If you’ve ever been mid-raid in Arc Raiders and realized your backpack is full while there’s still premium loot on the floor, chances are you chose the wrong Augment. Augments are one of the most consequential choices you’ll make before heading Topside — they dictate your carry capacity, shield compatibility, safe pockets, and any passive perks that can genuinely change how a raid plays out.
This guide covers every Arc Raiders Augment currently in the game, updated as of the Riven Tides update (May 2026), including the newest additions, stats, perks, and recommendations to help you build the right loadout.
What Are Augments in Arc Raiders?
Augments are wearable devices that Raiders equip before deploying Topside. They form the backbone of your inventory and loadout system, determining:
- Backpack Slots — the number of standard inventory spaces available
- Quick-Use Slots — fast-access item slots for consumables
- Weight Limit — the maximum total weight of items you can carry (in kg)
- Safe Pocket Slots — slots that protect specific items if you’re knocked out (weapons excluded)
- Shield Compatibility — whether you can equip Light, Medium, or Heavy shields
- Augmented Slots — dedicated spaces for specific item categories like grenades, trinkets, or medical items
- Passive Perks — unique abilities on Mk.2 and Mk.3 Augments that activate under specific conditions
You lock your Augment in before a raid. You cannot swap or remove it while deployed Topside, so choose carefully. If you’re knocked out, your Augment loses 15% durability (reduced from 30% as of the Riven Tides balance patch). Once it hits zero, you’ll need to repair or replace it.
Understanding how to extract successfully in Arc Raiders is only half the equation — having an Augment built for your objective is what makes the difference between a profitable run and an empty-handed trip back to Speranza.
Arc Raiders Augment Types Explained
There are three Augment categories, each catering to a different playstyle:
- Combat Augments — Prioritize shield compatibility (including Heavy shield access) and combat-focused perks like health regeneration. Trade-off: lower backpack space.
- Looting Augments — Maximize inventory space, weight capacity, and safe pockets. Trade-off: generally limited to Light or Medium shields.
- Tactical Augments — Offer a balance of utility slots, Quick-Use slots, and reactive perks like smoke screens or revival tools. Trade-off: moderate in most stats.
All Arc Raiders Augments — Full List (2026)
As of the Riven Tides update, there are 16 Augments in Arc Raiders spread across three Mark tiers. Here is a complete breakdown of every Augment:
Free Loadout Augment
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 14 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 35 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 0 |
| Shield Support | Light only |
| Augmented Slots | None |
| Perk | None |
The Free Loadout Augment is what you get when you opt for a free loadout. It has a severely limited weight cap and no safe pockets — it’s a last resort, not a playstyle. You can’t swap it mid-raid either, so if you go in with this, you’re committed to a very lean run.
Mk.1 Augments
All Mk.1 Augments are craftable at Gear Bench Level 1 and cost 6x Rubber Parts + 6x Plastic Parts. They are the entry point for every playstyle.
Looting Mk.1
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 18 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 50 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light only |
| Augmented Slots | None |
| Perk | None |
The best Mk.1 option for farming runs. High slot count and a solid weight limit make it ideal for early-game players who want to haul as much as possible. The Light-only shield is a weakness in PvP, but if you’re avoiding fights, this is a great starter Augment.
Tactical Mk.1
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 15 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 40 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | None |
| Perk | None |
The extra Quick-Use slot is useful for players who rely on consumables, but the 40 kg weight limit is noticeably low. The Medium shield access gives it a survivability edge over Looting Mk.1 in PvP encounters.
Combat Mk.1
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 16 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 45 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | None |
| Perk | None |
A balanced Mk.1 that offers solid weight capacity and Medium shield access. It’s the most well-rounded option at this tier — a good stepping stone toward Combat Mk.2 or Mk.3 builds. Developers have noted that combat-oriented Augments are underperforming overall and have flagged them for a general balancing pass.
Mk.2 Augments
Mk.2 Augments require Gear Bench Level 2 and introduce Augmented Slots and passive perks — this is where your playstyle identity really starts to take shape. They’re also available from Lance’s vendor inventory.
Looting Mk.2
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 22 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 60 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 2 |
| Shield Support | Light only |
| Augmented Slots | 3 Trinket Slots |
| Perk | Automatically throws Tick grenades after 1 second |
A serious carry machine. The 22 backpack slots and 60 kg limit make this one of the highest-capacity Augments in the game. The trinket slots don’t compete with your main inventory, and the auto-throw Tick perk adds passive area denial during hectic moments. Still restricted to Light shields, so stay out of direct combat.
Tactical Mk.2
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 17 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 45 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | 1 Utility Slot |
| Perk | Deploys a smoke grenade on shield break (with cooldown) |
The smoke grenade perk is one of the most tactically powerful abilities in the game. The moment your shield breaks, an instant smoke cloud deploys — giving you immediate cover to reposition, retreat, or heal. This has saved countless raids and makes Tactical Mk.2 one of the most underrated Augments at the Mk.2 tier.
Combat Mk.2
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 18 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 55 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium / Heavy |
| Augmented Slots | 1 Grenade Slot |
| Perk | Regenerates 1 HP every 5 seconds (pauses for 30 seconds on taking damage) |
The only Mk.2 Augment with Heavy shield access. If you’re running aggressive PvP builds and want the maximum shield protection available, Combat Mk.2 gets you there. The passive health regen is a slow trickle, but it adds up on long raids where you’re not constantly taking hits. Given the challenges around dealing with elite enemies like the Bastion, the Heavy shield compatibility here can genuinely be a lifesaver.
Mk.3 Augments
Mk.3 Augments are the endgame tier, requiring Gear Bench Level 3. They all come with perks and are split into named variants. These are crafted from blueprints, which drop from containers and events — Security containers tend to be the most reliable source for Augment blueprints. Night Raid is also a recommended map condition for blueprint farming due to its increased loot quality.
Looting Mk.3 (Survivor)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 20 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 80 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 3 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | 1 Utility Slot |
| Perk | Massive carry capacity for extended loot runs |
The dominant Augment in the current meta. An 80 kg weight limit, 3 safe pockets, and a utility slot make this the most complete Augment in the game for looting-focused players. Internal developer data has confirmed this is the most-equipped Augment in the game by a wide margin, to the point where the development team has acknowledged it needs to be addressed in a future balancing pass. Use it while it’s at full strength.
Looting Mk.3 (Cautious)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 24 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 70 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 2 |
| Shield Support | Light only |
| Augmented Slots | None |
| Perk | Triggers an Adrenaline Shot on shield break (with cooldown) |
The highest raw backpack slot count in the game. If pure volume is your goal and you’re confident in avoiding direct combat, this Augment lets you scoop up more items per run than anything else. The Adrenaline Shot perk is a solid emergency response when things go sideways.
Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 18 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 65 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium / Heavy |
| Augmented Slots | 2 Trinket Slots |
| Perk | Preserves your primary weapon (Epic or Legendary) on death |
Added in the Headwinds update, the Safekeeper solves one of the most painful problems in Arc Raiders — losing your best weapon on death. If you’re running an Epic or Legendary gun, this Augment acts as insurance, keeping your primary safe even if you get knocked. The Heavy shield support is an unexpected bonus for a looting-type Augment.
Tactical Mk.2 → Tactical Mk.3 (Healing)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 16 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 55 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 3 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | 3 Medical Slots |
| Perk | Triggers a healing cloud on revive (20 HP over 10 seconds, 30-second cooldown) |
The dedicated medic Augment. Three Medical Slots keep healing items always accessible without eating into your main inventory, and the healing cloud on revive makes you far more effective at bringing teammates back up. Ideal for team-focused or co-op play.
Tactical Mk.3 (Revival)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 16 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 50 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light only |
| Augmented Slots | 1 Defibrillator Slot |
| Perk | Regenerates 1 HP every 5 seconds (pauses 30 seconds on damage) |
Added in the Headwinds update, the Revival Augment bakes a Defibrillator directly into your loadout — a strong self-sufficiency tool, especially for solo players. The Light-only shield restricts its combat viability, but the built-in revive capability and constant health regen give you strong survivability on longer expeditions.
Tactical Mk.3 (Smoke)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 17 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 5 |
| Weight Limit | 50 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 2 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium |
| Augmented Slots | 1 Utility Slot |
| Perk | Enhanced smoke ability for escape and repositioning |
Added in the Riven Tides update, the Smoke Mk.3 is the upgraded evolution of the Tactical Mk.2’s signature perk. Blueprint drops are available from standard epic-tier loot locations — the Medical Research area and Security office in Stella Montis are good starting points. Night Raid conditions on Riven Tides also improve blueprint drop odds.
Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) / Combat Mk.3 (Flanking)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpack Slots | 18 |
| Quick-Use Slots | 4 |
| Weight Limit | 64 kg |
| Safe Pocket Slots | 1 |
| Shield Support | Light / Medium / Heavy |
| Augmented Slots | 2 Grenade Slots (Aggressive) / 1 Grenade Slot (Flanking) |
| Perk | Regenerates 2 HP every 5 seconds (pauses 30 seconds on damage) |
The top-end Combat options. The Aggressive variant doubles down on grenades while the Flanking variant trades one grenade slot for slightly better inventory balance. Both provide Heavy shield access and the strongest health regen passive in the game. As Embark Studios has confirmed a general Augment balancing pass is coming — specifically to buff underperforming Combat Augments — now is a good time to invest in Combat blueprints before they potentially get stronger.
How to Get Arc Raiders Augments
There are two main ways to obtain Augments:
Crafting at the Gear Bench — The most reliable method. Mk.1 Augments unlock at Bench Level 1, Mk.2 at Level 2, and Mk.3 at Level 3. You’ll need an Augment Blueprint and the required materials. Make sure you know how to upgrade your workbench early to unlock higher-tier crafting.
Finding them in the world — Augments drop from containers and can also be looted from other players. Security containers have the best odds for Augment blueprints. You can also pick up crafted Augments from Lance’s vendor if you’d rather skip the grind.
Augment durability decreases by 15% per knockdown (updated in the Riven Tides patch from the previous 30% per death). Keep an eye on durability and repair before it hits zero.
Best Arc Raiders Augments — Quick Recommendations
Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick-reference guide by playstyle:
| Playstyle | Recommended Augment |
|---|---|
| Farming & Looting | Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) |
| High-Value Item Protection | Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper) |
| Maximum Inventory Slots | Looting Mk.3 (Cautious) |
| Solo Survival | Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) |
| Team Support / Co-op | Tactical Mk.3 (Healing) |
| PvP / Heavy Combat | Combat Mk.3 (Aggressive) |
| Tactical Escape Builds | Tactical Mk.2 or Tactical Mk.3 (Smoke) |
| Budget / Early Game | Looting Mk.1 or Combat Mk.1 |
Augment Balancing — What’s Coming Next
Embark Studios has publicly acknowledged that the current Augment ecosystem is imbalanced. The Looting Mk.3 (Survivor) is so dominant that, once players unlock its blueprint, they rarely use anything else. Combat Augments in particular have been flagged as underperforming across the board — their shield compatibility advantages don’t compensate for the stat gaps compared to Looting options.
A general Augment balancing pass was confirmed in the Riven Tides patch notes, with explicit developer commentary that Combat Augments will be buffed. Whether that affects Survivor’s dominance remains to be seen, but it’s worth keeping an eye on future patch notes — especially heading into the upcoming Frozen Trail update planned for October 2026.
If you want to stay ahead of these changes, check out everything confirmed so far about the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update and the new map coming to Arc Raiders in 2026.
Final Tips
- You cannot swap Augments mid-raid — choose before deploying
- Augmented Slots (trinket, grenade, medical) are separate from your main backpack and don’t compete for space
- Augment durability only decreases on death, not on damage
- Security containers are your best bet for Augment blueprint drops
- Night Raid map conditions improve blueprint drop rates significantly
- Keep an eye on the upcoming Combat Augment buffs — they may shake up the meta considerably
Whether you’re heading into the Rust Belt to loot hard, fight harder, or support your squad, there’s an Augment built for your objective. Pick the one that matches your raid plan — and don’t forget to repair it before the next run.
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