Shoulder swapping in ARC Raiders is a small camera tweak that creates real advantages in third-person gunfights. It lets you see around cover on the side that matters without shifting your character’s position. Here’s how to activate it quickly and how to use it to control engagements.

Swap shoulder aim in ARC Raiders (PC and controller)

Use a single input to flip the over-the-shoulder camera to the opposite side. The change is instant and has no cooldown.

Input device Shoulder swap action
Keyboard Press X
Controller Press the right stick

Tap the control again at any time to revert. You can do this while aiming, moving, or behind cover.

What shoulder swapping actually changes (and what it doesn’t)

Shoulder swap moves only the camera perspective. Your crosshair, bullet origin, and point of impact do not change when you flip sides—the shots still land where the reticle indicates.

What does change is your field of view around the edge of cover. Expect roughly 30 degrees of extra visibility on the new side and a similar reduction on the opposite side. Used well, that extra slice of vision is enough to spot a player lining up a shot or an ARC unit patrolling an approach.

Use shoulder swap for corners and cover

Third-person battles are won and lost on angles. When holding or clearing a corner, swap to the shoulder that faces the opening so the camera can peek without overexposing your character model. This helps you:

  • Check for threats before committing to an aim-down-sights duel.
  • Track enemy movement while staying tighter to cover.
  • Plan a re-peek timing without telegraphing your position.

Make swapping a habit as you reposition. If you move from left-hand to right-hand cover, flip shoulders before you peek; it’s faster and safer than stepping out blind.

Use shoulder swap against ARC bots

The same camera advantage applies to AI. Swap shoulders to break line of sight behind hard cover, then watch the patrol path on the safe side before you move. This makes it easier to disengage or choose a cleaner angle.

With the camera on the correct side, you can better watch an ARC’s vision cone color from behind cover and see if it’s tracking you or switching focus to another target. Treat ARC activity as ambient intel: it can warn you that other players are nearby. Just be ready for the bot to re-acquire you if you overstay your peek.

Quick scenarios to practice

  • Right-hand corner hold: Swap to the right shoulder and pre-aim the edge; re-peek only when you have info.
  • Crossing a doorway: Swap as you approach, slice the doorway with the camera, then commit if the room is clear.
  • Disengaging from ARC: Swap to keep the unit in view while you path behind hard cover to drop aggro.

Mastering shoulder swap is about rhythm: flip before you peek, not during. Keep the camera on the side that gives you information with the least exposure, and you’ll win more trades, waste less movement, and make cleaner decisions against both players and ARC units.