RSVSR Why Shared Watch Is the Fastest Merit Farm in ARC Raiders

[Rodrigo]

The Shared Watch event in ARC Raiders is the rare stretch where you can breathe a little, because the focus is straight PvE from February 10th through the 24th, 2026, and that changes how you should spend your sessions. If you're coming in to chase Merit and plan your unlocks around ARC Raiders Items, you'll notice fast that hunting players is basically a hobby right now, not a strategy. No event rewards for PvP means your time's better spent deleting machines, staying alive, and getting out with your pockets full ARC Raiders Items.



Merit Is The Only Score That Matters
Merit points are your event currency, and they come from doing one thing well: dropping ARC machines. That sounds simple, but it's easy to waste a night spraying at anything that moves and still feel behind. You want the big payouts, so you target the machines that actually move the needle. Elites are the obvious priority, and the event objectives are the quiet booster that a lot of people forget to check. You'll feel it when you start stacking those chunks of progress instead of relying on slow, steady drip points.



Build A Squad That Covers Mistakes
Solo runs can be fun, sure, but Shared Watch punishes lone-wolf pacing. You're not just fighting one tough target; you're fighting stamina, ammo, and bad timing. A sensible squad smooths all of that out. You want someone who's happy to play support and keep shields or heals flowing, one or two players who can burn down priority targets fast, and at least one person thinking about control—pulling aggro, clearing swarms, or locking down a messy angle. Even with randoms, call out elites, share ammo when it makes sense, and don't wander off to "just loot real quick" because that's how runs fall apart.



Stop Bleeding Resources On Small Fights
You'll run dry quicker than you expect if you treat every patrol like a boss encounter. Save your good stuff for the fights that pay: elites, objective pushes, and moments when the team's about to get overwhelmed. That means shorter bursts, cleaner shots, and backing out when you're low instead of forcing a hero play. A lot of players lose Merit pace because they're constantly limping into the next engagement with no meds, half ammo, and a broken plan. Play boring when you need to, then go loud when it counts.



Make The Two Weeks Feel Smaller
Two weeks sounds generous until you skip a couple nights and suddenly the tracker looks ugly. Check your progress at the start of a session, set a realistic daily Merit target, and quit chasing "one more run" if it's turning into sloppy deaths. Peak hours usually mean quicker matchmaking and more teammates who know the loop, so use that if your schedule allows. Keep farming smart, keep your squad tight, and if you're the type who likes being prepared for what comes after Shared Watch, it doesn't hurt to buy ARC Raiders gear early so you're not scrambling later ARC Raiders Coins.