Quick Answer: The Grapple Hook gives ARC Raiders players a surprisingly effective way to approach and eliminate Rocketeers. By approaching from behind, attaching at roughly 20 meters, and reeling onto the machine's upper surface, you can deploy a Deadline while avoiding much of its immediate attention. The biggest challenge is escaping safely when the Rocketeer gains altitude.
This method takes some practice, but it can make Rocketeer encounters considerably easier, especially when farming Rocketeer Drivers for Wolfpack crafting. We recommend bringing a Grapple Hook, keeping a Deadline ready, and considering a Photoelectric Cloak for additional protection. Having the right ARC Raiders Items available also makes it easier to prepare for repeated encounters without wasting unnecessary resources.
How the Grapple Hook Strategy Works
The idea behind this technique is simple: instead of fighting a Rocketeer from the ground, use its movement to create an opportunity to climb onto it. Once you're on top, you can deploy a Deadline and use the Grapple Hook to manage your position while the encounter develops.
Rocketeers are dangerous because their ranged attacks can punish players who remain exposed. A conventional firefight can quickly consume ammunition, healing supplies, and valuable equipment. Approaching from outside their immediate field of vision offers a different way to handle the encounter.
The Grapple Hook is particularly useful because it provides more flexibility when climbing and repositioning. Unlike a straightforward ground attack, this approach lets you take advantage of the Rocketeer's movement rather than constantly trying to avoid its attacks.
Recommended equipment:
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Grapple Hook | Approach, climb onto the Rocketeer, and manage your descent |
| Deadline | Deploy on the Rocketeer as part of the attack |
| Photoelectric Cloak | Provide additional concealment when approaching |
| Healing items | Recover from unexpected damage during disengagement |
The Photoelectric Cloak is especially useful for players who are not comfortable approaching a Rocketeer through its patrol area. Its cooldown is separate from the Grapple Hook, allowing you to use both tools as part of the same encounter.
How to Climb Onto a Rocketeer With the Grapple Hook
The most important part of this strategy is getting onto the Rocketeer without entering its field of vision. Rushing directly toward it or swinging across its front can expose your position before you have a chance to climb.
We recommend following this sequence.
Step 1: Approach from behind
First, observe the Rocketeer's movement and wait until it moves ahead of you. Your goal is to reach its rear while staying outside its visible detection area.
ARC machines have recognizable vision indicators, and the blue visual cue highlighted helps identify their field of vision. Avoid moving directly across the front whenever possible.
Step 2: Attach the Grapple Hook at roughly 20 meters
Once you have a suitable position, prepare your Grapple Hook. Around 20 meters is the distance used and provides a practical starting point.
You should avoid rushing the attachment. Take a moment to check the Rocketeer's direction and make sure your approach will not carry you into its front-facing vision.
Step 3: Keep reeling yourself upward
After attaching the Grapple Hook, continuously reel yourself toward the Rocketeer.
The important detail is to maintain the upward movement rather than interrupting it unnecessarily. As you get closer, you should eventually climb onto the machine's upper surface.
Be careful when swinging around its front. Even if the initial attachment goes unnoticed, changing your position can expose you to detection.
Step 4: Deploy Deadline
Once you reach the top, get your Deadline ready and deploy it.
Keep your Grapple Hook available for the next part of the encounter. You do not want to finish the placement and then discover that you have no way to manage your position as the Rocketeer moves.
The key sequence is approach, attach, climb, deploy, and prepare to disengage.
How to Escape When a Rocketeer Flies Too High
This is arguably the most important part of the entire technique.
Rocketeers do not always maintain the same altitude. Sometimes they fly higher than expected, creating a dangerous situation for anyone attached to them. If you jump off without considering the distance to the ground, fall damage can quickly turn a successful attack into a failed extraction.
We recommend adjusting your escape method according to the Rocketeer's height.
Method 1: Lower Your Grapple Hook Toward the Ground
If the Rocketeer flies higher than usual, your first option is to extend your Grapple Hook downward as far as possible.
The goal is to reduce the distance you need to fall when disengaging. Do not simply release the attachment while you are still at a dangerous height.
Instead:
- Check how high the Rocketeer has climbed.
- Extend your Grapple Hook toward the ground.
- Lower your position as much as possible.
- Choose a safer moment to disengage.
This is the more straightforward approach and should be your first option whenever the grapple can reach a suitable lower position.
Method 2: Reattach to the Rocketeer's Base
There is another technique for situations where the Rocketeer flies so high that your Grapple Hook cannot reach the ground.
Rather than trying to escape immediately, aim the Grapple Hook toward the Rocketeer's base. Keep yourself close enough to reconnect and reel yourself back onto the lower structure.
The idea is to climb back onto its base and descend alongside it as it returns toward the ground.
The biggest mistake here is creating too much distance from the Rocketeer. If you move too far away, you may lose the opportunity to pull yourself back onto its base.
Common Mistakes That Can Get You Killed
Even though the Grapple Hook strategy looks straightforward, several mistakes can make it much more dangerous than expected. We recommend paying particular attention to these situations before attempting repeated Rocketeer hunts.
| Mistake | Why It Is Dangerous | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Approaching from the front | The Rocketeer may detect you before you climb | Wait until it moves ahead and approach from behind |
| Swinging across its vision | Your movement can expose your position | Keep your approach behind the machine |
| Ignoring flight altitude | A high position can result in lethal fall damage | Lower the Grapple Hook before disengaging |
| Holding on for too long | You may remain suspended at an unsafe height | Monitor the Rocketeer's movement |
| Jumping off with low health | The Rocketeer can continue attacking you | Disengage near cover and maintain enough health |
| Ignoring nearby Wasps | Additional ARC enemies can interrupt your approach | Watch surrounding enemies before committing |
One particularly important detail is that deploying Deadline does not automatically make you safe. The Rocketeer can still attack after you leave its upper surface.
The player nearly lost the encounter after jumping off with very little health remaining. This is a good reminder that completing the attack is only half the job. You also need a safe route away from the enemy.
If a Wasp is accompanying the Rocketeer, avoid rushing the engagement. Sometimes the Wasp moves ahead of the larger machine, giving you a better opportunity to approach from behind. However, you should always account for the additional threat rather than assuming it will ignore you.
Why Blue Gate Is Worth Considering for Rocketeer Farming
Blue Gate is one of the locations highlighted for hunting Rocketeers with this technique.
Frequently encounter two Rocketeers around certain spawn areas, with one generally appearing on either side of the map. However, these are personal observations rather than confirmed fixed spawn rules. Rocketeers can roam, and their positions may vary between raids.
For players interested in collecting Rocketeer Drivers, the Grapple Hook method offers a useful alternative to prolonged ground combat.
Rocketeer Drivers are relevant to Wolfpack crafting, making repeated encounters worthwhile for players who want to build up their explosive equipment supply.
A few practical recommendations can make these hunts more efficient:
- Check the surrounding area before approaching a suspected Rocketeer position.
- Use terrain and nearby rocks to avoid exposing yourself during the climb.
- Keep Deadline ready before attaching the Grapple Hook, particularly when playing with a controller.
- Avoid committing to the attack if multiple ARC enemies are positioned to interrupt your escape.
- Prioritize survival after the kill rather than staying exposed to collect loot immediately.
For players preparing multiple farming runs, keeping enough ARC Raiders Coins and other resources available can help maintain a consistent equipment supply between raids.
Summary
The Grapple Hook provides a creative and effective way to approach Rocketeers in ARC Raiders without relying entirely on conventional firefights. By approaching from behind, attaching at roughly 20 meters, climbing onto the machine, and deploying Deadline, you can turn a difficult encounter into a more manageable attack.
The biggest challenge is controlling your descent when the Rocketeer flies too high. Lowering your Grapple Hook toward the ground is the preferred approach, while reconnecting to its base is a situational alternative.
For players farming Rocketeer Drivers to craft Wolfpacks, this technique is worth practicing. Just remember that a successful attack means little if you take lethal fall damage or get shot while trying to escape.
FAQ
Can you kill a Rocketeer using a Grapple Hook?
Yes. The Grapple Hook can help you climb onto a Rocketeer, where you can deploy a Deadline as part of the attack. The technique requires careful positioning and timing.
What is the best distance to use the Grapple Hook?
Approximately 20 meters is the recommended starting distance. Your positioning and the Rocketeer's movement are more important than treating this distance as a fixed requirement.
What should you do if the Rocketeer flies too high?
Extend your Grapple Hook toward the ground to lower your position before disengaging. If it cannot reach the ground, you can try reconnecting to the Rocketeer's base and climbing back onto it.
Is the Grapple Hook better than the Snap Hook?
For this particular strategy, we prefer the Grapple Hook because of its climbing flexibility and usefulness when repositioning.
Can the Photoelectric Cloak help with this strategy?
Yes. It can provide additional concealment when approaching a Rocketeer, particularly if you are uncomfortable moving through its field of vision. Its cooldown is separate from the Grapple Hook's cooldown.
Is this method useful for farming Rocketeer Drivers?
Yes. It offers an alternative way to handle Rocketeers and collect the materials needed for Wolfpack crafting. Blue Gate is worth exploring, although Rocketeer spawn locations are not guaranteed.
