Raider Decks in ARC Raiders: What They Are (And Why They’re Different)

In ARC Raiders, your “cosmetic grind” isn’t just a store tab — it’s built into progression through Raider Decks. A Raider Deck is essentially a themed reward board (think battle pass), where you unlock cosmetics and other rewards by spending Cred you earn from playing.

What makes Raider Decks feel better than a lot of traditional passes is the core idea: you’re not only grinding — you’re choosing. Instead of a strict “Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Tier 3” ladder, you earn a currency (Cred) and use it to purchase the unlocks you care about. That means you can usually prioritize what matters most to you first: an outfit, an emote, a charm, a tool look, or token payouts.

There’s also an important separation between:

• Deck access (which can be free or paid depending on the deck)
• Deck unlocks (which are purchased with Cred once you have access)

The official framing is clear: access to Raider Decks can be purchased for Raider Tokens, then you unlock items inside using Cred earned from Feats. At the same time, ARC Raiders has also been releasing free Raider Decks — including the upcoming Goalie Deck — so not every deck requires tokens upfront.

Bottom line: if you understand the loop — Feats → Cred → Deck unlocks — you’ll stop feeling like cosmetics are “random” and start treating them like a plan you can finish on your schedule.

Cred vs Raider Tokens: The Two Currencies You Must Understand

Most confusion around Raider Decks comes from mixing up Cred and Raider Tokens. They are not the same thing, and using them correctly is the difference between “I’m always broke” and “I always have a deck target.”

Cred (Deck currency)

Cred is the currency you earn through gameplay challenges, and it’s the main way you buy individual rewards inside a Raider Deck.

How you earn it:

• By completing Feats, which are daily challenges that reset every 24 hours (examples include destroying certain ARC types or dealing damage with specific weapon types).

What you use it for:

• Unlocking items inside Raider Decks (cosmetics and sometimes packs/utility).

Why Cred matters:

• It’s the engine that drives Deck progression. If you’re consistent with Feats, you’ll steadily unlock deck rewards without needing to swipe, gamble, or grind endlessly.

Raider Tokens (Premium cosmetic currency)

Raider Tokens are described as an in-game currency used to get raider decks, bundles, or other cosmetic items — things like outfits, backpacks, charms, emotes, and even Scrappy cosmetics.

How you get Raider Tokens:

• Through certain rewards (some Raider Decks grant tokens)
• Through events and promotions (ARC Raiders has given out token login bonuses)
• Potentially through purchases (tokens are treated as premium currency in multiple official and press descriptions)

What you use Raider Tokens for:

• Buying access to certain Raider Decks (if the deck isn’t free)
• Buying cosmetics/bundles in the shop

The key mindset:

• Cred is for progressing a deck.
• Raider Tokens are for buying cosmetic access and shop items.

If you treat Tokens like “spend whenever,” you’ll regret it later. If you treat Tokens like “deck access + only cosmetics I truly want,” you’ll always feel in control.

How Feats Work (Your Daily Cred Machine)

If Raider Decks are the destination, Feats are the road.

Feats are:

• Daily challenges
• Reset every 24 hours
• Designed to push variety (specific ARC targets, specific weapon damage types, specific loot goals)

When you complete Feats, you earn Cred, and that Cred is what you spend to unlock Deck rewards.

A massive “skill gap” in ARC Raiders isn’t aim — it’s feat efficiency. Two players can play the same number of raids and end up with wildly different Cred outcomes simply based on whether they build their sessions around Feats.

The smart way to do Feats

1. Check Feats before you queue
2. If your Feats ask for damage with a certain weapon type, don’t load in with the wrong kit and hope it works out. Plan first.
3. Stack Feats in one run
4. If you have:

• “Deal damage with rifles”
• “Destroy a specific ARC type”
• “Extract successfully”
• That’s not three separate sessions — that’s one run with the right route and the right fights.

1. Keep Feat runs low-risk
2. Feats are a daily income stream. Don’t turn them into a high-stakes PvP flex. Your goal is completion with minimal losses:

• Take the fights you can finish fast
• Avoid long open-area standoffs
• Extract as soon as you’ve completed the key Feats

Feats can be deck-related

Some coverage notes that Feats can be tied to a specific deck’s progression, and that deck Feats are separate from core quest progression. The practical takeaway: don’t ignore Feats because you’re “questing.” Feats are literally your deck fuel.

The Cred Soft Cap (800) and What It Changes for Deck Progress

A major quality-of-life/economy shift introduced in the December 1.7.0 update is the Cred soft cap being shown in your wallet, displayed as 800.

Why it exists:

• The dev note explains the goal: prevent players from stockpiling huge Cred wallets and instantly unlocking new Raider Decks the moment they drop, because that undermines the “earn it while you play” experience.

What it means for you (practical, not theory):

• If you’ve been hoarding Cred “for the next deck,” you should now treat Cred like a flow currency:
• Earn it daily
• Spend it regularly
• Keep your wallet healthy so you can continue benefiting from Feats

Also important:

• The dev note states they will not remove Cred that players accumulated before the cap visibility was introduced. So if you already had a big wallet, you didn’t lose it — the system is about preventing future hoarding from trivializing deck progression.

The smartest way to play around this:

• Pick a deck reward target each week (outfit, tool cosmetic, token payout)
• Spend Cred consistently instead of stockpiling
• Use decks as your “Cred sink” so your daily Feats never feel wasted

How Raider Deck Progression Works (And How to Unlock Smarter, Not Harder)

Even though Raider Decks are “battle pass-like,” the best strategy isn’t “unlock everything in order.”

Your goal should be:

• Get the cosmetics you want first
• Unlock token rewards early when possible
• Avoid wasting Cred on rewards you don’t care about (unless required to move deeper)

A smart unlock path usually follows this logic:

1. Flagship cosmetic first
2. If the deck is themed (like Goalie), the flagship outfit is often what you actually want. Build your early unlocks to reach it.
3. Token rewards early (when available)
4. Some decks reward Raider Tokens as part of progression. Tokens are more flexible than a single cosmetic — they can be used for future decks or shop cosmetics — so prioritizing token payouts is rarely a mistake.
5. Utility packs only if they support your gameplay
6. Some deck rewards can include useful one-time items or packs. Don’t overvalue them — but if they reduce your raid expenses (meds, utility), they can help you stabilize your economy while you grind Feats.
7. Finish with “nice-to-have” cosmetics
8. Hair, face styles, small attachments, and extra variants feel great — but they shouldn’t delay the big items you actually came for.

If you keep unlocking randomly, you’ll feel like decks take forever. If you unlock with intent, decks become a structured checklist you can actually complete.

The Goalie Raider Deck: What It Is, What’s In It, and Why It’s a Big Deal

The Goalie Raider Deck is one of the most important deck drops so far for one simple reason:

It’s a free, permanent Raider Deck.

That means:

• You don’t have to rush it before it disappears
• You can work through it at your own pace
• It becomes a long-term progression target instead of a limited-time panic grind

Release timing

The Goalie Raider Deck is scheduled to be available December 26, 2025.

Theme and key rewards

Official descriptions highlight that the Goalie deck lets you unlock:

• A series of items
• Raider Tokens
• Cosmetics
• …as you earn Cred topside.

The deck’s flagship cosmetic is a Goalie-themed “old world outfit,” and it also comes with a hockey stick Raider Tool — which is exactly as iconic (and hilarious) as it sounds. Some coverage also notes the outfit comes in several colors/variants, which is a big win if you like the theme but want a version that matches your usual look.

Why it matters even if you don’t care about hockey cosmetics

Even if you never wear the Goalie outfit, this deck still matters because it:

• Gives you another place to spend Cred (especially important with the 800 cap visibility)
• Can reward Raider Tokens through progression
• Adds more cosmetic variety without forcing store spending

In other words: it’s not just a skin. It’s another long-term “economy loop” that makes your daily Feats feel valuable.

Goalie Deck Fast Plan: Earn Cred, Unlock Rewards, Keep Your Gear

If you want to push the Goalie Deck efficiently, you need a plan that respects ARC Raiders’ biggest truth:

You don’t progress when you die. You progress when you extract.

Here’s a practical approach that works for most players (solo, duo, or trio):

Step 1: Make a “Feat Kit”

Build one loadout designed for:

• Completing weapon-type Feats
• Fighting ARC quickly and safely
• Escaping PvP when you don’t need it

A strong Feat Kit usually includes:

• A reliable mid-range primary (for consistent damage Feats)
• A close-range option or emergency tool for tight indoor fights
• Enough healing to avoid losing a run to chip damage or a bad rotation
• One utility tool that helps you disengage or reposition

Don’t build your Feat Kit around “winning every fight.”

Build it around “finishing the checklist and leaving alive.”

Step 2: Route for Feats, not for ego

Feats often ask you to interact with specific ARC or deal specific types of damage. So:

• Take routes that let you hit ARC spawns and then rotate out
• Don’t camp hot zones unless a Feat literally requires it
• If you’ve completed your Feats early, extract early

Step 3: Spend Cred regularly

With the wallet showing the Cred soft cap (800), treat Cred like a weekly budget:

• Unlock your next Goalie deck target
• Keep your wallet from stagnating
• Let Feats remain meaningful every day

Step 4: Use Deck rewards to reduce expenses

If the deck includes useful packs or items, use them to reduce how often you craft/buy basics. The less time you spend rebuilding your kit, the more time you spend progressing.

Raider Tokens: Best Ways to Earn Them and the Smartest Ways to Spend Them

Raider Tokens are premium currency — so if you’re earning them for free, you want to treat them like gold.

Ways players have received Raider Tokens

ARC Raiders has used multiple token grants/promotions, including:

• A holiday login bonus of 1,000 Raider Tokens during a defined period (December 18, 2025 through January 13, 2026, ending January 13 at 23:59 CET).
• A previous goodwill grant of 500 Raider Tokens tied to server issues for players who logged in on a specific day.
• Token rewards inside Raider Deck progression (for example, completing Deck AR/RD 001 can reward Raider Tokens).

Spend strategy (simple and effective)

If you want the “no regrets” approach:

1. Deck access first (if/when needed)
2. Some Raider Decks can be purchased for Raider Tokens. If you care about long-term cosmetics, decks typically give you more value than random single shop buys — especially if the deck also contains token rewards.
3. Buy cosmetics you’ll actually use
4. A cosmetic you wear for a week is basically a “rent.”
5. A cosmetic you wear for months is value.
6. Avoid panic spending right after you get Tokens
7. Token grants feel like free money — that’s when people overspend. Wait a day, decide what your look actually is, then spend with intent.

Tokens and fairness (pay-to-win concern)

Embark has publicly emphasized that future Raider Decks include both free and premium options, with gameplay items in free decks, while premium decks focus on cosmetics and convenience, not power. That’s a big deal for an extraction shooter, because progression systems can easily ruin competitive integrity if they sell advantages.

Cosmetics, Tool Customization, and “Looking Cool Without Being a Target”

Cosmetics are fun — but in extraction shooters, your appearance also has a social function:

• It can signal confidence
• It can signal experience
• It can make you memorable (in a bad way)

The December update also adds Raider Tool customization, which makes your identity feel more personal. If you’re picking up the hockey stick Raider Tool from the Goalie deck, this is where you can really make it feel like “your thing,” not just a gimmick.

Cosmetic tips that actually help you survive

• Avoid ultra-bright silhouettes if you’re trying to extract consistently.
• Match the map vibe when possible (muted colors are harder to track at range).
• Use “statement cosmetics” (like Goalie) when you’re running with a team and you’re ready for PvP attention — because yes, cool outfits can draw fights.

And remember: cosmetics are one of the few progression tracks that survive long-term resets. They’re part of what carries your identity forward as you improve.

What Carries Over (So You Don’t Fear Progression Loss)

ARC Raiders has reset-style systems (Expedition-related progression changes), but many key things carry over, including:

• Cosmetics and purchased items
• Raider Tokens and Cred
• Raider Deck progress

So when you invest time into Raider Decks, you’re not wasting it. You’re building a permanent customization library and currency base that sticks with you.

That’s why decks are one of the safest “grinds” in the game: they reward consistency without forcing you to gamble your stash every session.

BoostRoom: Finish Raider Decks Faster (Without the Usual Grind Pain)

If you want the Goalie Deck cosmetics and token rewards without turning ARC Raiders into a second job, BoostRoom can help you finish decks the smart way.

What BoostRoom focuses on:

• Safe Cred farming sessions built around Feats (not random chaos)
• Route planning so you complete Feats with minimal PvP exposure
• Extraction discipline coaching (the #1 difference between slow progress and fast progress)
• Duo/trio coordination so your team finishes Feats faster and loses fewer kits

The goal isn’t “play for you.” The goal is to help you:

• Stop wasting runs
• Stop dying with Feat progress unfinished
• Build a repeatable loop you can run anytime

If you’re serious about cosmetics and economy progression, the fastest path is usually a cleaner plan — not more hours.

FAQ

What is a Raider Deck in ARC Raiders?

A Raider Deck is ARC Raiders’ battle pass-style progression system where you unlock cosmetics (and sometimes useful packs) by spending Cred you earn from daily Feats.

How do I earn Cred for Raider Decks?

You earn Cred by completing Feats — daily challenges like destroying certain ARC types or dealing damage with specific weapon categories. Feats reset every 24 hours.

What are Raider Tokens used for?

Raider Tokens are premium currency used to get Raider Deck access (for some decks), bundles, and cosmetic items like outfits, backpacks, charms, emotes, and Scrappy cosmetics.

When does the Goalie Raider Deck release?

The Goalie Raider Deck is scheduled for December 26, 2025, and it’s described as free and permanent.

Is the Goalie Deck limited-time?

No — it’s presented as a permanent Raider Deck, meaning you can progress it at your own pace.

Does ARC Raiders have pay-to-win cosmetics or premium decks?

Public statements around Raider Decks emphasize that gameplay items remain in free decks, while premium decks focus on cosmetics and convenience — not power.

Do my Raider Tokens and Raider Deck progress carry over?

Yes — Raider Tokens, Cred, and Raider Deck progress are listed among the things that carry over, along with cosmetics and purchased items.