The Bully gallops straight at you, fires cluster grenades at range, and swivels a shotgun at close quarters. Run in the open and it catches you. Stand and trade fire and your loadout is gone.
This Arc Raiders Bully enemy guide covers where it roams, which parts to shoot, what to bring after the 2.0 damage rework, and whether the loot justifies the risk.
Table of Contents
- What the Bully Is and Where It Spawns
- How the Bully Attacks
- Bully Weak Points
- Best Weapons and Gadgets After the 2.0 Rework
- How to Fight the Bully Step by Step
- Solo vs Squad Tactics
- Bully Fragmenter and Loot
- Confirmed vs Reported Details
- Practicing in the PvE Toggle Test
- Common Bully Mistakes
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ
What the Bully Is and Where It Spawns
The Bully is a four-legged ground ARC added with the Frozen Trail 2.0 update on October 8, 2026, alongside the Skulker and the Hydra.
Embark’s first-look post calls it a machine-learned enemy that gallops onto your position and gives no ground. Its advice for the fight is short: “Use cover, time your response, and hit your shots.”
Embark’s launch-day post places the new threats on Pendola Pass. The Hydra is a separate, stationary turret. Embark places it on the Frigate and says it guards the fallen Emperor too. Our Hydra guide covers that fight.
Embark has not published a Bully spawn table, so exact spots come from early community reports. Those reports place Bullies near the northern train tracks and destroyed station, around the Commissary Supermarket, and east of the Fallen Emperor.
One early walkthrough of the Tracks of the Beast quest says you only need to ping a Bully near the station, not kill it.
For the map itself, see our Pendola Pass map guide. For every other machine, our ARC enemies guide covers scanner states and armor types. The Bully’s fellow newcomer, the ambushing Skulker, has its own Skulker guide.
How the Bully Attacks
Early guides describe the same three attacks:
- The charge. It closes distance fast, fires, backs off and circles around again.
- Cluster grenades at range. They explode a moment after landing, which punishes standing still.
- A shotgun turret up close. Guides report the turret swivels a full 360 degrees, so running past the body does not stop it hitting your back.
The noise matters too.
Large ARC attract other Raiders, so a long fight in the open can bring a third party to your loot.
Bully Weak Points
Aim at the yellow leg joints. The Bully has four legs, and every guide we read that names a weak point points to the leg joints.
The armored torso is a poor target. Shots there burn ammo for little damage.
Heavy rounds suit the job. Guides rate heavy-round rifles and precision rifles above shotguns and fast-firing SMGs, because quick light hits scatter across the armor.
Early guides also report a second yellow weak point on the main cannon. They say it appears once the armor over it is stripped, and that destroying it removes the Bully’s weapon.
We have not seen that confirmed by Embark, so treat the cannon as a bonus target rather than the plan.
Best Weapons and Gadgets After the 2.0 Rework
Frozen Trail changed the maths on explosives, so older advice needs a second look.
Embark’s 2.0 patch notes (see our Frozen Trail breakdown) say the explosive damage formula for ARC was reworked. Explosive weapons such as the Hullcracker now deal over 50% more damage against armor plates and around 30% less against more fragile parts. Embark also says effectiveness against weak points is slightly reduced.
That points to a split job. Explosives are strongest for stripping the Bully’s plating, and accurate heavy rounds are cleaner for the exposed joints. That split is our reading of the patch notes, not an Embark recommendation.
Weapons worth bringing
- Hullcracker. The most common recommendation in early guides for its damage and range. Fire it from cover.
- Anvil. Embark moved it from green to blue rarity in 2.0 and says it handles both Raiders and ARC. The Anvil Splitter is no longer a mod and now upgrades the Amplified Anvil, which our amplified weapon paths guide covers.
- Bantam. Embark’s new heavy-ammo revolver is described as effective against ARC and Raiders. Our Bantam hip-fire breakdown has the details.
- Jupiter. Embark fixed a bug where its damage hit ARC parts behind the target twice. It is now stronger against armor but slightly weaker against weak spots, which matters when you are hunting joints.
Early guides also list the Aphelion and Bettina. Our best weapons tier list and best loadout guide show how these fit into a full kit.
Gadgets worth bringing
Tether Launcher. Embark says it connects two points with a wire to root a target. Early guides report the Bully breaks free fast, so fire it right before you unload your burst. The 2.0 notes list repairing the Tether Launcher as unavailable at launch, so treat each one as disposable.
Grenades and mines. Early guides report that Showstopper Grenades stall the Bully briefly, and that Wolfpack Grenades and Deadline Mines can kill it. Reported counts vary between guides, so we are not publishing a fixed number.
Check your supply first
Embark says Tian Wen no longer sells the Anvil or the Hullcracker. Both now rotate through the weekly Nomadic Envoys offers, and Launcher Ammo has a daily purchase limit.
If you plan a Hullcracker fight, count your ammo before you queue. Our budget loadout builds show cheaper options.
How to Fight the Bully Step by Step
- Listen first. The Bully is loud. Get behind a wall, building corner or large obstacle before it commits.
- Leave room to move. Do not back into a closed passage. Know your next piece of cover before you leave the first.
- Dodge the charge sideways. One early guide reports the Bully runs mostly straight and needs a moment to turn after it overshoots. Use that gap.
- Strip armor if you carry explosives. Put launcher shots into the plating, per the rework above.
- Shoot the leg joints. Heavy rounds, patient aim. Do not hold the trigger.
- Tether before the burst. If you carry the Tether Launcher, use it just before your heaviest volley.
- Watch your back. Someone should check for rival squads while the fight runs.
- Loot fast and leave. Large ARC wrecks draw company.
Solo vs Squad Tactics
Squad play
Assign roles before you engage.
One Raider baits and holds the Bully’s attention. One or two Raiders shoot joints from cover. One Raider watches for rival squads.
When the Bully swaps targets, the old bait should break line of sight and let the others work.
Solo play
A solo Bully fight plays like a boss fight. Pick an enclosed space with several walls, keep a retreat path, and take ranged shots from a safe distance.
Guides disagree on terrain. One recommends high ground with a launcher. Others favor tight spaces that blunt the Bully’s speed and grenade spread.
We read both as ways to deny the Bully a clean charging lane. Match the terrain to your weapon: launcher from elevation, firearms in narrow rooms.
Our disengage rule: if ammo runs low while the leg joints are still intact, leave. Embark’s own advice to time your response applies to retreating as well.
Bully Fragmenter and Loot
The Bully Fragmenter is an Epic-tier throwable that works like the cluster grenades the Bully fires at you. Guides recommend throwing it into tight spaces, where the cluster has nowhere to spread out.
One guide reports checking the Bully’s main body and gun first when you loot.
How many Fragmenters drop is unclear. Reports conflict, ranging from about one per kill to several. Until Embark publishes a loot table, plan for a variable drop and do not build a farming loop around it.
Crafting use is also unclear. One guide reports it counts toward a new quest and the Level 3 Research Table upgrade, while others say crafting uses are not confirmed.
Hold a few back until you know what your Outpost needs. Our Outpost and Research Bench guide covers the unlock path.
Confirmed vs Reported Details
| Detail | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive charging behavior | Confirmed | Embark first-look and launch posts |
| New threat on Pendola Pass | Confirmed | Embark launch post |
| Explosive rework (over 50% more vs armor, around 30% less vs fragile parts) | Confirmed | Embark 2.0 patch notes |
| Four yellow leg joints | Consistent across guides | Community guides |
| Weak point on the main cannon | Reported by a few guides | Unconfirmed |
| Exact spawn spots | Community reports | No official spawn table |
| Fragmenter drop count | Conflicting | Guides disagree |
| Health and armor values | Not found | No published figures |
Practicing in the PvE Toggle Test
Embark’s PvE toggle test runs October 13-20, 2026.
During it, there is zero player-to-player damage, overall loot value is lower, and your PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected. Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and the Frigate are excluded.
Pendola Pass is not on that exclusion list, so we expect a Bully run to work as low-pressure practice. Embark has not spelled that out, though.
Our PvE toggle test breakdown covers the full rules.
Common Bully Mistakes
- Shooting the torso. It wastes ammo on armor.
- Fighting in open ground. The Bully wants a clear charging lane.
- Backing into dead ends. You lose the room you need to dodge.
- Bringing shotguns or fast SMGs. Guides rate them poorly against its armor.
- Burning every Fragmenter. Crafting uses may still appear.
- Ignoring third parties. The noise draws rival squads.
- Spending launcher ammo you cannot restock. The daily purchase limit is real.
Key Takeaways
- The Bully is a Frozen Trail 2.0 ARC that charges, lobs cluster grenades and fires a 360-degree shotgun turret.
- Shoot the four yellow leg joints. The torso wastes ammo.
- Explosives deal over 50% more to armor and around 30% less to fragile parts, so strip plating first and finish with heavy rounds.
- Hullcracker supply is tighter now, and launcher ammo has a daily limit.
- Deny the Bully a clear charging lane with cover or tight spaces.
- Fragmenter drop counts and crafting uses are unconfirmed.
- The PvE toggle test runs October 13-20 for low-pressure practice.
FAQ
How do you beat the Bully in ARC Raiders?
Fight from cover and shoot its four yellow leg joints with heavy rounds. Use buildings or tight spaces to break its charging lane, and skip the armored torso.
Explosives such as the Hullcracker work well on armor plates after the 2.0 rework, then switch to accurate firearm shots. A squad can split the job between a bait, shooters and a lookout.
Where is the Bully in ARC Raiders?
The Bully roams Pendola Pass, the map added with Frozen Trail 2.0. Early community reports place it near the northern train tracks, around the Commissary Supermarket and east of the Fallen Emperor.
Embark has not published a spawn table, so exact spots can vary from raid to raid.
What are the Bully’s weak points?
The weak points guides agree on are the four yellow leg joints. A few early guides also report a yellow weak point on the main cannon once its armor is stripped.
We have not seen the cannon claim confirmed by Embark, so treat it as a bonus target.
What is the best weapon against the Bully?
The Hullcracker is the most common recommendation, but it needs launcher ammo, which has a daily purchase limit. Heavy-ammo weapons such as the Anvil and the Bantam suit the leg joints.
The Jupiter gained damage against armor in the 2.0 patch but lost a little against weak spots.
What does the Bully Fragmenter do?
It is an Epic-tier throwable that works like the cluster grenades the Bully fires at you, splitting into several explosions. Guides recommend throwing it into tight spaces.
Some guides also report crafting uses, which Embark has not detailed.
How many Bully Fragmenters does a Bully drop?
Reports conflict, ranging from about one per kill to several. Embark has not published a loot table, so we cannot give a reliable number.
Treat the Fragmenter as a bonus rather than a farmable loop.
Can you solo the Bully in ARC Raiders?
Yes, but expect a boss-style fight. Pick an enclosed space with plenty of cover, keep a retreat path open, and take ranged shots from a safe distance.
If your ammo runs low while the leg joints are still intact, disengage.
Does the Bully appear on maps other than Pendola Pass?
Embark places the new threats on Pendola Pass, and early guides report the Bully nowhere else. The Hydra is a separate stationary turret that Embark places on the Frigate and at the fallen Emperor.
A future update could change the Bully’s spawn map.
Is the Hullcracker still good after the 2.0 explosive rework?
It should still be strong for stripping armor. Embark’s 2.0 notes say explosive weapons deal over 50% more damage to armor plates and around 30% less to fragile parts.
That makes it better at breaking plating than at finishing exposed joints, and supply is tighter because Tian Wen no longer sells it.
Does the Tether Launcher work on the Bully?
Embark says it roots a target by connecting two points with a wire, and early guides report the Bully breaks free quickly. Fire it just before you unload your burst.
The 2.0 notes also list repairing the Tether Launcher as unavailable at launch.
Is the Bully worth fighting?
It is worth it if you need quest progress, want a Fragmenter, or carry spare launcher ammo. It is not worth it in open ground with low ammo, since the loot count is unconfirmed and rival Raiders may arrive.
Our rule is to skip the fight unless you have cover, ammo and a clear exit.
