What is the Painted Box?
The Painted Box is classified as a trinket in Arc Raiders. Trinkets in general are cosmetic or collectible items that you can carry with you or display in the Raider Den. The Painted Box is labeled as uncommon, which means it’s not rare but also not something you’ll find everywhere.
In-game, it has a few basic stats: it weighs 0.3 units, stacks up to 3, and can be sold for 2,000 coins. While it doesn’t improve your weapons, armor, or abilities, players often pick it up simply because it sells for a modest amount or adds a small aesthetic touch to their collection.
In practice, most players treat it as a low-risk item to grab when scavenging. Its value is not in combat utility, but in easy coin gain or completing collections.
Where Can You Find It?
Painted Boxes are most commonly found in the Old World zones. In my experience, the spawn locations are random but more frequent in areas with abandoned structures or scavenger caches.
Players usually run into them while completing other objectives. If you’re farming for coins or low-value trinkets to sell or display, it’s worth keeping an eye out for these as you move through Old World maps.
How Useful is the Painted Box?
The usefulness of the Painted Box depends entirely on your goals:
Selling for coins: At 2,000 coins per box, it’s not life-changing but can add up if you collect a few while running missions.
Collecting trinkets: If you’re aiming to fill out your Raider Den, the Painted Box counts toward your trinket collection. It’s a minor completion item, but some players like having all uncommon trinkets displayed.
Trading: Occasionally, Painted Boxes appear in player markets or shops that accept cosmetic trades. They’re not highly sought after, but some players prefer accumulating
cheap arc raiders items like this for small profits or crafting components.
From my observation, most veteran players only pick these up if they’re actively collecting trinkets or happen to pass by one. It’s not the kind of item you go out of your way for.
Should You Prioritize It?
In practice, I recommend treating Painted Boxes as secondary loot. Your inventory space in Arc Raiders is limited, and items that directly improve your combat efficiency or crafting capabilities should generally take priority.
However, there are scenarios where grabbing them makes sense:
You’re close to a stack limit and don’t need the space for higher-tier loot.
You want to sell them quickly for a small cash boost.
You’re completing a collection for your Raider Den.
For players focused on progression, the Painted Box is more of a side note than a must-have. It’s easy to overlook, but if you see one, picking it up doesn’t hurt.
How Players Typically Handle Painted Boxes
From my experience, the community handles Painted Boxes in a few ways:
Immediate sell: Most players just pick them up and sell them as soon as possible. This is especially true for newer players looking to gather some quick coins.
Stacking: Because they stack up to 3, it’s common to carry multiple boxes before deciding to sell, reducing inventory clutter.
Display in Raider Den: Some players like the aesthetic of uncommon trinkets and will place a Painted Box in their den. It doesn’t affect gameplay, but it’s satisfying for collectors.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Painted Boxes are sometimes overlooked entirely in favor of higher-value loot. That’s fine; you’re not missing out on anything critical. But if you like minor profits or completing collections, they’re worth grabbing.
Tips for Collecting Painted Boxes
If you want to make the most of Painted Boxes without wasting time:
Focus your scavenging runs in Old World zones where they are more common.
Don’t drop valuable combat items to carry them; treat them as bonus pickups.
Keep an eye out for stacking multiple boxes to maximize your sell value.
If you see a market for cheap arc raiders items, consider selling in bulk. This is often a better strategy than holding onto individual trinkets.
In short, collect Painted Boxes strategically rather than impulsively.
The Painted Box is a minor trinket with no direct combat use but a modest coin value and collectible appeal. For most players, it’s a low-priority item, but for collectors or coin farmers, it has a small but definite place in your inventory strategy.
Knowing how and where to find Painted Boxes, and how to handle them efficiently, lets you make smarter scavenging choices. Don’t overthink it—grab them if convenient, sell or stack as needed, and focus on the items that actually impact your raids.
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