He gained military renown through his service in 1683 in the Imperial-Polish army of relief that fought the Battle of Vienna, and at the recovery of Belgrade in 1688.

While the Elector sought to hold off the Imperial troops in eastern Bavaria, d'Arco took command in Swabia to act in coordination with the French.

Sent with a strong detachment of the Franco-Bavarian army to hold the fortified town of Donauwörth, he was attacked by Allied troops under the John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and the Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden.

In the Battle of Schellenberg on 2 July 1704, the Allies carried the position after a series of bloody assaults, virtually destroying d'Arco's army in the ensuing pursuit.

Count d'Arco was among the most important Bavarian advocates of a pro-French policy and, for that reason, was honored with the title of Marshal of France.