Try the Kettle for a couple of raids and its purpose becomes pretty clear. It's not built to delete everything in front of you, and it won't make armoured targets panic on sight. What it does give you is a cheap, quick-handling SMG that's easy to replace when a run goes bad. That matters a lot in ARC Raiders. Since it doesn't need rare ARC Raiders BluePrints to get started, the Kettle fits neatly into early kits, throwaway loadouts, and those "I just need one decent gun" moments before heading back out.

How the Kettle handles

The Kettle is a fully automatic SMG using Light Ammo, with 100 durability and a 20-round magazine. On paper, the stats are fairly modest: 7 damage, 45.3 fire rate, 42.1 range, 45.3 stability, 73.8 agility, and 19 stealth. In actual fights, the agility is the part you'll notice first. You can move fast, cut around cover, and keep pressure on someone who's trying to reset. The downside is obvious too. Twenty rounds disappear quickly, especially if you panic-spray. If you're used to larger magazines, the Kettle will punish lazy reload habits.

Where it works best

This is a close-range gun. Hallways, broken interiors, tight corners, stairwells, little scraps around cover; that's where it feels comfortable. You don't want to stand out in the open trading shots at range, because the Kettle just isn't that kind of weapon. Its range stat is usable, not impressive, and the recoil can start to pull your shots away if you hold the trigger too long. Short bursts help. So does aiming for clean tracking instead of dumping the whole mag. Against lighter enemies or rushed players, it can feel sharp. Against tougher ARC units, you'll quickly feel the weak armour penetration.

Cost, crafting, and risk

One of the best things about the Kettle is how little drama there is around getting another one. Tian Wen sells it for $2400, which puts it in that useful budget space where losing it stings, but it doesn't ruin your evening. You can also craft it at Gunsmith Level 1 with a Level 1 workbench, using 8 Metal Parts and 4 Rubber Parts. No blueprint needed. That's a big deal if you're rebuilding after a bad extraction or trying to save better gear for a more serious run. It's the sort of weapon you keep around because it solves a simple problem: you need something automatic, cheap, and ready now.

Best habits when using it

Don't treat the Kettle like a heavy rifle. You'll get more out of it by moving first and shooting second. Push from angles. Break line of sight after a reload. Don't chase long fights where the enemy has time to armour up, backpedal, or pull you into open ground. If you're entering a zone with heavier ARC resistance, bring backup tools or be ready to disengage. The Kettle can win messy close fights, but it's not a miracle worker. Players who do well with it usually accept its limits. They keep fights short, pick routes through cover, and reload before the magazine hits empty.

Final Thoughts

The Kettle earns its spot because it's practical. It's affordable, craftable, light in the hands, and good enough when you play to its strengths. Newer players can use it to learn close-range movement without risking expensive gear, while experienced players can slot it into budget runs when they'd rather save their best weapons. If you're short on materials or comparing backup kit options, checking ARC Items for sale can also help you plan around what you're missing. Just remember what the gun is: a fast, low-cost SMG for quick fights, not a late-game armour shredder.