Been diving into Arc Raiders a lot since the North Line update, and one thing’s clear – staying alive isn’t just about aiming well, it’s about how fast you can patch yourself up and get moving again. Everyone gets hit, that’s a given. What makes the difference is reacting before the next bullet lands. Forget hiding behind a rock with slow first aid, hoping no drone rolls in. These days, top players are using a trick I call heal stacking. You won’t find it spelled out anywhere, but it works. Pop a Vita Shot for an instant push of health – that sharp burst that pulls you back from the brink. Right after, go straight into a Bandage. That steady health tick over the next few seconds stacks over the Vita boost, so you’re climbing from danger to full HP in no time. It feels like cheating, but it’s just smart use of ARC Raiders Items.

The same thinking covers shields. If your screen’s flashing red from incoming fire, don’t just wait for natural regen. Hit a Surge Recharger for that immediate shield bump, then take cover for a few moments. Your normal shield will start refilling at the same time, so you’re doubling up. That move’s saved me more times than I can count when a squad suddenly pushes. Getting this all lined up requires prep – you’ve got to have these items on your quick-access slots, otherwise you’ll be digging through your inventory while a patrol closes in. Holding down your shortcut key to bind Vita Shots, Bandages and Surge Chargers means when stuff hits the fan, your fingers find them without thinking.

One thing not everyone realises – you can use your healing gear on teammates too. If they’re down, switch to the item and use your alt-fire while looking at them. It’s much faster than the usual revive and way better when you’re under pressure. In busy zones, shaving off a few seconds can be the reason you all make it out. And if you’re serious about running this style, your Med Station needs attention. Level it up to at least II, because that unlocks Sterilized Bandages. These give far more healing than basic ones, and they’re cheap to craft. Running out mid-raid is the worst feeling, so always have extras.

Once you get used to chaining these heals and shields, it almost becomes second nature. You’ll notice the change pretty quickly – less downtime, more fights you can walk away from. I’ve had runs that should’ve ended in the dirt, but with stacked heals I’ve managed to push through and still extract loaded with loot. The combo works solo or in squads, and when it’s part of your muscle memory, you feel unstoppable. It’s small details like this that keep you alive out there and make the difference between another respawn screen and walking away with the best ARC Raiders gear.