The Rocketeer is one of the most feared machines in ARC Raiders. It is a large, heavily armored flying ARC that dominates open spaces with powerful missile launchers, and even well-equipped squads can struggle if they misplay it. The reward is worth the risk, because the Rocketeer is a source of the Rocketeer Driver for crafting progression. This guide explains how it works, where to aim and three ways to kill it depending on your gear.
The short answer
You kill a Rocketeer by taking away its mobility and respecting its missile cycle. Shoot the thrusters, use cover when it fires, and reposition after each barrage. For gear, a guide says Wolfpack grenades are the fastest option, and the Ferro I is the cheapest weapon that can kill one solo. One source lists the Rocketeer at 1,100 health.
- Find a position with cover and room to move.
- Choose your method: Wolfpack grenades, a Ferro I loadout or a squad plan.
- Aim at the thrusters to disrupt it.
- Take cover during missile barrages and reposition afterward.
- Finish it with focused fire or a second grenade.
- Loot the Rocketeer Driver and other drops, then leave the area.
Why players get stuck
The Rocketeer fires huge missile barrages with massive area damage, so standing in the open is a mistake. It is also a flying machine, which means it moves quickly and is harder to hit than a ground ARC. Many players waste ammunition by shooting at the armor instead of the weak points. Others try to fight it with a loadout that cannot deal enough damage, and run out of ammo before it falls.
Where to aim
The most repeated advice is to shoot the thrusters. A guide on the machine says that the simple answer to killing it faster is to target its thrusters, and that destroying them destabilizes the enemy. Do not tunnel vision on damage, and reposition after each rocket cycle. If you are unsure where the thrusters are, watch a video before the fight and look for the glowing parts on the machine’s body.
The three main methods
Method 1: Wolfpack grenades
A guide describes Wolfpack grenades as the fastest way to kill a Rocketeer. One grenade explodes into 10 to 12 missiles that automatically target nearby ARC machines, and it can almost kill a Rocketeer in a single throw. If you have access to them, they save time and ammunition. Throw one, take cover, and finish the Rocketeer with a few precise shots if it survives.
Method 2: the cheap Ferro I solo
The Ferro I is described as the cheapest gun in the game that can effectively kill a Rocketeer solo. This is the right choice if you want to farm Rocketeer Drivers without risking expensive equipment. The plan is simple: use cover, peek out to fire at the thrusters, then step back when the Rocketeer begins a missile barrage. It takes more patience than grenades, but it is cheap and repeatable.
Method 3: the squad plan
In a squad, one player can draw attention while others shoot the thrusters. Keep the team spread out so one barrage does not hit everyone, and agree on a signal for when to take cover. Squads kill the Rocketeer faster, but they also draw attention from other raiders, so plan your exit before you start.
Loadout checklist
- Weapon: a Ferro I for the cheap solo plan, or any weapon that can hit thrusters accurately.
- Grenades: Wolfpack grenades if you have them, since they are the fastest method.
- Shield and healing: bring enough to survive a mistake, since barrages deal large damage.
- Ammo: pack more than you think you need, and reload during cover.
- Escape route: know where you will go once the fight is over.
Step-by-step solo plan
- Scout the area. Find a wall, building or rock that blocks line of sight.
- Open from cover. Peek out, fire at the thrusters, then step back.
- Watch the missile cycle. When it starts a barrage, go behind cover immediately.
- Reposition. After each barrage, move to a new position so you do not become predictable.
- Keep your health up. Heal behind cover, not in the open.
- Finish it fast. Do not let the fight drag on, since other raiders may arrive.
Why farm the Rocketeer Driver
The Rocketeer Driver is a component used for crafting progression, which is why many players search for how to kill the machine. A guide describes it as an important milestone, and some players farm Rocketeers repeatedly with a cheap loadout. If you are going to farm it, choose a method you can repeat without losing money, like the Ferro I plan.
Common mistakes
- Shooting the armor. Hits on armor waste ammo, so go for the thrusters.
- Standing in the open. Missile barrages punish players without cover.
- Staying in one position. Reposition after each barrage.
- Using a weak loadout. If you cannot deal enough damage, the Rocketeer wins on attrition.
- Ignoring other raiders. The noise of the fight can attract players, so plan your exit.
If you keep failing
- If you die to missiles, use hard cover and move after every barrage.
- If you run out of ammo, aim at thrusters or switch to Wolfpack grenades.
- If the fight takes too long, bring a teammate and share the load.
- If it keeps flying out of reach, wait for it to commit to an attack, then shoot.
- If you lose gear, switch to the cheap Ferro I plan so a failure costs less.
Understanding the missile cycle
The Rocketeer is dangerous because its attacks come in cycles. It positions itself, fires a barrage and then gives you a short window before the next one. Your job is to learn that rhythm. Fire during the quiet moments, take cover as soon as the barrage begins and move to a new position before it starts again. A player who treats the cycle as a pattern, not as random danger, takes far less damage and wastes far fewer shots.
Roles in a squad
If you bring teammates, give everyone a clear job. One player can act as bait, staying visible at a safe distance so the Rocketeer keeps facing them. Two others can move to the sides and shoot the thrusters. A fourth player can watch for other raiders and for smaller ARC machines that arrive because of the noise. Even a duo can split the jobs, with one player shooting and the other watching the surroundings.
Building a repeatable farm
If your goal is to collect Rocketeer Drivers, think about repeatability. Choose a cheap loadout that you can afford to lose, learn a few reliable locations with good cover and keep your route short. The Ferro I plan is popular for this reason. A farm run that costs very little and takes a few minutes is better than a perfect kill that burns expensive gear. Track your results and change your position or weapon if a run goes badly.
Handling the aftermath
When the Rocketeer falls, the area is noisy and obvious. Loot quickly, check your health and ammunition and leave. Do not stay to admire the kill. If you have teammates, one of them should watch for threats while the others collect the drops. The best Rocketeer runs end with an extraction, not with a long wait in the open.
Staying safe while you farm
Repeated Rocketeer runs build habits, and habits can get you killed. Do not use the same position every time, because other raiders learn where players like to fight. Check your surroundings before you take the first shot, keep your exit open and never loot with your back to the open. If a run goes wrong, leave. A lost cheap loadout is a small price, but a lost full kit is a setback that can take hours to recover from.
Recap
The Rocketeer is a missile-heavy flying ARC with around 1,100 health. Shoot the thrusters, break line of sight during barrages, reposition and pick the method that matches your gear: Wolfpack grenades for speed, a Ferro I for a cheap solo plan, or a squad for safety. The Rocketeer Driver makes the effort worthwhile.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I shoot a Rocketeer?
At the thrusters. Destroying them destabilizes the machine and makes it easier to finish.
How much health does a Rocketeer have?
One guide lists it at 1,100 health, though numbers can change with updates.
What is the fastest way to kill a Rocketeer?
Wolfpack grenades. One grenade releases 10 to 12 missiles that target nearby ARCs and can almost kill a Rocketeer in one hit.
Can I kill a Rocketeer solo?
Yes. The Ferro I is described as the cheapest gun that can kill one solo, using cover and peek-and-shoot tactics.
What does the Rocketeer drop?
The Rocketeer Driver, a crafting component that many players farm for progression.
Is it better to fight a Rocketeer indoors?
Not necessarily. Indoor fights limit its flight, but they also limit your escape. Choose a spot with solid cover and at least one exit route.