Where to Find Prickly Pears in Arc Raiders: A Veteran’s Guide to Farming Scrappy’s Favorite Snack

In Arc Raiders, you’ve got to be prepared for everything—hostile enemies, environmental hazards, and, yes, gathering rare resources. One of the most surprising (yet oddly satisfying) resources you’ll find yourself hunting for in this extraction shooter is the humble prickly pear. This fruit, which you’ll need to level up Scrappy the Rooster, is actually more elusive than you'd think.

When I first heard Scrappy wanted prickly pears, I thought: "What, is this a farming sim now?" But in true Arc Raiders fashion, it's not just about loot or combat. If you want to level up your trusty rooster, you’re going to need a steady supply of these fruits. So, let’s dive into where to find prickly pears in Arc Raiders, and how to gather enough to satisfy Scrappy’s appetite and upgrade his crafting skills.

What Are Prickly Pears in Arc Raiders?

Before we get into the locations, it’s important to know why these prickly pears matter. Prickly pears are a unique, rare resource used to level up Scrappy — the rooster companion that helps you collect crafting materials between your raids.

• Use: Scrappy’s upgrade system requires prickly pears as part of his food intake.

• Rarity: These fruits are as hard to find as ammo in the middle of a firefight. They are not as plentiful as other loot in Arc Raiders, making them one of the more annoying resources to gather.

• Crafting: Scrappy becomes more useful as you level him up, increasing his efficiency in collecting valuable materials for your base.

But let’s get real—Scrappy’s not just hungry for anything. You’ll need prickly pears, and trust me, this hunt feels a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Best Locations to Find Prickly Pears

1. Buried City: Southern Edge of the Map

The Buried City is where the desert heat and cacti come alive. The southern edges of this map are home to the best cactus patches where prickly pears spawn.

• Why Buried City?

  • The cacti spawn in clusters, and this is the place where I’ve found the highest number of prickly pears.

  • It’s a desert-style environment, so the cacti here are more common than in other locations.

• How to Farm

  • Focus on the southernmost portion of the map near the sand dunes and rocky terrain.

  • Look around the base of the cacti. That’s where prickly pears usually appear, but don’t be surprised if some cacti seem to be pear-less. The spawn rate is somewhat random.

  • Once you spot a cactus, check its base thoroughly, and move on to the next one. You don’t want to waste too much time at a cactus with no pears.

• Bonus Tip: Keep an eye on the enemy activity in Buried City. There are a lot of enemy bots in the area that might get in your way, but the upside is that there’s also decent loot and a higher chance of encountering players, which could lead to more exciting PvP opportunities.

2. Dam Battlegrounds: Cacti Near Extraction Zones

Dam Battlegrounds is an unlikely hero when it comes to prickly pears, but hear me out. While it’s not a desert-themed map, the cacti patches on the northern and southern edges of the map do sometimes yield prickly pears.

• Why Dam Battlegrounds?

  • While it’s not as consistent as the Buried City, you can find prickly pears near extraction zones. This means you won’t waste time running around looking for a cactus patch in the middle of the map.

  • You’ll likely get your loot, and then make a quick extraction, which helps you avoid getting bogged down by unnecessary combat.

• How to Farm

  • Spawn into the map and head towards the northern or southern edges.

  • Cacti are clustered near key extraction points, so once you find them, you’re close to being able to leave.

  • Just be aware that you’ll likely need to contend with other players who are also hunting prickly pears or may just want to ambush you.

• Bonus Tip: As always, bring a safety pocket loadout. If you’ve never used one, it's a lifesaver. With prickly pears being a rare item, the last thing you want is to lose them after getting killed by an enemy raider. With the safety pocket, you can stow your pears away and still keep progress if things go sideways.

3. Other Maps with Occasional Cacti

While Buried City and Dam Battlegrounds are the main farming grounds for prickly pears, you might come across isolated cactus patches on other maps like Spaceport or Peak. However, the drop rate is significantly lower, and these maps are less reliable for farming pears consistently.

• How to Farm in These Areas

  • Keep your eyes peeled while exploring high-loot areas.

  • Use your map to check for cactus-like structures. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble across a patch or two of pears.

  • The desert outskirts of these maps are more likely to feature cactus patches.

• Bonus Tip: If you're low on time or being chased, it’s better to focus on the more reliable locations instead of wasting your run looking for cactus patches on random maps.

How to Maximize Your Prickly Pear Harvest

1. Look for Cactus Clusters

• When you’re scouting for prickly pears, remember: cacti don’t just stand alone. They spawn in groups. So when you find one, be sure to scout the area for others nearby.

2. Loot Efficiently

• Loot the cacti quickly. Don’t waste time on one cactus if the pears aren’t there. Keep moving from one cactus to the next. Efficient loot collection is key.

3. Take Advantage of Red Zones

• Sometimes, the best cactus patches are located in red danger zones. You can expect higher loot rates but be ready for other squads and stronger enemies.

• If you’re running solo, don’t get greedy. If you get a couple of prickly pears, start thinking about extraction.

4. Safety Pocket for the Win

• If you manage to pick up a prickly pear or two, and you’re not confident about your ability to extract safely, throw those fruits in a safety pocket.

• This way, even if you get caught, you won’t lose your pears, and you can carry on with your farm next time.

Should You Buy Prickly Pears?

If you're struggling to find enough prickly pears or just don’t have the time to hunt them down, G4MMO offers a marketplace where you can buy Arc Raiders items, including prickly pears. It’s a quick way to get what you need without the grind—if that’s your style.

But for the true Arc Raiders experience, there’s a certain satisfaction in tracking down those rare prickly pears yourself. After all, it's about the journey as much as the reward.

Final Thoughts

Finding prickly pears in Arc Raiders is as much about patience as it is about loot efficiency. Whether you’re farming the Buried City, hunting along the edges of Dam Battlegrounds, or hoping for a lucky spawn on another map, you’ll need to be vigilant.

Always carry a safety pocket, and don’t be afraid to extract early if you’ve secured enough prickly pears for Scrappy. The last thing you want is to risk all that loot just because you pushed too far.

Good luck out there, and happy farming! Scrappy’s hungry—and he’s counting on you to level him up.