Introduced in Arc Raiders' Shrouded Sky update, Comet Igniters are essential resources for progressing the Weather Monitoring System project and crafting key items like the Deadline explosive. Unlike ARC Raiders BluePrints or craftable materials, these valuable items can only be obtained by defeating a specific new enemy: the Comet Arc unit. To secure Comet Igniters reliably, you need to know where Comets spawn, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to kill them before they self-destruct.

The Only Source: Defeating Comet Arc Enemies

Comet Igniters cannot be found as ground loot, crafted from other materials, or obtained through any other in-game activity. Their sole source is the Comet Arc-a new, heavily armored enemy added alongside the Shrouded Sky update. These rolling, sphere-shaped foes behave like outdoor versions of Pops but with thicker armor and a deadly self-destruct mechanism.

The critical rule for earning a Comet Igniter is simple: you must destroy the Comet before it explodes. If a Comet reaches you or completes its charge-up sequence and detonates on its own, its central core (which contains the Igniter) is destroyed, leaving only useless outer metal rings with common parts like Arc Coolant. Only a successful kill before detonation will drop the core holding the Igniter.

Where Comets Spawn: Maps and Hotspots

Comets are exclusively outdoor enemies, meaning they do not spawn on the indoor Stella Montis map. They can appear on every other map, often dropping from the sky with a visible Arc trail before beginning to patrol open areas. Their spawns are not fixed, but certain locations and conditions increase your chances of encountering them.

Dam Battlegrounds is one of the best spots for Comet farming, especially during Hurricane map conditions. Here, Comets reliably spawn around the primary facility surface, between the water treatment elevator and floodgates. The increased enemy density during Hurricanes makes this map ideal for quick, repeated Igniter farming.

Blue Gate is another top location, with Comets frequently appearing near the head house, warehouse complex, and warehouse air shaft-sometimes up to three at once. Buried City also has high Comet traffic, particularly in the area north of the Plaza Rosa POI, where they spawn alongside Bastions. Spaceport is another solid choice, as its open terrain makes Comets easy to spot rolling around.

How to Identify Comets Before They Strike

Spotting Comets early is key to avoiding their explosion and securing the Igniter. These sphere-shaped enemies have a single front light and a strip of light running along the top of their body. When they detect you, their lights shift from neutral to yellow (detected) and then to red (attack imminent)-a clear warning to act fast.

You can also use audio cues to find Comets. They emit a distinct mechanical hum, and their explosion produces a loud, recognizable sound that can alert you to their presence even if you don't see them land. Keep an eye on the sky, too-Comets leave a visible Arc trail when dropping into the map, making their arrival easy to spot.

Best Strategies to Defeat Comets and Loot Igniters

Comets have substantial armor, so standard weapons won't take them down quickly enough to beat their detonation timer. The best weapons for the job are heavy-ammo options like the Anvil and Hull Cracker. The Anvil requires 4-6 shots to destroy a Comet, while the Hull Cracker is even more efficient, needing only 2-3 shots.

Engage Comets from a distance to avoid their charge. When a Comet locks onto you, it rolls toward you at high speed, stops nearby, and charges with a high-pitched whine before exploding-a shockwave similar to the one Leapers produce. Fighting from higher ground gives you an advantage, as Comets struggle to reach elevated positions, allowing you to chip away at their health safely.

Aim for the Comet's exposed core during its charge phase. This is when it takes the most damage, speeding up the kill and ensuring you don't miss the Igniter drop. Once destroyed, the Comet splits into two lootable parts: the outer ring (common materials) and the central core (Comet Igniter). Always loot the core-this is where the valuable resource is stored.

Pro Tips for Reliable Comet Igniter Farming

To farm Comet Igniters efficiently, prioritize maps with high Comet spawns and favorable conditions. Dam Battlegrounds during Hurricanes is unbeatable for sheer spawn density, allowing you to collect multiple Igniters in a single run. Solo play or small squads work best here, as larger teams may compete for kills and slow down your progress.

Stock up on heavy ammo and power weapons before farming. The Anvil and Hull Cracker are must-haves, and Seeker Grenades or Wolfpacks can also be effective-Wolfpacks can one-shot Comets, while Showstoppers stun them, giving you time to land critical shots. Avoid close-range combat at all costs, as a single Comet explosion can wipe out your shield and ruin your loot chance.

Remember that Comet Igniters are not guaranteed drops, though the chance is high when you kill them correctly. If you're struggling to get drops, check for in-game bugs-some players have reported visual glitches where destroyed Comets appear to have a lootable core but don't drop an Igniter, a issue developers are likely to fix in future patches.

What to Do With Comet Igniters

Beyond progressing the Weather Monitoring System project (which requires at least one Igniter for Stage 2), Comet Igniters have other uses. They can be used to craft the Deadline explosive, a powerful tool for taking down groups of enemies. If you don't need to craft, you can salvage Igniters for Crude Explosives or trade surplus ones with other players for credits in community Discord channels or in-game marketplaces. In addition, you can quickly obtain more resources by purchasing cheap ARC Raiders Items on mmoexp.

With the right strategy-knowing where to look, how to identify Comets, and how to kill them quickly-you'll have no trouble collecting Comet Igniters in Arc Raiders. Focus on the hotspots, use heavy weapons, and always stay out of detonation range, and you'll progress the Weather Monitoring System and craft powerful gear in no time.