Hornets are small, fast flying ARCs that pressure you from above with stun shots and thick frontal armor. You’ll see them early and often, and learning their cues and weak points turns a frustrating threat into a quick source of salvage. ARC Raiders launches October 30, 2025 on PC and consoles; you can find the game’s store listing on Steam.

Hornet enemy overview (ARC Raiders)

Property Detail
Role Enhanced patrol drone; often operates alongside Wasps to secure sites and harass raiders
Threat level High
Armor Semi-plated front; front thrusters protected, rear thrusters exposed
Primary attack Electric shock projectile that stuns and damages
Attack cue Red aiming laser before a slow-moving stun round
Special Stun on hit (prevents movement and fighting back)
Weak points Rear thrusters (unarmored); front thrusters (behind armor)
Suggested ammo Heavy ammo to strip front plating faster; any ammo on rear thrusters

Hornet attack pattern and the stun effect

Hornets telegraph their shot with a red laser, then send a slow but punishing electric round. Getting tagged locks you in place and chunks both shields and health. The projectile is dodgeable, but the stun is unforgiving if you’re caught in the open or mid-peek.

  • Break line of sight as the laser appears; the Hornet often fires where you were, not where you’re going.
  • Use dodge rolls and slides to throw off its aim, then cut to cover.
  • Bushes and foliage help you drop aggro; staying out of sight when it’s alert reduces the number of shots you face.

Weak points and how to force a crash

Hornets lose lift when their thrusters go out. Destroying any two thrusters is the tipping point; once it slumps, gravity finishes the job.

  • Rear-first: Swing behind and pop the unarmored rear thrusters. They’re the fastest way to force a fall with standard ammo.
  • Front armor strip: If you’re stuck facing it head-on, heavy ammo chews through the plating over the front thrusters much faster than lighter rounds.
  • Crash advantage: A long fall can destroy the unit outright on impact. If it’s grounded and can’t recover, it will eventually overheat and burst.
Tip: Bait the shot, dodge on the laser flash, then snap to a clean angle on the rear. The stun round’s travel time gives you a small window to line up precise thruster hits.

Best ammo and tactics against Hornets

  • Use heavy ammo to punch off the plates guarding the front thrusters. Once plating is gone, follow-up shots land consistently.
  • With standard ammo, prioritize the rear thrusters. The exposed housings go down quickly and don’t require armor break.
  • Maintain lateral movement between bursts to avoid trading into the stun. Commit to short exposures rather than long beams.

Hornet loot and what to do with it

Hornets drop a mix of useful salvage:

  • Hornet Driver (key component; keep a few on hand)
  • ARC Alloy
  • ARC Powercell
  • Simple Gun Parts
  • Medium ammo

Hornet Drivers are broadly useful and especially strong against Rocketeers later in a run. Make a habit of looting wrecks quickly—air patrols often die in open ground, and lingering invites more pressure.

Early quest: “Wasps and Hornets” objectives and rewards

An early vendor task from Shani pushes you to engage both drones and collect their internals. Progress counts in any topside zone, so you can work on it passively while you explore.

  • Destroy a Wasp
  • Destroy a Hornet
  • Obtain a Wasp Driver for Shani
  • Obtain a Hornet Driver for Shani

Rewards include the Wasp Driver and Hornet Driver, Mechanical Components, Electrical Components, and 9,000 XP. Turn it in when it fits your extraction route; there’s no need to detour to a specific biome.

Evasion and positioning tips vs. stun rounds

  • Change position immediately after the shot is queued—don’t strafe in place on the laser.
  • Peek from hard cover, not soft concealment, and reset after each burst.
  • If you get stunned, teammates should break line of sight for you or pressure the Hornet’s rear to stop the follow-up.

Where Hornets fit in ARC aerial threats

Hornets sit alongside Wasps and Rocketeers as the early aerial roster that keeps you moving and scanning the sky. They arrive early in progression, remain relevant because their salvage feeds multiple needs, and they often show up in patrols that escalate fights if you ignore them. Treat them as fast, repeatable sources of aerial parts—and clear them quickly before they chain-stun you into a crossfire.

Bottom line: read the laser, break line of sight, and target thrusters—rear if you can, front with heavy ammo if you must. Loot the Hornet Driver every time. It pays off immediately for quests and later when Rocketeers enter the picture.