The ARC Raiders Grappling Hook is an Uncommon mobility gadget with a 20-meter range. It anchors to many surfaces and lets you climb a rope, descend with control, or swing between positions. You can try two ready-made hooks from the free Frozen Trail Reward Pass at level 6, then claim the blueprint at free level 12 to craft more. Research Station I and scavenging are alternative blueprint routes. Neither a Snap Hook nor a Premium Pass is required to get started.
This guide separates one-time recipe unlocks from items you can lose in a raid. It covers every practical acquisition path, the exact Utility Station recipe, repairs, controls, Grappling Hook vs. Snap Hook, and safe traversal after Updates 2.1 and 2.2. The official October 20 patch improved rope handling, but it did not remove every possible movement issue.
ARC Raiders Grappling Hook: Quick Facts
| Question | Current answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| What kind of item? | Uncommon Quick Use mobility gadget, 20 m range, weight 5 | It occupies a Quick Use slot; it is not a weapon or a permanent movement skill. |
| Try one for free | Frozen Trail Free Reward Pass level 6: two Grappling Hooks | They are finished gadgets, not the repeatable crafting recipe. |
| Free blueprint | Frozen Trail Free Reward Pass level 12 | Claim the level reward; Premium is not required for this gameplay unlock. |
| Research alternative | Research Station I: 2,000 Research Points and 10 Rope | Requires Outpost and station progression; separate from crafting materials. |
| Craft one | Utility Station I: 2 Rope, 1 Cable Stripper, 1 Mechanical Component | The Utility Station recipe works once the blueprint is learned. |
| Repair one | 1 Rope and 1 Cable Stripper for +50 durability | Usually worth checking before crafting a replacement. |
Embark introduced the gadget in Frozen Trail 2.0. The community item record tracks its recipe, durability and range; the pass reward levels are documented by current reward tables rather than a complete level-by-level official publisher list. If a later client update changes one, follow the item or Reward Pass panel in your own game.
How to Get the Grappling Hook and Its Blueprint
First decide whether you want to try a single hook now or unlock permanent crafting access. Receiving a completed gadget does not teach its blueprint, while learning the blueprint does not automatically put a ready-made hook into your loadout.
| Route | What you receive | Required action | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Trail Pass level 6 (Free) | 2 finished Grappling Hooks | Activate the correct pass, earn 900 cumulative Reward Points and claim level 6. | Practice before spending crafting materials. |
| Frozen Trail Pass level 12 (Free) | Grappling Hook Blueprint | Earn 1,800 cumulative Reward Points and claim level 12. | A predictable, no-Premium recipe route. |
| Research Station I | Blueprint research unlock | Open Outpost, build station, spend 2,000 RP plus 10 Rope. | If you already have Outpost resources and want the recipe immediately. |
| Scavenging | Possible unlearned blueprint | Loot while on regular runs, extract, then Learn and Consume. | An opportunistic alternative; no verified guaranteed drop. |
| Selected quests | One ready-made hook as quest supplies | Check accepted quest supplies for Belly of the Beast or Boarding the Frigate. | Temporary traversal aid during a particular mission. |
| Nomadic Envoys weekly trade | A ready-made hook, if currently stocked | Check Cassio’s current rotating weekly offers and barter conditions. | An immediate option that is not a permanent blueprint unlock. |
Fastest reliable route if you have not opened the Outpost: activate the Frozen Trail Reward Pass and progress the free track to level 12. This avoids spending Research Points and the Outpost research materials. If you already own a Research Station I, research can be faster than waiting for another pass session. Both paths lead to the same crafting requirement: Utility Station I and the three ingredients listed below.
If you only want to test the tool, claim the two level-6 hooks first or check an eligible quest’s supplied items. A quest-granted hook is not the blueprint. A seller’s limited weekly offer also should not be confused with the recipe: the rotating inventory can change, and last week’s price or stock is not guaranteed today.
Get the Bench Ready for Your First Hook
A hook blueprint is not the same as a finished gadget. If your Utility Station or Outpost research is missing, choose the progression route that solves that exact bottleneck.
Frozen Trail Reward Pass: Free Levels 6 and 12
- Select the correct pass. Open Reward Passes in Speranza and make Frozen Trail the active pass. Reward Points are assigned to your active pass, not necessarily the pass you want later.
- Complete Feats. Use the Easy, Medium and Hard Feats you can complete reliably, and claim weekly milestone progress. Level 6 corresponds to a cumulative 900 points on the current 150-point-per-level schedule.
- Claim your test gadgets. At Free level 6, collect two finished Grappling Hooks and equip one in a Quick Use slot before your next raid.
- Continue to the blueprint. At Free level 12 (1,800 cumulative points), claim the Grappling Hook Blueprint. Check your known crafting recipes after claiming. No Premium unlock is needed.
- Build at the correct bench. Open Utility Station I; the recipe still consumes Rope, Cable Stripper and Mechanical Components for each gadget.
The Frozen Trail Pass is not a substitute for learning how to extract. A lost finished hook is gone with that raid’s gear, while a learned recipe lets you craft replacements. If you need the complete 60-tier Free/Premium catalog, follow the pass’s own reward page or current in-game Reward Pass screen; this guide only owns the Grappling Hook milestones.
Research Station: When Spending Research Points Makes Sense
The Outpost & Research Station Guide covers Sheltered Retreat, construction materials and the wider station upgrade track. For this item you only need Research Station I, not Research Station IV or Gunsmith IV. The reported one-time unlock cost is 2,000 Research Points plus 10 Rope.
Do not mix that bill with crafting the hook. Research is paid once for access to its recipe; producing a physical Grappling Hook costs materials again. If you already claimed the blueprint from the Reward Pass or learned a scavenged copy, check whether it is marked as learned before spending any RP. There is no reason to pay twice for a recipe you already know.
Can You Farm the Blueprint From Loot?
The ARC Raiders Wiki includes scavenging as a blueprint source, but does not name an official guaranteed container, map condition or drop percentage for this specific recipe. Search containers that match your normal material route, protect an unlearned blueprint if you find one and extract before taking unnecessary fights. Once in Speranza, select the copy and choose Learn and Consume.
Do not confuse a finished Grappling Hook found in loot with a Grappling Hook Blueprint. A one-time hook can be equipped and lost; a successfully learned blueprint makes your crafting repeatable. The wider All ARC Raiders Blueprints catalog owns the broad source and rarity lookup for equipment recipes.
Grappling Hook Crafting Recipe, Repairs and Materials
Once you know the recipe, build a Grappling Hook at a level-1 Utility Station. Neither a level-3 Utility Station nor a Legendary Snap Hook recipe is required. Budget for two costs only when you choose the Research Station route: the one-time blueprint research and the ingredients for the finished tool.
| Action | What you need | What you get | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research the blueprint | Research Station I; 2,000 RP; 10 Rope | Learned Grappling Hook recipe | Thinking the research gives one finished hook. |
| Craft one new hook | Utility Station I; 2 Rope; 1 Cable Stripper; 1 Mechanical Component; learned blueprint | One Grappling Hook | Using the Snap Hook’s much higher-tier recipe. |
| Repair an existing hook | 1 Rope; 1 Cable Stripper | +50 durability | Discarding a repairable tool after a few climbs. |
| Recycle a spare hook | One finished Grappling Hook | Wiki lists 1 Rope and 1 Cable Stripper | Recycling a useful gadget when repairs would be more valuable. |
Material priorities: gather a small working reserve instead of filling your Stash with every possible component. Rope is an Uncommon material associated with commercial and residential loot. Cable Strippers are commonly associated with industrial and mechanical areas. Mechanical Components can come from appropriate mechanical scavenging and Workshop resource conversion; check the current recipe panel rather than assuming one fixed container always produces them.
The exact material counts above are drawn from the community item data as reviewed after Frozen Trail, not from a permanent official in-game economy promise. Use the live recipe in your Workshop if later hotfixes change costs, vendors or durability.
Choose the Right Material and Raid Route
If replacing lost hooks is consuming your resources, focus on the exact Rope, Cable Stripper and Mechanical Components you need, with a short extraction plan.
How to Use the Grappling Hook: Climb, Descend and Swing
Do not use the Grappling Hook like the old Snap Hook. The Grappling Hook anchors a rope; it does not instantly pull you to the target. Your angle, starting position and manual movement determine where you end up. It can climb hard-to-reach spots, lower you from a building, and swing across a gap, but you must plan both a launch point and a safe landing.
- Put it in a Quick Use slot. Before deploying, move a finished hook from inventory into an accessible quick-use position; do not assume claiming a blueprint equips the tool.
- Pick a sensible anchor. Stand where you can see the ledge, roof or beam. Aim within its approximately 20-meter range at a substantial surface rather than a small moving or fragile prop.
- Throw and check the connection. Select the hook and use the displayed throw control for your platform. Wait for the line to attach. The updated rope can follow nearby geometry, but not every surface will accept an anchor.
- Climb toward a ledge. Approach the rope, follow the game’s on-screen climb input and stay aligned with the surface. At the top, vault onto secure ground. If the lip is awkward, adjust your angle instead of continuing upward against a blocked edge.
- Descend with control. Anchor above or in front of your descent, use the rope’s lower or rappel movement and watch the landing area. Reattach when needed rather than trying a maximum-speed drop into the unknown.
- Swing and release deliberately. Start with a manageable gap, build the required arc, release toward a known landing point and keep enough height to clear obstacles. When learning, practice above forgiving terrain rather than deep drops.
Controls note: PC, controller and custom key bindings do not share a universal climb, descend or detach key. Frozen Trail changed gamepad mapping, and controls can be remapped. Follow the prompts beside the attached rope and check Settings if your input does not match a video. Do not memorize an old creator’s keybinding as if it were the game’s default.
Five Practical Grappling Hook Maneuvers
| Your goal | Recommended technique | Failure to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Reach a roof from street level | Attach near a reachable roof edge; climb with a clear vault path; adjust at the final meter. | Overhangs or rails that block the auto-vault animation. |
| Cross a moderate gap | Start with height, select an anchor above or slightly past the gap, and swing toward a known landing. | Releasing too early or tangling the line in geometry. |
| Leave a high rooftop | Attach securely, descend gradually, pause at the next ledge or reattach. | Assuming the tool makes any drop harmless. |
| Change angle under enemy pressure | Use cover to set up the throw; move toward a rooftop or protected ledge before exposing yourself. | Long hang time while an enemy has direct sightlines. |
| Navigate a vertical dungeon section | Use the rope for deliberate shafts and containers; confirm the next room or platform before jumping. | Confusing a Grappling Hook with the faster Snap Hook, or ignoring the active room hazard. |
These are movement principles, not guaranteed shortcut coordinates. Players share creative rope-chain and wall-run combinations, but success depends on live physics, camera angle, stamina and the surrounding surfaces. Test an unfamiliar maneuver in a low-value raid before relying on it with rare equipment.
Best Places to Use the Grappling Hook
The hook is useful anywhere vertical movement creates an alternative to a dangerous approach. That does not mean every high surface is an extraction point or every rooftop is safe from ARC and other Raiders. Match the device to the route you have already chosen.
- Pendola Pass: climb irregular roofs, rocky ledges and structures around exposed approaches. Update 2.1 specifically improved vaults here and Update 2.2 improved steep-slope behavior. Check your Ballistic Gondola approach before using a hook near moving equipment.
- Buried City: use roofs and upper floors to avoid prolonged movement across exposed streets. A rope hanging in the open may reveal your position; check windows and sightlines.
- Spaceport: move between elevations around large structures, but do not assume a tall tower is safe from long-range fire. Bring an exit plan before going up.
- Dam Battlegrounds: controlled descent from towers or elevated interiors can save a risky staircase. Check the base of the landing before leaving cover.
- Fallen Emperor: the Grappling Hook helps with shafts and shifting vertical routes. Shani supplies one with Belly of the Beast; the quest’s Snap Hook reward comes later. For room puzzles and the Emperor Modulator, use the Fallen Emperor Dungeon Guide.
If you are already carrying valuable loot, a short safe exit can be worth more than an elaborate grapple trick. Our ARC Raiders Safe Exits Guide covers map-specific extraction mechanics and return-point planning rather than rope movement.
Grappling Hook vs. Snap Hook: Which Is Better?
These are two separate items, not different quality tiers of the same hook. Embark reduced the Snap Hook’s range and increased its power and durability costs in Frozen Trail specifically to make it a more committed burst-mobility gadget instead of a general upgrade over manual rope movement.
| Feature | Grappling Hook | Snap Hook |
|---|---|---|
| Rarity | Uncommon | Legendary |
| Range | 20 m | 18 m after Frozen Trail 2.0 |
| How it moves you | Anchored rope with manual climbing, swinging and descent | Faster burst grapple to close distance or traverse |
| Crafting station | Utility Station I | Utility Station III |
| Per-item recipe | 2 Rope, 1 Cable Stripper, 1 Mechanical Component | 2 Power Rods, 2 Steel Cable, 1 Exodus Module |
| Upkeep | Repair with 1 Rope + 1 Cable Stripper | Uses a more expensive repair recipe; Frozen Trail increased each use’s durability consumption to 4%. |
| Best choice | Repeatable general movement, controlled descents, learning vertical maps | Fast repositioning when you can afford its cost and commitment |
Pick the Grappling Hook for most everyday route planning when you value control and inexpensive replacement. Pick Snap Hook when immediate movement is worth the bigger resource and timing commitment. Players sometimes carry different tools for different raids rather than declaring one the universal winner.
Older guides may still list Snap Hook at 20 m, or use its previous Rope-based recipe. The current Snap Hook item record reflects the October 21 data, including the updated 2 Steel Cable recipe. Do not spend the Grappling Hook’s ingredients at Utility Station III expecting a Snap Hook.
Grappling Hook Durability, Repair and Lost-Gear Decisions
The Grappling Hook is normal raid equipment, not a permanent account movement ability. If you carry it into a raid and lose your loadout, you can lose the tool. That is a good reason to learn the blueprint, keep a small material reserve, and use a lower-value test loadout while practicing a new movement route.
The current Wiki lists a repair restoring 50 durability for 1 Rope plus 1 Cable Stripper. Check your gadget’s durability and the station’s repair option after a demanding run. The repair recipe consumes fewer unique resources than constructing a new hook, because a new craft also needs 1 Mechanical Component. But if you already have a spare hook, repairing is not automatically the best decision in every inventory situation.
Do not assume the hook always prevents fall damage. It can control a descent only while anchored and working, and a bad landing, collision or disconnection can still hurt or kill you. A Rare or Legendary gun is not a sensible wager on an untested swing over an empty shaft.
What Updates 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 Changed
| Patch | Confirmed change | What a player should do |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Trail 2.0 October 8 | Introduced Grappling Hook; reduced Snap Hook to 18 m and increased its per-use power and durability cost. | Do not copy old Snap Hook range or assume the two gadgets move identically. |
| 2.1.0 October 13 | Improved ledge vaults, Pendola Pass handling, rope wrapping and moving-object attachment; fixed several detachment issues. | Aim at substantial, stable surfaces and use modern rope prompts. |
| 2.2.0 October 20 | Polished rappel, ground-to-rope climbs, steep slopes, auto-vault, animations and weapon swaps. | Use updated handling but account for remaining known movement bugs. |
These changes are described in Embark’s Frozen Trail 2.0 notes, Store Update 2.1.0, and Store Update 2.2.0.
Grappling Hook Not Working? Troubleshooting After 2.2
The hook throws but will not attach
Check distance, line of sight and whether you are aiming at an appropriate surface. Move to a clearer angle or select a larger piece of geometry; not every loose prop will support a rope. Check the on-screen prompts after attachment instead of repeating the throw immediately.
You reach a ledge but cannot vault
Update 2.1 and 2.2 improved auto-vault detection, but rails and overhangs can still obstruct entry. Reposition the line, try a different side of the ledge or use a nearby normal climbing route. Do not keep climbing toward an unreachable lip while under enemy fire.
The rope handles strangely near the ground or on steep slopes
Update 2.2 now preserves more momentum into the climb and improved transitions on steep slopes. If your movement does not match an older tutorial, check your current build and remapped controls. The new movement can feel different from the October 8 launch version.
Your character is thrown upward or the line behaves unpredictably
Embark still listed rare high-speed launches as a known issue in 2.2. Do not rely on an unusual physics launch to cross a deadly gap or farm loot. Regain safe ground if possible and choose another path rather than trying to reproduce it.
The Grappling Hook will not throw inside the Matriarch shield
This is also listed among Embark’s known 2.2 issues. Do not build a fight plan that depends on throwing the Grappling Hook from inside that shield. Reposition to safe ground and use an alternative route or item.
Grappling Hook Checklist Before the Next Raid
- Recipe: if you want a sustainable supply, check whether Free Pass level 12 is claimed or Research Station I has unlocked the blueprint.
- Station: verify Utility Station I is built and you have the exact per-hook ingredients.
- Durability: repair a worn hook when sensible; carry a backup only if the extra weight and value are worth it.
- Loadout: put a finished hook in a Quick Use slot and learn your currently mapped controls.
- Route: choose a stable anchor, a landing point and an escape alternative before committing to a large swing.
- Extraction: if you find a valuable blueprint, prioritize leaving alive over performing a new mobility trick.
ARC Raiders Grappling Hook FAQ
How do I get the Grappling Hook for free?
The Frozen Trail Free Reward Pass gives two completed hooks at level 6 in current reward tables. You can also receive one as supplies on certain quests. The permanent blueprint is listed on the same Free track at level 12, so Premium is not needed for either pass reward.
Where is the Grappling Hook Blueprint?
Check the Free Frozen Trail Pass level 12, Research Station I for 2,000 RP and 10 Rope, or scavenging drops. The Wiki lists scavenging but does not publish a guaranteed container or map coordinate.
Can I get the blueprint without building an Outpost?
Yes. Claim the Free Pass blueprint or learn an unlearned copy you successfully extract from a raid. Research Station I is just one alternative path.
Can I craft a Grappling Hook with Utility Station I?
Yes, once the blueprint is learned. The recorded recipe is 2 Rope, 1 Cable Stripper and 1 Mechanical Component. Building the station alone does not teach the recipe.
Does the Nomadic Envoys trader sell the blueprint?
Reported limited weekly offers sell a finished Grappling Hook, not a permanent recipe. Check the current rotating stock and do not assume a past offer still exists.
Is Snap Hook the same as Grappling Hook?
No. Grappling Hook uses a manual rope for controlled climbing and swinging with 20 m range. Snap Hook is a Legendary burst-mobility gadget, reduced to 18 m in Frozen Trail, with a separate Utility Station III recipe.
How do I swing across a gap?
Attach above or ahead of you, allow the rope to hold, control your movement toward a known landing and release with enough clearance. The active button prompts depend on platform and customized controls. Practice a short gap before trying a large one.
Does Grappling Hook prevent all fall damage?
No. A stable rope can help you descend safely, but an incorrect throw, premature release, missed landing or physics issue can still cause fall damage.
Can the Grappling Hook be repaired?
Yes. The current item record lists 1 Rope and 1 Cable Stripper to restore 50 durability. Check the actual game recipe if costs change.
Is Grappling Hook required for Belly of the Beast?
Shani grants a Grappling Hook when the quest is accepted according to the quest record. A Snap Hook is a reward after completion, not an item you must own beforehand. The dungeon also has ordinary traversal options depending on the room.
What did patch 2.2 fix about the Grappling Hook?
It polished rope climbs, swings, auto-vaulting, steep-slope entries, rappels and animations. Rare upward launches and inability to throw from inside the Matriarch shield were still known issues in the October 20 notes.
Final Advice: Unlock the Recipe, Then Learn the Rope
For most Raiders, the smoothest progression is Free Pass level 6 to try the gadget, level 12 to claim its blueprint, and Utility Station I to craft replacements. Players with spare Research Points can unlock the same recipe at Research Station I instead. Once you can replace a lost hook, practice controlled climbs and descents before trying difficult chains over a large drop.
Choose Grappling Hook when manual control and affordable repeat use matter; choose Snap Hook when you need immediate burst movement and accept the extra cost. For your next raid, check the seven-map loot routes and make sure your grapple path leads to a real exit rather than just a taller rooftop.
