If you’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a while, you’ve probably come across the Sentinel Firing Core. It’s one of those items that feels important but isn’t always obvious in how it fits into crafting and progression. This guide breaks down how it works, how to get it, and what most players do with it.
What is a Sentinel Firing Core?
In practice, the Sentinel Firing Core is a rare crafting item dropped by Sentinels, the robotic enemies you encounter in ARC zones. Most players think of it as a mid-tier crafting resource because it can be recycled into other materials needed for weapon and gear upgrades.
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Rarity: Rare
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Stack size: 3 per inventory slot
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Weight: 1.0 per unit
In general, you won’t find these in loot crates or general drops—they usually come directly from defeating Sentinels. That makes targeting specific missions and areas where Sentinels spawn the most efficient way to collect them.
How do players usually get Sentinel Firing Cores?
Most players farm Sentinel Firing Cores by focusing on missions or zones with a high Sentinel spawn rate. Here’s what you can expect:
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Target Sentinels in ARC zones: Certain missions have more Sentinel encounters. Experienced players often memorize these spots to maximize drops.
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Repeat high-density zones: Since the cores are rare, one run rarely gives enough. Repeating missions is standard practice.
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Team play can help: In general, teams can defeat Sentinels faster and increase drop efficiency, although drops are still random.
A tip: always check the respawn timers for Sentinels. Some zones allow you to loop quickly without wasting too much time, which is what most experienced players do.
What do Sentinel Firing Cores do?
In Arc Raiders, the Sentinel Firing Core has two main uses: recycling and crafting.
1. Recycling into crafting materials
The most common use is recycling the core into ARC Alloy, a material needed for weapon and gear upgrades. Usually, 1 Sentinel Firing Core gives you 2× ARC Alloy. Some players also recycle it for mechanical components, which are handy for crafting in general.
Most players balance how many cores to keep versus recycle. If you’re low on ARC Alloy, recycling makes sense. Otherwise, saving cores for high-level crafting is standard.
2. Crafting upgrades
You can use the core directly in certain crafting recipes. For example, upgrading your Gunsmith level 2 to 3 requires:
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3× Rusted Gear
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5× Advanced Mechanical Components
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4× Sentinel Firing Core
In general, completing these upgrades gives better weapons or gear abilities, making farming the cores worthwhile for players focused on progression.
Is it worth farming Sentinel Firing Cores?
In practice, the answer depends on your goals. Most players find them valuable because:
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They are required for mid- to high-level crafting. Without them, some upgrades are impossible.
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They recycle into materials that are often in short supply. ARC Alloy is needed for a lot of gear.
However, not every player farms them obsessively. If your current gear doesn’t need upgrades, many players focus on other resources first and only farm cores when required.
Where do most players get them efficiently?
While cores can drop from Sentinels in multiple zones, efficiency comes from:
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High-density Sentinel missions: These missions often yield multiple cores per run.
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Focusing on team missions: Drops are not guaranteed per player, but teams clear more Sentinels faster.
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Watching drop behavior: Some players report that cores appear more often on elite or named Sentinels.
Also, if you’re curious about resources beyond farming, you might hear about Arc Raiders coins available on U4N. Most players don’t rely solely on these for progression, but knowing about them can help plan your crafting economy if you want to optimize resource use.
Recycling vs. Saving
A common question is whether to recycle or save the cores. In general:
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Recycle if: You need ARC Alloy urgently or want materials for routine upgrades.
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Save if: You plan to reach higher crafting tiers soon or want to complete specific Gunsmith upgrades.
Most players find a balance by keeping a few cores in reserve while recycling extras. This way, you can continue crafting without feeling stuck later.
Quick tips from experienced players
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Keep track of Sentinel spawn locations and respawn timers. Loops save time.
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Focus on elite Sentinels first—they often drop more valuable loot.
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Coordinate with friends in co-op runs. Multiple players increase the chances of clearing zones quickly.
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Monitor your inventory to avoid stacking too many cores; you usually only need 3 per crafting attempt.
In general, these small habits make farming cores less frustrating and more predictable.
The Sentinel Firing Core is one of those resources that feels rare until you understand how and where to farm it. Most players use it for recycling into ARC Alloy or for specific crafting upgrades. Farming strategies usually involve targeting high-density Sentinel zones, repeating missions, and optimizing drops with co-op play. By keeping a balance between recycling and saving, you can make steady progress in weapon and gear upgrades without unnecessary farming frustration.
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