ARC Raiders: Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprint Guide - Best Loot Locations & Farming Tips

In the recent Trials season 4: What's on the Horizon update for ARC Raiders, besides the two new sets, Solare Set and Rachetta Set, a new Augment item - Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) - was added.

The official statement indicated that, in addition to player feedback regarding the imbalance of some Augment items, they also noticed that some Augment items performed poorly in practice. Therefore, they adjusted the balance of Augment items and buffed some underperforming ones.

In this favorable environment, ARC Raiders players are no longer content with just focusing on existing Augment items; they are eagerly anticipating this new Augment item that brings good news of increased power. So, what exactly does Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) do, and how can one find its blueprint on ARC Raiders map?

Attributes and Functions

The new Augment item for ARC Raiders, Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke), is an upgraded version of Tactical Mk.2 Augment component, offering significantly increased capacity. After finding its blueprint, you need to craft it at Gear Bench, requiring 2 Advanced Electrical Components and 3 Processors.

It boasts a durability of 100, maxed out, and a maximum load capacity of 50, usable with both light and medium shields. In addition, it has 5 quick-use slots, 2 deployable utilities, and 2 safe pockets, offering 19 times the carrying capacity of comparable items. It's arguably one of the most powerful items currently available in ARC Raiders.

It also has a very useful passive skill: when your shield is broken, Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) deploys a small smoke grenade. The cooldown is fixed. It can be a lifesaver when you're threatened or in danger during an assault, allowing you to react quickly using the smoke grenade's effect.

Obtaining Blueprints

Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprint differs from other regular item blueprints; it can only be obtained by looting specific containers on ARC Raiders map.

Riven Tides

The new map, Riven Tides, is the best place to quickly obtain ARC Raiders Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprint, as it contains numerous containers, often hiding high-value equipment and items.

However, I won't suggest blindly searching like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are two areas you should focus on looting: Port Authority Building and Tennis Court POIs. Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprint will spawn in the lockers and drawers at these locations. Stacking Yard is also worth checking, as it has many containers as well.

Buried City

Traveling to Buried City in Night Raid mode will significantly improve the overall quality of looted items and the drop rate of rare blueprints. After repeated testing and verification by the community, Lucky Loot bonus from Night Raid significantly improves the efficiency of obtaining Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprints.

When you arrive in Buried City, prioritize Space Travel building (blue area) and Research building just across the street. These are high-risk, high-value core areas, filled with various containers, drawers, and lockers; thoroughly search them all.

Based on testing by ARC Raiders player community across nearly 180 containers, precisely search these two buildings is one of the most reliable methods for obtaining Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprints.

Stella Montis

Similarly, it's best to enter Stella Montis map during Night Raid and focus on searching Medical Research drawers. It's worth noting that this map is notoriously dangerous and has a bad reputation.

The map is dangerous because of the numerous ARC patrols, including the iconic Shredder from Stella Montis map. It has a bad reputation because ARC Raiders on this map are generally very aggressive and might kill you while you're looting.

Therefore, before entering this map, be sure to bring defensive gear, weapons, and a safe pocket for high-value blueprints, such as Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper). After all, it would be a huge loss if you found a blueprint only to have it fall into the hands of lurking rats.

Besides looting blueprints on the map, you can also try the risk of killing elite ARC enemies, such as Queen, Matriarch, Bastion, Leaper, and Rocketeer. These enemies have a chance to drop Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) blueprints, but this is far more dangerous.

In summary, the strategy for obtaining Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprints is:

• Start from Riven Tides - Hotel Panorama Azzurro for the fastest way to acquire a large amount of loot.
• If you want to search more office and container checks, move on to Port Authority Buildings.
• Cabinets, desks, shelves, lockers, backpacks, suitcases, and small containers.
• Activate Surveyors to obtain ARC Raiders resources and Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) Blueprint.
• Use Buried City Hospital as a safer alternative route, or utilize Blue Gate Reinforced Reception lockers.
• Collect your loot immediately and store your newly acquired Augment blueprint in a secure pocket.

Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) not only addresses the defensive weaknesses in ARC Raiders but also becomes a key item for turning the tide of battle thanks to its passive smoke mechanic.

Therefore, obtaining Tactical Mk. 3 (Smoke) blueprint permanently unlocks this top-tier survival tool. Take advantage of the golden environment after the balance adjustments and set out tonight to make it your second shield in ARC Raiders raids.