Cooling fans for Arc Raiders are sold through the game's in-game shop, third-party marketplaces, and sometimes as battle pass rewards
Arc Raiders uses cooling fans as a craftable component you gather during missions, not as a purchasable item you buy outright. You find them by looting containers, breaking machinery, and defeating enemies in the game world. If you need them faster than farming allows, you can trade for them on player marketplaces or craft them if you have the blueprint and base materials.
The most direct route is the in-game shop, which rotates items daily. You pay with Crystals (the premium currency) or Marks (the free currency earned in missions). Some seasonal battle passes also include cooling fans as tier rewards, which means you unlock them by progressing through the pass rather than buying them separately.
Key Takeaways
- Cooling fans drop from loot containers and enemy kills during missions, so farming specific zones is the free method.
- The in-game shop rotates daily and accepts both Crystals (paid) and Marks (earned in-game), so check back each day for the item you need.
- Player-to-player trading through the marketplace lets you exchange other materials or items for cooling fans if farming feels too slow.
- Battle pass tiers sometimes include cooling fans as rewards, so buying a pass can give you fans without spending Crystals on the shop.
Farming cooling fans from missions
The cheapest way to get cooling fans is to run missions where they drop frequently. Certain zones and enemy types have higher cooling fan drop rates than others. Check the mission briefing or loot tables in the game menu to see which areas reward the components you need.
Group missions usually drop more loot overall than solo runs, so farming with a squad speeds up the process. You can also repeat the same mission multiple times if it has a good cooling fan rate. The downside is time investment — if you need fans urgently, farming may not be fast enough.
Buying from the in-game shop with Crystals or Marks
The in-game shop shows different items each day. Cooling fans appear regularly but not every single day, so you may need to check back several times before they show up. When they do, you can buy them with Crystals (which you purchase with real money) or Marks (which you earn by completing missions and challenges).
Marks are the slower currency to earn but cost nothing. Crystals let you buy when ready if you have them on hand. Most players use Marks for routine purchases and save Crystals for limited-time items or battle pass access. The shop usually restocks at the same time each day, so check after the daily reset if you are hunting for a specific item.
Trading on the player marketplace
Arc Raiders has a player marketplace where you can list items you do not need and search for items you do. If you have duplicate materials or components from farming, you can trade them for cooling fans from another player. The marketplace uses an in-game currency or direct item swaps, depending on the trade.
Marketplace prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. Cooling fans are common enough that they usually stay affordable, but prices spike when new content drops and everyone needs them at once. Buying from the marketplace is faster than farming but slower than the shop, since you have to wait for a seller to list the item and accept your offer.
Unlocking cooling fans through the battle pass
Arc Raiders releases seasonal battle passes that include cooling fans as tier rewards. If you buy the pass (usually with Crystals), you unlock fans by progressing through the tiers. Free pass holders also get some cooling fans, but fewer than paid pass owners.
The battle pass is worth buying if you plan to play regularly anyway, since you get cooling fans plus other useful components and cosmetics. Each season lasts several weeks, so you have time to reach the tiers that reward fans. If you only need a few fans right now, the shop or marketplace is faster than grinding battle pass tiers.
Crafting cooling fans if you have the blueprint
Some cooling fans can be crafted at your base workbench if you have the blueprint and the required materials. Blueprints drop from missions or are unlocked by reaching certain account levels. Crafting takes time (usually several hours) but costs only materials you already have, so it is free once you own the blueprint.
Crafting is useful for long-term planning — if you know you will need cooling fans next week, start a craft queue now. For when ready needs, the shop or marketplace is faster. Check your inventory and crafting menu to see which cooling fan blueprints you have unlocked.
Comparing cost and time for each method
| Method | Cost | Time to get fans | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farming missions | Free (time only) | 30 minutes to several hours | Players with time but no Crystals |
| In-game shop with Marks | Free (earned in-game) | when ready (if in stock) | Routine purchases, daily play |
| In-game shop with Crystals | Real money or earned slowly | when ready (if in stock) | Urgent needs, limited-time items |
| Player marketplace | Materials or Marks | Minutes to hours (depends on sellers) | Specific quantities, avoiding farming |
| Battle pass tiers | Crystals (one-time per season) | Days to weeks (depends on playtime) | Regular players, long-term planning |
| Crafting | Free (materials only) | Hours (crafting queue time) | Bulk needs, advance planning |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cooling fans without spending real money?
Yes. You can farm them from missions, buy them with Marks (earned in-game) from the shop, trade for them on the marketplace, or craft them if you have the blueprint. Real money (Crystals) is optional and only speeds up the process.
Do cooling fans expire or disappear from my inventory?
No, cooling fans stay in your inventory until you use them. They do not decay or expire. You can stockpile them for future crafts or upgrades without losing them.
What if the shop does not have cooling fans today?
Check back tomorrow — the shop rotates daily. If you need them urgently, farm a mission with a good drop rate, trade on the marketplace, or craft them if you have the blueprint. The shop will have them again within a few days.
Is it worth buying the battle pass just for cooling fans?
Only if you plan to play enough to reach the tiers that reward them. If you play a few hours a week, you will unlock them eventually. If you play rarely, farming or the shop is faster. The battle pass is worth buying for the full reward set, not for one component alone.
Can I trade cooling fans directly to another player?
The marketplace is the official way to trade. You list items and other players make offers. Direct player-to-player trades outside the marketplace may violate the terms of service, so use the in-game system.