What is a Prickly Pear and why should I care?

Prickly Pear is an uncommon consumable in Arc Raiders. Eating one restores a small amount of stamina—specifically, 20 points. In practical terms, this means it won’t save you from a full sprint or a heavy fight, but it’s useful if you’re mid-rotation, trying to make it between cover points, or need a slight stamina boost without relying on other consumables.

Besides its direct use, Prickly Pear is also relevant for training Scrappy. If you’re focused on keeping Scrappy’s abilities upgraded during Dam Battlegrounds, collecting Prickly Pears becomes more than just a stamina resource—it’s a key ingredient for long-term efficiency.

Where can I find Prickly Pears at Dam Battlegrounds?

Prickly Pears are almost always found in nature, usually dropping from specific Prickly Pear Cactus plants. At Dam Battlegrounds, these cacti spawn in semi-open areas near the edges of the map or along natural ridges. They tend to drop between 1–3 fruits each. Because the fruit is bright reddish, it’s relatively easy to spot if you’re scanning carefully rather than rushing straight to objectives.

Players often make the mistake of overlooking these small plants during a run, especially in combat-heavy zones. In practice, I usually assign one teammate at the start to grab nearby Prickly Pears while the rest of the team moves toward the first objective. This way, you’re collecting resources without sacrificing map control.

Additionally, Prickly Pears can sometimes be found in Wicker Baskets scattered throughout the environment. These are less reliable but worth checking if you pass one during rotation.

How do I use Prickly Pears effectively?

The use is simple: each Prickly Pear takes 1 second to consume, so it won’t interrupt most actions for long. In practical terms, here’s how I manage them:

• Mid-combat stamina boost: If you’re sprinting between cover and notice your stamina dropping, a quick Prickly Pear is often faster than finding a full stamina pack.

• Scrappy training: For players upgrading Scrappy, combining Prickly Pears with other ingredients in your workshop is essential. I’ll usually collect 6–12 at a time before a workshop session to make sure I can upgrade Scrappy efficiently.

Speaking of Scrappy, a common question is whether to use Prickly Pears directly or save them. In my experience, saving a moderate stockpile—around 10–15—before running workshop upgrades is optimal. That way you don’t waste fruits on small boosts when they can be used for upgrades that have long-term benefits.

Also, for those who are managing their inventory carefully, keep in mind that Prickly Pears stack up to 10 per slot and weigh only 0.2 units. They’re light enough to carry a dozen or more without impacting mobility.

For players who want to expand their options, there are arc raiders blueprints for sale that sometimes include crafting alternatives for Prickly Pear-related items. In practice, having these blueprints allows you to turn collected fruits into consumables or training items without relying solely on natural spawns.

Can I craft anything with Prickly Pears?

Yes. Prickly Pears are commonly used in crafting Fruit Mix. The recipe is simple:

• 1× Lemon

• 1× Apricot

• 1× Prickly Pear

Fruit Mix is mostly useful for quick stamina recovery or for small buffs that can help during rotations. In Dam Battlegrounds, I often craft them only if I’m stockpiling for a multi-run session; otherwise, I tend to eat the Prickly Pears directly.

How do Prickly Pears interact with workshop upgrades?

One of the more overlooked aspects of Prickly Pears is their role in Scrappy’s workshop upgrades. At Dam Battlegrounds, upgrading Scrappy from level III to IV requires:

• 6× Prickly Pear

• 6× Olives

• 1× Cat Bed

In practice, this means you need to spend time gathering fruits, not just consuming them. A common strategy is to split the map: one or two players gather the required Prickly Pears and Olives while others focus on objectives or defending. With careful planning, you can upgrade Scrappy mid-session without leaving your team vulnerable.

Can I recycle Prickly Pears?

Yes, if you have excess, you can recycle them. Recycling yields 3× Assorted Seeds, and salvaging gives 2× Assorted Seeds. In practice, this is mainly useful if you’ve collected more Prickly Pears than you can carry or need seeds for other crafting purposes. Keep in mind that the seeds themselves aren’t particularly valuable in combat, but they can be used for long-term base upgrades or future crafting.

Tips for maximizing Prickly Pear efficiency at Dam Battlegrounds

1. Assign a collector early: Have one player focus on natural Prickly Pear spawns while others secure key areas.

2. Stack wisely: Since Prickly Pears stack to 10, avoid picking up extra unless you plan to craft or upgrade Scrappy.

3. Consume strategically: Use them only when stamina is low or in transition between objectives, not immediately after a small sprint.

4. Keep a few for upgrades: Even if you’re tempted to eat them all, leaving 6 for a Scrappy workshop upgrade is usually the most efficient use.

5. Use map knowledge: Familiarize yourself with cactus locations on Dam Battlegrounds. The bright red fruits are a reliable visual cue, especially when scanning from higher ground.

Prickly Pears are small items that can easily be overlooked, but in Dam Battlegrounds they play multiple roles: a minor stamina boost, a crafting ingredient, and a workshop resource for Scrappy upgrades. Understanding how to gather, use, and store them efficiently separates experienced players from casual ones.

By assigning collection roles, managing stacks, and planning around Scrappy upgrades, you can make these uncommon items a quiet but significant advantage in your runs.

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