If you’ve spent some time in Arc Raiders, you’ve probably noticed that some missions feel more crowded with ARC activity than others. One key factor behind this is the Prospecting Probes map modifier. For newer players—or even for seasoned raiders trying to optimize their runs—it helps to understand what this modifier does in practice, how it affects gameplay, and how most players deal with it.
What Are Prospecting Probes?
In general, Prospecting Probes are small, guarded devices that the ARC send out across the battlefield. When the Prospecting Probes modifier is active, the number of these probes on the map is increased significantly. This means that during a mission, you’ll encounter more of these devices in various locations, often accompanied by more enemy units guarding them.
Most players treat these probes as a priority objective when they appear, because ignoring them can make certain parts of a mission more difficult. They don’t directly attack you, but they tend to alert nearby ARC units and can trigger reinforcements.
How Does Prospecting Probes Affect Map Difficulty?
The modifier doesn’t just increase the number of probes—it indirectly increases mission difficulty. In general, you’ll see the difficulty ratings for some maps go up when this modifier is active:

• Dam Battlegrounds: usually moves from 2/5 to 3/5
• Spaceport: goes from 3/5 to 4/5
• Buried City: increases from 3/5 to 4/5
• The Blue Gate: stays at 4/5

In practice, this means missions take longer, and players need to manage their positioning and resources more carefully. Most players find that you can’t simply rush objectives; you need to account for extra ARC units that may respond to probe activity.
How Do Players Typically Deal with Prospecting Probes?
Most players approach Prospecting Probes with one of two strategies: avoidance or clearing.

1. Avoidance: If the goal is to complete the mission quickly, players often steer clear of the probes unless they are directly in the way of an objective. This usually works on maps like Dam Battlegrounds where probes are more spread out.
2. Clearing: For players aiming for higher rewards or achievements, clearing probes is more common. In practice, this means coordinating with teammates to handle guards efficiently while disabling or destroying the probes. Clearing them can prevent additional reinforcements from spawning in certain areas.

From my experience, clearing probes is usually safer in Spaceport and Buried City, where the density of ARC units around each probe is higher. In contrast, The Blue Gate tends to be consistently difficult, so careful planning is essential regardless of your strategy.
Tips for Managing Prospecting Probes
Based on what most players report, here are some practical tips:

• Map awareness: Probes can be tucked into corners or behind cover. Keeping an eye on mini-map alerts helps avoid accidental ambushes.
• Team roles: Players often designate one or two teammates to focus on clearing probes while others handle patrolling ARC units.
• Timing: Don’t engage multiple probes at once if possible. Handling them in sequence reduces the risk of being overwhelmed.
• Loadout: Weapons with high mobility or area-of-effect damage are usually more effective when dealing with probes guarded by clusters of ARC.

These strategies usually allow teams to manage the increased density of probes without taking unnecessary losses.
How Prospecting Probes Tie Into Blueprint Farming
Many players wonder whether Prospecting Probes affect the chances of acquiring blueprints. While the modifier doesn’t directly change drop rates, encountering more probes means more opportunities to access areas where rare loot is located. Experienced players often prioritize clearing these probes in certain zones to create safer conditions for farming.
For those looking to optimize their loadouts and crafting options, knowing when and where to engage Prospecting Probes can make a noticeable difference. Some players also combine this approach with external strategies to buy Arc Raiders blueprints, ensuring they have access to specific equipment for handling high-probe missions.

Prospecting Probes is a map modifier that primarily increases the number of probes and, by extension, the challenge of ARC encounters. Most players treat it as a factor in mission planning rather than a direct threat. The general consensus is:

• Expect more enemy activity when probes are present.
• Decide whether to avoid or clear probes based on your team’s goals.
• Pay attention to map-specific changes in difficulty ratings.
• Use strategic loadouts and team coordination to manage probe-heavy areas effectively.

Understanding these elements can make your runs smoother and more predictable, especially if your goal is efficiency or high-tier loot.
Resource Center:  Arc Raiders Stable Stock 2 Blueprint Guide