ARC Raiders: How to Get Fireball Burners

Table of Contents

Meet the Fireball: Your Flamethrower-Wielding Nemesis

Fireball ARC units are among the most visually impressive—and potentially lethal—enemies you’ll encounter in ARC Raiders. These spherical machines roll through abandoned facilities armed with integrated flamethrowers, ready to torch anyone who gets too close. Unlike passive reconnaissance units like ARC Surveyors, Fireballs actively hunt players and have no qualms about turning you into charcoal.

The good news? Defeating these pyromaniacs rewards you with Fireball Burners—throwable incendiary weapons that you can either use immediately against other ARCs or save for crafting Workshop upgrades. The What Goes Around quest from Shani specifically requires you to use Fireball Burners against ARC enemies, creating a satisfying irony of burning the machines with their own technology.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about finding, fighting, and farming Fireball units for their valuable Burner components.

What Are Fireball Burners Used For?

Before we hunt these enemies, let’s understand why you need their drops:

Primary uses:

What Goes Around quest completion – Shani’s quest requiring you to burn ARCs with their own weapons
Crafting material – Component for Workshop upgrades and modifications
Direct combat use – Throwable fire weapon against enemies
Anti-ARC effectiveness – Particularly good against mechanical enemies

Why they’re valuable:

Unlike common drops you’ll ignore, Fireball Burners serve multiple purposes. Even after completing What Goes Around, you’ll want to collect these for crafting and combat applications.

Comparison to other ARC drops:

ARC Motion Cores – More common, general crafting
Sentinel Firing Cores – Rarer, specific upgrades
Fireball Burners – Medium rarity, specialized use

Understanding Fireball ARC Units

Before engaging these enemies, know what you’re facing:

Physical characteristics:

Spherical shape – Ball-like frame similar to Surveyors
Blue circular LEDs – Distinctive visual identifier on the sides
Compact size – Smaller than many other ARC types
Rolling mobility – Moves by rolling across terrain

Combat behavior:

Active aggression – Will pursue and attack players
Flamethrower deployment – Opens hatch to arm weapon systems
Close-range specialist – Most dangerous at short distances
Fire status effect – Can ignite players, causing continuous damage

Tactical patterns:

Fireballs use a predictable attack sequence:

Detect player presence
Roll toward target
Stop and open hatch
Deploy flamethrower
Spray fire in forward cone

Understanding this pattern is key to defeating them efficiently.

Spawn Locations: Where to Find Fireballs

Fireball units technically spawn on all maps, but certain locations see far higher frequency:

Fireball Burners location dam battlegrounds

Best Farming Locations

Dam Battlegrounds (Primary):

Research & Administration building
Testing Annex facility
Control Tower interior sections
Abandoned structures throughout map

Buried City (Secondary):

Research facility areas
Hospital lower levels
Industrial zones near Parking Garage
Underground sections of major buildings

Why these maps:

Fireballs favor indoor industrial environments—research stations, abandoned facilities, and underground areas. Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City have the highest concentration of these terrain types.

Terrain Preferences

High-probability zones:

Interior spaces – Buildings, corridors, rooms
Research facilities – Labs and testing areas
Underground sections – Basement levels and tunnels
Industrial complexes – Manufacturing or storage zones

Low-probability zones:

Open fields – Rarely spawn in completely open areas
Village housing – Residential buildings see fewer Fireballs
Exterior perimeters – Map edges less likely

Strategic implication:

If you’re specifically hunting Fireballs, prioritize interior exploration of research-themed buildings. Avoid wasting time checking open areas or purely residential zones.

Spawn Density Comparison

Dam Battlegrounds Research & Administration:

Spawn frequency: High
Multiple Fireballs possible: Yes
PvP risk: Very high
Best for: Efficient farming with acceptable risk

Buried City Research Facility:

Spawn frequency: Medium-high
Multiple Fireballs possible: Yes
PvP risk: High
Best for: Alternative when Dam is too contested

Other locations:

Spawn frequency: Low to medium
Best for: Opportunistic farming during other objectives

If you completed Medical Merchandise quest, you already know many of these buildings—Fireballs often share spawn zones with medical facilities.

Loadout Requirements: What to Bring

Unlike casual quests where free loadouts work, hunting Fireballs requires specific gear:

Essential Weapon Types

Heavy ammo weapons (strongly recommended):

Ferro – Excellent ARC armor penetration
Anvil – High damage, good against armored enemies
Other heavy weapons – Any gun using heavy ammo works

Why heavy ammo matters:

Fireballs have protective armor plating. Light ammo weapons take significantly longer to destroy them, wasting time and ammunition. Heavy ammo cuts through armor efficiently.

Alternative weapon options:

If you don’t have heavy weapons:

Upgraded assault rifles with weapon mods
DMRs for precision damage
Shotguns at very close range (risky)

Just understand that non-heavy weapons require more shots and time.

Defensive Gear

Recommended protection:

Fire-resistant gear if available
Shield (Ferro minimum)
Healing items – Mushrooms or medical supplies

Why fire protection matters:

Getting caught by the flamethrower inflicts continuous burning damage. Fire resistance reduces this significantly, but healing items work as backup.

Inventory Management

For What Goes Around quest:

Safe Pockets – Protect Fireball Burners you collect
Quick-use slot – Equip Burner for easy throwing
Backup Burners – Bring 3-4 minimum for quest safety

For general farming:

Storage space for multiple ARC drops
Room for incidental loot from buildings
Stash management preparation

Combat Strategy: How to Defeat Fireballs

Two distinct methods exist for killing Fireball units—each with different risk/reward profiles:

Method 1: Distance Shooting (Safe but Slow)

Basic approach:

Spot the Fireball – Look for blue LEDs on sides
Maintain distance (~15-20 meters minimum)
Start shooting – Target center mass
Keep backing up if it advances
Continue firing until destroyed

Advantages:

Minimal fire damage risk
Forgiving of mistakes
Works with any weapon type
Low skill requirement

Disadvantages:

Uses more ammunition
Takes longer to kill
May alert other enemies or players
Fireball might escape if you lose tracking

When to use:

You’re low on health/supplies
Multiple threats present
Unfamiliar with Fireball behavior
Running lower-tier weapons

Fire management tip:

If you do get ignited while maintaining distance:

Stop shooting temporarily
Sprint away from the Fireball
Keep moving – Movement extinguishes fire faster
Return to engagement once flames are out

The rolling motion helps extinguish flames more quickly than standing still.

Method 2: Hatch Shot (Risky but Efficient)

Advanced technique:

Let the Fireball approach – Don’t shoot yet
Aim at center mass – Pre-aim where hatch will open
Wait for hatch opening – It will stop and deploy weapon
Shoot inside the hatch immediately
Watch it explode – Instant or near-instant kill

Why this works:

The internal mechanisms exposed when the hatch opens are the Fireball’s critical weak point. Direct shots into this opening bypass armor entirely, causing massive damage.

Advantages:

Extremely fast kill time
Minimal ammo consumption
Satisfying when executed well
Efficient for farming multiple Fireballs

Disadvantages:

Requires nerve (letting it approach)
Timing window is brief
Miss = you’re in flamethrower range
Higher skill ceiling

When to use:

You’re confident in your aim
Have full health and shields
Farming efficiency matters
Comfortable with Fireball patterns

Pro execution tips:

Pre-aim at head height where hatch will appear
Use higher fire-rate weapons to land multiple shots in window
Position near cover you can retreat behind if you miss
Practice timing – The hatch opens consistently

Method 3: Explosive Approach (Resource-Intensive)

Alternative method:

Throw grenades at Fireball’s position
Use explosive weapons if available
Detonate from safety

Why this works less well:

Fireballs are mobile and relatively small targets. Grenades often miss or deal partial damage. Save your explosives for grouped enemies or more valuable targets.

Situational use only:

Multiple Fireballs grouped together
You’re pinned down and need area denial
Have surplus grenades with no other use

Looting Fireball Burners

After destroying a Fireball:

Loot Collection Process

Step-by-step:

Approach the destroyed Fireball – Blue LEDs will be dark
Interact with the body – Standard looting prompt
Collect Fireball Burner – Primary quest item
Grab additional drops – Often includes mechanical components
Transfer to Safe Pocket immediately if doing quest

What you’ll typically receive:

1x Fireball Burner (guaranteed)
Mechanical components (common)
Scrap materials (occasional)
ARC-related crafting items (varied)

Important timing:

Loot Fireballs immediately after defeat. Other players can steal loot if you delay, and in chaotic situations, you might lose track of which destroyed unit you haven’t looted yet.

Managing Multiple Burners

For What Goes Around quest:

You only need one successful throw to complete the quest, but smart players bring 3-4 Burners as insurance:

First Burner: Your actual quest attempt
Backup Burners: In case you miss or kill is stolen
Extra insurance: Protects against accidental drops or death

Storage strategy:

Safe Pocket: Quest-critical Burners
Regular inventory: Excess for future use
Stash storage: Long-term supply if farming bulk

Review Safe Pocket usage if you’re unclear on protected item mechanics.

What Goes Around Quest: Complete Walkthrough

Now that you understand Fireballs, let’s complete Shani’s quest:

Quest Overview

Quest giver: Shani
Objective: Destroy ARC enemies using Fireball Burners
Difficulty: Easy (once you have Burners)
Required items: 1+ Fireball Burners

Phase 1: Obtaining Fireball Burners

Preparation:

Accept quest from Shani
Equip heavy ammo weapon (Ferro/Anvil preferred)
Bring defensive gear and healing items
Plan your route – Dam Battlegrounds or Buried City

Farming execution:

Deploy to chosen map – Spawn near research facilities
Navigate to high-probability zones – Interior buildings
Hunt Fireball units using combat methods above
Collect Fireball Burners from defeated enemies
Secure 3-4 Burners minimum for safety margin

Time investment:

Experienced players: 10-20 minutes
New players: 30-45 minutes

Spawn RNG affects this significantly. You might find three Fireballs immediately or search for 30 minutes before encountering one.

Phase 2: Using Fireball Burners

Setup:

Equip Fireball Burner in quick-use slot (important!)
Choose appropriate map – Any map works
Deploy for second raid
Locate suitable ARC targets

Valid targets for quest:

Ticks – Small spider-like ARCs (easiest)
Pops – Common spherical enemies
Other Fireballs – Maximum irony
Most other ARC types – Generally work

Invalid targets:

Human players (obviously)
Environmental objects
Non-ARC enemies

Phase 3: The Actual Throw

Execution:

Find your target ARC – Ticks or Pops recommended
Get within throwing range (~10-15 meters)
Aim at the target – Lead moving enemies slightly
Throw Fireball Burner using quick-use key
Watch enemy burn – Fire damage over time
Confirm destruction – Enemy must die from fire

Critical detail:

The enemy must be destroyed by the fire damage, not by you shooting it afterward. Let the flames do the work. If you shoot and kill it while it’s burning, the quest might not register.

If you miss:

Use backup Burner
That’s why you brought 3-4
No penalty for failed throws beyond wasted Burner

Phase 4: Completion

Final steps:

Wait for quest update – Should show as completed
Extract safely – Standard extraction protocol
Return to Shani at vendor menu
Collect rewards

Quest rewards:

(Include actual rewards here if known—the original article didn’t specify)

Common Quest Issues

Problem: Quest didn’t register

Possible causes:

Enemy died from bullets, not fire
Wrong enemy type targeted
Server lag delayed registration
Quest wasn’t active when you threw

Solution: Try again with another Burner on a different target.

Problem: Ran out of Burners

Solution: Extract, farm more Fireballs, return to complete quest.

Problem: Died before extracting after completing objective

Solution: If quest shows completed in log, you should be fine. Verify with Shani.

Efficient Farming Routes

For players needing multiple Burners:

Route 1: Dam Battlegrounds Research Focus

Optimized path:

Spawn near Research & Administration
Enter building via safest access point
Systematically clear floors hunting Fireballs
Move to Testing Annex if needed
Extract with Burners

Time: 15-25 minutes per run
Expected yield: 1-3 Fireball Burners

Route 2: Buried City Research Circuit

Alternative route:

Spawn Buried City near Research facility
Check Research thoroughly
Move to Hospital lower levels if empty
Hit Industrial zones as backup
Extract

Time: 20-30 minutes per run
Expected yield: 1-2 Fireball Burners

Route 3: Mixed Objective Efficiency

For multi-tasking players:

Combine Fireball hunting with other objectives:

Cracked Bioscanner farming – Same medical buildings
Blueprint collection – Research facilities often have these
Supply Drops – Check while traveling

Efficient raiders always stack objectives per raid.

Advanced Combat Techniques

For experienced players seeking optimization:

Technique 1: Chain Engagement

When multiple Fireballs present:

Identify all Fireballs in area
Engage furthest first – Prevents flanking
Use hatch-shot method for speed
Loot quickly between kills
Clear all before looting completely

Why this works:

Fighting multiple Fireballs sequentially is safer than getting surrounded. Kill order matters.

Technique 2: Environmental Exploitation

Use terrain advantages:

Doorways – Fireballs must approach single-file
Elevation – Shoot down at them from platforms
Corners – Break line-of-sight to control engagement
Explosive barrels – Shoot them near Fireballs for bonus damage

Technique 3: Solo vs. Squad Tactics

Solo optimization:

Stealth and surprise
Hit-and-run on single targets
Conservative resource management
Quick extractions

Squad optimization:

Coordinated fire – Multiple players focus one Fireball
Designated looter – One person collects while others cover
Overwatch positioning – Someone watches for PvP threats
Resource sharing – Distribute Burners among team

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Underestimating Flamethrower Range

The error: Getting too close thinking you’re safe

The fix: Flamethrowers have surprising reach. Maintain at least 10 meters unless executing hatch-shot method.

Mistake #2: Forgetting Fire Extinguishing Mechanics

The error: Standing still while burning, taking full damage

The fix: Sprint and roll immediately when ignited. Movement dramatically speeds up fire extinguishing.

Mistake #3: Using Wrong Weapons

The error: Bringing light ammo weapons exclusively

The fix: Heavy ammo or upgraded weapons make Fireball fights far more manageable.

Mistake #4: Not Securing Quest Items

The error: Collecting Burners without Safe Pocket protection

The fix: Always use Safe Pockets for quest-critical items.

Mistake #5: Completing Quest Without Extraction

The error: Burning an ARC with Burner, then dying before extracting

The fix: Quest only counts after successful extraction. Prioritize getting out alive.

Alternative Uses for Fireball Burners

Beyond What Goes Around quest:

Combat Applications

Tactical uses:

ARC crowd control – Fire damages multiple enemies
Denial tool – Creates burning zones enemies avoid
Panic weapon – Effective against player ambushes
Harvester engagements – Fire damage is universally effective

Crafting Integration

Workshop applications:

Upgrade materials for certain modifications
Component in advanced recipes
Trade value if trading systems expand

Long-term Value

Don’t just farm the minimum needed for What Goes Around. Fireball Burners remain useful throughout your progression journey. Stock extras in your stash for future needs.

Integration with Other Quests

Fireball farming combines well with several other objectives:

Compatible quests:

Medical Merchandise – Same Research buildings
Cracked Bioscanner hunting – Medical facilities overlap
Blueprint farming – Research areas have both
General resource farming – Interior buildings have diverse loot

Resource synergy:

While hunting Fireballs, collect:

Mechanical components
Rusted gears and tools
ARC Motion Cores from defeated enemies
Medical supplies from facility containers

Never make single-objective raids when you can accomplish multiple goals.

Progression Context: Why This Quest Matters

What Goes Around sits in the mid-tier of Shani’s quest progression:

What it teaches:

Enemy-specific hunting – Targeting particular ARC types
Resource utilization – Using enemy drops as weapons
Risk assessment – Close-combat scenarios against dangerous enemies
Preparation importance – Bringing right gear makes dramatic difference

How it fits progression:

This quest bridges simple collection missions and more complex combat challenges. It requires:

Moderate combat skill
Specific gear loadout
Multi-phase planning (farm, then use)
Understanding of ARC enemy behavior

Successfully completing What Goes Around demonstrates you’re ready for harder content that combines farming, combat, and strategic thinking.

Final Thoughts on Fireball Burners

Fireball hunting feels more dangerous than it actually is once you understand the combat patterns. These enemies look intimidating with their flamethrowers, but they follow predictable behaviors that skilled players can exploit.

Key takeaways:

Use heavy ammo weapons (Ferro/Anvil) for efficient kills
Master hatch-shot technique for speed farming
Bring 3-4 Burners minimum for What Goes Around
Let fire damage complete kills during quest
Extract immediately after quest completion

The What Goes Around quest teaches an important lesson: in ARC Raiders, enemies drop resources that become weapons against themselves. This philosophy extends to many ARC types—understanding how to repurpose enemy drops into tactical advantages accelerates your progression significantly.

Pro tip: After completing the quest, keep farming Fireballs occasionally. Having 5-10 Burners in your stash provides tactical flexibility for future raids. They’re particularly useful when you need reliable ARC damage without using expensive ammunition.

Ready to turn the tables on these flamethrower-wielding spheres? Download ARC Raiders on PlayStation or Xbox and start your pyromaniac robot hunting today.

Good luck with your Fireball farming, and remember—if you catch fire, roll away!

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