Arc Raiders Bobcat Buff – What Players Need to Know

[Zarvenirn]

What Changed With the Bobcat Buff?

Before the buff, the Bobcat was a high fire rate SMG with a lot of recoil and low accuracy, which limited its usefulness beyond close-range skirmishes. After the buff:

Recoil has been reduced significantly across all upgrade levels. Horizontal recoil is much easier to manage, and vertical recoil is more predictable.

Shot dispersion is lower, so bullets are more likely to hit where you aim.

Reload times have been improved slightly at higher upgrade levels, making it more reliable in extended fights.

Durability increases per upgrade, reducing repair frequency.

In practice, this means the Bobcat is now competitive for close to mid-range encounters. It still isn’t a precision weapon like assault rifles, but it can hold its own in most team setups if used correctly.

How Does the Bobcat Perform in Combat?

The Bobcat’s key strengths are its high fire rate (66.7 rounds per second) and agility, making it easy to strafe and dodge while firing. After the buff, you’ll notice:

Close-range engagements are smoother because you can land more shots without being punished by excessive recoil.

The weapon can now handle light to medium armor better, though it’s still weak against heavily armored targets. ARC armor penetration remains very low, so headshots or coordinated fire are needed for tougher enemies.

Stealth is not its strength, with a base stealth rating of 21, so it’s better suited for aggressive runs rather than sneaky approaches.

Common player behavior after the buff shows that most players pair the Bobcat with a secondary long-range weapon. This compensates for its short-range focus while taking advantage of the improved handling.

How Should I Build or Upgrade the Bobcat?

The Bobcat has four upgrade levels, each improving recoil, shot dispersion, reload speed, and durability. Here's a practical view based on how players actually use it:

Bobcat I → II

Requires 1× Bobcat I, 1× Advanced Mechanical Components, 1× Light Gun Parts

Perks: 15% reduced max shot dispersion, 15% reduced horizontal recoil, 13% faster reload, +10 durability

This is usually the first meaningful improvement, making it more controllable in mid-range fights.

Bobcat II → III

Requires 1× Bobcat II, 2× Advanced Mechanical Components, 3× Light Gun Parts

Perks: 30% reduced max shot dispersion, 30% reduced horizontal recoil, 26% faster reload, +20 durability

At this level, you can really start holding sustained fire without missing as much.

Bobcat III → IV

Requires 1× Bobcat III, 2× Advanced Mechanical Components, 3× Light Gun Parts

Perks: 50% reduced max shot dispersion, 45% reduced horizontal recoil, 40% faster reload, +30 durability

This is the “sweet spot” for serious runs. The Bobcat can now compete with higher-tier SMGs in most situations.

In practice, upgrading the Bobcat fully is worth it if you rely on SMGs for mobility and high-rate fire. Many players skip upgrades if they already have stronger long-range weapons, but the improved control at level IV is noticeable in missions with many close-range threats.

How Do I Craft a Bobcat?

Crafting a Bobcat requires both materials and a blueprint. For level I:

Ingredients: 1× Magnetic Accelerator, 3× Light Gun Parts, 2× Exodus Modules

Requirements: Gunsmith 3, Bobcat Blueprint

Obtaining the blueprint can be done via scavenging or as a reward in certain missions. If you’re trading or gathering blueprints, the arc raiders blueprints trade system is often the most practical way to get one without relying on random drops.

Crafting higher-level Bobcats always requires the previous level weapon plus additional components, so it’s a step-by-step process.

Repairing and Maintaining the Bobcat

Durability is an important factor for SMGs since they fire quickly. Here’s what players notice in practice:

Bobcat I: Repairing costs 2× Advanced Mechanical Components + 1× Light Gun Parts; restores +50 durability

Bobcat II: 3× AMC + 3× Light Gun Parts; +55 durability

Bobcat III: 4× AMC + 4× Light Gun Parts; +60 durability

Bobcat IV: 5× AMC + 4× Light Gun Parts; +65 durability

After the buff, durability management is easier because you don’t have to repair as often between missions. Most players aim to keep level III or IV weapons in good condition rather than constantly crafting new ones.

Recycling and Salvaging

If you decide to replace a Bobcat or free up inventory, recycling or salvaging is straightforward:

Recycling generally returns both Advanced Mechanical Components and Light Gun Parts, roughly matching or slightly exceeding the cost per inventory slot in terms of value.

Salvaging usually returns only Light Gun Parts, so it’s less efficient for recouping the cost of the full weapon.

Practical tip: recycle older Bobcats rather than salvaging if you’re focused on maintaining materials for crafting new weapons.

Should I Use the Bobcat After the Buff?

Here’s the bottom line based on common player experience:

The Bobcat is now a solid choice for close-range combat. Its handling is significantly better, especially at levels III and IV.

It’s still not ideal for long-range engagements, so pairing it with a rifle or marksman weapon is recommended.

Crafting and upgrading require investment, but the benefits are noticeable in missions with heavy enemy density.

Overall, the buff makes the Bobcat a more versatile SMG, especially for players who prefer high mobility and aggressive playstyles. It’s no longer a purely niche weapon, and in team runs, it can reliably suppress enemies while other teammates handle the heavy hitters.


Recoil and dispersion improvements make the Bobcat easier to control.

Close-range performance is much stronger after the buff.

Full upgrades maximize stability and durability, making the investment worthwhile.

Crafting requires a blueprint and components, and the arc raiders blueprints trade can help acquire hard-to-find plans.

Recycling older Bobcats is generally more efficient than salvaging.

For players looking for a reliable, high-speed SMG, the Bobcat buff finally makes it competitive in regular missions and specialized runs. Its high fire rate combined with manageable recoil lets you keep pressure on enemies without constantly switching weapons.

Power Level Tips: Get Expert ARC Raiders Boosting at U4N