Best Ways to Farm Merits Fast in ARC Raiders — Get to 3,600 Merits (All Rewards)

ARC Raiders players know that Merits are the currency that powers event progression. In the Staking Our Claim event, collecting Merits is essential if you want to unlock all 24 rewards. This guide explains exactly how to earn Merits efficiently, with precise numbers, strategies, and session plans. By following these methods, you can reach the 3,600 Merits needed to claim every reward without wasting time.

Merits are earned by accumulating XP during event raids. Every 100 XP gives one Merit. XP can be earned by completing primary objectives, defeating bosses and elite enemies, looting caches, and successfully extracting at the end of a raid. All XP counts toward your total Merits, regardless of the map.

If you participated in Phase 1 donations, you could already have up to 900 Merits, which reduces the total grind significantly.

XP earned per session varies depending on your efficiency and map choice. Players typically report gains between 3,000 and 7,000 XP per session. For example, earning 5,000 XP per session results in 50 Merits, meaning about 72 runs are required to reach 3,600 Merits.

Knowing these numbers lets you plan your sessions and estimate how long it will take to reach all rewards.

There are three main approaches to farming Merits:

1. Short extraction loops — Ideal for solo or casual players, these runs focus on small objectives and quick extractions. While XP per run is lower, you can repeat them often.
2. High-XP objective runs — Best for groups, these runs involve completing full maps, defeating bosses, and finishing optional objectives. They take more time but give significantly higher XP.
3. Hybrid approach — Combines short loops with long objective runs while stacking daily or weekly quests, balancing risk and reward.

Short loops maximize speed, while high-XP runs reduce total sessions needed. Combining both approaches is often the most efficient way to reach 3,600 Merits quickly.

All maps in ARC Raiders contribute XP toward Merits, but some are far more efficient than others if your goal is to maximize XP per session. Stella Montis stands out as the most recommended map during the Staking Our Claim event. Its compact layout allows players to move quickly between objectives, and the high density of enemies ensures that almost every engagement provides valuable XP. In addition, objectives and caches are located close together, which reduces downtime between actions and increases XP per minute significantly.

While Stella Montis is ideal for repeated farming runs, rotating maps can help prevent fatigue and keep gameplay engaging. Maps with slightly longer paths or fewer objectives per area may take more time, but they still contribute to Merit totals. The key is to plan your route in advance, focusing on clusters of objectives and high-value enemy spawns. Players who memorize objective locations and enemy patterns are able to complete runs faster and extract more consistently, which leads to smoother progress toward the 3,600 Merit goal.

Furthermore, some maps feature environmental advantages that can speed up farming. For example, maps with elevated positions or choke points allow players to handle enemy waves efficiently while minimizing movement. Observing spawn points and predicting enemy patrols also ensures that you spend less time searching and more time earning XP. By combining map knowledge with efficient movement, you can optimize every run and steadily accumulate Merits without unnecessary repetition.

Maximizing XP during a raid requires careful planning and smart in-raid decisions. Always focus on primary objectives first, as they give the highest XP and are essential for progression. Once those are completed, move on to optional objectives and high-value enemies, which provide additional XP that can accelerate your Merit gains. Looting caches along the way also contributes to XP totals, making it worth the slight detour if you can complete it quickly. One of the most crucial aspects is safe extraction—dying before extraction results in lost XP, which can undo all of your hard work for that run.

Additionally, avoid staying in one area too long. Moving efficiently between objectives and planning the shortest path through enemy clusters increases your XP per minute dramatically. Use environmental features like cover points and high ground to control engagements while minimizing unnecessary movement. Observing enemy spawn patterns allows you to predict where they will appear next, enabling continuous action rather than downtime. Teams that communicate and coordinate on objective priorities can maximize XP even further, while solo players should focus on mobility and smart engagement choices to avoid wasted time.

By combining careful map selection with these in-raid tactics, players can consistently earn high XP, farm Merits efficiently, and reach the 3,600 Merit goal faster than through random or unplanned runs.

The right loadout improves farming efficiency. Solo players should focus on mobility and survivability, while groups benefit from defined roles.

Recommended roles for 2–3 player groups:

• Objective Runner: Focuses on completing primary targets quickly.
• Looter: Collects caches for additional XP.
• Reviver: Keeps teammates alive to prevent lost XP.

Loadout examples:

• Speed-focused: Lightweight weapons for fast objective completion.
• Survivable: High armor and shield abilities for enduring boss fights.
• Burst XP: High-damage weapons for rapid elimination of bosses.

Matching roles and loadouts to your group composition ensures consistent XP gains and faster Merit accumulation.

Planning your sessions is key. Assume your average XP per run and schedule enough runs daily to maintain steady progress. If you earn 5,000 XP per session, completing three runs per day gives 150 Merits, meaning 24 days to reach 3,600 Merits. Phase 1 donors starting with 900 Merits can reduce this to just 18 days.

In addition to XP earned from regular raids, players can gain extra Merits through special event mechanics, which can significantly reduce the grind to 3,600. One of the main sources is Phase 1 donations. Players who contributed resources early in the event could receive up to 900 Merits upfront, giving them a substantial head start. Even if you didn’t participate in Phase 1, it’s important to take advantage of ongoing bonus mechanics throughout the event.

Daily and weekly quests are another reliable source of XP and, consequently, Merits. Aligning your event runs with these quests can provide extra XP that stacks with your raid progress. For example, completing a weekly objective while running a high-density map like Stella Montis can yield both the quest reward and base XP for Merits simultaneously, making your grind much more efficient.

Additionally, keep an eye out for temporary XP multipliers, which often appear during special timed events. These multipliers can significantly boost the XP earned per run, making even shorter sessions more rewarding. By combining these bonuses with efficient farming strategies—smart map selection, optimal loadouts, and safe extractions—players can reach 3,600 Merits faster while reducing repetitive grinding.

Many players encounter avoidable mistakes while farming Merits. Being aware of these pitfalls can save time and frustration:

• Waiting until the last minute: Event deadlines are strict. Players who postpone farming risk missing rewards entirely. Start early and track progress regularly.
• Losing XP due to death or disconnects: Dying before extraction results in a complete loss of XP for that run. Always prioritize safe extraction, especially when carrying caches or completing objectives.
• Misunderstanding map contributions: Some players mistakenly believe only Stella Montis counts toward Merits. In reality, all maps contribute XP, so it’s okay to rotate maps for variety while still making progress.
• Overextending objectives: Chasing optional objectives too far from main goals can waste time. Focus on the most efficient path through the map to maximize XP per minute.

By keeping these pitfalls in mind, you can maintain a steady, reliable progression toward 3,600 Merits.

A structured routine ensures you make the most of each play session and steadily progress toward your Merit goal. Here’s an optimized daily checklist:

1. Log in and check your current Merit total to determine your target for the session.
2. Equip your optimized loadout and assign roles if playing in a group to balance efficiency and survivability.
3. Complete primary objectives first, as they yield the highest XP and provide the foundation for your run.
4. Loot nearby caches and defeat high-value enemies, adding bonus XP along the way.
5. Finish optional objectives if time permits, but avoid spending too much time on less important tasks.
6. Extract safely to secure all XP earned. Prioritize paths that minimize exposure to dangerous enemy clusters.
7. Log XP and Merits earned and plan your next session based on remaining targets and available bonuses.

Following this routine consistently helps players maintain a steady Merit accumulation rate while minimizing wasted time and effort.