Arc Raiders has a wide variety of weapons, but the Tempest assault rifle is one that often comes up in discussions among players. If you are looking to get the most out of it, it helps to understand how it works in practice, how it scales with upgrades, and what to expect from its performance in different situations. Below is a comprehensive guide based on common player experience.
What Is the Tempest and How Does It Perform?
The Tempest is a fully-automatic assault rifle that uses medium ammo. In general, it has moderate fire rate and accuracy. Its key stats make it suitable for players who prefer a balanced weapon rather than a highly specialized one.
Practical observations from most players:
Damage: Each shot deals 10 damage, which is moderate for its class. It won’t outgun high-damage rifles in a straight fight, but it maintains consistent output over time.
Fire Rate: At 36.7 rounds per minute, it allows for steady suppressive fire. Players often find it reliable for mid-range engagements.
Range and Stability: Its range is 55.9, and stability is 78.9. This means it’s more accurate than most assault rifles when firing continuously, making it suitable for controlled bursts rather than spray-and-pray tactics.
Agility and Stealth: Agility is 46 and stealth is 14. Most players notice it’s not a stealth weapon—it’s meant for frontline engagements rather than sneaking around.
How Do Upgrades Affect the Tempest?
The Tempest has four upgrade levels, each providing specific perks. In practice, these upgrades can make a significant difference:
Level II:
Reduces horizontal recoil by 16.6%
Cuts reload time by 13%
Adds +10 durability
Level III:
Reduces horizontal recoil by 33.3%
Cuts reload time by 26%
Adds +20 durability
Level IV:
Reduces horizontal recoil by 50%
Cuts reload time by 40%
Adds +30 durability
Most players prioritize horizontal recoil reduction first because controlling recoil improves accuracy significantly. Faster reload times are also appreciated, especially during missions with multiple enemy waves.
How Is the Tempest Crafted?
Crafting is usually the main route to obtaining a Tempest, though scavenging may sometimes yield one. Here’s what you need in practice:
Blueprint Required: You must have a learned Tempest blueprint. Many players look for cheap ARC Raiders blueprints from verified sellers on U4N to save time.
Materials for Tempest I:
1× Magnetic Accelerator
3× Medium Gun Parts
2× Exodus Modules
Upgrade Ingredients: Each upgrade requires advanced mechanical components and more gun parts. For example, upgrading from Tempest I to II needs 2 Advanced Mechanical Components and 1 Medium Gun Part.
In general, players often focus on crafting up to Tempest II or III first to balance resource cost and combat efficiency.
How Do Repairs and Durability Work?
Durability is an important practical consideration because the Tempest does wear out with use:
Repair Costs:
Tempest I: 2 Advanced Mechanical Components + 2 Medium Gun Parts
Tempest II: 3 Advanced Mechanical Components + 3 Medium Gun Parts
Tempest III: 4 Advanced Mechanical Components + 4 Medium Gun Parts
Tempest IV: 5 Advanced Mechanical Components + 4 Medium Gun Parts
Most players repair their Tempest at around 50–60% durability to avoid performance drops mid-mission. Upgrades also increase maximum durability, which helps reduce frequent repairs.
What About Selling or Salvaging?
If you decide to sell or recycle a Tempest, the returns vary:
Sale Price: Ranges from 13,000 credits for Tempest I to 27,000 credits for Tempest IV.
Salvage Returns: Usually give back the medium gun parts and advanced mechanical components, which can be reused.
In general, players tend to recycle older versions when upgrading because the salvage components are almost as valuable as raw crafting materials.
Recommended Use in Missions
From practical experience:
The Tempest is best used at mid-range engagements. Its balance of accuracy and fire rate makes it reliable against common enemy waves.
Avoid using it for stealth or very long-range sniping; it lacks the stealth rating and range for those tasks.
Pairing with muzzle and underbarrel modifications helps most players control recoil and improve aim.
Most squads use it as a secondary support weapon or as a primary for players who prefer balanced gameplay.
Common Player Tips
Focus on upgrading horizontal recoil first. It drastically improves accuracy without needing advanced aiming skills.
Keep an eye on reload time. In high-intensity missions, even a few seconds saved can prevent mission failure.
Salvage wisely. Components from recycling can significantly reduce crafting costs for upgrades.
Blueprint sourcing matters. Some players prefer verified marketplaces for speed, but in-game scavenging can also work if patience is available.
The Tempest in Arc Raiders is a practical, fully-automatic assault rifle. Its moderate damage, accuracy, and fire rate make it versatile for most mission types. Upgrades and repairs improve performance noticeably, and players usually prioritize recoil control and durability. Crafting requires specific components and a blueprint, which can sometimes be sourced externally. In general, it’s a reliable weapon for mid-range engagements rather than stealth or extreme-range roles.
