The Tempest has quickly become one of ARC Raiders’ standout assault rifles thanks to its mix of stability, fire rate, and dependable mid-range performance. It fires medium ammo at a rapid 36.7 rounds per second with 10 damage per shot, backed by a 25-round magazine and an effective range of almost 56 meters ARC Raiders Coins. With its naturally high stability at 78.9, it’s easy to control whether you’re tap-firing at distance or going full auto in tighter fights. It chews through players and lighter ARC units without much effort, though it does need upgrades before it can comfortably punch through heavy ARC armor.
You’ll find its blueprint in places like the Power Generation Complex in the Dam Battlegrounds or in Buried City’s secure lockers. Opening these usually requires the Security Breach skill since most weapon cases and higher-tier caches are locked behind it. The weapon itself can appear in mid- to high-tier loot containers, but the blueprint drops most consistently around puzzle areas and central structures rather than Harvester events. Once you have it, crafting at Gunsmith 3 only needs a Magnetic Accelerator, three Medium Gun Parts, and two Exodus Modules — a fairly manageable recipe for an endgame-capable rifle.
Upgrading the Tempest is where it really comes alive. The second tier cuts horizontal recoil and reload time noticeably while adding a chunk of durability, and the improvements scale aggressively with each upgrade. By the time you reach Tempest IV, recoil is cut in half, reloads are dramatically faster, and the rifle feels almost laser-steady even during long sprays. The material cost adds up — mostly Advanced Mechanical Components and Medium Gun Parts — but the result is one of the most stable rifles in the game.
When outfitted with a magazine mod, a foregrip, and a range-boosting barrel, the Tempest balances out its low stealth rating and somewhat heavy 11kg frame. In close quarters, full-auto fire wipes out ARC groups quickly, and at medium range its controlled bursts tend to win trades against aggressive players. It doesn’t pierce heavy ARC armor as well as a dedicated heavy-hitter, so pairing it with something like the Anvil helps cover that gap, especially on harder raids.
Keeping it repaired isn’t cheap, though the cost is worth it given how well the weapon performs. Early tiers repair for only a couple of mechanical components and gun parts, but higher levels ask for more, especially if you’re running extraction missions where durability drops fast. Still, the extra durability from each upgrade means you get far more use out of it compared to budget assault rifles like the Kettle. And if you ever scrap it, you’ll recover materials close to what you invested.
What keeps the Tempest at the top for many players is how adaptable it is. It’s easier to handle than the Bettina in PvP and far more forgiving than harder-hitting rifles like the Renegade ARC Raiders Boosting. It slots comfortably into both solo and squad play, and its ammo type is rarely in short supply. Most community guides rate it as the go-to AR, especially once the core upgrades are finished.
If you’re planning to run it consistently, focus on farming the Dam region, prioritize stability upgrades first, and tailor your mods to however you prefer to engage — aggressive pushes, long duels, or mixed-range fights. With the right setup, the Tempest becomes one of the most reliable weapons you can carry into ARC Raiders’ toughest encounters.
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