how many deadlines to kill matriarch
How Many Deadlines to Kill the Matriarch in Arc Raiders? In Arc Raiders , the Matriarch (a massive Queen enemy) can be taken down using Deadline mines—a throwable explosive tool that players attach to its core after breaking its outer armor. The exact number varies by team size, placement precision, and strategy, but forum discussions and gameplay videos from late 2025 to early 2026 consistently highlight efficient methods.
Core Strategies
- Team Play (3 Players) : The fastest kills use 5 Deadline mines , all placed directly on the exposed core after shooting the top armor with weapons like extended mags. One video shows a 45-second kill: one mine on outer armor fails, but five on core succeeds, often stunning the boss for easier access via Snap Hooks.
- Smaller Groups or Solo : Reports range from 2-3 Deadlines with weapons (e.g., Toro rifle to break hull), up to 7-10 for full solo kills. A solo player used 2 after hull damage, while others needed more due to failed placements.
- Key Tips : Break the top plate first (1-3 mags), dodge-roll off, use Snap Hooks to reach the core, and hold left-click for multiple deadlines without switching. Mines don't harm teammates.
| Setup | Deadlines Needed | Time/Example | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Player Speedrun | 5 (all on core) | ~45 seconds | YouTube guide |
| Solo | 7-10 | Outdated early strat | Video comment |
| Duos/Trios w/ Weapons | 2-3 | Core blast post-hull break | Reddit/FB |
Forum & Trending Views
Players on Reddit's r/ArcRaiders debate this heavily since Deadline's November 2025 intro. Top lobbies speedrun in 3 minutes total (spawn-to-kill), influencing gear loadouts—bring extras for failed sticks. Some solos push 2 deadlines with perfect Toro shots, but most advise teams for reliability.
"Five all on core is going to be enough to kill it... shoot the top and place on the core." – Streamer breakdown
One Facebook post asked about Snap Hooks but pivoted to deadlines: "Blew the core with 2 deadlines placed," sparking "how many?" threads. By January 2026, optimized runs trended, with clutch plays going viral on YouTube Shorts.
Variations & Updates
- Stun Synergy : Explode one to stun, then stack more while two players hook on.
- Risks : Spiders spawn nearby; outer armor placements waste mines.
- Milestones : Counts toward Queen damage trials—fast teams farm these.
As of February 2026, no patches changed core mechanics per latest clips, but check in-game for balances. Experiment in friendly lobbies for your playstyle.
TL;DR : 5 Deadlines for optimal 3-player kills; 2-10 for others depending on setup. Prioritize core placement.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.