What is the Photoelectric Cloak?



The Photoelectric Cloak is an Epic gadget designed to hide your presence from ARC. When activated, it makes you invisible to enemies, even in combat. But it’s not a full “run-and-gun” invisibility; you move slower while cloaked, and it consumes energy that’s limited by a visible meter on your HUD.



In practical terms, this means the cloak is best used strategically—for repositioning, escaping a tight spot, or sneaking past multiple enemies—rather than trying to sprint through a mission.



How does it actually work in-game?



When you activate the cloak:



Energy usage starts immediately. A chunk of the energy bar is consumed as soon as the cloak is turned on.



You walk slower. This is a trade-off: invisibility comes at the cost of mobility.



ARC loses sight of you. Any ARC units that were actively targeting you will lose visual contact.



After you deactivate the cloak, or once it runs out of energy, the energy meter gradually recharges, even if you don’t equip the cloak again. A key point is that using multiple cloaks in your loadout doesn’t extend the total energy—all cloaks share the same energy pool. So carrying extras doesn’t let you stay invisible longer.



In practice, most players find it more effective to use the cloak for long stretches in one go rather than turning it on and off multiple times. Quick toggles drain the energy bar inefficiently.



Can you use it multiple times?



Technically, yes—but with limitations. The cloak can be recharged and repaired, but each activation counts as “one use” against the energy bar. If you want to continuously use the cloak, you’ll need to manage its recharge carefully or have multiple units ready to swap out.



For repair, the game requires:



1 Advanced Electrical Component



2 Speaker Components



Repairing adds +50 durability to the cloak, making it reusable. If you’re running a scavenging-heavy strategy, you can recycle or salvage old cloaks for components.



How do you get a Photoelectric Cloak?



There are three main ways to acquire one:



Scavenging – Loot it from the environment during missions.



Crafting – At Utility Station 3, you can combine materials:



2 Advanced Electrical Components



4 Speaker Components

Resulting in 1 Photoelectric Cloak.



Purchasing – Some players choose to buy arc raiders items xbox, which can save time if you don’t want to farm materials.



Knowing this, you can decide whether to invest your resources into crafting or simply purchase the cloak depending on your playstyle.



When should you use it?



Experienced raiders tend to use the cloak in three main situations:



Escaping a tough fight – If ARC units are overwhelming your team, activating the cloak gives you a chance to reposition safely.



Objective stealth – Missions that require you to get from point A to point B without triggering alarms are perfect for the cloak.



Reviving teammates or looting safely – The cloak can buy precious seconds when other players are under fire.



One mistake I see often is players activating it while sprinting across open ground. This is inefficient because your movement is slower and energy drains faster. Instead, activate it just before entering enemy zones or when you need to maneuver carefully.



Tips and common mistakes



Don’t rely on multiple cloaks for extra invisibility time. Energy is shared, so stacking them won’t extend duration.



Use longer intervals, not short bursts. Short activations eat up chunks of energy without giving much benefit.



Keep an eye on the energy meter. If it drops too low, your cloak will deactivate mid-mission.



Combine with other gadgets. Pairing the cloak with speed boosts or distractions maximizes its effectiveness.



How to maintain your cloak



The cloak is a consumable item, but you can recycle and repair it efficiently:



Recycling returns 1 Advanced Electrical Component and 1 Speaker Component



Salvaging returns 1 Advanced Electrical Component



This allows you to manage resources without constantly grinding for new components. Experienced raiders often keep a stock of spare components so they can repair cloaks between missions rather than crafting entirely new ones.



The Photoelectric Cloak is a tactical tool, not a crutch. Used correctly, it allows you to sneak, reposition, or escape without being seen by ARC. Misused, it wastes energy and slows you down.



Key takeaways for practical play:



Activate for long, purposeful periods rather than short bursts.



Don’t expect multiple cloaks to extend invisibility.



Use it strategically during high-risk moments.



Keep spare components for repairs to make the cloak reusable.



Understanding these details can give you a clear advantage, especially when playing with teammates who rely on stealth and coordination. The Photoelectric Cloak isn’t about running faster or fighting stronger—it’s about choosing the right moment to disappear.

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