Patch 1.3 Hullcracker Nerf Explained — New Explosive Rules & Arc Kill Guide
Patch 1.3 for Arc Raiders reworked explosives and hit‑registration in ways that fundamentally change how teams take down Arc bosses. The once‑reliable one‑shot windows from the Hullcracker launcher are no longer guaranteed; ammo costs and blast multipliers have been adjusted, and several enemy behaviors were updated to punish reckless firing. This guide unpacks what changed, why it hurts the old launcher-driven playstyle, and—most importantly—how to adapt. You’ll get practical loadouts, step‑by‑step stratagems for the new grenade‑centric meta, precise weak‑point targeting routines, cost and ammo math, and reproducible team tactics for killing big Arc reliably under Patch 1.3 rules.
Throughout this guide I use tested tactics, math breakdowns, and reproducible patterns that work for both pickup groups and optimized squads. Expect clear, export‑ready checklists and sequences you can copy into a page, stream overlay, or raid planner.
Key terms used in this guide
Hullcracker nerf: the launcher nerf in Patch 1.3 reducing single‑explosive kill reliability.
explosive damage changes: numeric and mechanic changes to blast radius, falloff, and armor multipliers.
grenade meta: the new preference for fast, repeated, and well‑placed grenades instead of heavy launchers.
Arc Raiders Patch 1.3: the update that introduced the changes covered here.
Pick a section to skip ahead
Patch 1.3 summary and what actually changed
Why the old Hullcracker strategy fails now (damage math)
New primary strategies: grenade meta, precision DPS, and baiting
Loadout recommendations (solo, duo, full raid)
Step‑by‑step Arc kill routines (small Arc, medium Arc, big Arc)
Ammo economy, cost analysis, and crafting tips
Positioning, movement, and CC usage for Arc fights
Replay examples and quick checklists
FAQ
Patch 1.3 summary and what actually changed
Patch 1.3 made several targeted adjustments to explosives and player‑facing mechanics aimed at rebalancing high burst play. The practical effects players feel are:
Reduced single‑explosive damage scaling against armored Arc types and reduced weak‑point multipliers on certain zones.
Rebalanced blast falloff: explosions now lose effectiveness faster with distance and through glancing geometry.
Increased ammo cost / decreased ammo spawn rate for Launcher class items.
Minor AI behavior tweaks that shorten Arc stagger windows and increase evasive maneuvers during explosive impact sequences.
Those changes mean the old approach—spam Hullcracker rounds or one well‑timed salvo to collapse an Arc’s health bar—no longer works reliably. Instead of guaranteed instant kills, teams must string together sustained, coordinated damage phases. This is the origin of the emerging grenade meta, which emphasizes rapid multi‑hit tools, precision weak‑point targeting, and tactical crowd discipline.
Why the old Hullcracker strategy fails now (damage math)
If you liked thinking in “one shot to the head” terms, Patch 1.3 makes that math brittle. Two core reasons:
Damage multipliers on hull/armor were nerfed, and weak‑point multipliers were flattened. A single Hullcracker rocket that previously applied a 4x weak‑point multiplier may now land closer to 2.2–2.6x depending on arc type and range.
Explosion falloff is sharper and vertical splash through environment geometry suffers additional reduction. Hits that glance or detonate behind cover now register far less damage than pre‑1.3.
Quick conceptual math (simplified):
Pre‑nerf: Rocket base damage * 4 (weak point) * armor modifier ≈ lethal.
Post‑nerf: Rocket base damage * ~2.5 (weak point) * lowered armor modifier + falloff losses = often non‑lethal.
Instead of relying on a single high‑variance event, teams should stack repeatable, lower‑variance sources of damage: grenades, rapid‑fire weapons that exploit weak points, occasional launcher shots to finish windows, and synchronized CC to expand those windows.
New primary strategies
Below are the new, practical strategies that win under Patch 1.3.
Grenade Stacking (primary): Use multiple grenade sources in a compressed timeframe to overcome reduced single‑explosive efficacy. Grenades apply rapidly and often have less falloff penalty when thrown into chokepoints or straight at exposed weak points. Pair with velocity perks or buffs that increase explosive fragment effectiveness.
Precision DPS (secondary): Swap one or two teammates to fast, aimed DPS weapons (pulse rifles, targeted sniper variants) optimized for weak‑point headshot damage. These weapons give low variance sustained output and can capitalize on brief Arc vulnerabilities.
Launcher Economies (fallback): Use the Hullcracker or similar launchers sparingly—reserve rockets for guaranteed finish windows only and replace most of your damage throughput with grenade/precision strings.
Bait and CC (support): Updated Arc AI reduces stagger windows. Combat CC—stuns, gravity traps, or slow fields—combined with grenade stacking creates artificially extended windows for high DPS application.
Hit and Run (mobility): Avoid clustering behind destructible geometry where falloff punishes you. Instead, use controlled strafes and vertical plays to keep fragments impactful.
Loadout recommendations
Below are recommended templates. Each template is tuned for role clarity. Swap mods and perks to prioritize explosive fragment damage, weak‑point accuracy, or ammo efficiency.
Solo / Pickup Loadout (versatile)
Primary: Rapid precision rifle tuned for headshot multiplier.
Secondary: High‑frag grenade launcher (or triple grenade passive) for stacking.
Utility: Stun grenade or flash to force Arc pause.
Perks: Reload speed, weak‑point damage, grenade fragment boost. Playstyle: Focus on landing consistent headshots while throwing grenades into Arc windows. Use launcher shots only as finishers.
Duo Loadout (complementary)
Teammate A (Grenadier): Full grenade tree; frag and cluster grenades; explosion radius mods.
Teammate B (Marksman): Bolt sniper or pulse rifle; critical hit perks and weak‑point focus.
Utility: One player carries a secondary CC device or healing beacon. Playstyle: Grenadier commits bursts of grenades while Marksman holds fire for windows and lands high value headshots.
Full Raid (4 players, optimized)
Role 1 (Primary Grenadier): Max grenade damage and radius; explosive affinity perks.
Role 2 (Secondary Grenadier): Support grenades and ammo economy perks; shooter for cleanup.
Role 3 (Precision DPS): High‑accuracy rail or sniper; weak‑point perks.
Role 4 (Support/CC): Stuns, deployable turrets, or shield‑generators to control Arc movement. Playstyle: Staggered grenade volleys combined with controlled CC to hold Arc in range. Precision DPS times finishing shots.
Equipment tips
Carry at least one weak‑point tracer mod or attachment to ease rapid targeting.
Use ammo economy mods on launchers if you insist on keeping them; otherwise invest in grenade cooldown or recycling mods.
Prioritize perks that improve explosive fragment damage rather than raw single‑rocket blast in Patch 1.3.
Step‑by‑step Arc kill routines
These routines are designed to be reproduced across different Arc types. Each routine includes positioning, timing windows, and specific sequences suited to the new meta.
Small Arc (fast, low HP)
Open: Begin with a short stun or flash to force a predictable arc movement.
First volley: Two grenades thrown in quick succession into the Arc’s approach vector.
DPS window: Swap to primary and land 3–4 headshots or a precision burst.
Finish: If HP remains, finish with a single launcher shot only if you have a guaranteed hit to weak point.
Medium Arc (moderate HP, mobility)
Lure: Use positioning to channel Arc into a narrow lane (doorways, between debris).
Stack: Grenadier A throws a timed grenade; Grenadier B follows within 0.5–1s for stacking.
CC: Support drops a stun field to maximize time on target.
Burst: Precision DPS unloads headshots while grenades tick; swap to launcher for over‑threshold finish.
Big Arc (boss class, high HP) Pre‑engagement preparation
Assign roles: Two dedicated grenadiers, one precision, one CC/support.
Ammo prep: Reserve launchers; ensure at least 6–8 high‑frag grenades per grenadier.
Phase 1: Softening
Use stand‑off grenades to whittle health, avoiding wasted splash through obstacles. Aim for consistent fragment hits on the chassis and exposed vents.
Phase 2: Window creation
After softening, coordinate a stacked 3–4 grenade volley with CC applied at t=0. The support drops stun as the first grenade detonates.
Phase 3: Precision collapse
Precision DPS moves in for weak‑point headshots. If Arc stages into new behavior, grenadiers reapply stacked grenades to prevent retreat.
Phase 4: Finish optimization
Use launchers only if the precision shot count and grenade damage leave a single guaranteed rocket to finish. Otherwise continue grenade/precision rotation.
Timing and cadence
Strive for sub‑1.5s spacing between stacked grenades to trick the damage window into acting like high burst despite the nerf. This mitigates single‑explosive falloff and armor reductions.
Positioning, movement, and CC usage
Post‑nerf, the battlefield geometry matters more than before.
Avoid firing behind cover that separates you from the Arc by glass or thin structures; fragments lose potency through geometry.
Use height advantages when possible. Vertical throws from above bypass some armor reductions and concentrate fragments.
Staggering your team’s positions across an arc of 60–90 degrees reduces friendly fire and fragment overlap while keeping multiple angles of attack.
CC is the multiplier: one stun or trap that lasts 2s increases grenade stack value by a factor larger than small buff numbers suggest. Prioritize CC timing on the first grenade detonation.
Movement windows
When Arc telegraphs retreat or burst movement, pause grenade stacking until you predict the arc’s return; wasted grenades with no hits are the biggest cost sink under the new economy.
Ammo economy, cost analysis, and crafting tips
Patch 1.3 intentionally makes heavy launchers expensive to encourage varied playstyles. Understand the costs so you don’t deplete your team mid‑raid.
Launchers: High per‑shot cost and lower drops. Use only as finishers or controlled burst stops.
Grenades: Cheaper per‑use and more abundant, but stacking eats inventory quickly. Plan to resupply between extended encounters.
Crafting priorities: Invest in grenade crafting mods and recycle perks that refund a fraction of grenade cost on enemy kill.
Cost breakdown (conceptual)
Pre‑1.3 style: 2 rockets per Arc → lower average time but high chance of wasting rockets.
Post‑1.3 optimized: 6–10 grenades + 20–50 precision shots → lower per‑raid launcher consumption and predictable resupply cadence.
Resupply tactics
Route farming between Arc spawns: Bring an economy‑minded support who collects materials and shares ammo via team trades.
Recycling: Use items or perks that refund grenade components on weak‑point kills to maintain throughput.
Advanced tricks and situational tactics
Overpressure trick: Fire small explosives at the Arc’s feet to push it slightly into a choke; follow up with stacked grenades into the compressed hitbox. Works best in narrow corridors.
Fragment funneling: Use destructible geometry as a funnel—explode just before debris to force fragments to concentrate through the open window. Timing is crucial.
Conditional swap: When Arc changes stance or gains armor plate, swap to precision weapons that scale better on sustained fire rather than explosives which see reduced multipliers.
Fake outs: One player fires a single launcher round to bait evasive AI; while Arc dodges, grenadiers reposition for a guaranteed frontal stack.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Wasting rockets on non‑weak zones: Only use launchers on guaranteed weak‑point windows. Otherwise you bleed economy.
Overstacking unsynchronized grenades: Stacks need tight timing; spaced throws are less efficient than synchronized volleys.
Standing clustered in narrow corridors after the Hullcracker nerf: This often reduces splash damage due to geometry falloff. Spread slightly and coordinate angle convergence.
Replay examples and quick checklists
Quick raid checklist (export‑ready)
Role assignments confirmed (Grenadier A/B; Precision; Support).
Ammo counts checked: Grenades ≥ 8 per grenadier; Launchers ≤ 2 per grenadier unless reserved finishers.
Perks active: grenade fragment boost; weak‑point multiplier; CC cooldown reduced.
Chokepoint chosen and cleared of friendly obstacles.
Timing countdown established: “3…2…1…stack” cadence for grenade volleys.
Step‑by‑step kill snapshot (big Arc)
T‑10s: Position and cooldown checks.
T‑5s: Grenadiers ready with first salvo loaded.
T‑0: Support drops stun, Grenadier A detonates first grenade, Grenadier B second within 0.5s.
T+0.6s: Precision opens for headshots.
T+1.5s: Evaluate health; if <25% and weak point exposed, fire final launcher shot; otherwise repeat stack.
Practical tuning for streaming and guides
Overlay suggestion: Add a simple “STACK” timer that counts 0.5s increments so your viewers can see grenade sync.
Voice cues: Call “stun” “go” and “finish” precisely—these three calls take most coordination load off a pickup group.
Clipable moments: If you routinely get resets, clip your finishing sequences to iterate on exact timings in training runs.
FAQ
How much did the Hullcracker damage actually change?
The update reduced weak‑point multipliers and tightened blast falloff. Instead of relying on a single high multiplier, you must now string together multiple damage sources to overcome armor and falloff.
Can launchers still kill Arc alone?
Not reliably in Patch 1.3. Launchers are best reserved for finishing windows or specific enemy types with lowered armor. The consistent path is grenade stacking plus precision targets.
What grenade types are best now?
High‑fragment and cluster grenades that detonate in the Arc’s path work best. Quick‑cooldown frag variants with fragment range perks are ideal.
Do I need to change my perks and mods?
Yes. Shift from pure single‑shot damage perks to grenade fragment boost, weak‑point precision perks, ammo recycling, and CC cooldown reductions.
Is the grenade meta worse for solo players?
Solo players can still succeed but must focus more on mobility and precision. Use mobility perks to create clear lines for grenade throws and prioritize weapons with high headshot multipliers.
How do I keep launcher ammo from draining?
Treat launchers as finishers only. Use grenade crafting, ammo recycling perks, and prioritize pickups after Arc defeats.
How do I practice timing for grenade stacks?
Use a quiet training mission with a durable target dummy or low‑risk Arc spawns. Time throws with a stopwatch or overlay cue and progressively tighten spacing toward the 0.5–1.5s sweet spot.
Will devs change these values again?
Patch cycles often respond to community telemetry. For now, the nerf is live—adapting is the fastest path to consistent wins.
Closing notes
Patch 1.3 breaks the “point and spam rocket” fantasy but opens space for more skilled, coordinated play. The new grenade meta rewards teams that communicate, time burst windows precisely, and manage ammo deliberately. If you switch a couple teammates to dedicated grenadiers, prioritize precision weak‑point weapons, and adopt the synchronization practices in this guide, you’ll find the Arc kill rate not only recoverable but more repeatable and efficient over time.
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