Quest Type: Drinking Game
Mana Cost: $$ (Beer + Liquor recommended)
Difficulty Rating: Mid-Game Boss
Player Count: 1-6 (Solo drinking is valid, squads preferred)
Buffs: +15 Chaos, +10 Teamwork, -20 Coordination After Hour 2
Debuffs: -30 Extraction Success Rate, -50 Memory of What Happened
The Loading Screen (Introduction)
Listen, Arc Raiders is what happens when Tarkov and The Division had a baby and that baby was raised by the developers who made The Finals. It’s a PvPvE extraction shooter where killer robots have absolutely wrecked Earth and you’re living in an underground city called Speranza (which means “hope” in Italian, and brother, you’ll need that hope after your third wipe).
The game loop is simple: Go topside. Avoid death by murder-drones. Maybe avoid death by other humans (or don’t, you psycho). Loot everything that isn’t bolted down. Extract before a massive explosion turns you into space dust. Rinse, repeat, get absolutely hammered in the process.
I’m tellin’ you, this game is PERFECT for a drinking game because matches are exactly 30 minutes, which is the perfect window between “pleasantly buzzed” and “why did I challenge The Queen while wearing a free loadout?”
Nerd Tip: Arc Raiders has a pet rooster named Scrappy who passively collects materials for you. Name your drinks after him. Every time you take a sip, say “Thanks, Scrappy.” Your squadmates will either love it or mute you. No in between.
The Lore (Why We’re Getting Drunk in a Post-Apocalypse)
In the year 2180, mysterious hostile machines called “ARC” (named after their arc-shaped radar signatures because scientists are REAL creative when robots are actively murdering them) descended from space and went full Skynet on humanity. Now we’re all living underground in Speranza like a bunch of mole people with NASA-Punk fashion sense.
The drinking game’s lore is simpler: You’re Raiders. Raiders need to stay loose. Loose means lubricated. You’re basically doing what your character would do between runs anyway. This is called “method gaming” and I just invented that term.
Perfect! Arc Raiders just came out and it’s FIRE. Let me write you the ultimate drinking game guide for this Game Awards winner. Gimme a sec to channel my inner tipsy raider…
Arc Raiders Drinking Game: The Speranza Sippin’ Protocol
Quest Type: Drinking Game
Mana Cost: $$ (Beer + Liquor recommended)
Difficulty Rating: Mid-Game Boss
Player Count: 1-6 (Solo drinking is valid, squads preferred)
Buffs: +15 Chaos, +10 Teamwork, -20 Coordination After Hour 2
Debuffs: -30 Extraction Success Rate, -50 Memory of What Happened
The Loading Screen (Introduction)
Listen, Arc Raiders is what happens when Tarkov and The Division had a baby and that baby was raised by the developers who made The Finals. It’s a PvPvE extraction shooter where killer robots have absolutely wrecked Earth and you’re living in an underground city called Speranza (which means “hope” in Italian, and brother, you’ll need that hope after your third wipe).
The game loop is simple: Go topside. Avoid death by murder-drones. Maybe avoid death by other humans (or don’t, you psycho). Loot everything that isn’t bolted down. Extract before a massive explosion turns you into space dust. Rinse, repeat, get absolutely hammered in the process.
I’m tellin’ you, this game is PERFECT for a drinking game because matches are exactly 30 minutes, which is the perfect window between “pleasantly buzzed” and “why did I challenge The Queen while wearing a free loadout?”
Nerd Tip: Arc Raiders has a pet rooster named Scrappy who passively collects materials for you. Name your drinks after him. Every time you take a sip, say “Thanks, Scrappy.” Your squadmates will either love it or mute you. No in-between.
The Lore (Why We’re Getting Drunk in a Post-Apocalypse)
In the year 2180, mysterious hostile machines called “ARC” (named after their arc-shaped radar signatures because scientists are REAL creative when robots are actively murdering them) descended from space and went full Skynet on humanity. Now we’re all living underground in Speranza like a bunch of mole people with NASA-Punk fashion sense.
The drinking game’s lore is simpler: You’re Raiders. Raiders need to stay loose. Loose means lubricated. You’re basically doing what your character would do between runs anyway. This is called “method gaming” and I just invented that term.
The Inventory (What You Need)
Required:
- Arc Raiders (duh) – Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Beer – Your “standard loadout” drink (Low risk, always available)
- Shots/Mixed Drinks – Your “legendary loot” drinks (High risk, high reward)
- Water – Your healing item (seriously, stay hydrated)
- 1-6 Players – Solo works but squads are more chaotic
Optional But Recommended:
- A Backup Controller – You WILL rage quit at least once
- Snacks – The real loot is the Doritos you found along the way
- A Designated Sober Friend – Every raid team needs a medic
The Walkthrough (The Rules)
Core Rules: The Baseline Buzz
These happen every match, no exceptions:
1. The Drop-In Drink
Every time you spawn into a new raid: Take 1 sip of beer
Why: You’re entering the danger zone. Liquid courage is mandatory.
2. The Scrappy Salute
Whenever your pet rooster Scrappy collects materials: Take 1 sip
Why: That bird is working HARD. Show some respect.
3. The Extraction Celebration
Successfully extract with loot: Take 2 sips to celebrate
Why: You earned it, Raider. Celebrate not dying.
4. The Wipe Tax
Die and lose your loadout: Finish your current drink
Why: Pain. Suffering. Character development.
ARC Encounters: The Robot Roulette
The machines want you dead. The drinks keep you brave.
5. Downed by a Standard Drone
Get killed by a basic drone: Take 2 sips
Why: That’s embarrassing. Those things are like the Goombas of Arc Raiders.
6. Snitched On
A Snitch drone spots you and calls reinforcements: Take 1 sip + warn your squad to drink
Why: You f*cked up and now everyone’s in danger. Shared consequences.
7. Rocketeer Rumble
Successfully destroy a Rocketeer: Give out 2 sips to anyone
Why: You’re a legend. Share the wealth.
8. The Queen Fight (BOSS MODE)
If your squad attempts The Queen boss fight:
- Start: Everyone takes a shot
- Victory: Everyone takes a celebratory shot
- Defeat: Everyone takes a sadness shot
Why: The Queen is Arc Raiders’ endgame content and you need to be properly intoxicated to think fighting her is a good idea.
PvP Rules: Trust No One (Except Your Drinking Buddies)
Other players are unpredictable. So are drunk decisions.
9. Betrayed by Another Raider
Get killed by another player: Take 3 sips
Why: The sting of betrayal tastes like cheap beer and poor life choices.
10. You Betray Another Raider First
Murder someone who wasn’t hostile: Take 3 sips
Why: You’re a monster, but at least you’re honest about it.
11. Friendly Encounter
Successfully team up with random Raiders peacefully: Everyone involved takes 1 sip of celebration
Why: Wholesome content in a PvP game deserves recognition.
12. Standoff at Extraction
Mexican standoff at the elevator: Everyone drinks until someone makes a move
Why: TENSION. DRAMA. POOR DECISION MAKING.
Extraction Drama: The Final Countdown
The last 5 minutes are chaos incarnate.
13. Called the Elevator
Successfully call an extraction elevator: Take 1 sip (nervous anticipation)
14. Elevator Escape
Make it onto the elevator and doors close: Take 2 sips (relief)
15. Die at Extraction
Die while waiting for the elevator: Finish your drink + take a shot
Why: Maximum emotional damage. The game giveth, the game taketh away.
16. The Explosion (Time Ran Out)
Fail to extract before the 30-minute timer: Everyone still on the surface takes a shot
Why: You got greedy. The universe corrected you. Violently.
Special Condition Rules
17. Free Loadout Run
Using a free loadout (no risk): Drink water only this round
Why: You’re playing it safe. Hydrate.
18. Lost All Your Good Gear
Lose a fully kitted legendary loadout: Take a shot + your choice of anyone else taking a sympathy sip
Why: That’s devastating and you need emotional support.
19. Raider Hatch Key Extraction
Successfully escape via a Raider Hatch: Give out 3 sips
Why: You’re basically a ninja. You earned bragging rights.
20. Cold Snap Frostbite (New Winter Update)
Take frostbite damage from the new Cold Snap weather conditions: Take 1 sip
Why: You’re literally too cold. Alcohol warms you up (not medically accurate but we’re not doctors).
The Pro-Strat (Advanced Mode: “Legendary Raider” Rules)
Check it, once you and your squad are comfortable with the base rules, enable these for maximum chaos:
21. Loot Goblin Protocol
Whoever has the most valuable loot in their inventory at extraction: Doesn’t drink for the next round
Whoever has the LEAST valuable loot: Doubles all their drinks next round
22. The Voice Line Drinking Game
Every time the AI voice lines say something particularly awkward (looking at you, Embark Studios and your controversial AI voices): Take a sip and complain about it
23. Scrappy Shenanigans
If someone in your squad says “Thanks, Scrappy” every single time he collects materials for an entire match: They get to assign 5 sips total throughout the next game
Nerd Tips & Tricks (The Experience Enhancer)
🎮 Nerd Tip #1: The Setup Matters
Use heavy-bottomed rocks glasses for your drinks. Why? Because when you panic and slam your glass down after getting jumped by a Rocketeer, you won’t shatter your glassware. Also, they fit perfectly in controller holders. I’ve done the math.
🎮 Nerd Tip #2: Pace Yourself, Raider
Arc Raiders matches are 30 minutes. That’s 2-3 matches per hour. Do the math: if you’re taking 15-20 sips per match, that’s 30-60 sips per hour. Mix in water rounds or you’ll be face-down in Speranza before the night is over.
🎮 Nerd Tip #3: The Free Loadout is Your Friend
When you’re 4 drinks deep and your hand-eye coordination is shot (pun intended), use free loadouts. You’ll die anyway, but at least you won’t lose your crafted Legendary railgun to a level 3 drone because you zigzagged into a wall.
🎮 Nerd Tip #4: Assign Roles Like a Real Raid Team
- Designated Shot-Caller: Makes tactical decisions, drinks the least
- Loot Goblin: Collects everything, drinks the most when they die with full pockets
- PvP Maniac: Engages other players, drinks when betrayals go wrong
- The Medic: Keeps everyone alive AND hydrated, gets a drink pass once per night
🎮 Nerd Tip #5: The Queen is Not Worth It (But Do It Anyway)
Fighting The Queen after 5 drinks is like attempting a Dark Souls no-hit run while your controller is buttered. It’s a terrible idea. But when your drunk squad decides “we got this,” and you miraculously win? That’s the story you’ll tell for YEARS. Also you’ll all be hammered because of Rules #8.
🎮 Nerd Tip #6: Crossplay Means Cross-Drinking
Arc Raiders has full crossplay between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This means you can drink with your friends regardless of platform. Technology is beautiful.
Variants & Modifications (Custom Game Modes)
“Hardcore Extraction” Mode
- Every rule is doubled
- Water is not allowed
- You must extract 3 times in a row or reset the count
- This mode is for people who hate their liver
“Pacifist Run”
- You cannot kill other Raiders (only ARC)
- Every peaceful encounter: Give out 2 sips
- Every time you’re forced to kill another player in self-defense: Take 3 sips (guilt drinking)
“Speedrun Sips”
- Set a timer for 15 minutes
- Extract before timer ends: Don’t drink
- Fail: Take a shot for every minute over the limit
“Cold Snap Survival Challenge” (New!)
- Play only during Cold Snap weather conditions
- Every frostbite tick: Take a sip
- Freeze to death: Finish your drink
- Successfully stay warm the entire match: Give out 5 sips
Safety Disclaimer (Because I’m Technically Responsible)
Look, I’m not your dad, but I’m also not trying to send anyone to the ER:
- Drink responsibly. You’re playing a game where you can respawn. Real life doesn’t work that way.
- Hydrate. For every 2 alcoholic drinks, have 1 water. Scrappy would want you to.
- Know your limits. If you’re feeling too drunk, switch to water-only mode and still play.
- Don’t drive. Seriously. Call an Uber. The Extraction helicopter doesn’t work IRL.
- Modify rules as needed. If the game is too intense, reduce sip counts. If it’s too easy, add shots. Find your balance.
Final Thoughts: Why This Slaps
Arc Raiders is already one of 2025’s best multiplayer games (literally won at The Game Awards), and adding alcohol to the extraction shooter formula is like adding a chaos modifier to an already unpredictable experience. You’re going to die. You’re going to laugh. You’re going to lose gear you spent 3 matches crafting. And you’re going to have the time of your life doing it.
The beauty of this game as a drinking game is that the 30-minute match timer naturally paces you, the mix of PvE and PvP keeps things fresh, and the extraction mechanic creates these PERFECT narrative moments where you’re either celebrating victory or drinking away the pain of loss.
Plus, with crossplay, you can rope in your friends from any platform and ruin everyone’s evening equally. That’s true friendship.
Now get out there, Raider. Speranza needs you.
And by “needs you,” I mean “wants you to get moderately drunk and yell about robots.”
Community Challenge: If your squad successfully defeats The Queen while following all drinking rules, clip it and send it to me. That’s legendary status right there. You’re basically the Doom Slayer of Arc Raiders at that point.
May your loot be legendary and your extractions be clean. Cheers, you beautiful disaster. 🍺🤖
Remember: The best loadout is the one you craft while sober but use while drunk. That’s the real endgame meta.
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