What Is the Showstopper and What Does It Actually Do?

The Showstopper is a rare quick-use grenade that explodes after a short delay and applies a stun effect.

• ARC units are stunned for about 7 seconds

• Enemy Raiders are stunned for about 2 seconds

• Radius is roughly 6 meters

• It does no direct damage

The key point is that it is not a damage tool. It is a control tool. You use it to stop enemies from acting, not to kill them by itself.

In real gameplay, that usually means:

• Interrupting ARC attacks

• Forcing Raiders out of cover

• Creating a safe window to reload, heal, or reposition

• Setting up easy follow-up damage from you or your squad

Why Do Rocketeer Players Care About Showstopper?

Rocketeer builds often struggle with two things:

1. Long reloads and downtime

2. Being vulnerable while setting up shots

The Showstopper solves both.

When you stun a target, you remove pressure. This gives you time to:

• Reload heavy weapons safely

• Line up rockets without being rushed

• Reposition to better angles

• Finish damaged ARC units without taking return fire

In practice, many Rocketeers carry at least one Showstopper specifically as a “reset button” when a fight gets messy.

How Does the Delay Affect Real Usage?

One common mistake is throwing the Showstopper directly at moving enemies and expecting instant results. It has a delay, so timing matters.

Experienced players usually:

• Throw it slightly ahead of where enemies are moving

• Bounce it into chokepoints or doorways

• Use it defensively, not just offensively

For example, if ARC units are pushing you, throw it at the path they must cross, not at their current position. The delay then works in your favor.

Against Raiders, this is even more important. A good player will move the moment they see the throw animation. Predicting their escape path is more reliable than aiming at their feet.

When Is Showstopper Most Useful in PvE?

Against ARC enemies, the Showstopper is strongest in:

• Tight indoor spaces

• Multi-ARC patrols

• Objectives that force you to stay in one area

The 7-second stun on ARC units is long. That is enough time to:

• Reload heavy weapons

• Eliminate priority targets

• Break dangerous attack patterns

• Safely revive a teammate

In solo play, it often turns “overwhelming” encounters into manageable ones. In squads, it lets your team focus fire without being pressured.

When Is It Worth Using Against Other Raiders?

The 2-second stun on Raiders is short, but still very useful.

It is mainly good for:

• Stopping a push

• Forcing an enemy out of cover

• Interrupting reloads or healing

• Creating space to disengage

You should not expect it to win duels by itself. Think of it as a tempo tool. You use it to gain control, not to finish fights instantly.

A common real scenario: you get tagged, you are low, and you hear footsteps. Tossing a Showstopper into the doorway often gives you just enough time to heal and reset.

How Many Should You Carry?

Because the weight is low and the stack size is decent, most players carry 1–3 depending on inventory space.

From experience:

• 1 is fine for general safety

• 2 is comfortable for extended runs

• 3 is usually only for heavy PvE zones or squad support

More than that is rarely necessary unless your build relies heavily on control instead of damage.

Crafting vs. Looting: Is It Worth Making?

Showstoppers require:

• Advanced Electrical Components

• Voltage Converters

• Explosives Station Level 3

• The Showstopper Blueprint

The materials are not cheap, so most players do not craft them early. They usually rely on scavenged ones until their economy is stable.

Once you have steady income, crafting becomes more reliable than hoping for drops. At that point, players often craft in batches and keep a few in storage.

Some players also prefer to sell excess grenades when space is tight. In that context, platforms that let you sell ARC Raiders items are often used to convert unused utility into currency rather than letting it sit in storage.

Should You Recycle or Salvage Showstoppers?

Recycling gives:

• 2 Batteries

• 1 Electrical Components

Salvaging gives:

• 2 Batteries

In practice, recycling is usually the better option if you need crafting parts. Salvaging is only worth it when you are specifically short on Batteries and do not care about components.

Most experienced players only break down Showstoppers if they are overloaded or transitioning to a different build.

Common Mistakes New Players Make

1. Using it like a damage grenade It does not kill. Throwing it alone and expecting results wastes its value.

2. Throwing it too late If you wait until you are already under heavy fire, the delay may be too long.

3. Using it in open fields The radius is limited. It works best where enemies cannot easily spread out.

4. Ignoring follow-up The stun window is only useful if you act on it. Always plan what you will do during those seconds.

How Do Experienced Players Combine It With Rockets?

A common Rocketeer pattern is:

1. Throw Showstopper into the engagement area

2. Reload or reposition during the stun

3. Fire rockets while enemies are disabled

4. Clean up with primary weapons

This sequence reduces risk and increases consistency. Instead of reacting to pressure, you control the timing of the fight.

In team play, coordination makes this even stronger. One player throws the Showstopper, another prepares damage, and the squad focuses targets before the stun ends.

Is Showstopper Worth a Slot in Endgame Loadouts?

For most players, yes.

Even in high-risk zones, control is more valuable than raw damage. The Showstopper does not scale with weapon stats, but its utility remains relevant at all stages of the game.

It is not mandatory, but players who master its timing usually survive more encounters and take fewer unnecessary hits.

The Showstopper is not flashy, and it will not appear on damage charts. But it quietly solves many problems that get players killed: pressure, bad positioning, and bad timing.

If you play Rocketeer, or any build that needs breathing room, learning how to use this grenade properly will make your runs more stable and your fights more predictable.

Gear Tier List: Arc Raiders Heavy Gun Parts Blueprint Location & Farm Guide