ARC Raiders Flashpoint Weapons Guide: Canto, Dolabra & Surge Coil Tips

Jonas Author

Created - 03.04.2026 Updated - 05.04.2026

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The developers of Arc Raiders dropped the Flashpoint update recently and it's a big one if you want more things to do in the game.

Part of the update involves the addition of new weapons which are the Canto SMG, Dolabra shotgun, and the Surge Coil. It's easy to get trigger happy with these weapons but of course, there's more to these than meets the eye. On this guide, we'll teach you how to use them.

We know that you're excited to drop right into the new update but before you do, if you're new to the game, check out this release and pricing guide for Arc Raiders first.

New Weapons in the Flashpoint Update

Flashpoint adds three actual combat tools you can use right now. The Canto SMG, Dolabra energy shotgun, and Surge Coil deployable. Each one fills a very specific role, and if you pick the wrong one for your playstyle, you'll feel it immediately. This is not one of those updates where everything overlaps. Each tool is built for a different decision.

Here's the quick decision table before we go deeper.

If you only plan to craft one first, read this:

• Want safe versatility → Canto
• Want raw ARC killing power → Dolabra
• Want utility and team value → Surge Coil

Now let's break them down properly.

Canto — Rare Medium Ammo SMG

The Canto is the safest addition in Flashpoint. It's not flashy, but it's extremely usable. Medium ammo, SMG handling, and consistent damage make it ideal for players who don't want to commit to heavy weapons.

The biggest advantage of the Canto is flexibility. You can clear small ARC, defend against players, and still stay mobile. That's something the heavier weapons don't offer.

Use Cases and Worst Use Cases

The Canto is strongest when you treat it as a mobility-first fight controller, not a spray weapon. If you try to brute force fights, it underperforms. If you play around positioning and tempo, it becomes extremely reliable.

Best Use Cases — When Canto Feels Strong

1. Tight indoor combat
   This is where Canto shines. Buildings, corridors, stairwells, bunker interiors. You can strafe, track, and disengage quickly. Most enemies cannot outmaneuver you in these spaces.

What to do:

• Pre-aim doorways
• Strafe instead of standing still
• Burst fire instead of mag dumping
• Reposition after every kill

Why it works: mobility plus manageable recoil lets you win sustained fights.

2. Third-party cleanup fights
   Canto excels at finishing damaged players or weakened ARC. It is fast, controllable, and forgiving.

What to do:

• Wait for gunfire
• Move in quickly
• Focus lowest-health targets
• Leave immediately after cleanup

Why it works: Canto rewards quick engagements, not long duels.

3. Mixed PvE + PvP runs
   If you don't know what you'll face, Canto is the safest option. It handles small ARC, mid-tier threats, and players.

Best situations:

• Unpredictable map conditions
• Solo exploration
• Objective hopping
• Key room looting runs

Why it works: no hard weaknesses except long range.

4. Aggressive flanking
   Canto is perfect for wide flanks. You can reposition faster and still deal reliable damage.

What to do:

• Rotate around fights
• Avoid frontal pushes
• Hit side angles
• Back out quickly

Why it works: mobility plus sustained damage.

Worst Use Cases — When Canto Feels Weak

1. Open terrain fights
   You lose to rifles, snipers, and even disciplined AR users. Canto struggles to close distance safely.

Avoid:

• Long sightlines
• Hill fights
• Rooftop duels
• Extraction sniping

Fix: reposition instead of forcing shots.

2. Heavy ARC encounters
   Canto can kill them, but inefficiently. You'll burn ammo and time, which increases danger.

Bad matchups:

• Armored ARC
• Tanky units
• Multi-enemy waves
• Close-range burst threats

Fix: disengage or pair with heavy secondary.

3. Defensive holding
   Canto is not great for holding one position. It's built for movement.

You'll struggle when:

• Holding choke points
• Defending extraction
• Protecting revives
• Anchoring squads

Fix: move, don't anchor.

4. Burst damage fights
   If someone pushes you with a shotgun or Dolabra, Canto loses.

Why:

• Requires sustained fire
• Not instant kill
• Punished by burst weapons

Fix: maintain distance and strafe.

Canto — Rare Medium Ammo SMG

The Canto is the safest addition in Flashpoint. It's not flashy, but it's extremely usable. Medium ammo, SMG handling, and consistent damage make it ideal for players who don't want to commit to heavy weapons.

The biggest advantage of the Canto is flexibility. You can clear small ARC, defend against players, and still stay mobile. That's something the heavier weapons don't offer.

Best Use Cases and Worst Use Cases

Dolabra is a commitment weapon. You either dominate the fight or get punished. It rewards decisive positioning and punishes hesitation.

Best Use Cases — Where Dolabra Dominates

1. Close-range ARC fights
   This is exactly what Dolabra is built for. Heavy ARC melt when you're within range.

Best situations:

• Indoor ARC encounters
• Boss-style enemies
• Tight objective rooms
• Defense scenarios

What to do:

• Hold corners
• Let enemies push
• Fire at close range only
• Swap immediately after shot

Why it works: massive burst damage.

2. Hallway PvP fights
   Dolabra turns narrow corridors into kill zones.

Best setup:

• Hold doorway
• Wait for push
• Fire once
• Swap weapon
• Reposition

Why it works: enemies cannot dodge effectively.

3. Squad anchor role
   Dolabra is excellent when you're protecting teammates.

Ideal uses:

• Revive protection
• Loot room defense
• Extraction defense
• Holding staircases

Why it works: enemies must enter your range.

4. Ambush playstyle
   Dolabra punishes players who walk into you.

Best approach:

• Stay quiet
• Hold corner
• Wait for audio cue
• Burst instantly
• Relocate

Why it works: surprise + burst.

Worst Use Cases — Where Dolabra Struggles

1. Open terrain fights
   Dolabra becomes almost useless outside close range.

You will struggle:

• Rooftops
• Large fields
• Long corridors
• Sniper angles

Fix: avoid open spaces.

2. Multi-direction fights
   Dolabra needs controlled angles. Chaos kills you.

Bad situations:

• Surrounded by ARC
• Third-party fights
• Multiple players pushing
• Open extraction zones

Why it fails: slow follow-up shots.

3. Solo roaming
   Dolabra is risky alone.

Problems:

• Hard to disengage
• No range coverage
• Ammo efficiency issues
• Punished by distance

Fix: bring ranged secondary.

4. Fast enemies
   Anything mobile reduces Dolabra value.

Hard targets:

• Jumping players
• Strafing SMG users
• Flying ARC
• Long-range shooters

Fix: don't chase, reposition.

Surge Coil — Best Use Cases and Worst Use Cases

Surge Coil is not about damage. It's about control and tempo. You win by shaping the fight, not by killing faster.

Best Use Cases — Where Surge Coil Is Strongest

1. Revive protection
   This is the number one use.

How to use:

• Drop coil before revive
• Place slightly behind you
• Watch other angles
• Force enemies to push through damage

Why it works: buys time safely.

2. Extraction defense
   Extraction fights become easier with Surge Coil.

Best method:

• Place near extraction zone
• Cover blind angle
• Watch opposite side
• Force enemies into damage

Why it works: limits enemy approach.

3. Locked room looting
   Surge Coil reduces risk while looting.

Steps:

• Clear immediate area
• Place coil near entrance
• Start looting
• Listen for damage ticks

Why it works: early warning + damage.

4. Choke point control
   Corridors, staircases, tunnels.

Best placement:

• Around corner
• Not visible directly
• Slightly behind choke
• Combine with cover

Why it works: enemies commit into damage.

5. Retreat insurance
   Use it when backing out.

How:

• Drop behind you
• Rotate away
• Heal
• Re-engage later

Why it works: slows pursuit.

Worst Use Cases — Where Surge Coil Is Weak

1. Open terrain
   Surge Coil has little value without choke points.

Avoid:

• Fields
• Large rooftops
• Wide roads
• Long sightlines

Fix: reposition before deploying.

2. Fast fights
   If the fight ends quickly, coil does nothing.

Bad moments:

• Instant PvP duel
• Sniper fights
• Burst shotgun pushes
• Ambush situations

Fix: deploy earlier.

3. Aggressive pushes
   Surge Coil is defensive.

It struggles when:

• You're chasing
• You're flanking aggressively
• You're rushing objectives
• You're playing high mobility

Fix: use only when holding.

4. Constant movement
   If you never stop moving, you won't benefit.

Bad playstyle:

• Hyper-aggressive roam
• Hit-and-run only
• Continuous rotation

Fix: use during pauses.

Which New Weapon Should You Use First?

Here's the straight answer:

If you want the safest investment, craft Canto first.

If you want the strongest potential impact, go Dolabra.

If you want long-term usefulness, take Surge Coil.

Meta Impact

Flashpoint subtly shifts combat pacing:

• Dolabra increases close-range burst fights
• Canto increases mobile engagements
• Surge Coil slows pushes and creates choke fights

That means fights will:

• Start faster
• End faster
• Punish bad positioning more

The update doesn't add raw power creep. It adds decision pressure.

Quick Comparison

FAQs

Which new weapon is strongest overall?

Dolabra has the highest raw power, but Canto is more consistent. Surge Coil has the most utility.

Which one is best for solo players?

Canto. It's flexible, mobile, and works in most situations.

Is Dolabra worth the legendary cost?

Yes, if you like aggressive close-range fights. Otherwise, it's overkill.

Is Surge Coil good in PvP?

Yes, but only when used for positioning. It's not a direct combat weapon.

Which weapon changes gameplay the most?

Surge Coil. It changes how players move and engage more than the others.

New Weapons For Everyone

We know you're excited to hop back in and start checking out the new weapons in Arc Raiders. If you need more help getting more gear, check out our Arc Raiders blueprints at RPG Stash.