in menus and player cards
Valente Outfit
The Valente Outfit gives you a streamlined scout look with matte armor plates over tech-fabric. Minimal loose elements keep your silhouette clean, which matters when you’re trying to stay low-profile during extractions. The helmet design leans visor-forward with light strips that stay visible without making you glow across the map.
Pathfinder Backpack
This swaps your default pack for an expeditionary frame with visible wear. The Blanket Roll attachment adds texture and that lived-in explorer feel without clipping through armor pieces during movement. Straps and buckles stay clean from third-person angles, keeping the visual tight during combat.
Signature Emotes
The Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote gives you a quick flourish for lobby intros or squad celebrations. Emotes in ARC Raiders work as equipable animations from an emote wheel – they don’t interrupt combat and carry zero gameplay impact. Think of them as social tools rather than tactical assets.
Founders Banner
The Founders Banner signals Deluxe status in lobbies and on your player card. Alongside the Cowboy Scrappy visual theme, it’s a light flex that helps squadmates and opponents spot early adopters. The banner doesn’t grant perks, just visual recognition.
Cost Breakdown
Standard buyers get the full core game and progression without gameplay restrictions. Deluxe adds a cosmetic bundle and Raider Tokens for store purchases, so the value comes down to how much you care about day-one style and founder signaling versus sticking with base visuals.
| Feature | Standard Edition | Deluxe Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Included | Included |
| Cosmetic Bundle | Not included | Deluxe-exclusive outfit set, weapon skins, and character emblems |
| Premium Currency | None | 2,400 Raider Tokens |
| Founder’s Banner | Not included | Unique in-game banner showing Founder status |
| Exclusive Emotes | Not included | Two exclusive celebration emotes available only to Deluxe owners |
| Pre-Order Bundles | Standard pre-order items (if applicable) | All Standard bonuses + Deluxe pre-order pack (additional cosmetics or currency) |
| Early Access Bonus | Not included | 48-hour early access to launch servers |
| Price (estimated) | $39.99 USD | $69.99 USD |
Cosmetic Count
Standard includes minimal cosmetics beyond defaults – most flair comes from earning through play or buying with Raider Tokens. Deluxe gives you a curated set of themed cosmetics out of the box, plus premium currency for rotating shop offerings. The gap matters if you want to look distinct from day one without grinding for shop currency.
XP And Resource Boosts
Raider Tokens buy cosmetics only. They don’t grant stat boosts, XP multipliers, resource advantages, or combat perks. Progression stays skill-driven regardless of edition, so veterans and new players compete on equal footing once in-match.
Future Battle Pass Perks
Deluxe ownership doesn’t auto-grant future passes or season tiers. You’ll buy future battle passes separately, and any early-access cosmetics are purely for looks. The Deluxe bundle covers launch content only – ongoing seasonal content costs extra.
Prices And Upgrade Paths
Official storefronts offer clean entitlements and upgrade flexibility without key revocation risks. Regional pricing varies by currency and local taxes, so check your region’s store before buying. Many platforms offer an upgrade path from Standard to Deluxe after purchase, though pre-order exclusives like the Astro bundle may not carry over.
Steam Pricing
The Steam Store lists ARC Raiders with a Deluxe Upgrade add-on for existing Standard owners. This grants the cosmetic bundle and Raider Tokens without re-buying the base game. Steam’s refund policy covers the first two hours of playtime within 14 days, giving you a testing window.
Xbox Pricing
Microsoft Store offers the Deluxe Edition with potential Game Pass integration for the base game. Deluxe upgrades typically appear as an add-on rather than a separate listing. Check your region’s store for correct details, and watch for Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate member discounts during promos.
PlayStation Pricing
PSN lists the Deluxe Edition for PS5 with upgrade paths from the base edition. Sony commonly offers PS Plus member discounts during store promos, and the refund policy allows returns within 14 days if you haven’t started the download. Regional pricing can shift significantly between US, EU, and other markets.
Are Deluxe Items Pay-to-Win or Just Style Points?
ARC Raiders’ extraction loop rewards awareness, teamwork, and positioning over gear advantages. Deluxe content lives in the style camp – you won’t hit harder or tank more damage because you bought cosmetics. The gameplay foundation stays level regardless of what you’re wearing.
Gameplay Impact
Cosmetics don’t alter hitboxes, weapon stats, recoil patterns, visibility in foliage, or audio cues. No damage modifiers, armor bonuses, or survival advantages are tied to Deluxe items. A Standard player with better aim and game sense will consistently outperform a Deluxe player who lacks fundamentals.
Squad Prestige Factor
ARC Raiders Deluxe edition cosmetics help your squad make a coordinated visual statement and signal founder credibility in social spaces. The psychological edge is social rather than statistical – looking sharp in lobbies can boost morale and team identity. Some players value that cohesion, while others prefer earning cosmetics through gameplay milestones.
PC And Console Specs
Performance matters in extraction shooters, where frame drops during firefights can mean losing your gear. Your hardware and storage directly impact visual fidelity, frame pacing, and load times between matches.
Minimum PC Requirements
Entry-level specs target low settings at 1080p with reduced effects:
- CPU: Recent 4-core/8-thread processor (Intel i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 equivalent)
- GPU: Entry-level modern dedicated GPU with 4-6 GB VRAM (GTX 1650 or RX 5500 XT tier)
- RAM: 8-12 GB
- Storage: SSD recommended; reserve 40-70 GB for install plus patch space
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10/11
This setup handles basic gameplay, but expect compromises on draw distance, texture quality, and shadow detail during busy scenes.
Recommended PC Build
Midrange specs aim for stable 1080p/1440p with higher presets:
- CPU: 6-8 core modern processor (Intel i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X equivalent)
- GPU: Midrange current-gen card with 8-12 GB VRAM (RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT tier)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: NVMe SSD with ample free space for patches
This configuration supports higher visual presets, better draw distances, and smoother frame pacing during firefights with multiple squads.
Console Download Size
Plan for roughly 40-70 GB on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles at launch, with additional space for updates and seasonal content. Keep extra room to avoid patch installation failures – extraction shooters typically receive frequent balance updates that can add several gigabytes per patch.
Community Buzz
Early chatter centers on the cosmetics looking sharp and cohesive, with Deluxe seen as a “nice-to-have” for fashion-forward players rather than a competitive necessity. Value perceptions hinge on how much you care about day-one identity versus earning cosmetics through natural play.
Steam Preview Feedback
Players praise the outfit and backpack detailing, along with the emote polish, in early access discussions. Some feel the bundle is tasteful but conservative, preferring to spend tokens in rotating shops for more personal flair. The general consensus leans toward “worth it if you care about cosmetics, skippable if you don’t.”
Reddit And Discord
Communities on r/ArcRaiders and official Discord channels generally agree that Deluxe makes sense if you want founder aesthetics and plan to signal early support. Standard remains viable for players who don’t mind waiting to cherry-pick cosmetics later during sales. The pre-order exclusives (particularly the Astro bundle) generate the most FOMO discussion.
Should You Wait?
Buy day one if you care about founder identity and securing pre-order exclusives. Price-sensitive players who don’t mind waiting can typically find discounts after launch windows, though exclusive items may not return.
Launch FOMO
Exclusive pre-order items like the Astro bundle may not return post-launch or could appear in future paid bundles at higher prices. If those specific cosmetics matter to your aesthetic goals, a day-one purchase offers the safer bet. The Lucky Duck bundle follows similar exclusivity patterns, though developer communication around future availability remains vague.
Historical Sale Patterns
New titles and cosmetic upgrades commonly see first discounts within 4-12 weeks post-launch, with deeper cuts during seasonal sales (Steam Summer/Winter, PlayStation Days of Play, Xbox Spring Sale). If you’re patient and don’t value exclusive items, waiting typically improves value by 15-30% within the first few months.
Final Verdict
ARC Raiders Deluxe edition makes sense for players who value identity – coordinated squad looks, a founders banner, and token flexibility to grab day-one shop pieces. Competitive players who only care about performance can stick to Standard without missing gameplay advantages. The cosmetic bundle looks polished, but it’s not transformative enough to justify the premium if you’re indifferent to fashion.
Casual and style-driven squads will appreciate the immediate visual upgrade and social signaling in lobbies. The 2,400 Raider Tokens provide decent flexibility for shop purchases, though rotating stock means you might still wait for specific items. Pre-order exclusives add genuine FOMO for completionists.
If you want to explore other game economies or offset grind for optional cosmetics, marketplaces like Eldorado.gg offer secure trading for game-adjacent goods.
