I was standing on Spaceport with my squad pinned behind a console as blue markers blinked like warnings on a weather app. A bolt hit a landing pad and sent everyone’s shields screaming red. You can feel the game change the second those markers spread.
I write this from play sessions across Steam and Xbox, and I’ll tell you exactly how to make the game punish you on purpose—and survive long enough to get the three-star reward. You already know lightning is something to avoid; now you need to flirt with it without throwing away the run.
On Spaceport I saw blue circles appear on the tarmac before lightning struck — how to get struck by lightning in ARC Raiders
When the Electromagnetic Storm modifier is live, the map draws bright blue spots where lightning will land. That modifier rotates in and out of matches, so you’ll only see it sometimes during the Trials. To trigger the hits you must be on the Spaceport map in a fresh round while Electromagnetic Storm is active.
How do I get struck by lightning in ARC Raiders?
Stand in a blue spot and wait. The strike will register whether you’re standing exactly on the marker or step into an area that was recently struck. I’ve found staying still in the open seems to raise the odds of getting zapped—like a magnet drawing attention—though that’s anecdotal, not a documented mechanic.
Do lightning strikes count if you walk into a struck area?
Yes. Walking into a recently hit spot typically counts toward the Trials. That’s the safer option if you don’t want to risk multiple direct hits in rapid succession.
Will a lightning strike one-shot you?
Lightning hits deal heavy damage and will shred shields fast. With low health and broken shields you can die from repeated strikes in the same round, so you must be prepared or treat it like a surgical strike.
I tested it twice in back-to-back matches — what to bring with you when you plan to get zapped
Getting struck is less of a casualty event and more of a calculated cost. Bring supplies that patch you up fast and keep your shield pool reusable.
- At least 15 Bandages or Herbal Bandages to recover health
- Shield Recharges to repair shields
- A Medium shield preferred for higher HP
- Spare shields — older equipment can break if you take multiple hits in one match
On public servers you can lean on teammates who’ll bait or cover you while you stand in the blue. On solo queues, choose timing carefully: wait for lulls in enemy pressure or let bosses occupy attention while you take the hit.
I noticed a pattern in play sessions — extra tricks and timing to speed up the Trials
Lightning spots appear at semi-random locations, but they cluster in open areas and near high ground. Use that to predict where new blue markers may pop up.
Other practical points:
- Only the Electromagnetic Storm modifier causes the blue markers—if you don’t see them, it’s not active.
- Try multiple rounds on Spaceport; some Trials demand Spaceport specifically.
- Join ARC Raiders Discord servers or check the Steam hub and X (Twitter) threads for live reports when the modifier cycles—community chatter often tips you off faster than waiting for it to appear in-game.
I’ve seen players treat the Trials like a casino hand—placing a small bet for a big reward—and the right prep turns a painful gamble into a routine objective. If you get greedy and stand in a storm too long, your run dies; if you respect the risk, you can harvest the reward like lightning farming.
Ready to stand in the open and take the hit for three stars, or are you going to let the storm keep its secrets?