In Arc Raiders, many upgrades require hard-to-find materials. While items like prickly pears, olives, and mushrooms can already be annoying to collect, Sentinel Firing Cores are easily one of the most frustrating materials in the game.
You need four Sentinel Firing Cores to upgrade the Gunsmith to level three, and finding them can take time if you don’t know where to look.
In this article, I will explain what Sentinel Firing Cores are, where they spawn, and the best ways to farm them efficiently.
What Are Sentinel Firing Cores?
Sentinel Firing Cores are dropped by ARC Sentinels, which are sniper-style turret enemies.
These Sentinels are different from the regular turrets you see all over the map. They are usually attached to ceilings or high structures and only spawn in a few specific locations.
Because of this, you are far less likely to run into Sentinels naturally compared to other ARC enemies.
This makes their firing cores harder to collect and more time-consuming to farm.
Best Places to Find Sentinel Firing Cores
The most reliable Sentinel spawns are found on the Dam Battlegrounds map.
These locations give you the best chance to find Sentinel Firing Cores in a single match.
One consistent spawn is the blue exterior staircase at Research & Development.
Another good location is at both ends of the destroyed dam, which is located between the Control Tower and the Power Generation Complex.
These three spots are close enough that you can move between them in one run.
However, keep in mind that Sentinel spawns are not guaranteed every match.
When you destroy a Sentinel, its body often falls down to the ground below, so make sure you look underneath the structure to loot the firing core.
Sentinel Locations on Other Maps
While Dam Battlegrounds is the best place to farm, Sentinels can also appear on other maps.
In the Buried City, you can find Sentinels inside the yellow bell tower on top of Townhall and in the Santa Maria Houses courtyard, which you may have already visited during the Digging Up Dirt quest.
In the Spaceport, Sentinels can spawn in Rocket Assembly, Container Storage, and Control Tower A6.
At Blue Gate, Sentinels can appear on the concrete area in the northeast of Checkpoint and on the tower at Pilgrim’s Peak.
These locations are less consistent but still worth checking if you are already nearby.
Alternative Method: Loot Arc Couriers
Another effective way to get Sentinel Firing Cores is by looting Arc Couriers.
These are large, chest-like ARC containers that can spawn across all maps.
Arc Couriers can drop parts from many ARC machines, including Sentinel Firing Cores.
There are many possible courier spawn points around Research & Development on Dam Battlegrounds, making this area especially valuable.
While farming Sentinels, it’s also a good idea to check nearby Arc Couriers and hope for a lucky drop.
Final Tips for Farming Sentinel Firing Cores
Farming Sentinel Firing Cores can take time, so playing smart makes a big difference. These tips will help you collect them faster and avoid wasting runs.
First, focus on Dam Battlegrounds whenever possible. This map has the most reliable Sentinel spawn locations, and the distance between them is short.
You can check Research & Development and both ends of the destroyed dam in a single match, which gives you multiple chances without needing to extract early.
Second, plan a route before you land. As soon as the match starts, decide which Sentinel location you will check first.
Moving with a clear path helps you avoid unnecessary fights and saves stamina and ammo for when you actually find a Sentinel.
Always look down after killing a Sentinel. These turrets are mounted high up, and when destroyed, their body usually falls to the ground below.
Many players miss the firing core simply because they don’t check underneath the structure.
It’s also a good idea to bring accurate weapons. Sentinels are small targets and often placed far above you.
Weapons with good accuracy or range make it easier to destroy them quickly without alerting nearby enemies.
While moving between Sentinel locations, check for Arc Couriers. These large ARC containers can drop Sentinel Firing Cores and are an excellent backup source.
Research & Development has several possible courier spawns, so take a few extra seconds to look around.
Try to avoid staying in one area too long. If a Sentinel hasn’t spawned, don’t wait around hoping it appears. Move to the next location and keep the run efficient. If none spawn during the match, extract and try again.
Finally, play carefully and prioritize survival. Sentinel Firing Cores are only useful if you make it out alive.
Don’t rush into heavy combat just to check a spawn. Sometimes leaving early with no core is better than dying and losing your gear.
With the right route and a bit of luck, you’ll collect the four Sentinel Firing Cores needed for your Gunsmith upgrade much faster.
