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Arc Raiders: Heavy Shield Craft Guide for Players

Posted: February 3rd, 2026, 8:45 am
by StarborneEcho
What Is the Heavy Shield?

The Heavy Shield is a shield item in Arc Raiders that provides a significant defense boost but comes with some downsides. It blocks a large portion of incoming damage, offering a high level of protection to players. However, this protection comes at a cost: it significantly reduces your mobility, making it harder to move around quickly.

Damage Mitigation: 52.5%

Movement Penalty: -15%

Shield Charge: 80

Weight: 9.0

This means that while you’ll be able to tank a lot of hits, you’ll need to be more strategic in your positioning since you won’t be able to dodge or maneuver as fast as you could with other shields.

How Do You Get the Heavy Shield?

There are a few ways to get the Heavy Shield in Arc Raiders:

Scavenging: The shield can be found in various locations through scavenging. This requires exploring different areas and hoping to come across this high-quality shield during your adventures.

Crafting: If you have the necessary resources and access to a Gear Bench, you can craft the Heavy Shield.

Buying from Lance: Lance sells the Heavy Shield for 5,500 coins, allowing you to skip the crafting and scavenging process if you have enough in-game currency.

If you're in need of blueprints, you can always buy Arc Raiders blueprints for PC to speed up your crafting process.

What Do You Need to Craft the Heavy Shield?

To craft the Heavy Shield, you’ll need to gather the following materials:

1 Power Rod

2 Voltage Converters

Once you have these materials, you can craft the shield at a Gear Bench 2. The crafting process is relatively simple, but acquiring these materials requires some time and effort. Make sure to gather everything you need before attempting to craft.

What Are the Pros and Cons of the Heavy Shield?
Pros:

Strong Damage Mitigation: With a 52.5% damage mitigation, the Heavy Shield is one of the best options for players who prefer a tanking role, soaking up incoming damage.

Great for Defensive Playstyles: If your strategy revolves around holding the line and absorbing hits while your team focuses on offense, the Heavy Shield is an excellent choice.

Cons:

Movement Penalty: The -15% movement penalty makes it harder to reposition, escape danger, or chase down enemies.

Heavy Weight: With a weight of 9.0, it can slow you down, making you more vulnerable to ranged attacks and limiting your ability to dodge incoming threats.

Requires Compatible Augments: To use the Heavy Shield, you need to wear a compatible augment such as Combat Mk. 2, Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive), or Tactical Mk. 3 (Defensive). This limits the flexibility of your gear choices.

Can You Repair the Heavy Shield?

Like most gear in Arc Raiders, the Heavy Shield will eventually take damage and need repairs. To repair the Heavy Shield, you’ll need the following materials:

2 ARC Circuitry

1 Voltage Converter

Once you have the materials, you can repair the shield and bring it back to full durability. Repairing shields is an important part of maintaining your gear, especially in longer missions where you take continuous damage.

Can You Salvage or Recycle the Heavy Shield?

If you no longer need the Heavy Shield or it’s damaged beyond repair, you can recycle it for valuable materials or salvage it for resources. Recycling the Heavy Shield gives you:

2 ARC Circuitry

1 Voltage Converter

On the other hand, salvaging it provides:

4 ARC Alloy

These materials are useful for crafting or upgrading other equipment, so even if you don’t need the shield anymore, recycling or salvaging is a good way to gain some resources.

How Should You Use the Heavy Shield in Battle?

Using the Heavy Shield effectively requires understanding its strengths and limitations:

Play defensively: Since the shield provides excellent damage mitigation, it's best used by players who plan to tank for their team. Stand at the front of your squad to absorb damage while your teammates focus on dealing damage.

Positioning is Key: Due to the movement penalty, you’ll need to be strategic with your positioning. Stay in areas where you can take advantage of cover and avoid getting flanked.

Combination with Aggressive Augments: If you pair the Heavy Shield with an augment like Combat Mk. 3 (Aggressive), you can mitigate some of the downsides of the shield’s mobility penalty by boosting your offensive capabilities.

It’s also important to remember that this shield isn’t ideal for players who prefer hit-and-run tactics or need to move quickly around the map. If you rely on speed and agility, you might want to consider other shields that don’t come with such significant movement penalties.

Is the Heavy Shield Worth It?

The Heavy Shield is perfect for players who value survival and are okay with sacrificing some mobility. If you’re in a situation where absorbing damage is more important than speed—such as defending a key objective or acting as a tank for your team—the Heavy Shield is a great choice. However, if you prefer agility and quick movements, this shield may not be the best option for you.

The decision to use the Heavy Shield depends largely on your playstyle and the type of missions you’re taking on. If you’re planning to stick to defensive roles, the Heavy Shield can help you hold the line and protect your team, especially if you pair it with the right augment.


The Heavy Shield in Arc Raiders is a valuable asset for defensive-minded players. It provides excellent damage mitigation at the cost of reduced mobility, making it a solid choice for players who prioritize durability over agility. Crafting it requires some effort, but it’s worth the investment if you plan on being the team’s tank. Whether you’re scavenging, crafting, or buying the shield, understanding how it works in practice will help you make the most out of its capabilities.

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