The Comet Igniter is one of the more frustrating materials to farm in Arc Raiders — not because it is hidden in some obscure corner of the map, but because the window to obtain it is razor-thin. Miss your damage window, and the enemy destroys the loot for you. This guide covers everything you need to know: what the Comet Igniter is, where to find Comets, how to kill them before they self-destruct, and what to do with the Igniter once you have it.
What Is the Comet Igniter?
The Comet Igniter is a Rare-tier ARC component introduced in the Shrouded Sky update (Patch 1.17.0). It weighs 1.0 and can be sold for 1,000 Raider Coins. More importantly, it is a crafting material used for the Deadline, a craftable mine-type explosive, and was also required to advance Stage 2 (Sunlight) of the Weather Monitor System Project — the community project tied to the Shrouded Sky update.
Unlike most materials in Arc Raiders, the Comet Igniter cannot be found as ground loot or purchased from a vendor. The only way to obtain it is by defeating the Comet ARC enemy before it detonates itself.
What Is the Comet ARC Enemy?
The Comet is a ground-based, spherical ARC unit introduced alongside the Firefly in the Shrouded Sky update. It closely resembles a Pop or Fireball in shape — rolling and metallic — but its behavior is far more aggressive. Here is what you are dealing with:
- Armor: Heavy plating that protects the Comet’s core during normal patrol
- Speed: Extremely fast once it locks onto a target
- Self-Destruct: Upon closing distance with a Raider, the Comet initiates a seismic explosion that deals massive area damage — and destroys the Comet Igniter inside it
- Weakspot: When the Comet charges, its plating opens, exposing a vulnerable inner core. Shots to this exposed core deal significantly more damage
You can identify a Comet from a distance by its single front light and a glowing strip on top. The strip stays yellow while the Comet is patrolling, and turns red the moment it detects you, signaling an incoming charge. Once it goes red, the clock is ticking.
Key Rule: If the Comet detonates on its own before you destroy it, the Comet Igniter is gone. You must kill it first.
Where to Find Comets in Arc Raiders (2026)
Comets spawn in outdoor, open areas across most maps. As of the current state of Arc Raiders in 2026, they can appear on all maps except Stella Montis, which lacks the outdoor terrain where Comets typically roam. Specific locations to check include:
- Dam Battlegrounds — The dam itself, near the Control Tower. Wide, open terrain makes Comets easy to spot and engage from a distance, making this the most efficient farming map
- Buried City — The square north of Plaza Rosa is a reliable spawn point, as is the area near Raider Hatches and Subway exits
- Spaceport — Open sections within the facility grounds, particularly during Hurricane weather conditions
- Blue Gate — The Head House area, Warehouse Complex, and Warehouse Air Shaft
- Stella Montis — The Loading Bay Floor reportedly sees 1–3 Comet spawns, making it one of the most consistent single-area spawn points despite the general indoor nature of the map
Comets can spawn at any time of day — they are not restricted to night conditions — and can appear whether or not the Hurricane map condition is active, though Hurricane conditions do increase the likelihood of encountering them on certain maps.
Tip: Comets often drop in from above when spawning. Watch for ARC trails in the sky, and listen for their distinctive explosion sound if one detonates nearby — it is loud and recognizable.
How to Kill a Comet Before It Explodes
This is where most players run into trouble. The Comet has significant health, charges at high speed, and self-destructs on contact with Raiders. Your goal is simple: burst it down before it reaches you or triggers its detonation sequence.
Step-by-Step Strategy
1. Spot it before it spots you. Look for the glowing yellow strip and single front light. Engage from range while the strip is still yellow — once it turns red, you are in a race.
2. Take the high ground if available. Elevating yourself creates distance and makes it harder for the Comet to close the gap during its charge.
3. Open with maximum damage immediately. The Comet’s plating opens when it charges, exposing its vulnerable core. Aim for this exposed section to maximize damage per shot.
4. Use heavy-hitting weapons. Light ammo does negligible damage against Comet armor. You need high-impact options to burn through its health pool in time.
5. Loot both parts of the wreckage. A successfully destroyed Comet breaks into two pieces: an outer ring that drops common ARC parts, and a sphere-like central core where the Comet Igniter spawns. Check the core first.
Visual Glitch Warning: The core loot occasionally does not visually appear due to a graphical bug. If you killed the Comet before detonation, the Igniter should still be there — interact with the core container even if it looks empty.
Best Weapons for Killing Comets
| Weapon | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Hullcracker | Fastest kill, usually 1–3 hits. Best option if you have it |
| Anvil | Strong armor penetration, reliable at all tiers |
| Ferro | High armor penetration, effective against heavy-armored units |
| Bettina | Solid alternative for stripping armor quickly |
| Seeker Grenades | Use in combination with your primary weapon to speed up the kill |
The Hullcracker is widely considered the most efficient tool for this job — a well-aimed burst can finish a Comet in two hits. That said, it is a high-value weapon; if losing it on a bad run is a concern, the Anvil or Ferro are safer backups that still get the job done consistently.
What to Do With the Comet Igniter
Once you have secured a Comet Igniter and extracted safely, you have a few options:
1. Craft the Deadline Mine
The primary use of the Comet Igniter is crafting the Deadline, a mine-type explosive that functions like a proximity trap. Crafting requires the Explosives Station 3 and specific supporting materials. The Deadline is a strong craftable utility item, and the Comet Igniter is the gating resource that makes it possible.
2. Recycle It
If you do not need the Igniter for crafting right now, recycling yields:
- 2x ARC Alloy
- 2x Crude Explosives
Note that salvaging Topside (rather than recycling back at base) only produces 2x Crude Explosives, so always recycle at Speranza for the better return.
3. Sell It
The Comet Igniter sells for 1,000 Raider Coins. This is decent coin for a single drop, but given how much effort goes into getting one, crafting the Deadline first and selling that for more is generally the better play. Only sell raw Igniters once you have covered your crafting needs.
Recommendation: Hold your Comet Igniters until you have completed Stage 2 of the Weather Monitor System (if it is active) and crafted at least one Deadline. After that, extras can be recycled or sold freely.
Comet Igniter FAQ
Does the Comet Igniter still drop if I only damage the Comet and someone else finishes it? The drop is tied to the kill, so the player or squad that lands the finishing blow before detonation should receive the loot. In squad play, make sure your team coordinates the kill.
Why did I kill the Comet but get no Igniter? The most common cause is that the Comet completed its self-destruct sequence before dying — even partial detonation can destroy the Igniter. If you are confident it died before exploding, check the core piece specifically and try interacting even if nothing is visually indicated (the glitch mentioned above).
How many Comet Igniters do I need for the Weather Monitor System? Just one. Stage 2 (Sunlight) is the only Weather Monitor System stage that requires a Comet Igniter.
Can Comets spawn on Stella Montis? There are some reports of Comet spawns at the Loading Bay Floor on Stella Montis, but they are generally less reliable there than on outdoor-heavy maps like Dam Battlegrounds or Buried City.
Does the Comet Igniter have any uses beyond crafting the Deadline? Currently its uses are crafting the Deadline, recycling for ARC Alloy and Crude Explosives, and selling for 1,000 coins. The Weather Monitor System project that previously required it has concluded, so the Deadline and recycling are your primary go-forwards.
Related Arc Raiders Guides on 8BitToast
If you found this guide useful, check out these related Arc Raiders articles:
- How to Kill a Shredder in Arc Raiders: Best Strategy Guide — Another heavily armored ARC unit that requires the right loadout and approach to take down efficiently.
- How to Get Firefly Burner in Arc Raiders — The Firefly is the other new ARC enemy introduced in the Shrouded Sky update. Its drop, the Firefly Burner, is required for Stage 5 of the Weather Monitor System.
- How to Complete Weather Monitor System in Arc Raiders: Full Project Guide — A full walkthrough of all stages of the Weather Monitor System project, including every material you need and where to get it.
- How to Complete Worth Your Salt Arc Raiders Quest in Shrouded Sky — A step-by-step guide to another Shrouded Sky quest that players are commonly stuck on.
Getting the Comet Igniter in Arc Raiders comes down to one thing: winning a race against the Comet’s self-destruct timer. Engage from range, hit hard with armor-penetrating weapons, and make sure to loot the central core — not just the outer ring — once the Comet goes down. With the right loadout and a little patience scouting Dam Battlegrounds or Buried City, you will have your Igniter ready for crafting in no time.
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