Arc Raiders: Understanding Compensator I and Weapon Accuracy

If you’ve been playing Arc Raiders, one of the first things you’ll notice is how much weapon performance can change depending on the modifications you equip. One of the common modifications players encounter early on is the Compensator I. In this guide, I’ll go over how it works, what it affects in practice, and how most players use it.

What is the Compensator I?

The Compensator I is a common muzzle modification. Its main purpose is to reduce weapon spread, meaning your shots stay more concentrated when firing repeatedly. Specifically:

20% reduced per-shot dispersion
10% reduced maximum shot dispersion

In general, this means that your bullets will deviate less from your aim after each shot. Most players notice that fully automatic weapons feel slightly more controllable with it equipped, especially at mid-range.

It is compatible with many of the standard weapons, including:

Ferro, Kettle, Rattler, Stitcher, Anvil, Arpeggio, Burletta, Osprey, Renegade, Torrente, Venator, Bettina, Bobcat, Tempest

So, whether you prefer rifles, SMGs, or heavy weapons, there’s usually an option to fit this mod.

How Does It Work in Practice?

In theory, reducing dispersion sounds small, but in practice, it can make a noticeable difference:

For weapons like the Rattler or Stitcher, which fire fast, even a 20% reduction per shot means fewer stray bullets. This helps if you are trying to hit weak points on enemies.
For slower weapons or weapons with already low spread, the effect is less dramatic, but it can still help maintain accuracy over longer bursts.
Most players use it on weapons that they intend to fire continuously rather than single-shot, because the per-shot dispersion reduction accumulates over multiple rounds.

One thing to keep in mind is that the maximum shot dispersion reduction is only 10%. That means at very long ranges, your bullets can still spread a little, so it’s not a perfect solution for sniping.

How Do You Get the Compensator I?

There are several ways players acquire this mod:

Crafting You can craft it if you have the right ingredients:
- 6× Metal Parts
- 1× Wires Crafting requires Gunsmith level 1. Most players find it useful to craft multiple copies early to equip different weapons.
Buying from Vendors Certain NPCs, like Tian Wen, sell the Compensator I. Usually, you’ll spend a small amount of in-game currency—enough for early game players to stock up without worry.
Scavenging Occasionally, you might find this mod while scavenging, though it is considered common, so it’s not rare.
Recycling / Salvaging If you have extra Compensator I mods, you can break them down:
- Recycling gives 5× Metal Parts
- Salvaging gives 3× Metal Parts Most players recycle mods they don’t need to gather more materials for higher-tier upgrades.

When Should I Equip a Compensator I?

Most players focus on equipping it under these conditions:

Mid-range combat: If you are mostly engaging enemies at 10–30 meters, it helps tighten your shots.
Automatic weapons: Weapons that fire multiple bullets per second benefit more than single-shot weapons.
Early game: Before you have access to higher-tier modifications, this is a simple way to make your gun more reliable.

In general, players don’t use it for long-range sniper rifles or weapons with extremely low recoil, since the effect is less noticeable there.

How Does It Compare to Other Mods?

The Compensator I is usually compared with other muzzle modifications like the Recoil Damper or Barrel Stabilizer. Here’s what players tend to notice:

Recoil Damper: Reduces vertical kick, better for sustained automatic fire.
Barrel Stabilizer: Improves accuracy over extreme distances.

Most players prioritize the Compensator I when they want slightly better spread without changing recoil dramatically. It’s a subtle but reliable improvement.

Are There Any Limitations?

Yes, there are a few practical limitations:

Blueprint not required: You can buy or craft it immediately, so it’s accessible early.
Weight: At 0.25, it’s light, so it won’t slow you down.
Impact on max range: Since max shot dispersion is only reduced by 10%, it won’t completely eliminate bullet spread at long ranges.
Commonness: Being a common mod, it doesn’t dramatically change high-level gameplay. Advanced players usually upgrade to stronger versions later.

Tips From Experienced Players

Equip it on your primary weapon first; you’ll notice the improvement in control.
Keep extras for crafting or selling. Some players look for arc raiders items for sale online, but usually it’s faster to craft or buy in-game.
Don’t expect it to solve accuracy issues completely. Pair it with proper stance, aiming, and fire control for best results.
Recycle duplicates for materials instead of holding on to extras—you’ll need them for mid-game mods.

The Compensator I is a small but practical mod that improves per-shot accuracy on many weapons. In general:

Best for mid-range automatic fire
Easy to craft or buy
Light and common
Slightly reduces bullet spread

Most players use it early in the game to make their primary weapons feel more controllable. It’s not a game-changing item, but it’s reliable, widely compatible, and a good foundation for learning how weapon modifications affect combat in Arc Raiders.