Arc Raiders Resources: Recycling vs Salvaging Damaged ARC Powercells
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 4:15 am
If you’ve been playing Arc Raiders, you’ve probably run across a Damaged ARC Powercell. It’s a common item, but many players aren’t sure how to use it effectively. This guide explains everything about this item in practical terms, based on what most players experience in-game.
What is a Damaged ARC Powercell?
A Damaged ARC Powercell is what’s left when a fully functional ARC Powercell is broken or worn out. In general, it’s not something you can use directly for high-tier equipment or missions. Most players consider it a resource item rather than gear.
Rarity: Common
Weight: 0.25 units
Stack Size: 5
Sell Price: 293 credits
Even though it’s damaged, it still has value. It can be recycled into useful crafting materials or salvaged for parts.
Where Can You Find Damaged ARC Powercells?
The most reliable source of Damaged ARC Powercells is scavenging. Specifically:
Location: ARC areas (usually old ARC husks or abandoned tech)
Method: Use your scavenging tools to loot damaged machinery
Notes: The drop isn’t guaranteed; sometimes you’ll get other scraps or metal parts instead
In practice, players usually focus on areas with high ARC activity because that’s where the powercells spawn most consistently. If you’re farming for crafting materials, it helps to prioritize zones with clusters of husks.
What Can You Do With Damaged ARC Powercells?
Damaged ARC Powercells have two main uses: recycling and salvaging. Understanding the difference is important.
Recycling
Recycling turns the powercell into more basic materials, which are useful for crafting and upgrades.
Result: 1× ARC Alloy
Use: ARC Alloy is often required for upgrading weapons and armor in general gameplay. Most players will collect these powercells in bulk and recycle them whenever they’re low on materials.
Salvaging
Salvaging is a slightly different process. It provides generic parts that can be used for crafting or repairing equipment.
Result: 1× Metal Parts
Use: Metal Parts are widely used in a variety of recipes, so even a small stack of Damaged ARC Powercells can make a difference if you’re trying to maintain a steady supply.
In practice, players usually decide whether to recycle or salvage based on what resources they’re currently short on. If ARC Alloy is abundant but Metal Parts are scarce, salvaging makes more sense, and vice versa.
Should You Keep or Sell Damaged ARC Powercells?
This depends on your play style:
Sell: If you need quick credits and aren’t planning on crafting immediately, selling Damaged ARC Powercells is fine. The price is modest but can add up if you have a lot of them.
Keep: Most players find it better to keep them for crafting, especially if you plan to upgrade weapons or armor later. ARC materials are generally in higher demand than credits for early and mid-game progression.
In general, keeping a small stack in your inventory or storage is recommended so you can process them whenever you have time.
Tips for Efficiently Collecting Powercells
Target ARC husks: These are the most reliable sources. Focus on areas where you’ve seen multiple husks together.
Use scavenging perks: Some abilities or gear can increase the drop rate or quantity of scavenged items. Most players equip these perks if they are farming for materials.
Balance inventory: Damaged ARC Powercells stack up to 5, so you need to manage your inventory to avoid missing drops. Players often carry just enough to fill one stack before returning to base to process them.
Also, if your goal is to upgrade quickly, some players choose to buy arc raiders gear from other sources to complement the items they craft. This can save time if you’re low on crafting materials, but it’s usually optional and depends on how you prefer to progress.
Common Questions About Damaged ARC Powercells
Q: Can I use a Damaged ARC Powercell directly in missions?
No. Most players use them strictly for crafting or salvaging. Using them directly doesn’t provide any mission benefits.
Q: How often do they drop?
The drop rate is moderate. In general, you’ll get one or two from each ARC husk, but it’s not guaranteed. Farming multiple husks at once is more efficient.
Q: Are they worth upgrading?
Damaged ARC Powercells themselves cannot be upgraded. They only become useful once converted into ARC Alloy or Metal Parts.
Q: Should I prioritize recycling or salvaging?
It depends on your immediate needs. Most players keep track of crafting recipes and convert Damaged ARC Powercells into whatever resource they need most at the time.
Damaged ARC Powercells are a small but consistent part of resource management in Arc Raiders. In practice:
They are mostly a crafting resource rather than direct-use items.
Found by scavenging ARC husks in ARC areas.
Can be recycled into ARC Alloy or salvaged for Metal Parts.
Players usually keep a few in storage for crafting flexibility.
Selling them is fine but not the most efficient use.
Understanding how to use Damaged ARC Powercells efficiently can make a difference in keeping a steady supply of crafting materials and upgrading gear over time. By managing them wisely, you can avoid shortages and progress more smoothly in missions and upgrades.
Vendor Guide: How to Obtain and Craft the Angled Grip 2 Blueprint in Arc Raiders
What is a Damaged ARC Powercell?
A Damaged ARC Powercell is what’s left when a fully functional ARC Powercell is broken or worn out. In general, it’s not something you can use directly for high-tier equipment or missions. Most players consider it a resource item rather than gear.
Rarity: Common
Weight: 0.25 units
Stack Size: 5
Sell Price: 293 credits
Even though it’s damaged, it still has value. It can be recycled into useful crafting materials or salvaged for parts.
Where Can You Find Damaged ARC Powercells?
The most reliable source of Damaged ARC Powercells is scavenging. Specifically:
Location: ARC areas (usually old ARC husks or abandoned tech)
Method: Use your scavenging tools to loot damaged machinery
Notes: The drop isn’t guaranteed; sometimes you’ll get other scraps or metal parts instead
In practice, players usually focus on areas with high ARC activity because that’s where the powercells spawn most consistently. If you’re farming for crafting materials, it helps to prioritize zones with clusters of husks.
What Can You Do With Damaged ARC Powercells?
Damaged ARC Powercells have two main uses: recycling and salvaging. Understanding the difference is important.
Recycling
Recycling turns the powercell into more basic materials, which are useful for crafting and upgrades.
Result: 1× ARC Alloy
Use: ARC Alloy is often required for upgrading weapons and armor in general gameplay. Most players will collect these powercells in bulk and recycle them whenever they’re low on materials.
Salvaging
Salvaging is a slightly different process. It provides generic parts that can be used for crafting or repairing equipment.
Result: 1× Metal Parts
Use: Metal Parts are widely used in a variety of recipes, so even a small stack of Damaged ARC Powercells can make a difference if you’re trying to maintain a steady supply.
In practice, players usually decide whether to recycle or salvage based on what resources they’re currently short on. If ARC Alloy is abundant but Metal Parts are scarce, salvaging makes more sense, and vice versa.
Should You Keep or Sell Damaged ARC Powercells?
This depends on your play style:
Sell: If you need quick credits and aren’t planning on crafting immediately, selling Damaged ARC Powercells is fine. The price is modest but can add up if you have a lot of them.
Keep: Most players find it better to keep them for crafting, especially if you plan to upgrade weapons or armor later. ARC materials are generally in higher demand than credits for early and mid-game progression.
In general, keeping a small stack in your inventory or storage is recommended so you can process them whenever you have time.
Tips for Efficiently Collecting Powercells
Target ARC husks: These are the most reliable sources. Focus on areas where you’ve seen multiple husks together.
Use scavenging perks: Some abilities or gear can increase the drop rate or quantity of scavenged items. Most players equip these perks if they are farming for materials.
Balance inventory: Damaged ARC Powercells stack up to 5, so you need to manage your inventory to avoid missing drops. Players often carry just enough to fill one stack before returning to base to process them.
Also, if your goal is to upgrade quickly, some players choose to buy arc raiders gear from other sources to complement the items they craft. This can save time if you’re low on crafting materials, but it’s usually optional and depends on how you prefer to progress.
Common Questions About Damaged ARC Powercells
Q: Can I use a Damaged ARC Powercell directly in missions?
No. Most players use them strictly for crafting or salvaging. Using them directly doesn’t provide any mission benefits.
Q: How often do they drop?
The drop rate is moderate. In general, you’ll get one or two from each ARC husk, but it’s not guaranteed. Farming multiple husks at once is more efficient.
Q: Are they worth upgrading?
Damaged ARC Powercells themselves cannot be upgraded. They only become useful once converted into ARC Alloy or Metal Parts.
Q: Should I prioritize recycling or salvaging?
It depends on your immediate needs. Most players keep track of crafting recipes and convert Damaged ARC Powercells into whatever resource they need most at the time.
Damaged ARC Powercells are a small but consistent part of resource management in Arc Raiders. In practice:
They are mostly a crafting resource rather than direct-use items.
Found by scavenging ARC husks in ARC areas.
Can be recycled into ARC Alloy or salvaged for Metal Parts.
Players usually keep a few in storage for crafting flexibility.
Selling them is fine but not the most efficient use.
Understanding how to use Damaged ARC Powercells efficiently can make a difference in keeping a steady supply of crafting materials and upgrading gear over time. By managing them wisely, you can avoid shortages and progress more smoothly in missions and upgrades.
Vendor Guide: How to Obtain and Craft the Angled Grip 2 Blueprint in Arc Raiders