The Vaporizer is one of the deadliest ARC enemies ever added to ARC Raiders. Introduced with the Flashpoint update, this flying drone guards Assessor probes and drops a critical crafting material — the Vaporizer Regulator — when destroyed. You need these Regulators to craft the legendary Dolabra shotgun and to complete stages of the High-Gain Antenna community project, which demands a staggering 19 of them in total.
Quick answer: Queue into any map running the Close Scrutiny map condition, head to the Assessor probe location, kill the Vaporizers patrolling around it, and loot the guaranteed Vaporizer Regulator drop from their salvage.
Where Vaporizers Spawn
Vaporizers are not tied to a single map. They exclusively appear during the Close Scrutiny major map condition, which is the first ARC Operation in ARC Raiders. If Close Scrutiny isn't active on any map in your queue, you simply won't encounter a Vaporizer.
Once you load into a Close Scrutiny raid, open your map and look for the Assessor probe marker. These probes drop from the sky shortly after the raid begins, landing at semi-random positions — sometimes near the center of the map, sometimes along the outskirts. Vaporizers serve as the Assessor's dedicated protectors, so heading toward the probe is the most reliable way to find them. Expect at least two Vaporizers guarding each Assessor, with additional ones potentially spawning if you begin breaching the probe.
You may also encounter lone Vaporizers roaming the map during Close Scrutiny, though they appear in greater numbers near Assessors. Visually, they resemble Rocketeers at a distance, so look for the telltale laser beam to confirm what you're dealing with before engaging.
How to Get Vaporizer Regulators
Destroying a Vaporizer is the primary method. The Regulator appears to be a guaranteed drop from the Vaporizer's salvage pile, provided another player hasn't already looted it. Since these enemies only exist in Close Scrutiny, the Regulator is effectively exclusive to that map condition as well.
Defeating a Vaporizer — Weak Points and Tactics
Vaporizers are extremely tanky and deal punishing fire damage with a continuous laser beam that scorches both you and the surrounding terrain. Treating them like a standard Wasp or even a Rocketeer will get you killed fast. Preparation matters more here than with almost any other ARC in the game.
Step 1: Bring high-damage, long-range weapons. The Hullcracker, Aphelion, and a fully upgraded Renegade all perform well. Wolfpack explosives are effective, too, though the Vaporizer can sometimes intercept throwables with an energy shield, so timing matters. Stock up on strong healing consumables — the burn damage chews through supplies quickly.
Step 2: Find solid cover before engaging. Buildings and large structures let you break the line of sight, which is essential for surviving the laser. Peek out to deal damage, then duck back before the beam locks on. The primary laser has a brief charge-up animation, giving you a short window to reposition.
Step 3: Target the rotors around the Vaporizer's rim. There are eight propulsors total, two at each corner, and destroying them reduces the drone's speed and mobility. Also, aim for the exposed core on its underside when you have a clear angle.
Step 4: Watch for the energy shield. Similar to the Matriarch's barrier, the Vaporizer can activate a shield that negates all incoming damage. Stop shooting when you see it activate and wait for the shield to drop before resuming fire.
Step 5: If fighting alongside other players, spread out. The Vaporizer can target multiple players simultaneously with a focused laser volley, and clustering together means everyone burns through healing items at once. Spacing out forces the drone to split its attention.
Vaporizer Regulator Uses
The Regulator feeds into several important crafting and project requirements. Here's a breakdown of where they go:
| Use | Regulators Needed | Other Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Dolabra (legendary shotgun) | 2 per craft | 3 Shredder Gyros, 3 Magnetic Accelerators |
| High-Gain Antenna project (total across stages) | 19 | Various other materials per stage |
| Recycling | 1 Regulator | Yields 1 Advanced Electrical Component + 2 ARC Circuitry |
The Dolabra blueprint itself drops from inside Assessors during Close Scrutiny, so you'll likely be fighting Vaporizers anyway if you're chasing the shotgun. Given the High-Gain Antenna project's steep demand, avoid recycling Regulators until you've donated the required amount for the community project stages.
Recommended Loadout Summary
| Slot | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary weapon | Hullcracker or Aphelion | High damage per shot; Hullcracker is more forgiving with aim |
| Backup weapon | Fully upgraded Renegade | Solid DPS if you can consistently hit the small rotors |
| Throwable | Wolfpack | Strong burst damage, but time throws around the energy shield |
| Consumables | High-tier healing items | Burn damage drains health rapidly; bring more than you think you need |
| Defensive gear | Shields | Extra survivability against the laser's sustained damage |
Farming Vaporizer Regulators is a grind that rewards patience and preparation. The Close Scrutiny map condition is your only reliable entry point, and the Vaporizer itself hits harder than nearly anything else in ARC Raiders right now. Go in with upgraded weapons, plenty of healing, and ideally a squad — you'll need all of it to walk away with the Regulators intact.