What changed in the ARC Raiders Live Update 1.39.0?
Live Update 1.39.0 (July 28, 2026) reworked how matchmaking reads your playstyle: only fights you choose to initiate now affect your playstyle estimate, so defending yourself when someone attacks you no longer pushes you into more aggressive lobbies. Longer, more committed firefights are weighted more heavily than brief encounters. Trinkets from the Converging Paths project now stack like other trinkets and their drop distribution was evened out across maps. The Seeker Grenade and Wolfpack Grenade both had inconsistent damage fixed. Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City received extensive clipping, collision and terrain fixes, and a Snap Hook out-of-bounds exploit in Buried City was closed. The Dweller Outfit was added to the store.
Does self-defense affect matchmaking in ARC Raiders?
No — as of Live Update 1.39.0 (July 28, 2026), only PvP fights you choose to start influence your playstyle estimate, and defending yourself does not affect it at all. If the other squad damages, downs, or knocks out any of your squadmates first, your entire squad counts as defending. One exception to know: third-partying still counts as starting a fight, so diving into someone else’s firefight is treated as aggression on your part. Encounter severity is also weighted — brief exchanges count for less than prolonged firefights. Embark is running this as a test phase.
What is new in the ARC Raiders Live Update 1.36.0?
Live Update 1.36.0 (July 7, 2026) launched the Fourth Expedition (featuring the Zenith Outfit) and Trials Season 5 (Scorta Outfit). The Fourth Expedition reworks progression again: the Expedition Challenge no longer grants Skill Points directly — instead you earn Blueprints and Raider Tokens as you pass successive total-damage milestones, with duplicate protection on Blueprint rewards. Matchmaking now tracks Solo, Duo, and Trio playstyles separately so squad sizes no longer mix. ARC Turbine loot value was significantly increased, dropped weapons now display their installed mods, and Queen & Matriarch stomp knockback no longer passes through walls. A limited THE FINALS crossover event runs July 9–30.
What changed in the ARC Raiders Live Update 1.33.0?
Live Update 1.33.0 (June 16, 2026) added the Forgotten Relics event and the multi-stage Converging Paths project (June 16 – July 27), which reward the Saltwalker Outfit, Sextant backpack charm, and 300 Raider Tokens. It also disabled free loadouts during Night Raid and Close Scrutiny conditions for three weeks to raise the stakes on high-risk raids. The Rocketeer now drops Launcher Ammo instead of Heavy Ammo, and aiming-down-sights accuracy, Fireball/Pop map fall-through bugs, and Barricade Kit placement around knocked-out players were all fixed.
What is new in the ARC Raiders Nomadic Envoys update (Patch 1.29.0)?
The Nomadic Envoys update (Patch 1.29.0, May 19, 2026) adds the Rascal — a lightweight rare-tier break-action grenade launcher that functions as an anti-ARC sidearm alternative to the Hullcracker. It also introduces Ermal, the Nomadic Envoy trader available at Level 25+, who offers stash expansion, Expedition Vault slots, and weekly rotating stock. Weapon balance changes include a slight Bettina fire rate reduction, an Extended Barrel attachment rework into three tiers, and Tactical Mk.3 Healing augment buff (healing cloud 20→45 HP, now heals nearby allies). Denuvo Anti-Cheat was also rolled out.
What is new in the ARC Raiders Riven Tides update (Patch 1.26.0)?
The Riven Tides update (Patch 1.26.0, April 28, 2026) introduced the new Riven Tides coastal map — a deserted western shoreline featuring the Panorama Azzurro hotel, Exodus Port, and container yard. The ARC Turbine, the game's first airborne boss, was added exclusively to this map. It spawns at 16–12 minutes into the match, drops the unique Turbine Compressor crafting material, and attacks with cluster lightning missiles and proximity mines. A new Beachcombing map condition was also added, allowing Raiders with the Dockmaster's Detector to uncover buried loot.
How do you beat the ARC Turbine in ARC Raiders?
The ARC Turbine is immune to damage while airborne — wait for it to land before attacking. Once grounded, target the spinning yellow canisters visible through its landing gear gaps for 2× damage. Avoid standing directly beneath it as it deploys proximity mines when it sets down. Its cluster missile attacks create lightning strikes on impact — break line of sight immediately when it fires. Bring a Hullcracker or Rascal for maximum damage. The Turbine drops the Turbine Compressor, the rarest crafting material in Riven Tides.
What is new in the ARC Raiders Flashpoint update (Patch 1.22.0)?
The Flashpoint update (Patch 1.22.0, March 31, 2026) added two new weapons: the Canto (rare medium-ammo SMG) and the Dolabra (legendary energy shotgun). Two new ARC enemies were introduced: the Vaporizer (flying ARC with laser attacks, 8000 HP) and the ARC Assessor (stationary loot machine during Close Scrutiny operations). The Surge Coil deployable was added, along with Close Scrutiny ARC Operations as a new map condition. Crafting UI was overhauled and Shredders now appear on all maps.
What changed in the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update?
The Shrouded Sky update (Patch 1.17.0) introduced the Hurricane map condition affecting Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. Two new ARC enemies were added: the Firefly (fire-spewing drone, 200 HP) and the Comet (explosive rolling ARC, 150 HP). Multiple weapons received balance adjustments including nerfs to Kettle, Stitcher, and Venator, and buffs to Jupiter and Aphelion.
