What is the Padded Stock and Why Should I Care?



The Padded Stock is an Epic Weapon Mod that focuses on improving weapon stability. Specifically, it reduces vertical and horizontal recoil by 15% each, and it cuts per-shot dispersion by 20%. In practical terms, this means your shots are more accurate and your weapon feels steadier during sustained fire.



The trade-offs are notable, though. Equipping it increases both equip and unequip times by 20% and reduces your ADS (aim-down-sight) speed by 30%. So while your shots are steadier, you’re slightly slower when swapping weapons or aiming quickly.



In practice, most players use the Padded Stock on weapons that benefit from controlled bursts rather than rapid quick-scoping. High-recoil weapons like the Rattler or Vulcano see the biggest improvement. For close-quarters combat, it may feel a bit sluggish, but for mid- to long-range engagements, it’s a clear benefit.



How Do I Get the Padded Stock Blueprint?



The Padded Stock is blueprint-locked, which means you can’t craft it without first acquiring the blueprint. There are a few ways to get it:



Scavenging – You can find it in loot containers during missions, though it’s relatively rare. Players often focus on higher-level zones where Epic blueprints are more common.



Crafting – Only possible after unlocking the blueprint through scavenging or purchase.



Vendors – The NPC Tian Wen sells it occasionally, so it’s worth checking vendor inventories when you’re short on time.



For players looking to trade, you can also sell ARC Raiders blueprints securely on U4N, which is a convenient way to offload duplicates or trade for something you need.



What Ingredients Do I Need to Craft the Padded Stock?



Once you have the blueprint, crafting is straightforward but requires specific components:



2 × Mod Components



5 × Duct Tape



Gunsmith Level 3



The process requires a workshop or crafting station. Most experienced players gather Mod Components and Duct Tape in advance, often hoarding them for multiple builds, because crafting efficiency improves if you batch multiple mods at once.



How Does It Perform in Real Combat?



From a practical perspective, the Padded Stock is noticeable as soon as you fire the weapon:



Reduced vertical and horizontal recoil: You don’t have to compensate as much with mouse or stick movement.



Lower per-shot dispersion: Shots land closer to your crosshair, making headshots and grouped fire easier.



Slower ADS and equip times: This is where timing matters. Players often pre-aim or commit to a firing stance because switching quickly becomes slightly slower.



The general consensus among experienced players is to use it on medium-to-heavy rifles rather than SMGs or pistols. It’s also popular for solo players because controlling recoil makes hitting enemies consistently easier.



Can I Recycle or Salvage the Padded Stock?



Yes. If you decide the Padded Stock isn’t worth keeping, you can recover materials:



Recycling gives you 1 Mod Component and 1 Duct Tape.



Salvaging gives 2 Mechanical Components.



Most players salvage instead of recycle if they’re short on Mechanical Components, which are rarer and often required for crafting other high-tier mods.



Which Weapons Are Compatible?



The Padded Stock is compatible with a wide range of weapons. Some of the common ones include:



Ferro



Kettle



Rattler



Stitcher



Arpeggio



Il Toro



Osprey



Renegade



Torrente



Bettina



Bobcat



Tempest



Vulcano



Aphelion



In practice, most players stick it on weapons with noticeable recoil issues. If a gun feels “all over the place” when firing, this mod is likely to help.



Should I Always Use the Padded Stock?



Not necessarily. Its effectiveness depends on your playstyle:



Yes, if you focus on mid- to long-range combat and need stability.



No, if you prioritize fast ADS or weapon swapping.



Situational, if you are using high mobility builds—slower equip/unequip times may conflict with your strategy.



Many experienced players carry two loadouts: one with Padded Stock for controlled firefights and another without it for close-quarter engagements.



The Padded Stock is a reliable Epic mod that significantly improves weapon stability in ARC Raiders. Getting the blueprint may require scavenging, vendor purchases, or trades. Crafting is simple once you have the materials, and its real-world performance makes it a favorite for recoil-heavy weapons and controlled shooting scenarios. Understanding its drawbacks—slower ADS and equip times—is key to using it effectively.



For players who collect extra blueprints, remember you can sell ARC Raiders blueprints securely on U4N to make space or trade for mods you actually need. Using this approach keeps your inventory clean and ensures you can get the most value from your finds.

From the Devs: Arc Raiders Extended Light Mag 3 Blueprint Locations, How to get & Guide