What is a Rubber Duck in Arc Raiders?
Rubber Ducks are classified as Common Trinkets in Arc Raiders. You can store them in your stash and display them in the Raider Den, but they also have an in-field use. When thrown, a Rubber Duck creates noise, which can distract enemies or lure them away from certain areas.
In practice, this means that Rubber Ducks aren’t just decoration—they can give you a tactical advantage if you use them at the right moment. For example, you might throw one into a hallway to pull enemies away from an objective, giving you time to complete a task or reposition.
How do you get Rubber Ducks?
Rubber Ducks are usually found through scavenging. In most missions, they appear in containers scattered around the environment. Some players also like to farm them during lower-difficulty missions because they respawn more often there.
It’s worth noting that Rubber Ducks can also appear in your Raider Den, giving you a reason to check back regularly. If you want to expand your collection faster, some players also buy Arc Raiders blueprints from U4N, which can sometimes include trinkets like Rubber Ducks indirectly. Having access to these blueprints can save you time if you’re looking to upgrade your Raider Den or complete specific collections.
How do Rubber Ducks work in practice?
When you throw a Rubber Duck, it generates noise at the impact location. Enemies respond to this noise by moving toward it, similar to how they react to gunshots or other distractions.
However, there are a few practical details to be aware of:
Throwing Range – Rubber Ducks have a limited throw range. You need to be relatively close to the target area to make them effective.
Enemy Type – Not all enemies respond the same way. Some heavier units ignore distractions, so using a Rubber Duck on them won’t help.
Timing – Rubber Ducks are best used to manipulate enemy movement in the middle of a mission. Throwing one too early might alert enemies unnecessarily, while throwing one too late could mean they reach your objective before reacting.
In my experience, the most common successful use is combining Rubber Ducks with stealthy movement. You can throw a duck to pull a group of enemies away from a choke point, then slip through an area that would otherwise be heavily guarded.
Can you stack Rubber Ducks or carry multiple?
Yes. Each Rubber Duck weighs 0.3 units, and they can be stacked up to 15 per inventory slot. That means you can carry multiple ducks for extended distraction runs.
Most players will carry a stack for a longer mission where they expect heavy enemy presence. In practice, carrying too many is rarely a problem, since they are light and don’t take up significant inventory space. The key is to plan when to use them rather than just throwing them randomly.
Do Rubber Ducks interact with other skills or items?
Rubber Ducks can sometimes be used in combination with skills that manipulate the environment. For example, certain Augments allow you to place items on the battlefield or increase enemy reaction times. In earlier patches, there were some bugs that prevented Rubber Ducks from being placed in Augment slots, but those have been fixed in later updates.
Also, some players like to use Rubber Ducks with abilities that create traps or lure enemies into ambushes. This works especially well in team missions, where one player can throw a duck to pull enemies while another sets up a defensive position.
Are there any limitations or things to watch out for?
Yes, a few things to note:
Some containers in specific areas, like Stella Montis, do not drop Rubber Ducks when using certain skills. This can be frustrating if you rely on skill-boosted loot farming.
Rubber Ducks do not deal damage—they only distract. If an enemy is already targeting you, throwing a duck won’t make them forget you exist.
Because they are Common Trinkets, you can’t expect them to scale or have upgraded versions like weapons or gadgets. Their usefulness is situational.
In short, Rubber Ducks are a low-cost, low-risk tool for crowd control and distraction, but they are not a replacement for weapons or combat abilities.
How has the Rubber Duck changed over time?
The history of the Rubber Duck in Arc Raiders is mainly about minor bug fixes and usability improvements:
Early patches fixed placement issues in Augments.
Some containers that used to drop Rubber Ducks under certain skills were adjusted.
The Raider Den now supports displaying Rubber Ducks more reliably, giving players more incentive to collect them.
Overall, the Rubber Duck has remained a fun and practical trinket without becoming overpowered or game-breaking. Its value lies in creativity—how you use it during missions.
Final Tips for Rubber Duck Runs
Carry a stack – You don’t need the full 15, but having at least 5 per run gives flexibility.
Use in stealth-heavy areas – Rubber Ducks are most effective when enemies are unaware of your position.
Combine with teammates – A well-timed distraction can allow your team to flank or complete objectives without being attacked.
Check your stash – Collecting Rubber Ducks during scavenging and missions ensures you always have them ready.
Remember, the Rubber Duck is a support tool, not a weapon. Using it effectively requires timing, positioning, and understanding enemy behavior.
By approaching Rubber Ducks with a tactical mindset, you can turn what seems like a silly trinket into a surprisingly useful tool in your Arc Raiders missions. Whether you’re clearing a tough area or decorating your Raider Den, knowing how and when to use them makes a noticeable difference in your runs.
