ARC Raiders Aphelion-guide

Aphelion is one of the most powerful and rarest rifles in ARC Raiders. Many players want to obtain it, but not everyone knows where to find the Blueprint, how to craft the weapon properly, and in which situations it truly shows its full potential. In this guide, we’ll explain what Aphelion is, where to get its Blueprint, what materials are needed for crafting, and when this weapon works best in combat.

What Is Aphelion in ARC Raiders

Aphelion is a powerful energy rifle in ARC Raiders that fires short two-round bursts. It is designed specifically for fighting heavily armored enemies and ARC machines, as it has extremely high armor-piercing power. Simply put, it’s an experimental high-tech weapon that delivers accurate and devastating shots but requires good control: its magazine is small (10 rounds), so every bullet matters. Aphelion is a rare and valuable rifle that performs best in skilled hands.

How to Get the Aphelion Blueprint

To obtain the Aphelion Blueprint, you must find and kill the Matriarch Boss — this is the only guaranteed source of the Blueprint in ARC Raiders. After the boss is defeated, it drops a special container (core) that may contain the Blueprint or rare materials, but only one player can loot it. This means you need to act quickly, especially if other Raiders are nearby.

Matriarch appears only during a special world state and can spawn on three different maps:

• Dam Battlegrounds
• Spaceport
• Blue Gate

When the world event that enables Matriarch spawns is active, you should head out immediately — this boss is the only reliable way to get the Blueprint needed to craft Aphelion.

How to Craft Aphelion & Required Materials

To craft Aphelion, you first need to obtain its Blueprint and then gather several rare materials. Crafting is done at a Gunsmith Level 3 workbench, and the weapon cannot be upgraded afterwards, so it’s important to prepare everything before crafting. Below is the list of materials you need.

Once all materials are collected, you can craft Aphelion and use it in battle immediately.

What Aphelion Is Used For in ARC Raiders

Aphelion is best suited for fighting heavy ARC units and armored targets, where high precision and strong damage are essential. Its energy shots and two-round burst allow you to quickly break through tough armor plates and deal consistent damage. The main advantages of Aphelion are high armor penetration, accuracy, effectiveness at mid-to-long range, and reliable burst damage.

However, in PvE or PvPvE modes, where mobility, fast reaction, and sustained fire matter more, Aphelion falls behind other weapon types. Due to its small magazine and slower firing pace, it’s less convenient in chaotic battles where lighter, more agile weapons with larger magazines perform better.

In short, Aphelion is a specialized weapon made for destroying heavy ARC units, not a universal choice for every combat situation.