"The Arc Thrower projects an arc of lightning that follows the path of least resistance. The weapon can be charged up for a more powerful effect."
- Armory Description
Unlock Requirement
The AC-3 Arc Thrower unlocks at rank 22 (Field Marshal).
Upgrades
Upgrade | Requirements | Cost | Effect | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Faster Charge | 2 | It takes less time to reach full charge. | ||
Increased Range | Faster Charge | 1 | Upgrades the range of the weapon. |
Faster Charge
- Improving the power generation and capacitors decreases the charge time significantly.
Increased Range
- Improvements and tweaks allows the shots fired to travel a greater distance before losing their power.
Weapon Stats
As it is an Arc weapon, the AC-3 does not require any ammunition to fire.
Gameplay Tips
- The Arc Thrower is a highly unorthodox weapon to learn and use. While capable of heavily damaging mobs and single targets, its charge mechanic severely cripples mobility and turn speed necessitating careful positioning and timing to use effectively.
- An Arc weapon blast, if it connects with a target unit, will always ignore angle and assume the hit to be to the front of the unit. This can be demonstrated by shooting an upgraded HAV or a blocking Cyborg Hulk.
- The Arc Thrower is capable of eradicating or crippling large groups of enemies in a single charge. The longer the trigger is held, the more damaging the arc and the more enemies the chain can link to.
- If you need to reposition quickly but have your Arc weapon charged up, a good practice is to discharge it in the opposite direction of any friendly Helldivers and objectives.
- Unfortunately, charging an Arc weapon slows the user's movement to a crawl, which can hold back the rest of the squad. Divers should prioritize movement over fighting and only attack nearby scouts if necessary.
- Hitting other players who wear an active SH-20 Shield Generator Pack can extend the range of the Arc Throwers weapon blast without damaging or killing the other player. The Shield, however, will be disabled when hit and must recharge again.
- You can extend the range of the Arc Thrower by hitting IFVs as well, however it will not damage them.
- The Arc Thrower's range can be extended by hitting destroyable objectives of any kind but this is ill-advised as they will take a considerable amount of damage.
Notes
Weapons | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sidearms | Assault rifles | LMGs | Shotguns | SMGs | Precision | Explosive | Laser tech | Arc tech |
P-2 Peacemaker | AR-19 Liberator | MG-105 Stalwart♦ | SG-225 Breaker | SMG-45 Defender | LHO-63 Camper♦ | CR-9 Suppressor♦ | LAS-5 Scythe | AC-3 Arc Thrower |
P-6 Gunslinger♦ | AR-22C Patriot | SG-8 Punisher | MP-98 Knight SMG | RX-1 Rail Gun | PLAS-1 Scorcher♦ | LAS-16 Sickle♦ | AC-5 Arc Shotgun♦ | |
FLAM-24 Pyro♦ | AR-20L Justice | DBS-2 Double Freedom | SMG-34 Ninja♦ | M2016 Constitution | LAS-12 Tanto♦ | |||
PLAS-3 Singe♦ | AR-14D Paragon♦ | LAS-13 Trident | ||||||
Heavy Weapons | ||||||||
MG-94 Machine Gun – MGX-42 Machine Gun – AC-22 Dum-Dum♦ – LAS-98 Laser Cannon – FLAM-40 Incinerator – TOX-13 Avenger♦ Obliterator Grenade Launcher – MLS-4X Commando♦ – RL-112 Recoilless Rifle – EAT-17 – REC-6 Demolisher♦ – M-25 Rumbler♦ |