If you’re trying to make sense of crafting explosives in Arc Raiders, one of the key items you’ll encounter is Explosive Compound. Most players run into it when exploring industrial areas or trying to craft grenades, mines, or other explosive devices. This guide breaks down how Explosive Compound works in practice and how to use it effectively in your gameplay.
In general, Explosive Compound is a rare crafting material used to make various explosives in Arc Raiders. Its primary role is as an ingredient in crafting, but it can also be recycled back into basic materials.
Rarity: Rare
Weight: 0.3 per unit
Stack Size: 5
Sell Price: 1,000 credits
Most players consider it essential for mid-to-late game explosive crafting because it appears in recipes for grenades, mines, and other powerful devices.
Most players find Explosive Compound by scavenging industrial and security areas. In practice, you’ll usually find it in gray breacheable cube containers. Here are some typical locations:
Industrial Loot Containers: Gray Breachable Cube Containers often contain Explosive Compound, Crude Explosives, and Rubber Parts.
Dam Battlegrounds: West tunnels in the Research and Administration area, and the Power Generation Complex.
Spaceport: Shipping Warehouse gray containers.
In general, the best approach is to prioritize industrial zones and high-security areas if you need it quickly. Many players note that the spawn rate is reliable in these containers, so running the same route a few times usually nets a small stockpile.
Most players use Explosive Compound as an intermediate material in crafting explosives. You cannot craft it without Crude Explosives and Oil, which makes scavenging or recycling necessary. The standard crafting recipe is:
2× Crude Explosives + 2× Oil → Refiner 2 → 1× Explosive Compound
Once you have Explosive Compound, you can use it in multiple recipes at the Explosives Station. Here are some common uses:
In practice, most players prioritize crafting grenades or mines for combat. More complex items like Wolfpack or Trailblazer are usually crafted by experienced players who have a steady supply of components.
Most players don’t always need Explosive Compound for crafting, so recycling is common. In general:
1× Explosive Compound → 2× Crude Explosives (when fully recycled)
1× Explosive Compound → 1× Crude Explosives (when salvaged)
This means that if you find yourself short on Crude Explosives, you can convert Explosive Compound back into basic components. Many players recommend keeping at least a small stockpile for flexibility.
Focus on container farming: Gray breacheable containers in industrial zones are your most reliable source. Security areas are worth checking, but the drop rates are less consistent.
Blueprint strategy: Certain explosive recipes require unlocked blueprints. If you want to craft items like Blaze Grenades or Wolfpack, plan your blueprint acquisition early. Some players look for ARC Raiders blueprints for sale on U4N to speed this up, but most players will eventually unlock them through in-game progression.
Resource management: Don’t overcraft. Most explosives consume rare components like Pop Triggers or ARC Motion Cores. In practice, it’s better to craft what you need for missions rather than stockpiling.
Recycling flexibility: Keep Explosive Compound in your inventory until you’re sure which explosives you’ll need. Recycling allows you to adapt to whatever mission or fight comes next.
Weight considerations: Each Explosive Compound weighs 0.3, and stack size is only 5. Most players carry a few at a time, enough for crafting multiple explosives without overloading inventory.
Q: Is Explosive Compound easy to find? In general, it’s not hard, but it’s also not everywhere. Industrial containers are your best bet, and experienced players often farm multiple areas in one run.
Q: Can you trade Explosive Compound? While the game allows selling for credits, most players focus on using it for crafting rather than trading. Some look for external marketplaces, but sticking to in-game sources is safer and more predictable.
Q: Should I craft everything I find? Usually, no. Most players keep a balance between raw materials and crafted explosives. Crafting too many high-level explosives can leave you short on essential components for other recipes.
Q: Are there alternatives? Crude Explosives and Oil are the building blocks. If you’re low on Explosive Compound, recycling or scavenging additional Crude Explosives is usually the fastest workaround.
Explosive Compound in Arc Raiders is a core material for explosive crafting. In practice, most players focus on scavenging industrial and security areas, crafting only what’s needed, and recycling leftovers. Managing blueprints, inventory weight, and crafting priorities makes a big difference in mid- and late-game performance. Following these strategies ensures you can make grenades, mines, and other explosives efficiently, without wasting rare resources.