How Shroud Took Down the Queen in ARC Raiders – And What You Can Learn From It

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ARC Raiders is an upcoming third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. Set in a dystopian Earth plagued by mechanized invaders known as ARC, the game challenges players to scavenge resources, battle hostile machines, and extract with their lives intact. While I haven’t had the chance to jump in personally, I’ve been immersing myself in gameplay footage — and nothing stood out more than Shroud’s recent fight against one of the game’s toughest world bosses: The Queen.

In this particular video, Shroud and his squad face off against The Queen in a heart-pounding encounter that pushes their coordination, aim, and resource management to the limit. They ultimately succeed in taking down the massive boss but narrowly miss their extraction — a moment that perfectly illustrates ARC Raiders’ high-stakes, high-reward loop.


Breaking Down the Queen Fight: Lessons from Shroud

Watching Shroud’s team operate was like seeing a live tutorial of how to approach endgame content in ARC Raiders. Their fight reveals several tactics that other players can emulate:

1. Target the Legs First

One of the most effective strategies Shroud’s team employed was focusing fire on The Queen’s legs. Damaging them causes the Queen to stagger and expose her brain, which is the key damage point. This mechanic turns the tide of the fight by opening up high-damage windows.

2. Timing is Everything

The brain is only exposed for a short period after the Queen is staggered. The team’s ability to synchronize their damage output during this phase determined how quickly they could bring her down. Shroud’s instinctual communication and positioning were critical here.

3. Handling Reinforcements

While dealing with the Queen, rocketeers and other mechanized enemies constantly attack. Shroud’s squad used Wolf Pack (MIRV Grenades) and Shock Grenades to neutralize these threats. One key tip: targeting a single thruster on the rocketeers is often enough to stop them from respawning.


JackFrags’ Exploration – A Different Kind of ARC Experience

While JackFrags didn’t face off against The Queen in his recent ARC Raiders video, his content offered a valuable look at the game’s broader design. His focus is on exploring the general game world, showcasing mechanics, and highlighting details like physics, visuals, and environmental storytelling.

One moment that stood out was his discovery of yellow rubber ducks tucked away in various nooks and crannies of the environment — a whimsical touch that gives ARC Raiders a layer of personality beneath the heavy combat.


System Requirements for ARC Raiders

If you’re preparing to dive into ARC Raiders yourself, make sure your rig is ready. Based on technical playtests, here are the estimated system requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • RAM: 12 GB
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 580
  • Storage: 100 GB SSD Recommended

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2070 / AMD RX 5700 XT
  • Storage: 100 GB SSD

Epic Settings (Ultra Performance):

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti / AMD RX 7900 XTX
  • RAM: 16 GB

These specs indicate ARC Raiders is built with modern systems in mind but remains accessible to mid-tier setups.


Final Thoughts: Why ARC Raiders is One to Watch

ARC Raiders is shaping up to be one of the most promising multiplayer shooters of the year. It combines PvE and PvP elements with a thrilling extraction gameplay loop, dynamic boss fights, and immersive world-building. Shroud’s encounter with The Queen showcases what makes this game special: tactical depth, unpredictable encounters, and those “oh no” moments that make for unforgettable stories.

Even without firsthand experience, watching top-tier players like Shroud go toe-to-toe with ARC’s toughest threats — and seeing creators like JackFrags highlight the game’s immersive world and environmental detail — gives a real sense of ARC Raiders’ potential.

As of now, ARC Raiders is scheduled for release in 2025, with the exact date yet to be announced. Embark Studios has been actively engaging the community through playtests to fine-tune the game’s mechanics and balance. The most recent playtest, Tech Test 2, ran from April 30 to May 4, 2025, and was available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Players interested in future testing opportunities can sign up via the official ARC Raiders website or request access through the game’s Steam page.


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Tags: ARC Raiders, Shroud, Extraction Shooter, PvE Boss Guide, System Requirements, Embark Studios, Gaming Strategy, Barepage.org, JackFrags, Yellow Ducks, Game Physics

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