What Does the Photoelectric Cloak Actually Do?
The Photoelectric Cloak is designed to conceal your character from ARC detection. When activated, ARC enemies—whether automated units or AI-controlled combatants—will effectively “lose sight” of you, even if you’re in the middle of combat.
However, this invisibility comes with trade-offs. You can only walk slowly while the cloak is active. Sprinting or sudden movements can reveal you, so it’s not a tool for aggressive play. It’s best used to reposition, escape, or set up ambushes rather than charging headfirst into battle.
How Does Energy Management Work?
The cloak relies on an energy bar displayed on your HUD. Understanding this is crucial:
Activation Cost: A small chunk of energy is used immediately upon activation. If you toggle the cloak on and off quickly, you’ll waste energy. Most experienced players find it more efficient to activate it once and maintain it for longer periods rather than short bursts.
Recharge: The energy bar slowly regenerates after the cloak is stowed, even if you don’t actively use it. This means you can plan your next stealth maneuver once your energy replenishes.
Multiple Cloaks: You can carry more than one Photoelectric Cloak in your loadout, but all share the same energy meter. Carrying extras doesn’t extend your maximum usage time.
Managing this energy effectively separates skilled raiders from casual players. Overusing short activations or failing to track recharge timing often leads to exposure at critical moments.
How Do I Acquire a Photoelectric Cloak?
There are three main ways to get the cloak:
Scavenging: Occasionally, the cloak can be found as loot in higher-tier zones. It’s not common, so patience is key.
Crafting: If you prefer a more reliable approach, crafting is possible. You’ll need:
2× Advanced Electrical Components
4× Speaker Components These are combined at a Utility Station 3 to produce a single cloak. Crafting requires some preparation, but ensures you have a cloak when you need it.
Player Market: Some players sell cloaks directly. If you’re looking to save time, check listings for arc raiders items for sale, but always compare costs with the effort of scavenging or crafting.
How Do I Repair the Cloak?
Like most gadgets in Arc Raiders, the Photoelectric Cloak has durability. Using it repeatedly without maintenance reduces effectiveness over time. Repairing it requires:
1× Advanced Electrical Components
2× Speaker Components
This restores +50 durability to the cloak. In practice, most raiders cycle their cloaks through repair stations whenever they hit the halfway point to avoid being caught with a weakened gadget during missions.
Can I Recycle or Salvage It?
Yes. If you have extra cloaks or want to recover components, you can:
Recycle: Returns 1× Advanced Electrical Components and 1× Speaker Component
Salvage: Returns only 1× Advanced Electrical Components
This is useful for players managing limited crafting materials. Many veteran raiders keep one cloak active and recycle extras rather than hoard them.
Tips for Using the Cloak Effectively
Timing Is Everything: Don’t activate the cloak too early. Wait until ARC patrols are near or when you need to cross open areas.
Plan Your Movement: Since you move slowly, avoid long, exposed runs. Use cover or slow-moving objects to maximize stealth.
Combine With Other Gadgets: Pair the cloak with decoys or environmental distractions to further reduce the risk of detection.
Energy Conservation: Keep track of your energy bar. If you find yourself frequently running out mid-escape, it’s better to practice longer, continuous usage rather than toggling repeatedly.
Environmental Awareness: The cloak doesn’t make you completely untouchable. Some ARC systems have detection methods that override stealth, like thermal scanning or sound-based triggers.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Even experienced players can mismanage the Photoelectric Cloak. Common pitfalls include:
Assuming Complete Invisibility: Some ARC enemies can still detect raiders if they make noise or move too quickly.
Wasting Energy With Short Bursts: Rapid activation and deactivation burns energy faster than necessary.
Carrying Multiple Cloaks Without Benefit: Extra cloaks won’t extend your maximum active duration because the energy bar is shared.
Understanding these limits helps prevent frustration during intense missions.
The Photoelectric Cloak is one of the most tactical gadgets in Arc Raiders. It’s not about rushing in or being flashy—it’s about timing, energy management, and strategic positioning. Acquiring it through scavenging, crafting, or the player market can give you a noticeable edge, but using it effectively requires practice and awareness.
For players looking to maximize their stealth options, mastering the cloak is essential. Keep in mind its limitations, plan your movements, and monitor your energy carefully. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes a versatile tool that can turn tricky situations into opportunities.
