Small, fast, aggressive and well-armored, Hornets are among the most difficult ARC drones to encounter in Arc Raiders. You will come across them sooner or later, whether to complete a quest or collect precious materials. You still need to know where to look… and above all, how to eliminate them effectively.
These drones appear on almost every map in the game, often in the open and sometimes escorted by other units like the Wasps. The problem is that they take damage very well if you don’t have the right weapon. And they respond quickly and hard, targeting you with a red laser before sending you an electric wave that destroys your shields in a flash.
The Best Places to Spot Hornets
Hornets do not have a fixed location, but they regularly reappear in open areas, often high up. The ideal is to hunt them down in areas where the quests ask you to eliminate one. When a Hornet spots you, it emits a red beam and prepares to electrocute your character. So it’s best to stay mobile and ready to dodge.
If you are playing with a team, try to coordinate the attack: while one player attracts the drone, the others can shoot it in its weak points.
What weapon to use against the Hornets?
This is where strategy makes all the difference. “Make sure you have an Arc Raiders weapon that deals heavy damage to ARC armor, otherwise you’ll have a hell of a time destroying them.” So there’s no need to bother with a light machine gun. “Light ammo weapons are least effective against ARCs.”
Favor rifles or explosives that use medium to heavy ammunition. A good indicator: inspect your equipment in inventory to check for damage against armor. If the weapon is described as “effective against ARC”, you have what it takes.
Tactics for bringing down a Hornet quickly
Once you attract a Hornet, keep moving. The ideal is to aim at its two propellers to unbalance it. “I recommend aiming for the propellers again, as damaging them can cause the Hornet to fall and be destroyed on impact.”
This tip is particularly useful if you are short on firepower: by dropping the drone to the ground, it automatically explodes, which saves you from emptying your entire magazine.
Another detail not to be overlooked: “The Hornets leave behind pilots, who will be useful for certain quests.” Yet another reason not to ignore these flying enemies.