ARC Raiders How to Equip Medium Shield
You finally find a medium shield in ARC Raiders... and the game won’t let you equip it. No, your game isn’t bugged. You just don’t have the right augment installed yet. Here’s exactly what you need to do to make it work.
How to Equip a Medium Shield in ARC Raiders
To equip a medium shield, you must be running the correct augment. Medium shields only work with the Combat MK1 or Tactical MK1 augment equipped. Looting and Free Loadout augments only support light shields.
Head to your Raider Den and talk to Lance. Craft the Combat MK1 or Tactical MK1 augment at his crafting station. Then open your Loadout Station and equip the new augment. Once active, your medium shield slot will unlock and work as expected.
How the Shield and Augment System Works
Shields in ARC Raiders are tiered and locked behind specific augments. The system is designed to separate combat builds from looting and support builds. Here’s the breakdown:
Light shields work with Looting and Free Loadout augments
Medium shields require Combat or Tactical augments
Heavy shields are locked to higher-tier Combat augments later
If you try to equip a shield that doesn’t match your augment, the option simply stays grayed out. It’s the game’s quiet way of saying “wrong setup.”
Crafting and Upgrade Progression
To craft Combat MK1, gather basic materials like Metal, Rubber, and Fabric. These drop frequently from raids and salvaged enemies. Once crafted, upgrade your Equipment Bench to unlock faster builds and advanced augments later on.
After crafting both Combat MK1 and Tactical MK1, switch between them at the Loadout Station whenever you want. Medium shields are great middle-ground protection, offering solid defense without the heavy shield’s movement penalty.
Final Blurb
If you can’t equip that blue medium shield, you’re using the wrong augment. Swap to Combat MK1 or Tactical MK1 and it’ll work immediately. It’s not a bug, it’s just ARC Raiders being picky about who gets the good armor.
FAQ
Why can’t I equip my medium shield?
You’re using a Looting or Free Loadout augment, which only supports light shields. Switch to Combat MK1 or Tactical MK1.
Where do I get the Combat MK1 augment?
Talk to Lance in your Raider Den. You can craft it using basic materials like Metal, Rubber, and Fabric.
Can I swap augments anytime?
Yes. Use the Loadout Station to change augments freely once you’ve crafted them.
Do medium shields slow you down?
No, medium shields balance protection and mobility. Only heavy shields affect your movement speed.
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