Arc Queen encounters are among the most punishing fights in ARC Raiders, especially for players who don’t fully understand how her kit works. Most failed runs don’t end because of close combat, but because of overwhelming long-range pressure during Harvester events, where positioning mistakes are punished instantly, and third-party threats are constant.
This guide breaks down one of the most important community-discovered mechanics that dramatically reduces that pressure: countering the Arc Queen’s mortar attacks mid-flight. When executed correctly, this tactic turns one of her deadliest tools into a manageable part of the encounter rather than a run-ending threat.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why Arc Queen fights are so dangerous, especially during Harvester events
- How the Queen’s mortar attack actually works and why it’s so lethal at range
- How to identify the audio and visual tells for incoming mortar shells
- How and why mortar shells can be destroyed mid-air
- Which weapons are most reliable for shooting down mortars (and which struggle)
- How this tactic changes Arc Queen encounters in solo and squad play
- Common mistakes that still get players killed even after learning the counter
- Why mastering this mechanic matters as Arc Raiders’ difficulty continues to scale
TL;DR — Arc Queen Mortar Attack Explained
- The Threat: Arc Queens fire salvos of 2–5 mortar shells that can kill you from extreme range.
- Physical Projectiles: Those mortar shells are physical objects with hitboxes, not scripted AOE.
- The Counter: Follow the shell’s trajectory and destroy it mid-flight.
- Weapon Choice: Almost any weapon works, even low-tier guns, though some are more reliable than others.
- The Result: This removes the Queen’s ability to “chip” your health from across the map.
Why Arc Queen Fights are so Dangerous
The Arc Queen isn’t just scary because of close combat—she’s scary because she controls space. Mortars are one of her most consistent patterns; she uses them to pressure you even at extreme range, which is why “playing far back” often leads to a quick trip back to the lobby.
Even when you think you are safe, the Queen uses the Harvester defense as a home base to pressure you with:
- Long-range mortar strikes: Fired in repeating patterns throughout the fight.
- EMP effects: Disabling your kit at the worst possible moments.
- Persistent targeting: Distance does not equal protection when a Queen is on the map.
Can You Shoot Arc Queen Mortar Shells?
Yes—and that’s the entire trick.
Community footage and wiki data confirm that Arc Queen mortar shells are physical projectiles. They aren’t “magic” damage that appears on the ground; they have to travel from her to you.
The “Tell” and the Timing:
The game gives you a clear window to react. The Queen launches her salvo (usually 2–5 rounds), and you will hear a distinct audio cue paired with the visual of the shells arcing into the sky. Once you see the orange/red trajectory:
- Track its arc.
- Aim slightly ahead of its path (leading the shot).
- Shoot it before impact.
Once destroyed, the shell vanishes. This prevents the explosion entirely, along with the lingering fire/scorched ground effect that usually funnels players into bad positions.
Weapon Breakdown: What Works Best?
You don’t need a meta loadout to pull this off, but your choice of tool changes the “Skeet Shooting” difficulty.
| Weapon Type | Effectiveness | Why it works (or doesn’t) |
| Assault Rifles | High | The gold standard. Reliable, easy to track, and forgiving if you miss a shot. |
| SMGs | High | Great for “trace-and-pop” tracking, especially if the Queen has closed the distance. |
| Hairpin | High | Confirmed effective; rewards the precision this weapon is known for. |
| Pistols | Medium | Viable with good aim, but less forgiving due to magazine size. |
| Snipers | Medium | Overkill. While safe, a bolt-action miss is costly because the shell will land before your next shot. |
| Shotguns | Low | High risk. Wide pellet spread and sharp range falloff make hitting a small, distant shell inconsistent. |
Tactical Shift: Solo vs. Squad Context
Shooting down mortar shells doesn’t make the fight trivial, but it fundamentally changes the pacing. Instead of constantly being forced out of cover by red circles on the ground, you can hold your ground.
In Squads, use “Role Splitting”:
The Harvester event is fast-paced and often third-partied. In a squad, it is optimal for one player to stay on “Mortar Duty.” This player watches the skyline to clear incoming shells, while the other two focus on managing line-of-sight against the Queen’s laser, clearing “adds,” and watching for rival Raiders.
In Solo play:
It’s about the “look-up” rhythm. You must learn to listen for the launch, flick up to pop the shells, and immediately return your focus to the Queen or your nearest cover to avoid her EMP and laser follow-ups.
Common Mistakes Players Still Make
Even with this tactic, Queens punish sloppy play. Avoid these:
- The “Victory Pause”: Don’t stand still just because you popped a shell. The Queen often follows mortars with a laser or EMP.
- Tunnel Vision: Don’t stare at the sky so long that you lose track of the Queen’s movement or other Arcs closing in.
- The “Loot Rush” Trap: The Harvester and Queen are high-value targets. Killing the Queen usually acts as a “dinner bell” for every other Raider on the map. Queen dead ≠ safe.
- Forgetting the Fire: If you miss a mortar, the ground stays dangerous. Don’t back into a scorched zone while trying to dodge the Queen’s next attack.
Why This Matters for the Future of Arc Raiders
Embark is actively tuning encounter difficulty, and map-specific ratings (like the Dam and Spaceport) show that the environment is only getting more punishing. As Arc density increases, the Queen will become a more frequent gatekeeper for high-tier loot.
Learning these projectile counters now isn’t just a “pro tip”—it’s future-proofing your survival. Harvester runs are the lifeblood of progression, and being the player who can neutralise a Queen’s range advantage makes you an invaluable teammate.
In Arc Raiders, knowledge is power. And sometimes, power is just shooting the problem before it hits the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you shoot Arc Queen mortar shells in Arc Raiders?
Yes. Arc Queen mortar shells are physical projectiles with hitboxes, meaning they can be shot down mid-air before they land. Destroying the shell prevents both the initial explosion and the lingering fire zone, which removes a major source of long-range damage during the fight.
How do Arc Queen mortar attacks work?
The Arc Queen fires salvos of multiple mortar shells that arc through the air and land around player positions. These attacks are designed to control space rather than instantly kill, forcing players to reposition or risk being chipped down over time.
Why are Arc Queen fights so dangerous?
Arc Queen encounters are dangerous because she applies pressure across large distances while defending high-value objectives like Harvesters. Her mix of mortars, EMP effects, and follow-up attacks punishes hesitation and makes traditional “play safe at range” strategies ineffective.
What is the best way to counter Arc Queen mortars?
The most reliable counter is to track the mortar’s trajectory and destroy the shell before it hits the ground. This removes the Queen’s strongest zoning tool and allows players to maintain safer positions during the encounter.
What weapons are best for shooting down Arc Queen mortars?
Automatic weapons such as assault rifles and SMGs work best because they allow smooth tracking and quick follow-up shots. Consistency and reaction time matter more than raw damage output when intercepting shells.
Do you need a high-tier weapon to destroy Arc Queen mortars?
No. Mortar shells do not require high damage to destroy, so even low-tier firearms are effective. Players who can react quickly and aim consistently will succeed regardless of gear quality.
Are Arc Queen mortars unavoidable?
No. While mortars are extremely punishing if ignored, they are fully avoidable through proper counterplay. Shooting them down or repositioning immediately after a missed interception greatly reduces their threat.
How do you spot incoming Arc Queen mortar attacks?
The Queen provides both audio and visual tells before a mortar lands. Players will hear the launch and see glowing shells arc into the sky, creating a short but reliable window to react.
Do Arc Queen mortars track players?
Mortars are aimed based on player positioning at launch, but they do not actively track after being fired. Because they follow a fixed ballistic arc, players can predict their path and intercept them mid-flight.
Is it easier to fight the Arc Queen solo or in a squad?
Fighting the Arc Queen is generally easier in a squad because roles can be split. One player can focus on destroying incoming mortars while others manage positioning, lasers, and awareness of rival Raiders.
What mistakes do players commonly make against the Arc Queen?
Many players stand still after destroying a mortar, lose awareness while watching the sky, or rush loot immediately after the kill. These mistakes often lead to deaths from follow-up attacks or third-party Raiders.
Why does distance not protect you from the Arc Queen?
Distance offers little safety because the Queen’s mortars allow her to pressure players from extreme range. Staying far away without active counterplay often results in sustained damage and forced disengagement.
What happens if a mortar shell isn’t destroyed?
If a mortar lands, it explodes and leaves behind a scorched fire zone that remains dangerous for several seconds. These zones restrict movement and can push players into worse positions during follow-up attacks.
Why are Arc Queen fights often chaotic?
Arc Queen encounters typically occur at Harvesters, which attract multiple squads due to their high loot value. This creates constant pressure from other Raiders while the boss fight is still ongoing.
Why is learning to counter Arc Queen mortars important long-term?
As Arc Raiders continues to scale difficulty and increase Arc density, Arc Queen encounters are likely to become more common. Mastering mortar counterplay helps prevent unfair deaths and improves consistency across future runs.
