Deals for today: Alienware Black Friday in July sale is twisting my arm

Plus massive savings on M.2 drives and Final Fantasy games

Image credit:Dell and Square Enix

Alienware’s Black Friday in July sale just dropped a wave of serious gaming hardware deals. Desktop beasts with RTX 5090s are now hundreds off, and the latest Area-51 and Aurora systems are pushing 4K frame rates with ease. On the portable side, Alienware’s newest 16- and 18-inch laptops are loaded with 4080s and 4090s, making high refresh 1440p gaming look effortless. There are deep M.2 drive discounts too, including a Crucial T500 1TB with heatsink for under $85. And over at Green Man Gaming, the entire Final Fantasy series is up to 70% off, with big cuts on Rebirth, Remake, and classic bundles. Let’s get into it:

Alienware Gaming PC Sale:

This thing runs an RTX 5090 with 32GB of VRAM and it’s an absolute monster. At 1440p you’re looking at frame rates well over 200 in most games. Even at 4K it powers through at 100 to 130 frames depending on the title. I’d tell any friend who wants the best to check this out before stock disappears.

Same beast of a GPU with the RTX 5090 but paired with the Ultra 7. It still hits 200 plus FPS at 1440p and holds strong around 100 to 120 at 4K. The difference comes down to a bit less CPU muscle but for gaming it barely matters. This thing flies.

With an RTX 5080 under the hood this one feels like the sweet spot. I’d expect 140 to 160 frames at 1440p and solid 80 to 100 at 4K with settings turned up. It’s fast, efficient, and has just the right amount of flair for a high refresh setup.

You get the same GPU power as the previous model but with a stronger CPU and loads more RAM and storage. Frame rates stay around 140 to 160 at 1440p and 80 to 100 at 4K. If you’re editing, streaming or multitasking this is the build I’d lean towards without jumping to a RTX 5090 rig.

This one runs great at 1440p. I’d expect 120 to 140 FPS without compromise and around 60 to 80 at 4K if you tweak settings a bit. The 5070 Ti is perfect for fast-paced games without breaking the bank. It’s responsive and just feels right.

RTX RTX 4060 Ti brings solid performance for the price. At 1440p you’re looking at about 110 to 130 FPS and 50 to 70 at 4K. It’s not built for extreme settings but for most players it’s more than enough. Quiet, capable, and cost-effective.

Alienware Gaming Laptop Sale

Even with the mobile 5070 Ti it pushes 120 to 140 FPS at 1440p. At 4K you’ll see around 60 to 80 if you dial settings down a bit. That 18‑inch smooth display makes it feel like a desktop in disguise.

This one bumps everything up. I’d expect 140 to 160 FPS at 1440p and 80 to 100 at 4K. The display stays fast, cooling stays efficient, and gaming stays smooth.

With the RTX 5090 this machine is wild. At 1440p I’d hit 160 to 180 FPS and at 4K I see 100 to 130 depending on the game. As a portable powerhouse it leaves plenty of desktops in the dust.

This mid‑range 16‑inch option runs 1440p at 120 to 140 FPS and 4K around 60 to 80. It’s compact but powerful, and a massive 240hz refresh rate feels so fluid.

Stepping up to 5080 gives an obvious improvement. I’d get 140 to 160 FPS at 1440p and 80 to 100 at 4K. It handles visuals and performance with smooth confidence.

Serious hardware in a slim chassis. At 1440p you hit 160 plus FPS and even at 4K it pushes 100 to 130. Everything loads fast and it multitasks like it’s on rails.

With the 5070 and 64 gigs of RAM the multitasking feels effortless. I’d expect 120 to 140 FPS at 1440p and about 60 to 90 at 4K. Ideal for gaming and creative workflows without lag.

RTX 5060 offers solid frame rates without the premium price. At 1440p expect 100 to 120 FPS and at 4K around 50 to 70. This one stays light and carries enough punch for most games.

RTX 5070 slots in well here. I’d see 110 to 130 FPS at 1440p and 60 to 80 at 4K if you drop a few settings. Reliable and well balanced for everyday use and gaming.

This feels incredibly responsive with the RTX 4080. I’d pull 140 to 160 FPS at 1440p and 70 to 90 at 4K. That 480 Hz screen will make everything feel buttery smooth.

The 4090 inside a lean laptop chassis is stunning, and there’s not that much difference from a 5090 in all honesty. At 1440p you’ll get data above 160 FPS and at 4K around 100 to 120. If you want flagship mobile performance this one defines it.

M.2 SSD discounts

Games will pop up almost instantly with razor sharp boot times. It’s also built with PS5 compatibility in mind so if you’re running low on console space this slides right in without hassle. Even under pressure, the built-in heatsink keeps it cool, giving peace of mind during long sessions.

With a 46 percent discount, this is one of the best value Gen4 SSDs available right now. It delivers up to 7,300MB/s read speeds and comes with a heatsink already attached, which makes it perfect for PS5 installations or tight PC builds. I use one for spare storage for my backlog in my PC, and it’s fast enough to handle demanding games and creative workloads.

Green Man Gaming’s Final Fantasy sale is packed with big-name titles at up to 70% off. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is down 40%, and older gems like Final Fantasy IX and VIII are under $10 with 70% discounts. Even deluxe editions and bundles are heavily reduced, so there’s real value across the board. If you’re building your collection or just grabbing a few favorites, these are some of the best prices we’ve seen on the franchise in a long time. Here’s a rundown of what’s available:

• Final Fantasy IX – Was $20.99, Now $6.30 (70% off)
• Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Deluxe Edition – Was $44.99, Now $13.50 (70% off)
• Dissidia Final Fantasy NT – Was $29.99, Now $9.00 (70% off)
• Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion – Was $49.99, Now $20.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy VIII - Remastered – Was $19.99, Now $8.00 (60% off)
• Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin Digital Deluxe Edition – Was $59.99, Now $24.00 (60% off)
• Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin – Was $39.99, Now $16.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster – Was $29.99, Now $12.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age – Was $49.99, Now $20.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy XIII – Was $15.99, Now $6.40 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 – Was $19.99, Now $8.00 (60% off)
• World of Final Fantasy Complete Edition – Was $39.99, Now $16.00 (60% off)
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – Was $19.99, Now $8.00 (60% off)
• Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion Digital Deluxe Edition – Was $69.99, Now $28.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy Type-0 HD – Was $29.99, Now $12.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy VII – Was $11.99, Now $4.80 (60% off)
• World of Final Fantasy – Was $24.99, Now $10.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy XV – Was $34.99, Now $14.00 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy XV - Episode Ardyn (DLC) – Was $4.99, Now $2.00 (60% off)
• World of Final Fantasy Maxima Upgrade (DLC) – Was $15.99, Now $6.40 (60% off)
• Final Fantasy III (3D Remake) – Was $15.99, Now $8.00 (50% off)
• Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend – Was $19.99, Now $10.00 (50% off)
• Final Fantasy IV: The After Years – Was $15.99, Now $8.00 (50% off)
• Final Fantasy IV (3D Remake) – Was $15.99, Now $8.00 (50% off)
• Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle – Was $74.99, Now $48.74 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – Was $69.99, Now $41.99 (40% off)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake & Rebirth Twin Pack – Was $99.99, Now $59.99 (40% off)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Digital Deluxe Edition – Was $89.99, Now $53.99 (40% off)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake & Rebirth Digital Deluxe Twin Pack – Was $119.99, Now $71.99 (40% off)
• Final Fantasy XVI Complete Edition – Was $69.99, Now $45.49 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy XVI – Was $49.99, Now $32.49 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy VI (2D Pixel Remaster) – Was $17.99, Now $11.69 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy V (2D Pixel Remaster) – Was $17.99, Now $11.69 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy IV – Was $17.99, Now $11.69 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy – Was $11.99, Now $7.79 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy II – Was $11.99, Now $7.79 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy III – Was $17.99, Now $11.69 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy XVI Expansion Pass (DLC) – Was $24.99, Now $16.24 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen (DLC) – Was $9.99, Now $6.49 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy XVI The Rising Tide (DLC) – Was $24.99, Now $16.24 (35% off)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – Was $39.99, Now $29.99 (25% off)

Rock Paper Shotgun is better when you sign in

Sign in and join us on our journey to discover strange and compelling PC games.

All 75 Arc Raiders Blueprints and where to get them

These areas have the highest chance of giving you Blueprints

Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios

Looking for more Arc Raiders Blueprints? It’s a special day when you find a Blueprint, as they’re among the most valuable items in Arc Raiders. If you find a Blueprint that you haven’t already found, then you must make sure you hold onto it at all costs, because Blueprints are the key to one of the most important and powerful systems of meta-progression in the game.

This guide aims to be the very best guide on Blueprints you can find, starting with a primer on what exactly they are and how they work in Arc Raiders, before delving into exactly where to get Blueprints and the very best farming spots for you to take in your search.

We’ll also go over how to get Blueprints from other unlikely activities, such as destroying Surveyors and completing specific quests. And you’ll also find the full list of all 75 Blueprints in Arc Raiders on this page (including the newest Blueprints added with the Cold Snap update , such as the Deadline Blueprint and Firework Box Blueprint), giving you all the information you need to expand your own crafting repertoire.

In this guide:

• What are Blueprints in Arc Raiders?
• Full Blueprint list: All crafting recipes
• Where to find Blueprints in Arc Raiders Blueprints obtained from quests Blueprints obtained from Trials Best Blueprint farming locations

What are Blueprints in Arc Raiders?

Blueprints in Arc Raiders are special items which, if you manage to extract with them, you can expend to permanently unlock a new crafting recipe in your Workshop. If you manage to extract from a raid with an Anvil Blueprint, for example, you can unlock the ability to craft your very own Anvil Pistol, as many times as you like (as long as you have the crafting materials).

To use a Blueprint, simply open your Inventory while in the lobby, then right-click on the Blueprint and click “Learn And Consume” . This will permanently unlock the recipe for that item in your Workshop. As of the Stella Montis update, there are allegedly 75 different Blueprints to unlock - although only 68 are confirmed to be in the game so far. You can see all the Blueprints you’ve found and unlocked by going to the Workshop menu, and hitting “R” to bring up the Blueprint screen.

It’s possible to find duplicates of past Blueprints you’ve already unlocked. If you find these, then you can either sell them, or - if you like to play with friends - you can take it into a match and gift it to your friend so they can unlock that recipe for themselves. Another option is to keep hold of them until the time comes to donate them to the Expedition.

Full Blueprint list: All crafting recipes

Below is the full list of all the Blueprints that are currently available to find in Arc Raiders, and the crafting recipe required for each item:

Note: The missing Blueprints in this list likely have not actually been added to the game at the time of writing, because none of the playerbase has managed to find any of them. As they are added to the game, I will update this page with the most relevant information so you know exactly how to get all 75 Arc Raiders Blueprints.

Where to find Blueprints in Arc Raiders

Below is a list of all containers, modifiers, and events which maximise your chances of finding Blueprints:

• Certain quests reward you with specific Blueprints .
• Completing Trials has a high chance of offering Blueprints as rewards.
• Surveyors have a decent chance of dropping Blueprints on death.
• High loot value areas tend to have a greater chance of spawning Blueprints.
• Night Raids and Storms may increase rare Blueprint spawn chances in containers.
• Containers with higher numbers of items may have a higher tendency to spawn Blueprints. As a result, Blue Gate (which has many “large” containers containing multiple items) may give you a higher chance of spawning Blueprints.
• Raider containers (Raider Caches, Weapon Boxes, Medical Bags, Grenade Tubes) have increased Blueprint drop rates. As a result, the Uncovered Caches event gives you a high chance of finding Blueprints.
• Security Lockers have a higher than average chance of containing Blueprints.
• Certain Blueprints only seem to spawn under specific circumstances: Tempest Blueprint only spawns during Night Raid events. Vulcano Blueprint only spawns during Hidden Bunker events. Jupiter and Equaliser Blueprints only spawn during Harvester events.

Raider Caches, Weapon Boxes, and other raider-oriented container types have a good chance of offering Blueprints. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios

Blueprints have a very low chance of spawning in any container in Arc Raiders, around 1-2% on average. However, there is a higher chance of finding Blueprints in particular container types. Specifically, you can find more Blueprints in Raider containers and security lockers.

Beyond this, if you’re looking for Blueprints you should focus on regions of the map which are marked as having particularly high-value loot. Areas such as the Control Tower in Dam Battlegrounds, the Arrival and Departure Buildings in Spaceport, and Pilgrim’s Peak in Blue Gate all have a better-than-average chance of spawning Blueprints somewhere amongst all their containers. Night Raids and Electromagnetic Storm events also increase the drop chances of certain Blueprints .

In addition to these containers, you can often loot Blueprints from destroyed Surveyors - the largest of the rolling ball ARC. Surveyors are more commonly found on the later maps - Spaceport and Blue Gate - and if one spawns in your match, you’ll likely see it by the blue laser beam that it casts into the sky while “surveying”.

Surveyors are quite well-armoured and will very speedily run away from you once it notices you, but if you can take one down then make sure you loot all its parts for a chance of obtaining certain unusual Blueprints.

Blueprints obtained from quests

One way in which you can get Blueprints is by completing certain quests for the vendors in Speranza. Some quests will reward you with a specific item Blueprint upon completion, so as long as you work through all the quests in Arc Raiders, you are guaranteed those Blueprints.

Here is the full list of all Blueprints you can get from quest rewards:

• Trigger Nade Blueprint: Rewarded after completing “Sparks Fly”.
• Lure Grenade Blueprint: Rewarded after completing “Greasing Her Palms”.
• Burletta Blueprint: Rewarded after completing “Industrial Espionage”.
• Hullcracker Blueprint (and Launcher Ammo Blueprint): Rewarded after completing “The Major’s Footlocker”.

Alas, that’s only 4 Blueprints out of a total of 75 to unlock, so for the vast majority you will need to find them yourself during a raid. If you’re intent on farming Blueprints, then it’s best to equip yourself with cheap gear in case you lose it, but don’t use a free loadout because then you won’t get a safe pocket to stash any new Blueprint you find. No pain in Arc Raiders is sharper than failing to extract with a new Blueprint you’ve been after for a dozen hours already.

One of the best ways to get Blueprints is by hitting three stars on all five Trials every week. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios

Blueprints obtained from Trials

One of the very best ways to get Blueprints is as rewards for completing Trials in Arc Raiders. Trials are unlocked from Level 15 onwards, and allow you to earn rewards by focusing on certain tasks over the course of several raids. For example, one Trial might task you with dealing damage to Hornets, while another might challenge you to loot Supply Drops.

Trials refresh on a weekly basis, with a new week bringing five new Trials. Each Trial can offer up to three rewards after passing certain score milestones, and it’s possible to receive very high level loot from these reward crates - including Blueprints. So if you want to unlock as many Blueprints as possible, you should make a point of completing as many Trials as possible each week.

Best Blueprint farming locations

The very best way to get Blueprints is to frequent specific areas of the maps which combine high-tier loot pools with the right types of containers to search. Here are my recommendations for where to find Blueprints on every map, so you can always keep the search going for new crafting recipes to unlock.

Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios

Dam Battlegrounds

The best places to farm Blueprints on Dam Battlegrounds are the Control Tower, Power Generation Complex, Ruby Residence, and Pale Apartments . The first two regions, despite only being marked on the map as mid-tier loot, contain a phenomenal number of containers to loot. The Control Tower can also contain a couple of high-tier Security Lockers - though of course, you’ll need to have unlocked the Security Breach skill at the end of the Survival tree.

There’s also a lot of reporting amongst the playerbase that the Residential areas in the top-left of the map - Pale Apartments and Ruby Residence - give you a comparatively strong chance of finding Blueprints. Considering their size, there’s a high density of containers to loot in both locations, and they also have the benefit of being fairly out of the way. So you’re more likely to have all the containers to yourself.

Buried City

The best Blueprint farming locations on Buried City are the Santa Maria Houses, Grandioso Apartments, Town Hall, and the various buildings of the New District . Grandioso Apartments has a lower number of containers than the rest, but a high chance of spawning weapon cases - which have good Blueprint drop rates. The others are high-tier loot areas, with plenty of lootable containers - including Security Lockers.

Spaceport

The best places to find Blueprints on Spaceport are the Arrival and Departure Buildings, as well as Control Tower A6 and the Launch Towers . All these areas are labelled as high-value loot regions, and many of them are also very handily connected to one another by the Spaceport wall, which you can use to quickly run from one area to the next. At the tops of most of these buildings you’ll find at least one Security Locker, so this is an excellent farming route for players looking to find Blueprints.

The downside to looting Blueprints on Spaceport is that all these areas are hotly contested, particularly in Duos and Squads. You’ll need to be very focused and fast in order to complete the full farming route.

Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Embark Studios

Blue Gate

Blue Gate tends to have a good chance of dropping Blueprints, potentially because it generally has a high number of containers which can hold lots of items; so there’s a higher chance of a Blueprint spawning in each container. In my experience, the best Blueprint farming spots on Blue Gate are Pilgrim’s Peak, Raider’s Refuge, the Ancient Fort, and the Underground Complex beneath the Warehouse .

All of these areas contain a wealth of containers to loot. Raider’s Refuge has less to loot, but the majority of the containers in and around the Refuge are raider containers, which have a high chance of containing Blueprints - particularly during major events.

Stella Montis

On the whole, Stella Montis seems to have a very low drop rate for Blueprints (though a high chance of dropping other high-tier loot). If you do want to try farming Blueprints on this map, the best places to find Blueprints in Stella Montis are Medical Research, Assembly Workshop, and the Business Center . These areas have the highest density of containers to loot on the map.

In addition to this, the Western Tunnel has a few different Security Lockers to loot, so while there’s very little to loot elsewhere in this area of the map, it’s worth hitting those Security Lockers if you spawn there at the start of a match.

That wraps up this primer on how to get all the Blueprints in Arc Raiders as quickly as possible. With the Expedition system constantly resetting a large number of players’ Blueprints, it’s more important than ever to have the most up-to-date information on where to find all these Blueprints.

While you’re here, be sure to check out our Arc Raiders best guns tier list , as well as our primers on the best skills to unlock and all the different Field Depot locations on every map.

ARC Raiders

PS5 , Xbox Series X/S , PC

Rock Paper Shotgun is better when you sign in

Sign in and join us on our journey to discover strange and compelling PC games.