How to get the Canto SMG in Arc Raiders
The Canto SMG was added in the Flashpoint update and has already become one of the most sought-after weapons in Arc Raiders. That is what happens when you give players a new full-auto SMG with serious damage and let the internet do the rest.
At the moment, you cannot buy the Canto from traders, find it lying around in the world, or earn it from missions, at least not based on anything seen so far. If you want one, you need to craft it yourself. That means two things first: find the blueprint and upgrade your Gunsmith workbench to level 3.
Where to find the Canto blueprint
We found the Canto Blueprint in one of the First Wave Raider Caches during the Arc Raiders Hurricane map modifier. Our drop was on the Spaceport map, although other players have reported finding the blueprint on other hurricane maps as well.
It did not take especially long to show up either. In our case, it appeared in the third cache we checked.
Once you get the blueprint, put it straight into your safe pocket. Hurricanes are not known for their generosity, and losing a blueprint you just found would be a deeply annoying kind of character-building.
How to craft the Canto
To make a Canto SMG, you will need the following components:
| Crafting component | How to get it |
|---|---|
| Advanced Mechanical Components x2 | Found in Mechanical zones, or crafted at Refiner level 2. Also has a chance to drop from Matriarchs and Queens. |
| Magnet x5 | Sold by Celeste, salvaged from a wide range of items, or found in Exodus zones. |
| Medium Gun Parts x3 | Found in Raider and Security zones, or crafted at Refiner level 2, which requires blueprints. |
The Canto also uses Medium ammo, and it burns through it at a respectable pace. Keep that in mind unless your supply plan is just optimism and regret.
One more useful detail: unlike its sibling weapon from the same update, the Arc Raiders Dolabra, the Canto can be upgraded and fully modified.
Is the Canto any good?
Yes, very. The Canto is a powerful fully automatic SMG that deals a lot of damage per shot, which puts it near the top of the submachine gun pile. The catch is recoil. It has enough kickback to make sustained fire awkward, so you will usually want to fire in short bursts or fit it with mods and attachments that help tame the recoil.
That tradeoff still leaves the Canto in a strong position overall, especially for PvP. If you get the drop on someone and land the Canto at close range, they are probably not going to enjoy the rest of the encounter.
It is also useful against mid-tier Arc threats thanks to its moderate armor penetration, and because the weapon is available through crafting rather than random luck, it is a practical late-game goal for players who have the materials and the workbench level to support it.
In short, the Canto is one of the better SMG options in Arc Raiders right now, provided you can handle the recoil and feed it enough ammo.
