Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter, so standard FPS flick routines only get you halfway. You need drills that account for an over-the-shoulder camera, constant repositioning behind cover, and mixed PvEvP engagements against both robotic Arc enemies and real players. Below is a complete aim-training plan built around the mechanics that actually matter in Arc Raiders.
Updated 2026-09-01
Most aim trainers default to first-person scenarios. Arc Raiders places the camera behind and above your character, which shifts your point of aim toward the center-right of the screen rather than dead center. Targets sit at different vertical planes because you peek from cover, lean around obstacles, and fire while strafing laterally. The game also mixes PvE robot encounters with PvP extraction fights, meaning you switch between tracking large, predictable Arc units and snapping onto smaller, erratic player silhouettes within the same raid.
Embark Studios, the developer behind Arc Raiders, built the game on a foundation of realistic ballistics and movement weight. Gunplay rewards precision on weak points rather than spray volume. Because of this, raw flick speed matters less than crosshair discipline and smooth target following. Training should reflect that priority.
Before you start any drill, lock in a sensitivity you can reproduce across every game you play. The most reliable method is cm/360 — the physical distance your mouse travels to rotate your character a full 360 degrees. A lower cm/360 value means faster turning; a higher value means more precision per centimeter of hand movement.
For third-person shooters with mid-range combat like Arc Raiders, many players settle between 25 cm/360 and 45 cm/360. That range gives enough speed to track strafing targets while still allowing fine corrections on weak points. Use a cm/360 calculator to convert your current DPI and in-game sensitivity into a cm/360 value, then adjust until the crosshair follows your intention without overshooting.
If you play other shooters alongside Arc Raiders, an eDPI calculator helps you match the feel across titles. Keep one physical sensitivity and let the math handle conversion. Changing sensitivity between games trains conflicting muscle memory and slows your progress.
This routine targets the three core skills Arc Raiders tests: tracking, flick acquisition, and target switching. Run it before your first raid of the session or as a standalone practice block.
The over-the-shoulder camera introduces errors that do not exist in first-person games. Recognizing them early saves weeks of bad habits.
Your mouse sensor, mousepad surface, and monitor refresh rate all influence how aim training translates to in-game results.
Mouse weight and shape: A lighter mouse (under 80 grams) reduces fatigue during long sessions and allows faster micro-adjustments. Shape is personal — try to find one that lets you grip comfortably without clenching, because tension in your hand kills fine motor control.
Mousepad size: If your cm/360 is above 30, you need a pad wide enough to complete a full swipe without lifting. A pad that is at least 40 cm wide prevents the common problem of running out of surface mid-fight and having to reset.
Monitor refresh rate: A higher refresh rate (144 Hz or above) reduces perceived input lag and makes tracking drills feel more responsive. The improvement is most noticeable when following fast-moving targets, which is a constant in Arc Raiders PvE encounters.
Polling rate: A 1000 Hz polling rate is standard for competitive play. Lower values (125 Hz or 250 Hz) introduce visible cursor stepping at high speeds, which can throw off your flick accuracy without you realizing the cause.
Pure PvP shooters let you focus on one opponent archetype — another human with roughly predictable movement. Arc Raiders splits your attention. Robotic Arc enemies have distinct movement patterns, telegraph attacks, and expose weak points on timers. Human opponents strafe unpredictably, use advanced movement tech, and shoot back with intent.
Your training routine should reflect both threat types. Tracking drills prepare you for the steady, sweeping movements of large Arc units. Flick and reaction drills prepare you for the sudden appearance of a player around a corner during extraction. Target-switching drills prepare you for the worst-case scenario: fighting robots while a player squad pushes your position.
Prioritize whichever encounter gives you the most trouble. If you consistently lose PvP fights during extraction, spend more time on flick and reaction work. If Arc robots drain your health because you cannot hit weak points fast enough, extend your tracking block. Adjust the routine balance every week based on where you actually die in-game.
Aim training without measurement is just clicking. Record your scores after each session — most aim trainers display accuracy percentage, average reaction time, and total score. Track these numbers in a simple spreadsheet or notes app.
Look for two signals. First, your accuracy should trend upward over two to three weeks. If it stalls, your sensitivity might need a small adjustment, or you might be training on autopilot without focus. Second, your in-game performance should reflect your trainer gains. If your gridshot score climbs but you still whiff shots in Arc Raiders, the drills you are using may not match the game well enough. Swap in scenarios that more closely replicate TPS camera angles and engagement distances.
Increase drill difficulty every time your accuracy consistently exceeds 85 percent. Staying at a comfortable level feels productive but stops building new skill. Smaller targets, faster movement, and shorter reaction windows force adaptation.
This guide covers general aim-training principles applied to Arc Raiders. Specific in-game sensitivity scales or weapon statistics may change as the game receives updates.
Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. The camera sits behind and above your character in an over-the-shoulder view, which changes how you aim compared to traditional FPS games.
There is no single correct value. Most TPS players find a cm/360 between 25 and 45 comfortable. Use a cm/360 calculator to find your current value, test it in aim drills, and adjust until your crosshair tracks targets without overshooting.
A 20 to 30 minute routine before your first session is enough. Longer sessions cause fatigue that hurts your actual gameplay. Consistency across days matters more than a single marathon session.
Yes, the core mechanics of tracking, flicking, and target switching transfer across perspectives. The main difference is crosshair placement habits — you need to consciously adjust for the offset camera when returning to Arc Raiders after training in a first-person environment.
Base it on where you struggle. If Arc robots drain your health because you miss weak points, focus on tracking drills. If you lose player fights during extraction, prioritize flick and reaction training. Review your recent deaths to decide.
A lighter mouse reduces wrist fatigue and allows faster micro-corrections, both of which help during extended raids. The difference is subtle at first but compounds over hours of play.