ARC Raiders Bully Guide: Weak Points, Best Weapons & Kill Strategies

The Bully is one of the most dangerous ARC machines introduced in ARC Raiders with the Frozen Trail update, and it has quickly become a major obstacle for Raiders exploring Pendola Pass. This heavily armored, four-legged machine combines aggressive charges, cluster explosives, and close-range shotgun attacks, making it particularly dangerous for players who approach it without the right equipment. However, the Bully has several exploitable weak points. By targeting its yellow leg joints, using armor-piercing weapons, and taking advantage of its attack animations, players can defeat it more efficiently and collect the valuable Bully Fragmenter.

Embark Studios introduced the Bully alongside the Pendola Pass map in the October 8, 2026, Frozen Trail 2.0 update. Although it is not officially classified as a traditional boss encounter, its durability, mobility, and offensive pressure make it feel considerably more demanding than ordinary ARC enemies. Understanding its combat behavior is therefore essential for anyone planning to explore the new map, complete related challenges, or gather materials for Outpost progression. 

Where to Find the Bully on Pendola Pass

The Bully currently patrols Pendola Pass, the frozen mountain region introduced in Frozen Trail. Unlike enemies that remain relatively close to fixed locations, Bullies move between surrounding areas, meaning players should treat known spawn locations as search zones rather than guaranteed encounter points.

Based on published enemy guides and mapped spawn information, three particularly useful areas to investigate are:

• Railroad Junction: Check the train tracks and surrounding terrain north of the junction.
• Commissary Supermarket: Search both sides of the supermarket and nearby open spaces.
• Fallen Emperor: Investigate the eastern side of the collapsed Emperor structure.

These locations provide a practical starting route for players specifically hunting Bullies. However, their presence is not guaranteed during every raid, and patrol routes can change.

The Bully is also not an enemy players should casually chase across open terrain. Its ability to close distances rapidly makes prolonged pursuit dangerous, especially when other ARC machines or hostile Raiders are nearby. A better approach is to move between likely patrol areas while maintaining access to buildings, walls, and elevated positions.

For players unfamiliar with the new map, learning the surrounding landmarks is just as important as finding the enemy itself. Pendola Pass introduces additional environmental hazards and new extraction opportunities, so planning an escape route before engaging a Bully can prevent a successful encounter from turning into a costly loss.

ARC Raiders Bully Weak Points Explained

The most important thing to understand about the Bully is that its heavily armored body is not the most efficient target.

Its four yellow leg joints are the primary weak points. These components are considerably more useful targets than simply firing into its central armor, particularly when players have limited ammunition.

According to the enemy data documented by RaiderBuddy, each leg joint has 400 HP. The same database lists the Bully's body at 3,000 HP and its detachable head at 1,600 HP. These figures are third-party game-data references rather than statistics published in Embark's official patch notes.

There are three important areas to understand during combat:

1. Yellow Leg Joints

The yellow joints are the most reliable targets for players looking to disrupt the Bully's movement.

Concentrating fire on these exposed components can damage its mobility and create opportunities to reposition or escape. Destroying armor around the legs can also make the vulnerable joints easier to hit.

Because the Bully moves quickly and changes direction frequently, firing continuously at its legs without controlling its movement can waste considerable ammunition.

Instead, wait until it finishes a charge or briefly slows down before committing to accurate shots.

2. The Exposed Head and Turret

The Bully also has a vulnerable opening around its head-mounted weapon system.

During its firing animation, armor around the turret barrel opens, creating a short opportunity for players with accurate, armor-penetrating weapons to interrupt its attack.

This is a considerably riskier target than the leg joints because the opening is brief and the player must maintain a clear line of sight.

GamesRadar+ identifies this exposed turret opening as another potential weak point and explains that a successful hit can interrupt the incoming attack for several seconds. 

3. Removable Armor Plates

The Bully's armor is another important part of its combat design.

Rather than treating every shot as direct damage against its health pool, players should think about the encounter in two stages: removing protective armor and exploiting the exposed components.

This distinction matters because the Frozen Trail update changed how explosive damage interacts with ARC enemies.

Embark officially confirmed that explosive weapons such as the Hullcracker now deal more than 50% additional damage against ARC armor plates, while dealing approximately 30% less damage against more fragile parts. The developer also noted that explosive effectiveness against weak points was slightly reduced.

This means explosive weapons are particularly useful for stripping armor, but they should not automatically be considered the best choice for every stage of the fight. 

Best Weapons to Defeat the Bully

Choosing the right weapon is one of the biggest factors determining how efficiently players can defeat a Bully.

Its armor makes ordinary sustained fire less attractive, particularly when players are shooting its protected body instead of exposed components. Heavy-hitting weapons and high-penetration options offer a more practical approach.

The following weapons are worth considering:

Weapon	Main Advantage	Recommended Use
Hullcracker	Strong explosive damage against ARC armor	Strip armor plates before focusing on exposed components
Aphelion	High armor penetration	Damage armored sections and exploit vulnerable openings
Anvil	Versatile heavy-hitting weapon	Target exposed joints and the turret opening
Bettina	Stronger individual shots than lightweight alternatives	Maintain controlled damage against vulnerable components
Jupiter	Very high armor penetration	Deliver powerful shots when a clear opening appears

Hullcracker: Best for Breaking Armor

The Hullcracker is one of the most practical choices for dealing with the Bully's heavy armor.

Its explosive damage profile benefits from the changes introduced in Frozen Trail 2.0, which increased explosive effectiveness against ARC armor plates.

However, players should avoid assuming that every Hullcracker shot will deliver maximum value. The weapon's explosive damage is less effective against fragile components and weak points following the update.

A more efficient strategy is to use it to weaken the Bully's protective plating before switching to accurate shots against exposed targets.

Aphelion: A Strong Armor-Penetration Option

The Aphelion is another weapon worth considering, particularly for players who prefer dealing with heavily armored ARC enemies using energy-based firepower.

Its armor penetration makes it useful against the Bully, while its ability to deliver accurate shots helps when targeting components exposed during its attack animations.

The main disadvantage is its value. Bringing an expensive or difficult-to-replace weapon into a dangerous Pendola Pass encounter increases the potential cost of failure.

Players should therefore consider whether the expected loot justifies the equipment risk.

Anvil and Bettina: Practical Alternatives

Not every Raider needs to bring an expensive weapon to fight the Bully.

The Anvil offers a versatile alternative, especially for players who already have experience using it against other armored ARC enemies. Embark also adjusted its rarity from Green to Blue in Frozen Trail 2.0, explaining that the weapon was performing effectively against both Raiders and ARC machines.

The Bettina is another reasonable option when players want consistent, controlled damage without relying entirely on explosives.

For these weapons, accuracy matters more than simply firing as many rounds as possible. Targeting yellow joints or exposed sections produces a more useful damage pattern than repeatedly hitting the central armor.

My recommended approach: Bring a Hullcracker for armor removal and a reliable high-penetration firearm for precision damage. This combination gives players flexibility throughout the encounter without depending on a single weapon's damage profile.

How to Survive the Bully's Attacks

Even with the right equipment, understanding the Bully's attack patterns is essential.

It primarily uses three types of attacks, each requiring a different response.

Attack	Threat	Recommended Counter
Cluster explosives	Covers an area and forces players out of position	Sprint away from the impact area before detonation
Close-range shotgun	Delivers dangerous damage at short range	Maintain distance and use hard cover
Charging attack	Quickly closes the gap and disrupts positioning	Dodge sideways and move behind solid obstacles

The most dangerous mistake is trying to fight the Bully in an open area.

Its charging behavior makes it difficult to maintain a safe distance, while its ranged explosives can force players to abandon otherwise useful firing positions.

Buildings and elevated terrain are much more valuable than simply trying to outrun it.

Use Buildings and Elevated Positions

One of the most effective ways to control the encounter is to fight from locations the Bully cannot easily reach.

Rooftops, elevated windows, and narrow building openings can limit its ability to attack effectively.

These positions also make it easier to aim at the leg joints while reducing the amount of time players spend exposed to its shotgun attacks.

However, elevation should not be treated as complete protection. Players still need to watch for incoming explosives and avoid remaining in predictable positions.

Use Gadgets to Create Damage Opportunities

The Bully's mobility makes accurate shooting difficult, which is why disabling or controlling its movement can be extremely valuable.

Several gadgets can help:

• Showstopper: Provides a temporary disruption window, allowing players to line up shots against vulnerable components.
• Tether Launcher: Can restrict the Bully's movement briefly, making it easier to concentrate fire.
• Yank Grenade: Offers another option for disrupting or controlling the enemy's movement.
• Deadline Mine: Can punish the Bully when players can predict its movement and position the mine effectively.

These tools should be used strategically rather than thrown immediately when the encounter begins.

For example, a Showstopper is most useful when the Bully is approaching a position where teammates already have clear shots. Similarly, a Tether Launcher is more valuable when players are ready to capitalize on the brief window it creates.

A coordinated squad can make this considerably easier by assigning different roles: one Raider manages positioning and enemy attention, while the others focus on the weak points.

Best Strategy for Solo Players and Squads

The best approach depends on whether players are fighting alone or with teammates.

Solo players should avoid turning the encounter into a prolonged damage exchange. A Bully that repeatedly charges through open terrain can quickly exhaust ammunition and healing supplies.

Instead, use cover to interrupt its approach, shoot the leg joints when opportunities appear, and relocate before it can establish another attack.

Squads have more flexibility, but they also generate more noise and can attract unwanted attention. Players should therefore designate someone to watch the surrounding area while the rest focus on the enemy.

This is particularly important on Pendola Pass, where the value of successfully defeating a Bully can be undermined by another Raider squad arriving during the looting process.

Bully Fragmenter: Why This Enemy Is Worth Hunting

Defeating the Bully is not just about clearing a dangerous enemy from Pendola Pass. It also provides access to a unique Epic item: the Bully Fragmenter.

This item has particular value because it serves both as a throwable explosive and as a progression material.

According to the ARC Raiders item database, the Bully Fragmenter can be recycled into crafting materials and produces an explosive cluster when thrown. It is also associated with the Research Station upgrade requirements.

One important progression target is Research Station Level 3, which requires six Bully Fragmenters alongside other materials. This makes repeated Bully encounters relevant for players working toward higher Outpost progression.

How to Farm Bully Fragmenters More Efficiently

Players specifically farming this item should approach Pendola Pass with a clear objective rather than treating every encounter as an opportunity for unrestricted combat.

A practical farming routine looks like this:

1. Search the Railroad Junction, Commissary Supermarket, and Fallen Emperor patrol areas.
2. Listen for the Bully's movement and attack sounds to identify nearby encounters.
3. Use armor-piercing weapons and gadgets to shorten the fight.
4. Loot the Bully's remains carefully, checking the main body and detached components.
5. Extract once you have secured the materials you need.

One important detail is that reported Fragmenter yields are not entirely consistent across third-party guides. Some guides describe approximately one Fragmenter per kill, while other reports suggest different quantities depending on the loot source. Therefore, players should not assume every Bully guarantees a fixed number of Fragmenters.

The safest progression strategy is to prioritize collecting the item whenever possible and check all available loot containers and ARC remains.

For players managing multiple crafting objectives, keeping track of their existing ARC Raiders items before another farming run can also prevent unnecessary trips. There is little reason to repeatedly hunt a Bully for materials that are already sitting in the Stash.

Final Thoughts: Preparation Matters More Than Raw Firepower

The Bully is a good example of how Frozen Trail changes the way players approach ARC combat. Its combination of heavy armor, aggressive movement, and multiple attack patterns punishes players who rely entirely on conventional shooting.

The most effective strategy is to understand its weak points, use the environment to control its movement, and bring weapons suited to different stages of the encounter.

For most players, the recommended approach is straightforward: use the Hullcracker to deal with armor, switch to accurate high-penetration weapons when vulnerable components are exposed, and use gadgets such as the Showstopper or Tether Launcher to create better firing opportunities.

More importantly, do not underestimate the value of preparation. A successful Bully hunt should leave players with useful materials, enough ammunition for the rest of the raid, and a safe opportunity to extract.

As players continue exploring Pendola Pass and progressing through the Frozen Trail content, understanding how to defeat this enemy will make both resource gathering and Outpost development considerably more manageable.