Let me tell you something straight – if you’re playing ARC Raiders and you’re not hunting Bombardiers, you’re missing out on some of the most valuable loot in the game. I’ve spent countless hours tracking down these mechanical nightmares, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned about farming Bombardier Cells efficiently.
What Are Bombardier Cells and Why Do You Need Them?
Bombardier Cells are epic-tier crafting materials that you can only get by taking down Bombardiers – those white-colored, cannon-toting ARCs that make most players turn and run. These cells are worth 5,000 credits each if you sell them, but trust me, you’ll want to hang onto them for crafting.
I’ve learned that Bombardier Cells are essential for upgrading your Workshop to Refiner 3, which requires 6 cells along with 3 Motors and 10 ARC Circuitry. You can also recycle them into 2x Advanced Mechanical Components and 2x ARC Alloy if you’re desperate for materials. But honestly? The real value is in what they let you craft and the doors they open for your gear progression.
Where to Find Bombardiers?: The Best Spawn Locations
After countless raids, I’ve discovered that Bombardiers can spawn on most maps, but some locations are consistently more reliable than others. Here’s where I’ve had the most success:
The Blue Gate
In The Blue Gate, Bombardiers tend to roam around Raider’s Refuge near Trapper’s Glade. If you’ve done the “With a Trace” quest, you’ll know exactly where I’m talking about. What I love about this spot is that the Bombardier here is usually solo, though you’ll still need to deal with some Hornets and Wasps patrolling the area.
Buried City
This is my personal favorite farming spot. The Bombardier here roams around the middle of the map, near the Town Hall and Parking Garage zones. Be warned though – this one is usually surrounded by support ARCs, including Rocketeers and Leapers, making it a much tougher fight. But the challenge is worth it because the spawn rate seems higher here.
The Spaceport
Community runs consistently report great opportunities in The Spaceport, particularly in the upper interior rings and near the top Raider hatch. The multi-floor buildings here provide excellent cover and angles for fighting. During Night Raids, you’ll encounter variants, but the mortar chassis is still your primary target.
Dam Battlegrounds
While the spawn locations here vary more by instance, I’ve found success in the underpasses and multi-level structures. Just avoid the open concrete plains – you’ll be exposed to mortar fire from every direction.
Understanding Bombardier Behavior: How They Fight
Before you even think about engaging a Bombardier, you need to understand how they operate. I’ve learned this the hard way after getting blown up more times than I care to admit.
Bombardiers are ground-based ARCs that rely heavily on mortar fire, and they’re deadly accurate thanks to their Spotter drone helpers. These things track your movement, predict where you’re going, and can thread mortar shells through the narrowest openings if you get complacent.
Here’s what I’ve observed about their behavior patterns:
Mortar Focus: Every shot you take should be followed immediately by repositioning. These things will keep firing until you break line of sight, and the splash damage can still get you around corners.
Predictive Targeting: Window slits are not safe if you linger. I’ve learned to vary my cadence and distance from openings because Bombardiers can “thread” shots through narrow spaces.
Spotter Support: Kill those Spotter drones as soon as they tag you. Without their marks, the Bombardier’s accuracy drops significantly. Just remember that Spotters will respawn, so you’ll need to repeat this process.
Recovery Windows: After firing a mortar volley, Bombardiers have a vulnerable recovery window. This is your prime time to strike.
Close-Quarters Danger: Don’t try to face-tank these things in the open. They have special burst attacks with kinetic energy that will wreck you if you’re too close.
Bombardier Weak Points: Where to Shoot for Maximum Damage
This is where most players go wrong – they just unload on the Bombardier without aiming for specific weak points. Let me save you some ammo and frustration by showing you exactly where to shoot:
Leg Joints (Yellow “Kneecaps”)
Each leg has these bright yellow kneecaps that are perfect targets. When I started aiming for these specifically, my kill time dropped dramatically. Breaking these not only deals good damage but also slows the Bombardier’s movement, exposing inner sections for even higher damage.
Rear Cylinder
This is the money shot – a prominent yellow canister on the back of the Bombardier. Destroying this can disable the unit quickly. The trick is getting to it, which is why I always bring lure grenades to make the Bombardier turn and expose this weak point.
Pro Tip: Time your attacks to hit these weak points right after a mortar volley ends. If you’re forcing a rear-angle shot, a lure grenade can make the Bombardier turn and expose that precious rear cylinder.
Recommended Loadouts: What I Use to Take Down Bombardiers
After testing dozens of loadouts, I’ve found what works best for taking down Bombardiers efficiently. Here’s my go-to setup:
| Slot | My Top Picks | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Anvil or Ferro | These accurate, high-damage rifles are perfect for targeting those yellow weak points from a safe distance |
| Heavy/Launcher | Hullcracker or Launcher with Heavy Ammo | Shreds components and finishes the job during vulnerability windows |
| Grenades | Wolfpack, Blaze, Snap/Trigger, Stun | Wolfpack for armor break; Blaze stacks damage; Snap/Trigger for burst openers; Stun to lock rotations |
| Utility | Lure, Smoke, Shields/Heals | Lure to expose the back; Smoke for safe looting; Sustain for splash damage recovery |
Solo Tactics That Actually Work
I’ve taken down countless Bombardiers solo, and I’ve learned what works through trial and error (lots of error). Here are my most effective solo tactics:
Strip the Spotters Early
I can’t stress this enough – those Spotter drones make Bombardiers deadly accurate. Take them out as soon as they appear, and be ready to do it again when they respawn. Without their marks, Bombardiers become much more manageable.
Fight from Layered Cover
Don’t try to fight these things in the open. I always look for deep interiors with offset doorways and stairwells that blunt the splash damage. In buildings with skylights, I can drop grenades safely without exposing myself.
Master the Shoot-Shift Rhythm
This is crucial: take 2-4 accurate shots at weak points, then move at least one room or roof over before the next salvo lands. I’ve found this rhythm keeps me alive while steadily chipping away at the Bombardier’s health.
Explosives End Fights Fast
When I’m serious about farming, I bring the big guns. Wolfpack grenades delete armored components, Blaze grenades stack and melt ground ARCs quietly, and adhesive/impact options frontload damage during the post-volley window.
Use Angles They Can’t Solve
In Spaceport and Buried City, I shoot through obstructed windows and immediately step off-angle. Getting underground or directly beneath overhangs can negate their arcs of fire completely.
Farming Bombardier Cells Efficiently
If you’re serious about collecting Bombardier Cells, you need a farming strategy. Here are the loops I use:
Buried City Loop
I patrol Plaza Rosa and the surrounding blocks, clearing air threats first, then engaging Bombardiers from rooftops and interiors. After a kill, I hold a nearby building and recheck after a short interval for a new spawn. The respawn timer seems to be around 3-5 minutes if you stay in the area.
Spaceport Loop
I sweep the upper interiors and the area near the top Raider hatch. During Night Raids, I identify the mortar chassis and set up inside slotted-window rooms. The verticality here gives me multiple escape routes if things go wrong.
Time-to-Kill Target: With proper loadouts (two Wolfpacks or stacked Blazes plus heavy follow-up), I aim to end fights in under 30 seconds. This minimizes PvP risk and lets me move to the next spawn quickly.
Loot Discipline
Here’s something I learned the hard way: mortar splash and third parties spike right after a kill. I pop smoke immediately, prioritize Cells and power components, and relocate before sorting everything. If I’m on a budget, I save premium grenades specifically for Bombardiers and disengage from opportunistic fights.
What Bombardiers Drop: The Complete Loot Table
After farming dozens of Bombardiers, I’ve compiled a complete list of what they drop. This should help you decide what to prioritize when looting:
| Debris Type | Possible Drops |
|---|---|
| Main Debris | Bombardier Cell, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Performance Steel, Mechanical Components, Medium Gun Parts, Launcher Ammo |
| Small Debris | Bombardier Cell, ARC Alloy, ARC Powercell, Advanced ARC Powercell, ARC Performance Steel, Mechanical Components |
Important Note: Bombardier Cells can drop from both the main chassis and the smaller debris pieces. I always loot everything to make sure I don’t miss any potential cells.
My Pre-Engagement Checklist
Before I take on a Bombardier, I always run through this mental checklist. It’s saved my life more times than I can count:
✓ Spotters located and a plan to delete them on tag ✓ Two safe angles mapped for shoot–shift cadence ✓ Explosives ready to open (Wolfpack/Blaze) and a lure to expose the rear ✓ Heavy or launcher ammo topped; shields and heals bound ✓ Exit plan: extraction window, hatch key, or fallback interior with multiple exits
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of mistakes learning to fight Bombardiers effectively. Here are the biggest ones I see other players make:
Standing Still
The fastest way to get killed by a Bombardier is to stand still. These things are designed to punish static positions. I’m constantly moving, even when I’m lining up shots.
Ignoring Spotters
Those little Spotter drones might seem insignificant, but they make Bombardiers terrifyingly accurate. I always clear Spotters first, even if it means exposing myself briefly.
Using the Wrong Weapons
Bringing a Kettle to a Bombardier fight is a recipe for disaster. I always make sure I have high armor-piercing weapons and powerful explosives before engaging.
Looting Too Early
I’ve lost more Bombardier Cells to third parties than I care to admit because I started looting immediately. Now I always secure the area first, pop smoke, then loot.
Advanced Tips for Experienced Players
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some advanced techniques I use to farm Bombardiers even more efficiently:
Bait and Switch
I use a lure grenade to make the Bombardier turn, exposing its rear cylinder, then immediately follow up with heavy damage. This combo can drop a Bombardier’s health by 30-40% in seconds.
Environmental Warfare
In urban areas like Buried City, I use the environment to my advantage. Shooting fuel barrels near Bombardiers, luring them into kill zones, and using verticality to my advantage are all part of my strategy.
Team Coordination
When I’m playing with others, we coordinate our attacks. One player handles Spotters, another focuses on leg joints, and a third prepares heavy weapons for the rear cylinder. This division of labor makes fights incredibly efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bombardier Cells can I get from one Bombardier?
From my experience, you can get 1-3 Bombardier Cells per kill, with the chance of additional cells dropping from the debris pieces. I’ve never seen more than 3 total from a single Bombardier, but the drop rate seems pretty consistent.
What’s the best time to farm Bombardiers?
I’ve found that off-peak hours (early morning or late night) are best for farming. There are fewer players, which means less chance of getting third-partied during or after the fight.
Can I solo Bombardiers effectively?
Absolutely! I solo Bombardiers all the time. The key is proper preparation, good positioning, and patience. It might take longer than with a group, but it’s definitely doable and often safer.
What’s the fastest way to kill a Bombardier?
The fastest method I’ve found is using two Wolfpack grenades to break armor, followed immediately by heavy weapons fire on the rear cylinder. With proper execution, I can drop a Bombardier in under 20 seconds.
Are Bombardier Cells worth keeping or should I sell them?
Unless you’re desperate for credits, I recommend keeping them. They’re essential for high-end crafting and Workshop upgrades. The 5,000-credit sale price is tempting, but their crafting value is much higher.
Final Thoughts
Farming Bombardier Cells isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. I’ve gone from getting wrecked by these mechanical nightmares to farming them efficiently on a regular basis. The key is preparation, patience, and learning from your mistakes.
Remember, handled correctly, the Bombardier becomes a repeatable farm rather than a coin flip. Make it move on your terms, break it during its own recovery windows, and don’t linger where everyone expects loot to drop.
I hope this guide helps you on your journey to becoming a Bombardier-farming master. If you found this helpful, make sure to bookmark it for future reference, and feel free to share your own tips and experiences in the comments below!
Stay safe out there, and happy hunting!
Looking for more ARC Raiders content? Check out our other guides and tips to become the ultimate raider. Whether you’re a beginner looking for basic survival strategies or an experienced player seeking advanced farming techniques, we’ve got you covered with comprehensive guides that will help you dominate the wasteland.