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The Tick is one of the smallest ARC enemies you’ll run into, but it’s also one of the most annoying. Most players first meet it indoors, usually when looting tight spaces like offices, corridors, or stairwells. It’s a spider-like machine with very low health and no armor plating, but it makes up for that with speed and positioning.
In general, Ticks are not meant to be a serious combat challenge on their own. They are designed to punish players who rush rooms, tunnel-vision on loot, or ignore audio cues. The danger comes from how they attack and how often they appear in groups.
Where Do Ticks Usually Spawn?
Most players report seeing Ticks indoors rather than outside. They like walls, ceilings, and corners where your camera isn’t naturally pointed. You’ll often find them in:
- Abandoned office buildings
- Industrial interiors
- Underground or enclosed facilities
They usually cling to surfaces until you get close. If you sprint through rooms without checking above doorways or corners, you’re much more likely to trigger them.
Ticks rarely appear completely alone. In practice, if you see one, there are often two or three nearby.
How Does the Tick Attack Work?
The Tick’s primary attack is a leap directly at your face. Before it jumps, it makes a robotic shuffling sound. This sound is your main warning, and experienced players rely on it heavily.
Once it lands, it latches onto your character and starts draining health and shield. The damage isn’t instant, but it adds up fast, especially if you’re already low or under pressure from other enemies.
To remove it, you have to hold the interact button. This takes a moment, which means you’re vulnerable while doing it. After being dislodged, the Tick doesn’t always die. It often scurries away and may try to attack again.
Why Are Ticks More Dangerous Than They Look?
On paper, the Tick has around 10 health and no armor. Any weapon can destroy it. That makes a lot of players underestimate it.
In practice, the danger comes from timing and distraction. Ticks often attack:
- While you’re looting
- During another fight
- When your camera is pointed elsewhere
If multiple Ticks latch on in quick succession, you can lose shields and health faster than expected. For solo players especially, this can turn a safe run into a forced retreat.
Most players who die to Ticks don’t die because of raw damage, but because the Tick interrupts movement and awareness at the wrong moment.
What Is the Best Way to Kill Ticks?
Because Ticks are unarmored, almost any damage source works. In general, the best approach is prevention rather than reaction.
Most players handle Ticks by:
- Shooting them before they jump
- Listening carefully for their movement sound
- Clearing rooms slowly instead of sprinting
Automatic weapons work fine, but even a single pistol shot is usually enough. Melee can work too, but it’s risky if more than one Tick is present.
Once a Tick is attached to you, dislodging it should be the priority. Trying to finish a fight first usually leads to unnecessary damage.
Can You Avoid Tick Attacks Entirely?
Usually, yes. Tick attacks are avoidable if you play cautiously indoors.
Common ways players avoid getting jumped include:
- Running behind a wall or large object when you hear the sound
- Backing out of the room instead of pushing forward
- Pre-aiming at ceilings and walls before entering
Ticks need a clear path to leap at you. Breaking line of sight often cancels their attack. Even stepping back through a doorway can be enough.
Running away from the noise source also works. Ticks don’t chase very far if they miss their initial jump.
How Do Ticks Affect Resource Runs?
Ticks don’t drop high-value loot, but they do matter during resource runs. They can slow you down, force you to use healing items, or make noise that attracts other enemies.
If you’re farming materials like ARC Alloy or Tick Pods, you’ll encounter Ticks regularly. Most players consider them a minor tax on time and attention rather than a threat.
That said, unnecessary damage adds up. Over a long run, chip damage from enemies like Ticks can reduce your profit margin, especially when players are already thinking about things like repair costs or arc raiders coins cost later on.
Are Ticks a Problem in Group Play?
In squads, Ticks are much less dangerous. One player getting latched usually means another can shoot it off immediately.
However, they still cause problems when:
- Everyone assumes someone else will deal with it
- The team is split across rooms
- Combat audio is already chaotic
Most teams assign Tick cleanup informally. Whoever hears or sees them first shoots them. Clear communication helps, but even without voice chat, experienced groups react quickly.
What Mistakes Do New Players Make With Ticks?
New players tend to make the same few mistakes:
- Ignoring audio cues
- Standing still while looting
- Panicking once latched
Panicking is the big one. Holding interact calmly is almost always safer than jumping or spinning the camera wildly. The Tick doesn’t do burst damage, so staying composed matters.
Another common mistake is assuming the Tick is gone after dislodging it. Many players stop paying attention, only to get jumped again seconds later.
How Do Experienced Players Treat Ticks?
Most experienced players see Ticks as environmental hazards rather than enemies. They are part of indoor navigation, like traps or alarms.
In general, veterans:
- Clear rooms methodically
- Expect Ticks in enclosed spaces
- Budget a little health loss as normal
They don’t overreact, but they also don’t ignore them. The Tick rewards steady, aware play and punishes rushing.
Are Ticks Likely to Change in Future Updates?
Health values for Ticks are currently estimates, and balance changes are always possible. However, their core role is clear. They are meant to apply pressure, not act as major threats.
Most players expect Ticks to remain low-health, high-annoyance enemies. Even if numbers change, their behavior fits well into the game’s overall pacing.
Final Thoughts on the Tick
The Tick is a small enemy with a very specific purpose. It teaches players to slow down, listen, and respect indoor spaces. While it’s easy to kill, it’s also easy to underestimate.
If you treat Ticks as background noise, they’ll punish you. If you treat them as part of the environment, they become manageable and predictable.
For most players, mastering Tick encounters is one of the early steps toward feeling comfortable and confident in Arc Raiders.