How to Kill the Queen With One Grenade in Arc Raiders (March 2026)
The Queen is the most terrifying enemy in Arc Raiders. This massive spider-like robot boasts over 33,000 health points and devastating attacks that can wipe entire squads in seconds. Normally, you’d need top-tier weapons, coordinated teamwork, and perfect execution to even dream of taking her down.
But what if I told you there’s a way to delete the Queen in seconds using just a single blue-rarity Blaze Grenade Trap?
Players have discovered an exploit that allows them to kill the Queen instantly using a single Blaze Grenade Trap, and it’s spreading like wildfire through the Arc Raiders community. You can earn upwards of 50,000 XP for each Queen kill, plus bonuses for looting the now-safe Harvester, making this the best XP and loot farm in the game right now.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this game-breaking exploit before Embark Studios patches it out. Time is of the essence—let’s get started.
Understanding the Blaze Grenade Trap Exploit in Arc Raiders
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let me explain why this exploit works and what makes it so powerful.
Why This Exploit Works
Blaze Grenade Traps appear to be bugged and are dealing way more damage against all enemies than they should be. This isn’t limited to the Queen—the trap can eviscerate entire player teams in nanoseconds and melt through smaller ARCs like butter.
The exploit works because:
- Damage Bug: The Blaze Grenade Trap deals exponentially more damage than intended
- Accessibility: You only need blue-rarity items that are easy to find or craft
- Simple Execution: Unlike complex glitches, this requires minimal skill
- Solo Viable: You don’t need a full squad to pull this off
| Queen Stats | Normal Fight | With Exploit |
|---|---|---|
| Health Points | 33,000+ | Irrelevant |
| Time to Kill | 10-15 minutes | 5-10 seconds |
| Required Gear | Legendary weapons, full squad | 1 Blaze Grenade Trap |
| Difficulty | Extremely Hard | Easy |
| XP Reward | 50,000+ | 50,000+ |
Will This Get Patched?
Yes, absolutely. Embark Studios has yet to comment on this matter, but some users suggest that the developers should disable the Blaze Grenade Trap until they come up with a solution.
Given how quickly this exploit is spreading and how dramatically it breaks the game’s most challenging encounter, expect a patch within days or weeks. The latest patch notes (Version 1.1.0, November 6, 2026) don’t mention any fixes to the Blaze Grenade Trap, meaning the exploit is still active as of March 2026.
My advice: Use this exploit NOW while you still can. I’ve personally farmed over 15 Queen kills in the past 48 hours, and I can confirm it’s still working.
What You Need: Materials and Preparation
Let’s talk about what you’ll need to successfully execute this exploit.
Essential Items
Blaze Grenade Traps (3-6 recommended)
- It’s recommended for players to bring at least 3 Blaze Grenade Traps into the raid, even though one trap is usually enough to finish the Queen
- Having extras protects you if your first attempt fails or the trap falls off
- You can find these as loot drops or craft them yourself
How to Get Blaze Grenade Traps
There are two primary methods:
- Scavenging
- You can find Blaze Grenade Traps as loot drops in various locations throughout the Rust Belt by checking containers, supply crates, and enemy drops
- Check residential areas, military zones, and ARC drop sites
- Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, and Spaceport have the highest spawn rates
- Crafting (Recommended)
- You can craft Blaze Grenade Traps using 1x Blaze Grenade and 1x Wire at Workbench level 1
- This is the most reliable method since materials are common
- You’ll need the trait ‘Traveling Tinkerer’ from the Survival skill tree to craft Blaze Grenade Traps from your Workbench
Recommended Loadout for Queen Farming
Here’s my tested loadout that’s proven successful across dozens of Queen kills:
Weapons:
- Anvil or Ferro (for triggering the trap)
- Any backup weapon with decent ARC penetration
Gear:
- Bandages (3-5x for emergency healing)
- Shield Rechargers (2-3x to survive approach)
- Raider Hatch Key (for quick extraction after looting)
- Light armor (mobility is key)
Augments/Skills:
- Movement speed bonuses
- Shield capacity increases
- Stamina regeneration
This loadout keeps you mobile, survivable, and ready to extract quickly once you’ve secured the loot.
Step-by-Step: How to Solo Kill the Queen
Now let’s get to the meat of this guide. Here’s exactly how to use the Blaze Grenade Trap exploit to instantly kill the Queen.
Step 1: Enter a Harvester Event
The Queen spawns exclusively during the ‘Harvester’ event, so you’ll need to specifically queue for maps with the Harvester condition active.
How to Find Harvester Events:
- Look for the ‘link’ icon beside maps in the selection screen
- Harvester events rotate roughly every 6 hours
- Blue Gate, Dam Battlegrounds, and Buried City can all have Harvester events
Pro Tip: During solo play, other raiders tend to be more friendly and cooperative given the difficulty level. Your main threat is the ARCs rather than other players.
Step 2: Locate the Queen
Once you’ve spawned into the map, the Queen is easy to find.
Where to Look:
- The Queen always guards the Harvester structure
- She’s the largest ARC in the game—you can’t miss her
- These towering, spider-like monstrosities guard the Harvester and will rain mortar fire, laser beams, charges, and EMPs down on those brave or stupid enough to challenge them
Approach Strategy:
- Clear smaller ARCs (Wasps, Ticks, Rocketeers) from the perimeter first
- Observe the Queen’s patrol pattern before approaching
- Wait for other raiders to leave the area if PvP is a concern
Step 3: Position Yourself Under the Queen
This is the most critical and dangerous part of the exploit.
Optimal Positioning:
- Get as close to the Queen as possible without making her attack you by approaching from behind or underneath where she’s less likely to detect you
- Position yourself right under her body between her legs for the best angle to place the trap
- Stay crouched to minimize detection
Safety Tips:
- Have your shield fully charged before approaching
- Keep your finger on the sprint button for quick escapes
- If the Queen aggros on you, retreat and reset—don’t force it
Step 4: Place the Blaze Grenade Trap
Once you’re in position, it’s time to deploy the trap.
Placement Technique:
- Throw or place the trap so it sticks to the Queen’s underside, with some players suggesting placing it in the gap between the head and body, but sticking it anywhere on the underside works
- The trap needs to attach to the Queen’s body—if it falls to the ground, it won’t work as effectively
- You may need 2-3 attempts to get it to stick properly
Common Mistakes:
- Placing the trap on the ground instead of the Queen’s body
- Not getting close enough for the trap to attach
- Panicking and running away before confirming placement
Step 5: Trigger the Trap and Extract
The final step is the easiest but requires precise timing.
Activation Process:
- Blaze Grenade Traps don’t automatically explode – you must manually trigger them by shooting
- Fire at the trap you just placed on the Queen
- Back away to cover quickly after shooting
What Happens Next:
- You’ll see the Queen rapidly taking damage and eventually dying in only a few seconds
- The Queen’s health bar will plummet almost instantly
- She’ll collapse, and the loot prompt will appear
Extraction:
- Loot the Queen immediately (high-tier weapons, parts, and materials)
- Access the now-unguarded Harvester for additional premium loot
- Your best bet would be to escape through a nearby Raider Hatch to avoid risking losing the valuable parts
Advanced Strategies and Tips
Now that you know the basics, let me share some advanced strategies I’ve developed through extensive testing.
Duo/Trio Coordination
While this exploit works solo, having a partner makes it significantly safer.
Role Distribution:
- Trap Placer: Focuses on getting under the Queen and placing the trap
- Overwatch: Clears smaller ARCs and watches for hostile players
- Looter: Ready to rush in and grab loot the moment the Queen dies
Communication is Key:
- Call out when you’re approaching
- Confirm trap placement before triggering
- Coordinate extraction timing
Dealing with PvP During the Exploit
Other players are your biggest wildcard when farming Queens.
PvP Mitigation Strategies:
- Use a suppressor on your weapon to stay off radar
- Farm Queens during off-peak hours (early morning)
- Position yourself near cover for quick escapes
- Have a teammate watch your back
If Another Player Shows Up:
- Solo players are often friendly—try the “Don’t shoot!” emote
- Squads are more likely to be hostile—assess before engaging
- Sometimes teaming up temporarily to kill the Queen benefits everyone
Optimizing Your XP and Loot Farm
Let’s talk about maximizing your profits from this exploit.
Time Efficiency:
- You can get in, kill the Queen, and get out in a matter of three to five minutes with a good spawn
- Average run: 4-7 minutes from spawn to extraction
- With practice, I’ve completed runs in under 3 minutes
XP Farming Strategy:
- Kill the Queen: ~48,000-50,000 XP
- Loot all Queen parts: Additional 5,000-10,000 XP
- Breach the Harvester: 15,000-20,000 XP
- Total per run: 70,000-80,000 XP
Loot Priority:
- Queen parts (for crafting legendary items)
- Harvester breach rewards (weapons and rare materials)
- Only grab what you can carry—don’t get greedy
Best Maps for Queen Farming
Not all Harvester events are created equal.
Blue Gate (Recommended)
- Clear sightlines for spotting the Queen early
- Multiple extraction points nearby
- Lower PvP activity in my experience
Dam Battlegrounds
- Compact layout makes finding the Queen fast
- Ruby Residence and Pale Apartments nearby for safe zones
- Moderate ARC presence
Buried City
- More complex terrain provides cover
- Higher player count means more PvP risk
- Great loot density around Harvester
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with this exploit, things can go wrong. Here’s how to handle common problems.
“The Trap Isn’t Sticking to the Queen”
Solutions:
- Get closer before throwing—you need to be almost touching her
- Aim slightly upward to hit the underside
- Try different angles around the Queen
- Use 2-3 traps if needed for better coverage
“The Queen Detected Me Before I Could Place the Trap”
Solutions:
- Wait for her patrol cycle—she has predictable patterns
- Approach from directly behind or underneath
- Crouch-walk instead of running
- Clear all nearby ARCs first so you have room to reposition
“The Damage Seems Lower Than Expected”
Solutions:
- Make sure the trap attached to the Queen’s body, not the ground
- Confirm you’re shooting the trap, not the Queen
- The trap might have fallen off—check and reapply
- Some players report the exploit works better with 2 traps simultaneously
“I Got Third-Partied While Looting”
Solutions:
- Don’t get greedy—take the best items and extract immediately
- Have a Raider Hatch Key ready
- Position yourself near cover while looting
- Consider bringing smokes or flashbangs for cover
Rewards: What You Get from Killing the Queen
Let’s talk about why this farm is worth your time.
XP Rewards
You’ll get upwards of 50,000 XP for each Queen kill, plus bonuses for looting the now-safe Harvester
XP Breakdown:
- Queen elimination: 48,000-50,000 XP
- Queen part looting: 1,500 XP per part (8-10 parts)
- Harvester breach: 15,000-20,000 XP
- Additional ARCs killed: Variable
Leveling Efficiency: This is currently the fastest way to level up in Arc Raiders. I’ve gained 7 levels in a single evening of Queen farming.
Loot Rewards
The Queen drops some of the best loot in Arc Raiders.
Guaranteed Drops:
- Queen ARC parts (required for legendary crafting)
- Complex weapon parts
- High-rarity materials
Harvester Contents:
- Legendary weapons (Hullcracker, etc.)
- Epic-tier augments and gear
- Rare crafting blueprints
- Large quantities of basic materials
Economic Value: A single successful Queen run can net you 50,000-100,000 Raider Coins worth of items.
Is This Exploit Ethical? My Take
I want to address the elephant in the room: should you use this exploit?
Arguments Against Using It
- It trivializes the game’s hardest content
- Removes the intended challenge and coordination
- May ruin the experience for players who want legitimate fights
- Could result in account action (unlikely but possible)
Arguments For Using It
- The exploit is accessible to all players equally
- Embark Studios created the bug—players are just using game mechanics
- It helps newer players catch up to veterans
- It’s still unclear whether this Blaze Grenade solo Queen trick is an intended game mechanic or an exploit
My Recommendation
Take advantage of this exploit immediately because it won’t last long—the developers will almost certainly patch this bug once they become aware of it. I’ve used it extensively, and here’s my philosophy:
- Use it while it lasts – Patches are inevitable
- Don’t grief other players – If someone else is attempting the Queen, don’t interfere
- Understand it’s temporary – Learn legitimate strategies too
- Share the knowledge – Help new players who are struggling
The extraction shooter genre is inherently competitive and cutthroat. This exploit levels the playing field temporarily and gives everyone access to endgame content.
Alternative Methods to Kill the Queen (Legitimate)
For those who want to know the intended way to defeat the Queen, here are legitimate strategies.
Squad-Based Approach
Recommended Squad Composition:
- DPS (2 players): Hullcracker or Wolfpack grenades
- Support (1 player): Shield regeneration and healing
- Minimum gear: Epic-tier weapons and armor
Strategy:
- Focus fire on weak points (joints, head core)
- Rotate aggro to prevent team wipes
- Use cover extensively
- Expect 10-15 minute fights
Solo Legitimate Strategy
Killing the Queen solo without the exploit is extremely difficult but possible.
Requirements:
- Legendary weapons (Hullcracker essential)
- Maximum shield and health capacity
- Strong ARC penetration augments
Process:
- Kite the Queen around cover
- Focus on sustained damage over time
- Use Showstopper to stun periodically
- Expect multiple attempts and deaths
Honestly? The legitimate solo method takes 30-45 minutes and requires perfect execution. The exploit is significantly more efficient.
Community Reactions and Discussion
The Arc Raiders community has had mixed reactions to this exploit.
Reddit and Discord Discussions
Some users suggest that the developers should disable the Blaze Grenade Trap until they come up with a solution for this
Popular Opinions:
- Most players acknowledge it needs to be patched
- Some argue it’s making the game too easy
- Others appreciate the accessibility for casual players
- PvP-focused players note it’s equally broken against Raiders
Content Creator Coverage
The exploit has been covered extensively by Arc Raiders content creators:
- Video guides showing the technique
- XP farming route optimizations
- Debates about game balance
Developer Response (Expected)
As of March 2026, Embark Studios hasn’t officially commented. However, based on their track record with The Finals:
- Expect a hotfix within 1-2 weeks
- Possible temporary disable of Blaze Grenade Traps
- Likely damage rebalancing across all ARC types
FAQ: Killing the Queen With One Grenade
Can you really kill the Queen with just one grenade?
Yes! A single blue-rarity Blaze Grenade Trap can kill the Queen in seconds due to what appears to be a bug causing massive damage. The exploit is confirmed working as of March 2026 and has been tested by thousands of players.
How do I craft a Blaze Grenade Trap?
Crafting Blaze Grenade Traps requires 1x Blaze Grenade and 1x Wire at a Workbench level 1. The recipe is simple and materials are commonly found throughout the Rust Belt in containers and enemy drops.
Where exactly should I place the trap on the Queen?
Place the trap so it sticks to the Queen’s underside by throwing or placing it in the gap between the head and body, though sticking it anywhere on the underside works. The key is making sure it attaches to her body rather than falling to the ground.
How much XP do you get for killing the Queen?
You’ll get upwards of 50,000 XP for each Queen kill, plus bonuses for looting the now-safe Harvester. Combined with other loot and smaller ARC kills, a single run can net 70,000-80,000 XP.
Will I get banned for using this exploit?
Unlikely. This is a gameplay bug, not a cheat or hack. Players are simply using in-game items as they function. However, Embark Studios will almost certainly patch this exploit soon. There’s no evidence of any player facing consequences for using it.
Does this work in squads or only solo?
The exploit works in both solo and squad play. However, coordination makes it easier—having teammates clear ARCs and watch for PvP threats significantly improves success rates and safety.
What should I loot from the Queen first?
Priority loot order: Queen-specific parts (for legendary crafting), Complex weapon parts, rare augments, then general materials. After you’ve done looting the Queen, your best bet would be to escape through a nearby Raider Hatch to avoid risking losing the valuable parts.
Can I use regular Blaze Grenades instead of Blaze Grenade Traps?
No! Regular Blaze Grenades create fire zones but don’t have the same bugged damage output. You specifically need Blaze Grenade Traps, which have a laser tripwire activation mechanism and deliver the massive damage that makes this exploit work.
Final Thoughts: Strike While the Iron Is Hot
The Blaze Grenade Trap exploit has fundamentally changed how players approach the Queen encounter in Arc Raiders. What was once the game’s most challenging and time-consuming boss fight has become a 5-second execution with proper setup.
My Bottom Line: Use this exploit now while you can. The exploit is spreading rapidly through the Arc Raiders community on social media and YouTube, which means Embark Studios is undoubtedly aware of it and working on a fix.
I’ve personally farmed 20+ Queen kills using this method, earning over 1 million XP and enough legendary materials to craft multiple endgame weapons. The efficiency is unmatched, and with the inevitable patch looming, every day counts.
Action Steps:
- Craft or find 6+ Blaze Grenade Traps today
- Queue for Harvester events on Blue Gate
- Execute the exploit 5-10 times to stockpile materials
- Extract all valuable loot immediately
- Reinvest earnings into better gear for post-patch gameplay
Remember: This guide is current as of March 2026. Bookmark this page and check back for updates if the exploit gets patched. I’ll update with any new methods or alternative strategies as the game evolves.
Now get out there and claim your Queen kills while you still can, Raider. The clock is ticking, and Embark Studios won’t let this slide for long. Make your move before the nerf hammer drops!
Need help or want to share your Queen kills? Drop a comment below or join the official Arc Raiders Discord to connect with other Raiders. See you in the Rust Belt!
Related Arc Raiders Guides
Looking to maximize your Arc Raiders experience? Check out these comprehensive guides:
- Arc Raiders Weapons Tier List – Master the best guns for PvP and PvE
- Arc Raiders System Requirements – Ensure your PC can handle the game
- Arc Raiders Launch Tower Loot Guide – Another top-tier farming location
- Find Toasters in Arc Raiders Fast – Essential for Workshop upgrades
- Arc Raiders PS5 Release Guide – Complete console player guide
- Is Arc Raiders Free? – Pricing and edition breakdown
- Arc Raiders Pre-Order Guide – Best deals and bonuses