ARC Raiders · combat · Frozen Trail / 2.1 review
ARC Raiders Stiletto and Bantam: Build a Loadout Around Two Different Jobs
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The Stiletto is the new light-ammo battle rifle positioned as an early-game ranged alternative to Renegade; the Bantam is a heavy-ammo revolver with a distinct hip-fire capability. Choose according to the task and ammunition plan rather than treating the two new guns as interchangeable upgrades.
Published October 18, 2026 · Official sources checked against the October 13 update
A useful loadout answers what handles the expected encounter, how much ammunition the trip needs and what remains if the first plan fails. This guide compares roles from the official descriptions, not a claimed best-in-slot ranking or an unmeasured damage-per-second table.
What to do, in order
- Name the main task: a deliberate ranged engagement, a short emergency interaction, or a resource trip where avoiding an expensive loss is the priority.
- Inspect the gun and its ammo type before packing. A pile of ammunition for another weapon does not support the chosen loadout.
- Use the attachment options and current handling shown in your game. The developer warns that indiscriminate rapid firing with Stiletto sacrifices accuracy.
- Before deploying, decide the replacement budget and the exit condition. Two new weapons are not a reason to take every valuable item from the stash at once.
Choose the check that matches the problem
| Situation | What it means | Useful next decision |
|---|---|---|
| Deliberate ranged shots | Evaluate the Stiletto role described by the developer. | Do not turn a semi-automatic firing opportunity into uncontrolled button mashing. |
| A revolver-based plan | Evaluate Bantam and its heavy-ammo requirement. | Its hip-fire capability is a separate function, not evidence that aim never matters. |
| A two-weapon kit | Give each gun a distinct reason to be present. | Account for both ammunition supplies and their stash opportunity cost. |
One loadout, two ammunition decisions
Compare the actual supply shown in your inventory with the trip you intend to make. If one weapon already handles the planned encounter, ask what concrete failure the second weapon covers. It may provide a valuable alternative, or it may duplicate the same role while adding weight, cost and another ammo requirement.
A practical way to apply the rule
For a low-cost resource run, set a replacement limit first and pack the weapon that covers the expected interaction within it. For an encounter-focused trip, reserve the ammunition and recovery tools that support that encounter. These are alternative plans, not a recommendation to buy or craft both guns for every raid.
Common misreadings and failure checks
The new weapon should replace every older option
The official descriptions define roles, not universal superiority.
Firing faster made the ranged plan less consistent
The Stiletto description specifically flags an accuracy trade-off with button mashing.
I brought ammo, but not the required type
Check light versus heavy ammunition during loadout preparation, not after deployment.
Sources and version
The rules above come from the linked developer publications. The check order, comparisons and planning examples are independent editorial guidance. Images are unchanged publisher media, not captures of a personal playtest; no drop rate, hidden formula or measured build performance is claimed.