ARC Raiders Amplified Weapons: Perks, Paths and Unlocks

Frozen Trail lets you rebuild guns you stopped using, but most perks trade something away and some choices lock out others. Pick wrong and you burn late-game materials on a gun that does not fit your fights.

Here is how ARC Raiders amplified weapons work, what two hands-on previews showed for each perk path, and which guns are worth chasing first.

Table of Contents

• ARC Raiders Amplified Weapons at a Glance
• How Weapon Amplification Works
• How to Unlock Amplified Weapons
• Amplified Weapons We Know So Far
• Which Amplified Weapon Fits Your Playstyle?
• Losing and Repairing Amplified Weapons
• Key Takeaways
• FAQ

ARC Raiders Amplified Weapons at a Glance

Amplified weapons are a fifth quality level that arrived with the Frozen Trail update on October 8, 2026.

They unlock branching upgrades on 15 existing guns, and those upgrades change how a gun behaves instead of only adding stats.

You need a fully upgraded Research Workstation in your Outpost to access them.

Here is every amplified gun with confirmed upgrades so far:

Embark has not published the list of all 15 weapons, so the table only covers guns that have been shown or described.

Looking for the two new guns instead? Our new weapons guide covers the Stiletto and Bantam.

Note on names: video captions often spell the pistol “Beretta”. The in-game name is Burletta.

How Weapon Amplification Works

Weapon amplification adds a fifth quality level above the existing Level I to IV upgrades. Embark’s First Look says it opens a branching path of enhancements that can significantly change how a weapon behaves.

An Embark developer told GamesRadar that the level gives no inherent stats. Instead, it unlocks modules that reshape the gun.

Here is what that means in practice:

• Behavior over raw power: Embark’s executive producer said the goal is to make more guns viable, not necessarily just to add pure output power to top-end weapons.
• Branching paths: each amplified gun shows several pathways of upgrades.
• Lock-outs: Legacy Gaming noticed that some upgrades lock you out of other options, so you cannot take everything on one gun.
• Higher durability: Inven Global saw 200 durability on its amplified Renegade and Burletta.
• Attachments still work: a second preview creator confirmed you can keep fitting weapon mods on amplified guns. Our weapon mod guide covers which ones suit each gun.

Per GamesRadar, branch choices may trade PvP effectiveness against usefulness versus ARC.

Perk numbers in this guide come from preview builds. Embark’s launch notes do not list individual perk values.

How to Unlock Amplified Weapons

Amplification sits behind the Outpost, not behind your Raider level. Follow these steps in order:

1. Start the Outpost project. The first step, Research Topside Living Conditions, asks for a photo of a farmland house. Per the patch notes, you can buy the Camera from Shani, craft it at the Workbench, or find it Topside. Our Outpost guide covers the base itself.
2. Unlock the Outpost. Doing so unlocks access to the research station.
3. Fully upgrade the Research Workstation. Embark says only a fully upgraded station opens the fifth quality level. Legacy Gaming’s preview described the Gunsmith and research station needing level four, which the patch notes do not confirm. If your Gunsmith is behind, our workbench upgrade guide covers the steps.
4. Research the upgrade and gather rare materials. The Arc Raiders Hub recap of the developer Q&A says you research the upgrade at the Workstation and then apply it using rare materials. No quantities are published.
5. Get an Amplification Module. The same recap says modules drop only from late-game content, the Frigate and the fallen Emperor (both on Pendola Pass). They come in Mark 1 to Mark 5 to match weapon rarity, and all five share the same drop rate.
6. Socket the module on a supported weapon. Legacy Gaming says this unlocks the gun’s amplified perk paths.

Costs are not public yet. Embark has not said how many materials or research points each amplification takes.

Amplified Weapons We Know So Far

The perk paths below come from two preview sessions.

Legacy Gaming could inspect each tree but could not unlock or change nodes.

A second creator invited by Embark played only two raids, and the game assigned the amplified guns instead of letting him choose.

Amplified Rattler

The amplified Rattler fixes the gun’s biggest flaw, its small magazine.

Path one starts with More Reload, which loads two extra bullets per reload cycle and shortens reload time. The Rattler normally loads 2 bullets at a time, so this makes it 4, matching the second creator’s account below. The next perk is Drum Mag, which adds 40 rounds.

The cost is more recoil, more shot dispersion and a slower ADS speed.

The numbers line up. The ARC Raiders Wiki lists a Level IV Rattler at 24 rounds, and 24 plus 40 gives the 64 rounds the second creator saw.

Path two includes Incendiary Rounds, which deal five burn damage per second and extend an existing burn by two seconds.

What the creators found:

• Legacy Gaming played it a lot and called it solid and worth more testing. They think attachments might offset the drum mag penalties but could not say if that is enough.
• The second creator was wary of a slow reload at first, then found that loading four bullets at a time is not bad at all. He plans to try a Kinetic Converter on it and expects it to work in both PvE and PvP.
• Unconfirmed: neither creator knew whether you can take the drum mag and incendiary rounds on the same gun.

Amplified Hairpin

The amplified Hairpin turns a quirky weapon into a run-and-gun tool.

Path one has a single upgrade, Incendiary Rounds, and taking it locks you out of other amplifications.

Path two has Semi-Automatic, which raises the fire rate by 150%, cuts the headshot multiplier by 20% and adds 40% per-shot dispersion. It also has Sprint Shooting, which lets you fire while running.

Path three has Tracker Rounds, which reveal hit targets for five seconds.

Legacy Gaming fought a team where everyone ran an amplified Hairpin and watched sprint shooting in action. They call the gun deceptively powerful, but only in very skilled hands.

Amplified Renegade

The amplified Renegade is the simplest tree and one of the most useful against ARC.

Path one is More Reload, which loads one extra bullet. Path two is Scoped, which adds a sniper scope.

What the creators found:

• Legacy Gaming used it on Pendola Pass and was hooked. It is not great inside 30 meters, but it is strong in long-range poke fights and for taking down ARC quickly.
• The second creator said the scope felt unnatural at first, then “absolutely fries.” His tip: sit on top of a building and clear flying ARC before they get close.
• Slots: it only took a barrel and a stock in his build, and he could not fit an extended magazine.
• Hip fire: he thought it felt less accurate, though he noted it might have been his aim that morning.
• PvP: he got one PvP fight, so treat it as a first impression. His summary: it is still a Renegade with a scope.

Inven Global listed more upgrades on its amplified Renegade, including 50% faster bloom recovery and a 75% higher rate of fire. Those do not appear in Legacy Gaming’s list, so builds may differ between preview sessions.

Amplified Burletta

The amplified Burletta was Legacy Gaming’s favorite. It felt like a totally different weapon.

Path one is Burst Fire, which adds two projectiles per burst. The next perk adds two more projectiles and three magazine rounds.

Path two is Full Auto, which raises the fire rate but lowers damage and the headshot multiplier, and adds much more recoil and dispersion.

The final path adds Sprint Shooting.

Legacy Gaming found that it took nearly a full magazine to down a player in blue-tier shields, so you have to land shots through the extra kick. Inven Global called full auto a major advantage in close-quarters Raider fights.

Amplified Anvil and Kettle

Neither gun has been tested hands-on, but both have confirmed details.

• Anvil: the patch notes say the Anvil Splitter is no longer a mod and becomes an improved upgrade option for the Amplified Anvil. The Anvil also loses its Tech Mod slot.
• Kettle: the Arc Raiders Hub recap says the Kettle can branch toward PvP or toward PvE.

Which Amplified Weapon Fits Your Playstyle?

Match the build to the fight. Embark says amplification is about variety, not a power ladder.

Our picks, based on what the creators tested:

• Clearing ARC from range: the scoped Renegade. Check our ARC enemies guide for the targets worth sniping.
• Close Raider fights: the full-auto Burletta. Our best PvP weapons list shows what it will face.
• Sustained fire: the drum mag Rattler, if you can handle the recoil.
• High-skill chaos: the Hairpin. It rewards aim more than the others.

We would start with a gun you already trust. Amplification adds identity to a weapon you know.

Before you commit materials, plan your path. The Hairpin shows that one perk can close off others.

For how these stack up against unamplified guns, see our best weapons guide and weapons tier list.

Losing and Repairing Amplified Weapons

While you own an amplified gun, it has much better durability. Our weapons durability guide covers how wear works on the older tiers.

According to the Arc Raiders Hub recap, a looted amplified weapon drops to 10% durability when its owner dies. You get a taste of how it plays, but keeping it means going through the amplification process yourself.

That is how Embark stops players from farming amplified guns off other Raiders.

For repairs, the patch notes say Amplified Fragments repair Amplified Weapons. You can also recycle old Anvil Splitters into Fragments.

Key Takeaways

• Amplification is a fifth quality level on 15 guns, unlocked through a fully upgraded Research Workstation.
• It changes how a gun behaves instead of adding raw power.
• The Rattler gets a 64-round drum mag at the cost of recoil.
• The Renegade gets a scope and is strong against ARC at range.
• The Burletta can go burst fire or full auto.
• Some perk choices lock out others, so plan your path first.
• A looted amplified gun drops to 10% durability.

FAQ

What are amplified weapons in ARC Raiders?

Amplified weapons are a fifth quality level added in the Frozen Trail update. They unlock branching upgrades that change how a gun behaves, such as full auto, a scope or a larger magazine. According to the Arc Raiders Hub recap, they count as their own rarity tier.

How many weapons can be amplified?

Fifteen weapons support amplification at launch, and Embark plans to add more. The full list is not published. The Rattler, Hairpin, Renegade, Burletta, Anvil and Kettle have all been shown or described.

How do you unlock amplified weapons?

Unlock the Outpost, fully upgrade the Research Workstation, then get an Amplification Module. You research the upgrade at the Workstation and apply it with rare materials. The module is socketed on a supported gun to open its perk paths.

Where do Amplification Modules drop?

According to the Arc Raiders Hub recap of the developer Q&A, modules drop only from late-game content: the Frigate and the fallen Emperor. They come in Mark 1 to Mark 5 to match weapon rarity. All five levels share the same drop rate.

How much does weapon amplification cost?

Embark has not published costs. The Hub recap only says you apply upgrades using rare materials after researching them at the Workstation. Quantities per weapon are not public.

Are amplified weapons stronger than normal weapons?

Not by default. An Embark developer said the level gives no inherent stats, and Embark’s executive producer said the goal is variety rather than just adding raw power to top weapons. Amplified guns do have higher durability, and their perks can strongly change how they play.

What does the amplified Rattler do?

The amplified Rattler gets a Drum Mag that adds 40 rounds, for 64 total. That costs recoil, dispersion and ADS speed. A second path adds Incendiary Rounds that burn targets for five damage per second.

Is the scoped Renegade worth it?

Both preview creators liked it. It is strong at long range and against flying ARC, but weak inside 30 meters, and one creator found the hip fire less accurate. It also took only a barrel and stock mod in his build.

What does full auto do to the Burletta?

Full Auto raises the fire rate but lowers damage and the headshot multiplier, and adds much more recoil and dispersion. Legacy Gaming needed nearly a full magazine to down a player in blue-tier shields. Inven Global found it effective in close-quarters fights.

Can you loot amplified weapons from other players?

You can pick one up, but the Arc Raiders Hub recap says it drops to 10% durability when its owner dies. Keeping it means doing the amplification process yourself. That stops players from stockpiling other people’s amplified guns.

Can the Stiletto and Bantam be amplified?

Not in this update, according to the Hub recap of the developer Q&A. It says amplified versions will most likely come later. For now, they use the standard upgrade tiers.