What are Wires used for?
Wires are an Uncommon Topside Material. They are lightweight (0.25 per unit) and stack up to 15. In practice, Wires are primarily used for:
-
Crafting weapon mods such as compensators, muzzle brakes, silencers, and traps.
-
Quests like After Rain Comes (5 Wires required) and Eyes On The Prize (3 Wires, not consumed).
-
Projects that upgrade your Core System or build Frameworks. For example, one mid-game project requires 30 Wires along with Durable Cloth and Electrical Components.
Wires are also recyclable. Breaking down items that contain Wires can give you Rubber Parts or more Wires, depending on the item. This makes them versatile, especially if you’re running low.
Where can I find Wires?
There are several reliable ways to get Wires in the game:
-
Scavenging: The most consistent sources are Electrical and Technological loot. Server Racks, broken electronics, and certain high-tech loot containers almost always drop Wires.
-
Recycling Items: Wires can be recovered from many items, including:
-
Broken Handheld Radios
-
Broken Tasers
-
Certain weapon mods like Compensator II or III
-
Appliances like Toasters, Portable TVs, and Power Cables
Recycling often gives fewer Wires than the original item contains, so use it wisely. Salvaging is another option for certain items (like Fryed Motherboards or Cooling Fans), which gives better returns for early-game Wires.
-
Buying from Vendors: Celeste sells Wires directly. This is useful if you want a predictable supply. Sometimes players look to buy in bulk—search online if you want to buy Arc Raiders items cheap, as this can save farming time when you’re focusing on higher-level projects.
How does Wires farming actually work?
In practice, farming Wires isn’t just about running around looting everything. Experienced players tend to:
-
Focus on high-yield areas like server rooms or technological zones. These have multiple loot containers and drop more Wires per run.
-
Prioritize items that can be recycled efficiently. For example, a broken Taser or Toaster can net 2-3 Wires for a single recycling action, which is often faster than scavenging random loot.
-
Use inventory management: Wires stack to 15, so it’s easy to fill up your inventory if you aren’t careful. Always make room for recycling materials and mission-critical items.
How many Wires do I really need?
This is one of the most common questions. The amount depends on your goals:
-
Quest-focused players: Only a few Wires are required per quest. For example, After Rain Comes requires 5 Wires, and Eyes On The Prize requires 3 (without losing them).
-
Crafting-focused players: This varies widely. Low-level weapon mods might need 1-6 Wires each, while advanced mods like Compensator III, Extended Barrels, or Silencer II require 8 Wires per craft.
-
Project-focused players: Mid-game projects can require 30 Wires or more per stage, so stockpiling is essential before starting.
A practical tip: if you are trying to complete multiple projects or high-tier crafting at once, aim for at least 50-60 Wires in your inventory. Anything less means multiple farming trips.
Can Wires be farmed efficiently solo?
Yes, but efficiency depends on knowing which items to recycle and where to loot:
-
Solo scavenging is effective if you know the layout of server rooms, labs, or technical areas. You can clear 2-3 high-yield areas per mission, yielding 10-15 Wires per run.
-
Solo recycling can be faster if you’ve already collected items like broken electronics or mid-tier weapon mods. Breaking down a few items in your inventory can instantly give 10+ Wires without leaving your base.
The key is to balance scavenging with recycling. Wires farming is more about smart choices than brute force looting.
How does recycling Wires work?
Recycling is simple but important to understand:
-
Most Wires can be recovered from broken or used items.
-
Recycling ratios are generally 1 item → 1-6 Wires, depending on the original item. For example, a Toaster gives 3 Wires, while a Compensator III gives 2.
-
Salvaging tends to give fewer Wires but can give additional materials, like Rubber Parts or other crafting components. It’s better for gathering multiple resources at once.
In practice, experienced players recycle every mid-tier mod they don’t plan to use. This keeps Wires in supply and reduces farming downtime.
Tips for efficient Wires management
-
Always check what you need first. Before starting a project or quest, know exactly how many Wires are required.
-
Combine farming methods. Don’t just scavenge—collect items to recycle later.
-
Use vendor purchases strategically. Buying from Celeste can save time if farming takes too long. This is especially useful for players who want to buy Arc Raiders items cheap rather than spend hours scavenging.
-
Keep inventory organized. Since Wires stack to 15, keep them separated from other crafting components. This prevents accidentally using them for unintended recipes.
-
Focus on high-value items. Items like weapon mods, electronic devices, and technical components yield better returns than basic loot.
Common mistakes to avoid
-
Over-farming low-yield areas: Running around collecting small amounts of Wires is inefficient. Target high-density zones instead.
-
Ignoring recycling: Many players overlook the value of recycling mid-tier items, which is a quick way to replenish Wires without looting.
-
Not planning for stack size: You can carry only 15 per stack, so mismanagement can lead to wasted pickups.
Wires are an essential resource in Arc Raiders, especially if you want to craft traps, weapon mods, or complete mid-to-late-game projects. The most efficient approach combines scavenging, recycling, and strategic purchases. By understanding where Wires come from and how they are used in practice, you can avoid running out at critical moments.
For long-term planning, keep a stockpile and prioritize items with high Wire yields. Once you understand the patterns of farming and recycling, Wires stop being a bottleneck and start supporting your crafting goals seamlessly.
Ranking Advice: Arc Raiders Explosive Mine Blueprint Location, Damage & How to get