You take a hit from somewhere in the snow, turn to look, and the machine that shot you has already slipped out of sight.
That is the Skulker, and Pendola Pass has plenty of them. This ARC Raiders Skulker enemy guide covers how it fights, where to find it, what to bring, and what its Skulker Targeter drop does.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Skulker in ARC Raiders?
- How the Skulker Fights
- Where to Find Skulkers
- How to Kill a Skulker
- Best Loadout for Hunting Skulkers
- Skulker Targeter: Stats, Uses and Drop Sources
- The Destroy Skulkers Trial
- Fighting a Skulker With Other Threats Nearby
- What Is Still Unconfirmed
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ
What Is the Skulker in ARC Raiders?
The Skulker is a small ground ARC machine that arrived with the Frozen Trail 2.0 update on October 8, 2026.
It waits at the edge of your vision, strikes, and retreats when you look away.
Embark’s Frozen Trail First Look describes it as “opportunistic,” lying in wait to get the drop on you. Embark also warns that a momentary distraction lets it retreat out of sight.
The in-game Codex entry, as recorded on the ARC Raiders Wiki, says it favors patience and positioning over direct aggression. It strikes with tail-mounted weaponry, then glides away to keep its distance.
The Skulker is one of three new ARC machines, alongside the Bully and the Hydra. Here is how Embark frames all three:
| ARC | Role | How it fights | Embark’s counter-advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bully | Aggressive charger | Gallops at your position and cedes no ground | Use cover, time your response, hit your shots |
| Skulker | Ambusher | Lies in wait at the edge of your vision, then retreats if you are distracted | Keep an eye on it |
| Hydra | Turret on the Frigate | Three stacked, autonomous sections | Divert its attention, find cover fast, attack when the moment arises |
This page covers the Skulker only. For the rest of the roster, see our ARC enemies guide.
How the Skulker Fights
The Skulker is built around timing, not raw durability.
It hides and waits. One launch-week report says its snow-covered body blends into Pendola Pass, which makes an edge-of-vision ambush harder to spot.
It telegraphs its shots. MetaForge’s Destroy Skulkers Trial guide says a laser shows when a Skulker is preparing to fire. It fires 3-4 times with time between shots, and MetaForge says those shots hit very hard.
It moves fast and breaks contact. The Codex says it glides away to keep its distance. MetaForge calls it nimble. One launch-week guide adds that it shrinks down while moving, which makes it easy to lose track of.
It punishes lost attention. Embark’s design note is the whole threat in one line: look away and it resets.
The ARC Raiders Wiki lists the Skulker’s armor as Light, still marked to be confirmed. Its health and XP values are blank.
Where to Find Skulkers
Pendola Pass is the map where Skulkers are confirmed. It launched alongside them in the same update. Our Pendola Pass guide covers the map, its hazards and its extraction options.
MetaForge’s Trial guide tells players to use its interactive Pendola Pass map to locate Skulker spawns.
A few habits help once you are on the ground:
- Check corners and cover first. Skulkers favor hiding spots near the edge of your view.
- Listen before you look. Two launch-week guides agree that movement and attack sounds can reveal a Skulker before you see it.
- Take them one at a time. Pulling several at once removes the gaps between shots that you rely on. This is our advice, not an Embark rule.
We could not find an official source that lists Skulkers on the older maps.
How to Kill a Skulker
Fight from cover and peek
MetaForge recommends fighting Skulkers from cover that lets you peek out, because their shots hit hard. Break line of sight the moment you see the laser.
Punish the gap between shots
A Skulker fires a burst, then pauses. That pause is your damage window. Do not stay exposed after the window closes.
Shoot the legs first, then the weapon
No official weak point has been published. MetaForge’s Trial guide says shooting the legs first helps, and that taking out one or two legs makes the fight much easier to survive. Another launch-week guide says the Skulker has no notable weak points and suggests hitting its thrusters or its scorpion-like tail weapon when it takes aim.
Both approaches reduce its ability to move or shoot. Start with the legs, then switch to the tail weapon if you cannot land leg hits.
Pick a weapon that suits a moving, light-armored target
MetaForge’s Trial guide recommends the Anvil IV, Renegade or Bettina for killing Skulkers. One launch-week guide picks the Tempest with Muzzle Brake II, Angled Grip II, Extended Medium Mag III and Stable Stock II.
Embark’s 2.0 patch notes include two changes that affect these picks:
- The Anvil moved from Green to Blue rarity. Tian Wen no longer sells it, and it now rotates through the weekly Nomadic Envoys.
- The explosive damage formula changed. Weapons like the Hullcracker deal over 50% more against armor plates but around 30% less against fragile parts.
Our read: with the wiki listing light armor, a launcher is a worse bet here than a rifle. That is inference, not a tested result.
The new Bantam revolver is a harder fit. The ARC Raiders Wiki lists strong ARC armor penetration but low accuracy and range, and the Skulker keeps its distance. Our Bantam breakdown has the numbers.
For wider weapon choices, see our best weapons tier list. If you plan to unlock stronger versions later, our amplified weapon paths guide covers the options.
Fight as a squad
Embark built the Skulker to exploit lapses in attention. A squad answers that directly: one player watches lanes while another deals damage. This is our advice, not an Embark rule.
Best Loadout for Hunting Skulkers
This list comes from MetaForge’s Trial preparation guide. It is built for a long Skulker hunt, not a quick raid.
| Slot | Suggested |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Anvil IV, Renegade or Bettina |
| Augment | Tactical MK.2 or Looting MK.3 (Survivor) |
| Shield | Light Shield or Medium Shield |
| Shield Rechargers | 10 |
| Bandages | 10-15 |
| Heavy Ammo | 220+ (more if you bring Anvil and Bettina) |
| Medium Ammo | 320 (if you bring the Renegade) |
| Adrenaline Shots | 5-10 |
MetaForge notes you can tweak most of this to preference. For other builds, see our best loadout guide, or our budget loadout builds if coins are tight.
Skulker Targeter: Stats, Uses and Drop Sources
The Skulker Targeter is the Skulker’s confirmed drop. MetaForge’s item listing gives these stats:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Damage | 9 |
| Range | 25m |
| Stack size | 3 |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Value | 1,000 coins |
| Recycles into | 1 Simple Gun Parts and 1 ARC Alloy |
The item can be deployed to target Raiders and ARC nearby. We could not confirm whether it ignores your own squad, so test it away from teammates first.
Hold some back. MetaForge lists the Targeter as a requirement for the Research Station Level 2 upgrade, with 5 needed. The ARC Raiders Wiki does not list a workshop use yet. If you plan to push the Research Station, keep 5 before you sell or recycle any. Our Outpost guide explains how the Research Station fits into the update.
The wiki also lists the Courier as another ARC that can drop the Targeter. The two databases disagree on crafting: MetaForge lists the Targeter as an ingredient for the Canto Blueprint (10 needed), while the wiki shows no recipes. Do not recycle a stack until that is settled.
The Destroy Skulkers Trial
MetaForge lists a Destroy Skulkers Trial on Pendola Pass. The rules are simple:
- Each destroyed Skulker earns 500 score.
- Six kills reach the 3-star reward, which requires 3,000 score.
- It works in all party sizes, on the normal map or any condition.
- MetaForge recommends bringing your own loadout over a free one.
Check the in-game Trials list or MetaForge’s event timers for when it is active.
Fighting a Skulker With Other Threats Nearby
The Skulker is designed to exploit lost attention, so the danger spikes after another fight. Do three things before you loot or heal:
- Scan behind you. One launch-week guide says never turn your back on it after PvP or when you are low on health.
- Do not tunnel on a single target. If a Bully or another squad is nearby, keep both threats in your frontal arc. This is our advice.
- Stay near cover. You will need it the moment the laser appears.
Fighting Raiders and ARC at the same time rewards a solid sidearm. Our PvP weapon tier list covers mixed fights. For official changes in this update, see our Frozen Trail 2.0 patch notes breakdown.
What Is Still Unconfirmed
Embark has not published these numbers yet:
- Health and XP. Both are blank on the ARC Raiders Wiki.
- Weak points. Sources disagree, and no official data exists.
- Full loot table. The wiki lists it as unfinished.
- Damage per shot. Only the qualitative “hits very hard” has been reported.
Treat any guide that quotes exact Skulker health or a confirmed weak-point multiplier as unverified.
Key Takeaways
- The Skulker is a Pendola Pass ambusher added in Frozen Trail 2.0 on October 8, 2026.
- It waits at the edge of your vision and retreats if you get distracted.
- Watch for the laser that telegraphs its 3-4 shot burst, then punish the gap.
- Shoot the legs first. No official weak point exists.
- The Skulker Targeter deals 9 damage out to 25 meters and may be needed for Research Station Level 2.
- The Destroy Skulkers Trial pays 500 score per kill, with 6 kills for 3 stars.
FAQ
What is the Skulker in ARC Raiders?
The Skulker is a small, fast ground ARC machine added in the Frozen Trail 2.0 update on October 8, 2026. It lies in wait at the edge of your vision, strikes with tail-mounted weaponry, and retreats if you get distracted. It drops the Skulker Targeter.
Where do you find Skulkers in ARC Raiders?
Pendola Pass is the map where Skulkers are confirmed. MetaForge’s interactive Pendola Pass map plots their spawns. Check corners and cover, and listen for movement before you see them.
How do you kill a Skulker in ARC Raiders?
Fight from cover and peek out between its shots. Watch for the laser that telegraphs an attack, then punish it in the gap before its next burst. Shooting its legs first is the most repeated community tip.
Does the Skulker have a weak point?
No official weak point has been published. MetaForge’s Trial guide says shooting the legs makes it much easier to fight, while another launch-week guide says it has no notable weak points and suggests hitting its thrusters or tail weapon. The ARC Raiders Wiki still lists its health as unknown.
What does the Skulker drop?
The Skulker Targeter is its confirmed drop. The ARC Raiders Wiki lists the loot table as unfinished, so treat any longer drop list as unverified. The wiki also lists the Courier as another source of the Targeter.
What does the Skulker Targeter do?
It is a deployable turret that targets nearby Raiders and ARC. It deals 9 damage out to 25 meters, according to the item listings. MetaForge also lists 5 of them as a requirement for the Research Station Level 2 upgrade.
What is the best weapon against the Skulker?
MetaForge’s Trial guide recommends the Anvil IV, Renegade or Bettina. One launch-week guide picks the Tempest. Pick a weapon you can hit with at range, because the Skulker keeps its distance.
How many Skulkers do you need to destroy for the weekly Trial?
You need 6 Skulkers for the 3-star reward. Each kill gives 500 score and 3-star requires 3,000. MetaForge lists the Trial on Pendola Pass.
Is the Skulker harder than the Bully?
Embark has not published a difficulty ranking. One launch-week guide calls the Skulker the weakest of the three new ARC, while MetaForge warns that its shots hit very hard. Treat it as fragile but dangerous.
Do Skulkers appear on other maps?
Pendola Pass is the only map where we could confirm them. Embark launched them alongside it, and MetaForge’s Skulker Trial runs there. No official source lists them on older maps.
