For once, ARC Raiders is giving you room to breathe. During the Shared Watch event (Feb 10–24, 2026), it's strictly PvE, so picking fights with other squads is just noise. The real progress comes from Merit, earned by dropping ARC machines, and you'll feel that shift fast when you check the track and start planning routes around spawns. If you're still sorting your loadout or wondering what's worth keeping, it helps to browse ARC Raiders Items before you queue so you're not hauling junk you won't use.

Build a squad that actually works

Solo runs can be satisfying, sure, but they're a slow way to clear this event. You want roles, not vibes. One player focused on keeping shields and heals flowing makes everyone else braver. Another should bring sustained damage for chunky targets, not just flashy burst. Then add someone who's comfortable controlling space—stuns, slows, anything that stops a swarm from sitting on your ankles. Public squads aren't perfect, but even a halfway-coordinated team farms Merit faster than a hero run where you're constantly resetting after a bad pull.

Chase Merit, not every gunfight

Common machines are fine for warming up, but Elite Machines are where the points and momentum come from. You'll notice the difference immediately in how quickly the track moves when you focus on higher-value targets. Keep an eye on event objectives too; they're basically built-in shortcuts, and ignoring them is like leaving free Merit on the floor. A lot of players burn time clearing everything "just in case." Don't. Tag what matters, commit, and move on before the map turns into a long, messy ammo tax.

Ammo discipline and daily pacing

This mode punishes sloppy resource use more than bad aim. You're fighting waves, you're looting under pressure, and suddenly you're dry when an Elite shows up. Try a simple rhythm: clear a pocket, loot quickly, rotate, save your best consumables for the big health bars. And don't wait for the weekend to grind. Two weeks sounds generous until you miss a couple sessions and the math gets ugly. Check the tracker every time you log in, set a daily Merit goal, and you'll stay ahead without turning it into a second job.

Make the calm count

The best part of Shared Watch is the mental space. No paranoia about getting third-partied mid-loot, no wasted energy ego-peeking another squad for nothing. Stick with your team, hit Elites, cash objectives, and log off when you've hit your number. If you're trying to stretch your runs without overspending, it's worth lining up supplies and cheap ARC Raiders gear early so you're not forced into bad kits when the good sessions finally line up.