ARC Raiders Bully, Skulker and Hydra are three new machines introduced with Frozen Trail 2.0 on October 8, 2026. Bully charges towards Raiders, Skulker stalks distracted targets and Hydra defends positions with three independently operating turrets.
Skulker is particularly dangerous when you’re already occupied by another fight. Bully and Hydra need different approaches, so learning to recognize each machine is useful before you enter the new encounters. Here’s what Embark confirms about their attacks and how to survive.
ARC Raiders Bully, Skulker and Hydra: All Three Enemies
Bully is a mobile aggressor that closes distance rapidly. Skulker is an ambusher that can retreat from view before attacking again. Hydra is a stationary turret with three stacked, independently operating sections.
These behaviours call for different responses. Staying mobile helps against a charging Bully, constant awareness is useful against a Skulker, and solid cover is essential when a Hydra begins firing.
Bully Attacks and How to Survive
Embark describes Bully as a machine-learned opponent that gallops towards a Raider and unleashes several lethal attacks. Its aggression means standing still in an open area is likely to leave you with few escape options.
Use buildings, walls or other substantial cover to break up the enemy’s approach. Watch for the moment it commits to an attack, then reposition and fire accurately during openings. Keep enough room to move instead of backing into a closed passage.
Where to Encounter Bully
Bully is part of the Frozen Trail enemy roster, and Pendola Pass features new ARC encounters. The Outpost Sheltered Retreat project also requires players to fight Bully as part of its combat progression.
The official preview does not provide an exhaustive spawn map or a guaranteed fixed Bully location for every raid. Check what is active in your session and prepare for changing patrols rather than assuming the same machine will always appear beside one building.
Skulker Attacks and How to Survive
Skulker prefers to strike when a Raider is distracted. It stays near the edge of your vision, slips out of sight and then moves in with a flurry of blows. That makes it dangerous during another fight or while searching loot.
If you suspect a Skulker is nearby, check angles and entrances before opening containers or reviving a teammate. Keep your escape route clear and avoid letting it decide when every exchange starts. Losing sight of the machine is not proof that it has left.
Where to Find Skulker
Skulker is one of the ARC threats added with Frozen Trail, but Embark’s preview concentrates on how it fights rather than listing a fixed spawn table.
Treat reported spawn locations with care, especially during the update’s first few days. The best preparation is to recognise its stalking behaviour, keep an eye on the edges of your field of view and move through unfamiliar buildings with an exit in mind.
Hydra Attacks and How to Survive
Hydra has three stacked sections that can operate independently. Unlike Bully or Skulker, it is a stationary enemy, but its separate weapon systems can threaten several Raiders at once.
Fight from solid cover and avoid bunching together as a squad. If one teammate attracts attention, another can use that moment to attack while the turret is occupied. Hydra does not need to chase you to make an exposed platform dangerous.
Where to Find Hydra
Embark confirms Hydra appears aboard the Frigate, a huge ARC vessel introduced as a new map condition. The Frigate combines internal paths, elevated platforms, tough enemies and competing Raiders.
The fallen Emperor area also features dangerous ARC technology and powerful encounters. However, Hydra’s official showcase names the Frigate specifically, so avoid treating every Emperor visit as a guaranteed Hydra spawn.
Can You Fight the Three New ARC Enemies Solo?
All three can threaten an unprepared solo player, though their styles are very different. Against Bully, plan where to retreat before it charges. Against Skulker, avoid searching containers while an ambush is likely. Against Hydra, use terrain to limit exposure to its multiple weapons.
A squad has more freedom to split attention, particularly against Hydra, but other Raiders in a PvPvE match may also take advantage of a prolonged fight. Pay attention to your ammunition and extraction plans before committing to a high-risk encounter.
What About Weak Points and Loot?
The general Frozen Trail announcements describe enemy behaviour but do not publish exact weak-point damage multipliers or complete loot-drop percentages for Bully, Skulker and Hydra.
Be cautious of guaranteed-drop claims made without live data. Observe which sections take damage in the current build and verify any quest objective directly in your log. The more important lesson is surviving the enemy’s attack pattern rather than chasing an unconfirmed drop table.
Which New Enemy Is Most Dangerous?
Bully punishes players who give up ground carelessly, Skulker punishes distraction, and Hydra punishes exposed positioning. Hydra’s ability to threaten squads from a fortified position makes it particularly intimidating on the Frigate.
ARC Raiders Bully, Skulker and Hydra reward different habits, so changing your approach for each encounter is more effective than relying on one generic combat trick.
Related Guides
- arc raiders frozen trail
- arc raiders frigate
- arc raiders pendola pass
- arc raiders outpost
- arc raiders grappling hook
- arc raiders amplified weapons
Official source: Embark Studios Frozen Trail content preview.
