Vertical Grip I is one of the early weapon attachments most players run into in Arc Raiders. On paper, it looks simple: it reduces vertical recoil by 20% and costs a few basic materials. In practice, how useful it is depends a lot on your playstyle, weapon choice, and where you are in the game.
This article breaks down how Vertical Grip I works, how most players use it, and when it’s usually worth crafting or equipping.
What Is Vertical Grip I in Arc Raiders?
Vertical Grip I is a weapon attachment that reduces vertical recoil by 20%.
To craft it, you need:

• 6x Plastic Parts
• 1x Duct Tape

The listed value is:

• Total value: $1920
• Unit value: $640

In general, this places Vertical Grip I in the early to mid-game attachment category. The materials are common enough that most players can craft it after a few successful runs.
How Does Vertical Recoil Work in Arc Raiders?
Vertical recoil in Arc Raiders refers to how much your weapon climbs upward when firing continuously.
In practice:

• Automatic and burst weapons tend to pull upward fast
• Shots become harder to keep on target during longer sprays
• Missed shots usually go over the enemy rather than to the side

Most players compensate by pulling the mouse or stick downward, but this becomes harder:

• Under pressure
• When tracking moving enemies
• During PvP fights or ARC encounters

A vertical recoil reduction means less manual correction is needed.
What Does 20% Reduced Vertical Recoil Actually Mean?
A 20% reduction sounds small, but in general it has a noticeable effect.
Most players report that:

• The weapon feels more stable during sustained fire
• The first few shots are easier to control
• Long sprays stay closer to center mass

However, it does not:

• Turn a high-recoil weapon into a laser
• Remove the need for recoil control
• Replace skill or positioning

Usually, players still need to adjust aim, but the margin for error is smaller.
Which Weapons Benefit Most from Vertical Grip I?
Vertical Grip I is usually most effective on:

• Automatic rifles
• SMGs with strong upward kick
• Burst-fire weapons where follow-up shots matter

In general:

• Low-recoil weapons gain less noticeable benefit
• Semi-auto weapons see minimal improvement
• Shotguns usually don’t benefit much

Most players put Vertical Grip I on mid-tier automatic weapons, especially before unlocking better attachments.
Is Vertical Grip I Worth Crafting Early?
For most players, yes — but with conditions.
Reasons players craft it early:

• Plastic Parts are common
• Duct Tape is often already in storage
• Recoil control helps survivability

Reasons some players skip it:

• Saving materials for armor or meds
• Using weapons that don’t need it
• Planning to replace it soon

In general, Vertical Grip I is considered a safe, low-risk craft, especially if you already have spare Plastic Parts.
How Does Vertical Grip I Compare to Other Early Attachments?
Compared to early optics or barrels:

• Vertical Grip I gives a consistent mechanical benefit
• It doesn’t depend on player preference as much
• It works in almost every combat scenario

Optics depend heavily on playstyle. Recoil reduction helps most players, especially under stress.
That’s why many experienced players say:
“If you don’t know what to attach yet, a grip is usually fine.”
Does Vertical Grip I Matter More in PvE or PvP?
It matters in both, but in different ways.
In PvE:

• Helps control fire against ARC weak points
• Reduces wasted ammo
• Makes sustained damage safer

In PvP:

• Improves hit consistency during panic sprays
• Helps keep shots on target during strafe fights
• Reduces overcorrection when tracking players

Most players feel the difference more in PvP, where small recoil mistakes are punished quickly.
Should You Always Use Vertical Grip I If You Have It?
Not always.
Most players consider:

• Weapon recoil pattern
• Available attachment slots
• Weight and inventory priorities

In general:

• If the weapon already feels stable, it may not be needed
• If you expect close-range fights only, it’s less important
• If you’re low on materials, it can wait

Vertical Grip I is usually a comfort attachment, not a must-have.
How Long Do Players Keep Using Vertical Grip I?
Usually not forever.
Most players:

• Use it until better grips unlock
• Replace it with higher-tier recoil or handling upgrades
• Stop crafting it once resources are more valuable

That said, some players keep it as a fallback:

• For secondary weapons
• For budget loadouts
• For risky runs where loss is expected

Common Mistakes Players Make With Vertical Grip I
Some common issues include:

• Expecting recoil to disappear completely
• Using it on weapons that don’t need it
• Over-investing in grips instead of survivability

In general, Vertical Grip I works best when:

• Combined with good positioning
• Used on the right weapon type
• Treated as a small improvement, not a solution

Is Vertical Grip I a Good Attachment?
For most players, Vertical Grip I is:

• Affordable
• Easy to understand
• Consistently useful

It doesn’t change how the game is played, but it smooths out combat and reduces mistakes. In Arc Raiders, that alone can mean surviving a fight instead of losing gear.
Arc Raiders coins cost less when bought on U4N: https://www.u4n.com/arc-raiders/coins