In Arc Raiders, players often come across a variety of items that can be used for crafting, upgrading, or combat. One item that tends to raise questions among new and intermediate players is the Wasp Driver. This guide explains how it works, where to find it, and how most players use it effectively.

What is the Wasp Driver and How Does It Work?

The Wasp Driver is a rare item in Arc Raiders. Its main characteristics are:

It can be thrown, and if shot while in midair, it explodes, dealing 80 damage within a 5-meter radius.

After use, it leaves a Damaged Wasp Driver behind, which can be picked up or recycled.

The item weighs 0.6 units and stacks up to 3 per inventory slot, making it relatively light and easy to carry in multiples.

In general, players use it both for combat and for crafting purposes. The explosive function makes it a useful crowd control tool when fighting multiple small enemies, especially Wasps and other small ARC units. Most players find it helpful to throw it ahead of a fight and then shoot it to trigger the explosion at the right moment. Simply throwing it without shooting usually doesn’t give enough damage for combat purposes.

Where Can You Find the Wasp Driver?

Wasp Drivers are primarily found by scavenging destroyed Wasps. When you defeat a Wasp, there’s a chance it will drop one. They can also occasionally appear in ARC supply caches, but scavenging remains the most reliable method.

Players usually prioritize Wasp-heavy areas if they need multiple Wasp Drivers for upgrades or recycling. Keep in mind that since it is a rare item, you won’t get one from every Wasp—expect to spend some time farming if you want a larger stack.

How Do Most Players Use the Wasp Driver?
1. Combat Usage

In practice, players use Wasp Drivers for explosive damage rather than direct hits. The typical strategy is:

Throw the Wasp Driver into a group of enemies.

Shoot it midair or after it lands near enemies to trigger an explosion.

The radius is about 5 meters, so timing and placement matter. Players often combine Wasp Drivers with other crowd control abilities to maximize efficiency. Using it on a single target is usually overkill unless the target is a Wasp or a small robot.

2. Crafting and Upgrading

Another main use is in upgrading the Gunsmith. Players often save Wasp Drivers specifically for this purpose. The crafting recipe for a Gunsmith upgrade typically requires:

3× Rusted Tools

5× Mechanical Components

8× Wasp Drivers

Once you collect these materials, you can upgrade your Gunsmith from level 1 to level 2. Most players try to balance scavenging Wasp Drivers and other components to avoid running out during an upgrade cycle.

3. Recycling

The Wasp Driver can also be recycled into ARC Alloy, making it a valuable resource if you have extras. Recycling is often preferred if you have enough Wasp Drivers for crafting and don’t need them immediately for combat. Most players check their inventory for Damaged Wasp Drivers after fights and decide whether to recycle or keep them for future use.

Can You Sell or Trade Wasp Drivers?

While the game allows a sell price of 1,000, most players don’t prioritize selling unless they have excess stock. However, if you are trying to gather currency for other items, it’s a straightforward option. Some players also look to sell blueprints ARC Raiders that include Wasp Driver-related upgrades, especially when trading is possible in cooperative modes. In general, holding onto Wasp Drivers is more useful for crafting or combat than for immediate currency.

Practical Tips from Experienced Players

Stack up: Carrying multiple Wasp Drivers is a good idea since they are light and stackable. Three is usually enough for small skirmishes.

Timing is key: Throwing and shooting at the right moment maximizes damage. Many players misjudge the distance and waste a Wasp Driver on a missed explosion.

Recycle strategically: If you are farming for ARC Alloy, keep track of your Damaged Wasp Drivers. Recycling them instead of using them in combat can save time for large-scale crafting.

Focus on Wasps: Since they drop Wasp Drivers reliably, targeting Wasps during scavenging runs is more efficient than searching random ARC zones.

Combine with skills: Most players pair Wasp Driver explosions with area-of-effect skills or traps to control larger enemy groups efficiently.

The Wasp Driver in Arc Raiders is a versatile rare item that serves multiple roles:

Combat: Explosive damage to groups of enemies.

Crafting: Essential for upgrading the Gunsmith.

Recycling: Can be turned into ARC Alloy for materials.

Selling: Optional source of currency but generally secondary to crafting and combat use.

Understanding when to use it for damage, when to save it for upgrades, and when to recycle it is key to efficient inventory management. Most players who plan their scavenging around Wasps and manage their Wasp Drivers carefully find the best balance between combat effectiveness and crafting progress.

Developer Notes:  Secure ARC Raiders Account Purchase at U4N