How to Board the ARC Raiders Frigate and Beat the Hydra
The Frigate is a map condition in the ARC Raiders Frozen Trail update that puts a boardable ARC vessel over the map, with a puzzle route to the top and a Hydra turret waiting on the deck. Embark’s Frozen Trail content preview describes it as one of ARC’s largest vessels, with fights taking place in close quarters hundreds of feet in the air.
This guide is based on a single launch-day run, so anything we could not confirm is marked TBC. We will expand it as we test more of the route and add it to our Frozen Trail hub.
When the Frigate is up
The Frigate is a map condition, so it appears under the map name when it is active. An ARC Frigate icon also shows on your map, marking where the vessel is hanging.
Check the map before you queue, because you board the Frigate rather than destroy it. Activity windows are TBC, and we will log confirmed timings on our Event Timers page.
You can see the Frigate’s position on our interactive ARC Raiders maps once we have it plotted.
How to Board the Frigate
You reach the Frigate by riding a moving ARC platform that travels between the ground and the underside of the vessel. The process takes four steps:
- Find a moving platform: Look for the ARC platform rising and lowering beneath the Frigate.
- Step on while it is low: Wait for it to come down to ground level, then climb on.
- Disrupt the center: Use Disrupt on the center of the platform to send it up.
- Step off onto the hull: Once the platform reaches the Frigate, step off onto the hull and your objective changes to “Find a way on top of the Frigate.”
The ride is slow and exposed, and hostile Raiders nearby can shoot you while you rise. Clear the area around the platform first, or board with a squad that can cover you.
Getting to the Top: Puzzles Need Three Players
The hull is a maze of ledges, vents, and loot containers, so you can pick up loot while you climb. The route up is gated by a puzzle, and the first one is an elevator marked Move Up that needs three players pressing buttons at the same time. You can skip this by using a grappling hook to get up instead.
Once you are at the top, you will need to defeat Hydra and activate the next lift that takes you inside the Frigate. We have not been further than this yet and will update as we make progress.
The Hydra and the Flying ARC
Once you are on top, the objective changes to damaging the Hydra. It is a turret on the deck made up of three sections, and the preview confirms each section is autonomous with its own weaponry. Its shots target different players, so spread out instead of stacking in one spot.
Two other ARC types spawn on the Frigate and will pressure you while you fight:
- Rocketeers: Hit hard from range, so use cover and break line of sight between volleys.
- Fireflies: Set you on fire, so keep healing items ready.
You can read more about each enemy in our ARC enemy database. How the Hydra fight ends is TBC.
Known Launch Bugs
Two launch-day issues are worth planning around:
- Hydra through walls: The Hydra can shoot through walls in the Cargo area, so cover there is not reliable.
- Cargo drop edge: Standing on the side of the Cargo drop can eliminate you instantly, so stay off the edge.
Both may be fixed in a future patch, and we will update this section if they are.
What to Bring
The table below lists the items that helped most in our launch-day run. Free kits are not allowed on the Frigate, so you need a full loadout.
| Item | Why bring it |
|---|---|
| Energy weapons | Best suited to the ARC-heavy fights on deck |
| Wolfpack grenades | Used against Rocketeers and Fireflies |
| Powered Descender | Gives you a quick way off the Frigate |
| Shields and healing | Covers Rocketeer hits and Firefly burn damage |
| Hullcracker | Suggested for the Hydra fight, with its exact effect on each section TBC |
You can plan the weight of your kit ahead of time in our Loadouts builder.
Example Scenario: You queue with a squad of three and bring energy weapons, a few Wolfpack grenades, and plenty of healing. When Rocketeers and Fireflies appear on deck, you toss the grenades at them first and spend your energy ammo on the Hydra once the area is clear. This is a general illustration of how to split your kit, not a verified result.
Squad Up or Team Up
The Frigate is built around three-player coordination, so how you assemble your group matters more than usual.
- The number matters: The Move Up puzzle needs three players, so a solo or a duo is stuck at the first gate.
- Friendly Raiders help: If you are short a player, a friendly Raider on the hull can fill the third spot.
- Be ready to fight anyway: Rocketeers and Fireflies appear on the deck regardless of who you meet, so never assume a safe climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Frigate in ARC Raiders?
The Frigate is a map condition that adds a boardable ARC vessel to a raid. It has a puzzle route to the top and a Hydra turret on the deck.
How do you board the Frigate?
Step onto the moving ARC platform while it is low and use Disrupt on its center to send it up. Then step off onto the hull and work toward the top.
Can you do the Frigate solo or in a duo?
Not fully, because the Move Up elevator needs three players pressing buttons at once. You would need a friendly Raider to fill the third spot.
What enemies are on the Frigate?
The Hydra is the main target, and Rocketeers and Fireflies spawn on the deck. Rocketeers hit hard at range, and Fireflies set you on fire.
Can you bring a free kit onto the Frigate?
No. Free kits are not allowed on the Frigate, so bring a full loadout built around energy weapons, grenades, and healing.
