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Valencia

Guide Curator at GladiatorBoost

I’m the voice behind the blogs here at GladiatorBoost—diving deep into the gaming world to bring you guides, updates, and stories that actually help (and maybe even entertain a little). Whether it's breaking down the latest boosts or highlighting cool moments in your favorite games, I’m here to make the digital grind a little more fun.

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The Canto SMG is one of the most versatile weapons introduced in ARC Raiders’ Flashpoint update, quickly becoming a favorite among players looking for a reliable weapon in both PvE and PvP engagements. With fast shield break potential, solid ARC damage, and agile handling, the Canto SMG is a powerful mid-tier weapon that can carry you through intense firefights.

However, getting the Canto SMG blueprint isn’t straightforward. The weapon primarily drops during specific map conditions, making it somewhat rare and highly sought-after.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

• Where to find the Canto SMG
• How to unlock the blueprint
• Best farming strategies
• Weapon stats and upgrades
• PvP & PvE performance tips
• How to increase your drop chances

If you’re aiming to secure this weapon quickly, using ARC Raiders Boosting can significantly speed up your progress by helping you farm rare blueprint drops efficiently.

What is the Canto SMG in ARC Raiders?

The Canto SMG is a Medium Ammo submachine gun designed for mobility and sustained damage. It’s categorized as an Agile weapon, meaning players won’t experience movement penalties when using it.

Why Players Want the Canto SMG

• Fast shield break capability
• Moderate ARC damage
• Strong PvP performance
• Excellent mobility
• Upgrade scaling potential
• Rare blueprint unlock

Unlike heavier weapons, the Canto SMG allows players to stay mobile while maintaining consistent damage output, making it particularly effective during close to mid-range engagements.

Where to Get the Canto SMG in ARC Raiders

Currently, there are two main ways to obtain the Canto SMG and its blueprint:

1. First Wave Raider Cachés (Hurricane Condition)

The best place to find the Canto SMG blueprint is inside First Wave Raider Cachés that appear during the Hurricane Major Map Condition.

Why Hurricane is the Best Farm

• Higher-tier loot pool
• Increased blueprint drop rates
• Rare weapon containers
• Better chance for Canto SMG

These cachés are hidden across the map, meaning players need to explore thoroughly and act quickly before other Raiders find them.

Hurricane Farming Tips

• Drop early into Hurricane events
• Prioritize high-loot areas
• Bring mobility gear
• Avoid unnecessary fights
• Extract immediately after finding blueprint

Because these containers spawn randomly, farming may take several runs. Players looking to skip the grind often browse the ARC Raiders blueprints for sale section to unlock rare weapons faster.

2. Combat Supplies (Close Scrutiny Condition)

The second-best method to obtain the Canto SMG is through Combat Supplies during the Close Scrutiny map condition.

How Combat Supplies Work

• Drops every 3–5 minutes
• Marked on the map for all players
• Contains weapon cases
• High PvP risk

Since these drops are visible to everyone, competition is intense. Players should prepare for immediate combat when approaching supply drops.

Best Strategy for Combat Supply Drops

• Use lightweight loadouts
• Approach cautiously
• Clear surrounding players
• Grab loot quickly
• Extract safely

Can the Canto SMG Drop Elsewhere?

Some players report finding the Canto SMG in standard weapon cases, although this appears to be less common. Since the weapon is classified as Rare quality, it may drop in:

• Weapon cases
• High-tier loot containers
• Special map events
• Major map conditions

Best Map Conditions to Farm

To maximize your chances, prioritize:

• Hurricane
• Close Scrutiny
• Night Raid
• Electromagnetic Storm

These conditions typically increase overall loot value, making rare weapons more likely to appear.

Canto SMG Base Stats

Here are the base stats for the Canto SMG:

• Ammo Type: Medium Ammo
• Base Damage: 6.5 per projectile
• Weapon Type: Agile SMG
• Movement Penalty: 0%
• ARC Damage: Moderate
• Shield Break Speed: Under 0.9 seconds

These stats make the Canto SMG extremely effective for fast-paced engagements and aggressive playstyles.

Canto SMG Upgrade Tiers

The Canto SMG becomes significantly stronger with upgrades. Each tier improves reload speed, accuracy, and magazine size.

Tier I

• Reduced Reload Time: N/A
• Max Shot Dispersion: N/A
• Magazine Size: 18

Tier II

• Reduced Reload Time: 13%
• Max Shot Dispersion: 15%
• Magazine Size: 20

Tier III

• Reduced Reload Time: 27%
• Max Shot Dispersion: 30%
• Magazine Size: 22

Tier IV

• Reduced Reload Time: 43%
• Max Shot Dispersion: 45%
• Magazine Size: 24

Once upgraded, the Canto SMG becomes far more viable in PvP, particularly against medium and heavy shields.

Players often farm upgrade materials through the ARC Raiders items marketplace to speed up weapon progression.

Canto SMG PvP Performance

The Canto SMG performs exceptionally well in PvP situations.

Estimated Bullet Requirements

Light Shield

• Approximately 19 bullets

Medium Shield

• Around 20–21 bullets

Heavy Shield

• Approximately 23–24 bullets

This means upgrading to Tier II or higher significantly improves PvP performance.

With proper mods, the Canto SMG can down players in a single magazine, making it a strong contender among top weapons.

Canto SMG PvE Performance

The Canto SMG is also highly effective against ARC enemies.

PvE Strengths

• Moderate ARC plating damage
• Fast firing rate
• Agile movement
• Reliable sustained damage

Because ARC enemies often require mobility and precision, the Canto SMG performs extremely well in dynamic PvE scenarios.

Best Playstyle for Canto SMG

To maximize effectiveness, consider this playstyle:

Aggressive Mobility

• Stay close to enemies
• Use movement advantage
• Flank opponents
• Avoid long-range fights

Hit-and-Run Strategy

• Break shields quickly
• Reposition immediately
• Reload safely
• Re-engage

This weapon rewards smart positioning and fast reactions.

Best Mods for Canto SMG

While mod availability may vary, players should prioritize:

• Recoil control
• Reload speed
• Magazine size
• Accuracy improvements

A fully modded Canto SMG becomes significantly stronger in high-pressure PvP encounters.

How to Farm the Canto SMG Faster

Here are the best farming strategies:

1. Focus on Hurricane Events

Highest drop rate potential.

2. Farm Close Scrutiny Drops

Frequent supply drops increase chances.

3. Play in Teams

Improves survival and extraction success.

4. Use Mobility Loadouts

Faster looting and extraction.

5. Target High-Loot Zones

Better containers and drops.

Is the Canto SMG Worth Getting?

Absolutely. The Canto SMG offers:

• Strong PvP performance
• Good PvE utility
• Excellent mobility
• Scalable upgrades
• Rare blueprint value

It’s one of the most balanced SMGs currently available in ARC Raiders.

Tips for Using the Canto SMG

Use Close Range Engagements

The weapon excels in short distances.

Upgrade Early

Tier II dramatically improves performance.

Stay Mobile

Take advantage of agility.

Use Mods

Enhance reload and accuracy.

Extract Safely

Don’t risk losing the blueprint.

Final Thoughts

The Canto SMG is one of the most versatile weapons introduced in ARC Raiders, offering a powerful mix of speed, damage, and mobility. While obtaining the blueprint requires patience, focusing on Hurricane conditions and Close Scrutiny supply drops gives you the best chances.

Whether you’re farming solo or with teammates, unlocking the Canto SMG will significantly improve your combat capabilities.

FAQ – Canto SMG in ARC Raiders

Where does the Canto SMG drop?

Primarily during Hurricane conditions and Close Scrutiny supply drops.

Is the Canto SMG rare?

Yes, it’s classified as a Rare quality weapon.

Is the Canto SMG good for PvP?

Yes, especially after upgrading to Tier II or higher.

Can I find the blueprint in normal containers?

Possibly, but drop rates appear lower.

Is the Canto SMG worth upgrading?

Yes, upgrades significantly improve performance.