Complete Arc Raiders Smoke Grenade Guide for New and Experienced Players

If you’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a while, you’ve probably run into situations where vision control can make or break a fight. One of the most commonly used tools for this is the Smoke Grenade. In this guide, I’ll explain how it works in practice, how most players use it, and what you should keep in mind to get the most out of it.

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What is a Smoke Grenade and How Does It Work?


In Arc Raiders, the Smoke Grenade is a rare utility item designed to obscure vision. When thrown, it creates a smoke cloud that lasts about 20 seconds and has a radius of 7.5 meters. In practical terms, this means anyone inside the cloud or looking into it from outside will have very limited visibility.


Most players use Smoke Grenades to cover movement, retreat safely, or interrupt enemy line-of-sight during engagements. Unlike some offensive grenades, the Smoke Grenade doesn’t deal damage. Its value comes from tactical positioning rather than raw power.

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How Do You Get Smoke Grenades?


There are several ways to obtain them:

1. 
   
   Crafting – This is the most common method. The basic recipe requires:
   
   
   
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     14× Chemicals
     
     
     
     
     
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     1× Canister
     Crafting is done at a Utility Station level 1 or a Workbench. Usually, players stockpile materials and craft multiple grenades before heading into missions.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Buying from Apollo – For players who have extra resources or prefer not to farm, Apollo sells Smoke Grenades. In general, this is used when you want to quickly resupply between missions.
   
   
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Scavenging or Salvaging – Players can sometimes find Smoke Grenades as loot. If you recycle one, you get back 2× Chemicals and 1× Canister, and salvaging usually gives 3× Chemicals.
   
   
   
   

For new players, crafting is usually the most reliable approach since you control how many you make. Experienced players sometimes prefer to buy arc raiders items directly when they’re focused on mission efficiency.

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How Should You Use Smoke Grenades?


Most players use Smoke Grenades in three main ways:

1. 
   
   Covering Retreats
   If a fight is going poorly, throwing a Smoke Grenade between you and the enemies gives you a short window to reposition or retreat. In general, it works best when paired with movement abilities or a teammate providing covering fire.
   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Blocking Enemy Sightlines
   Smoke can be used to interrupt snipers or ranged attackers. Experienced players often throw it into choke points or around corners where enemies are likely to hold. Usually, you want to throw it slightly ahead of your movement path so you don’t get trapped in your own smoke.
   
   
   
   
   
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   Coordinated Team Plays
   In team play, smoke grenades can be combined with other utilities. For example, using a smoke to obscure vision while a teammate plants an objective or flanks the enemy. Most players communicate via voice or ping to coordinate this effectively.
   
   
   
   

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Practical Tips from Experienced Players

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  Timing is Everything: Smoke lasts only 20 seconds. Throwing it too early can waste its effect; throwing it too late can mean you miss the tactical advantage.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Throw Placement: Aim slightly ahead of yourself or teammates, not directly at your feet. Most players underestimate how quickly they move relative to the smoke cloud’s coverage.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Don’t Stack Unnecessarily: While you can carry up to 5, throwing multiple grenades in the same area rarely increases effectiveness. Instead, space them out or reserve extras for emergencies.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Know the Radius: The smoke radius is 7.5 meters. Experienced players often count distance roughly by sight or map reference to ensure it covers the intended area without wasting grenades.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Combining with Other Gear: Smoke works well when paired with silencers or low-visibility gear. Players usually combine tactics rather than rely solely on the smoke to gain an advantage.
  
  
  
  

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. 
   
   Wasting Smoke: Throwing it randomly or too far from enemies can make it useless.
   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Blocking Your Own Team: Placing smoke directly between teammates and the objective can actually hurt your team more than it helps.
   
   
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Ignoring Sound: Smoke blocks vision, but not sound. Many players assume smoke makes them invisible, but alert enemies can still track movement by audio cues.
   
   
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Over-Reliance: Smoke is a utility, not a weapon. Experienced players don’t expect it to win fights on its own. It should always support other actions.
   
   

The Smoke Grenade in Arc Raiders is a versatile, tactical tool that most players rely on for vision control and repositioning. It’s easy to craft, and you can also buy arc raiders items if you want a quick resupply. Success with smoke grenades comes from timing, placement, and coordination with teammates. By understanding its limitations and potential, you can use it to tip fights in your favor without depending on brute force.