What is the Rubber Duck in Arc Raiders?
The Rubber Duck is classified as a Common Trinket. It serves two main purposes:
Decoration – You can collect Rubber Ducks in your stash and place them in the Raider Den. This is purely cosmetic, but it’s one of the few ways to personalize your space in the game.
Utility – Rubber Ducks can be thrown in Topside to create a distraction. While they don’t deal damage or stun enemies, they make noise, which can divert attention from your location.
In practice, most players use Rubber Ducks more for fun or as part of a distraction tactic during raids. Some even set up “duck traps” in the Raider Den to make it feel more alive, which can be satisfying if you enjoy organizing your space.
How Do I Collect Rubber Ducks?
Rubber Ducks are primarily found through scavenging. Players often look for them in containers, stash locations, or as occasional drops from Topside activities. A few things to keep in mind:
Rubber Ducks are common, so you don’t need to worry about missing them permanently.
They stack up to 15 per inventory slot, which is convenient when collecting multiple items during a run.
Be aware that some containers no longer drop Rubber Ducks if you use specific skills like A Little Extra, so don’t expect every loot to contain one.
Most experienced players recommend prioritizing Rubber Ducks only if you’re aiming for a complete Raider Den setup. Otherwise, they are mostly optional.
Where Should I Use Rubber Ducks?
Raider Den Decoration
Once collected, Rubber Ducks can be placed in your Raider Den. Players usually:
Group them in clusters for visual effect.
Combine them with other trinkets to create thematic corners (e.g., a playful corner for new recruits).
Occasionally, rotate them around to give the den a lived-in feel.
It’s worth noting that decorating your Raider Den has no direct combat benefit, but it can make the space more enjoyable if you spend time there between raids.
Topside Distraction
Throwing a Rubber Duck in combat or exploration scenarios can:
Divert enemy attention momentarily.
Allow teammates to slip past patrols or set up ambushes.
Add a subtle psychological effect; players sometimes report that unexpected distractions can confuse opponents even in high-level raids.
In practice, you usually throw one Rubber Duck at chokepoints, around corners, or near objectives that enemies are guarding. It’s not a substitute for gadgets or combat tools, but it’s a fun extra tactic.
Can Rubber Ducks Be Combined or Upgraded?
No. Rubber Ducks are purely trinkets. Unlike weapons or gadgets, you cannot upgrade them. You also cannot craft them, although you might occasionally find Blueprints for certain fun items in the stash. For example, if you are exploring crafting options, you may want to buy Snap Hook blueprint to enhance mobility in Topside, which indirectly complements how you can use distractions like Rubber Ducks.
How Much Do Rubber Ducks Cost?
If you want to purchase them instead of scavenging:
Each Rubber Duck is priced at 1,000 coins.
Weight-wise, each is 0.3 units, so collecting large numbers won’t overwhelm your inventory.
Given their low cost, most players buy them only if they are missing a few to complete their Raider Den display.
How Has the Rubber Duck Changed Over Time?
Rubber Ducks have had a few minor updates:
Patch 1.3.0 – The Raider Den became more “duck-friendly,” meaning Rubber Ducks could now be arranged more freely in your space.
Patch 1.7.0 – Fixed a bug where Rubber Ducks couldn’t be placed into the Trinket slot on certain Augments. Also, some containers on Stella Montis stopped dropping them when using the A Little Extra skill.
The key takeaway is that their functionality hasn’t changed drastically; the updates mostly fixed placement issues and adjusted how they drop.
Tips From Experience
Collect in bulk: Since Rubber Ducks are stackable, gather them whenever you see them. You never know when you might want to set up a themed Raider Den corner.
Experiment with distractions: While not a game-changing tactic, throwing a Rubber Duck in the right spot can break enemy lines or give you a few seconds of breathing room.
Combine with mobility items: Using items like grappling hooks or gadgets alongside Rubber Ducks can improve Topside efficiency, especially if you aim to distract enemies while maneuvering quickly.
Don’t hoard unnecessarily: They’re common, so don’t stress about missing them. Focus on acquiring them during normal scavenging runs.
Rubber Ducks in Arc Raiders are simple but versatile items. They offer a small tactical advantage in Topside and provide a cosmetic way to personalize your Raider Den. For most players, the appeal lies in their fun factor and flexibility, rather than direct gameplay power. Collecting them is straightforward, and using them effectively requires only a little creativity.
If you focus on decorating your den or setting up clever distractions, Rubber Ducks can add a subtle layer of strategy and style to your play. Remember, while they are low-stakes items, smart placement and thoughtful collection make them surprisingly satisfying to use.
