ARC Raiders Carry Run

ARC Raiders officially released a new blog on September 24, announcing that it is testing a PvE matchmaking toggle for ARC Raiders. The test will run from October 13 to October 20, 2026, beginning five days after October 8 Frozen Trail update.

Players can choose the classic PvPvE experience, or opt for a co-op-focused PvE experience where they work with other Raiders to fight against ARC. Let's take a look at what this test includes and the potential issues that PvE mode could bring.

Player Data and Feedback

ARC Raiders development team relies heavily on player data when adjusting the game. They usually make key decisions from three perspectives: what the data shows, what players are saying, and what their own instincts suggest.

This time, the decision to introduce PvE mode is directly based on changes in player data:

• 37% are friendly co-op players, and this group has continued to grow since launch.
• 27% are mixed players who play both PvE and PvP.
• 34% are pure PvP players, and this proportion has remained stable since launch.

More than 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players want fewer hostile encounters, while 51% of surveyed players are interested in a dedicated PvE option. Friendly players often try to avoid PvP entirely and have become frustrated by ratting and camping.

How PvE Test Works?

PvE matchmaking toggle in this test will appear as a slider or option in the preparation interface, similar to the choices for filling teammates or playing solo. During the test, players can switch between the classic PvPvE and PvE experiences.

In PvE experience, player damage is set to zero, and each session focuses entirely on ARC threats and co-op social dynamics. PvE sessions will include solo, duos, and trios.

However, Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate will be excluded from the PvE matchmaking test. These activities were originally designed around high risk and high reward, and removing PvP from them would make valuable ARC Raiders items far easier to obtain.

In addition, PvE sessions will not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating. Once the test ends, the toggle will be removed and matchmaking will return to its previous state. In PvE, players can loot, complete missions, and explore with relatively little risk.

The overall loot value in PvE will also be reduced to compensate for the safer environment. Players should be careful when crawling after being downed by ARC machines, as they may retarget you, but they will ignore you if you remain still. The goal is to preserve some tension even without the threat of PvP.

Differences from Security Protocol in China

Previously, Chinese client tested a mode called Security Protocol. Similar to activities such as Night Raids, everyone entered in a PvE state, but players could switch to PvP during the session and would receive map indicators, audio warnings, and even red antennas.

However, the version being tested globally is completely different. The development team is using a separate matchmaking queue. Once players load into a session, everyone remains in PvE and cannot switch to PvP during the session. The only way to disable PvE is to switch the option before queueing from the main menu, after which players enter a separate server.

Risks of the PvE Test

The development team has also publicly listed several risks that this experiment could bring.

First, the economy could be affected. Friendly PvE players are more likely to extract successfully, and more successful extractions mean more value entering the economy. This is also why PvE loot will be reduced while PvPvE loot will be increased.

Matchmaking times could also become longer. Because the player pool is split, regions with lower populations may experience longer queue times, with the effect becoming more noticeable during off-peak hours. Even regions with larger populations could be affected. The development team said it will continue monitoring the situation throughout the test.

ARC Raiders was originally a PvE game, but it shifted toward PvPvE after the initial testing did not succeed. PvE removes much of the experience that was originally built around competition between players, which could reduce some of the fun and tension of the game.

Moreover, since peaceful and friendly players may move into PvE sessions, the players remaining on PvP servers could be more aggressive overall. This could make the environment in the standard mode more hostile, with players encountering rats more frequently.

Will PvE Mode Become Permanent?

The official team is also uncertain whether the PvE mode represents a better overall game experience. It has therefore emphasized that this test does not represent a commitment to having a PvE mode in the future, although the team is seriously considering it. Future versions could be completely different.

The development team needs to consider several questions:

• How much lower should PvE loot be?
• Will the reward progression system remain the same?
• Will Squad Queue selection work properly?
• What happens if PvE performs far beyond expectations?
• What happens if the PvPvE queue is significantly affected?

These questions could determine whether this PvE Mode remains a short-term test or becomes a permanent pillar of the game.

This PvE test will last only seven days. Anyone who plays during the test, whether they prefer PvP or PvE, can provide the official team with data and help reveal the impact of the PvE mode, which could influence future decisions. So remember to return and play during the test.

With the official launch of ARC Raiders Frozen Trail just three weeks away, the development team offered a first look on September 23rd, revealing more details about the update.

The team describes Frozen Trail as the largest update in the game's history since launch. It brings a massive amount of new content and includes significant upgrades to core game mechanics, among other features.

Based on the first look and other known information, we've put together a preliminary preview of Frozen Trail. Let's see how the new content compares to community speculation and satisfy your curiosity!

New map Pendola Pass and environmental mechanics

Previously, there was speculation that the new map accompanying the update would also be named Frozen Trail (much like Riven Tides). However, the first look revealed that the new core map is officially named Pendola Pass.

Located north of Rust Belt, this is a brand-new, unexplored region where Raiders have yet to set foot; it is currently the largest map in ARC Raiders.

Early impressions suggest a diverse range of terrain. The map features expansive open-field battlegrounds, tight indoor close-quarters combat zones, and areas with significant verticality, all designed to enrich and add fun to the combat gameplay.

To tie in with the frozen theme, the team designed a mechanic for Pendola Pass called Flash Freeze. Unlike standard map conditions that trigger at set times, Flash Freeze occurs randomly during a match and is temporary.

More specifically, Flash Freeze is a sudden, extreme cold snap. Once it hits, it deals intense freezing damage or inflicts other debuffs over a short period.

To avoid these effects, you must quickly find and enter indoor facilities scattered across the map for shelter. If you are forced to remain outdoors, you should equip specific ARC Raiders items to provide extra protection against the cold.

Core ARC vehicle: Frigate

High above Pendola Pass map, a massive patrolling ARC vehicle known as Frigate will appear. It is currently one of the largest ARC vehicles in the game.

As it is a vehicle, Frigate is not a standard enemy that will directly attack you. It is a massive warship that both you and ARC forces can board; it conceals both enemies and abundant loot.

To profit from ARC Raiders Frigate, you must forcibly board the vessel, solve puzzles, navigate holographic exploration routes, and prepare to face various types of ARC enemies, both old and new.

Given the incredibly rich loot hidden inside Frigate, fierce PvP battles are inevitable alongside PvE encounters. Deciding whether to cooperate to clear the objective or turn against one another presents an intriguing choice.

In other words, Frigate is less of a standard enemy and more of a micro-map designed around a warship vehicle.

While the first look didn't go into detail, rumors and datamining suggest Frigate may appear on multiple maps, rather than being restricted solely to Pendola Pass.

Three new ARC enemy types

In addition to Frigate vehicle, Frozen Trail update introduces three new ARC enemy types: Bully, Skulker, and Hydra.

Bully is a heavily armored ground unit that combines the mobility of Leaper with the heavy machine-gun firepower of Bastion. Preliminary analysis suggests its weak point is its legs; hitting them makes the unit more likely to stagger.

Skulker is a smaller, more agile ARC unit equipped with a burst-fire turret on its back. Thanks to its compact size, it excels at staying concealed during combat, requiring you to remain vigilant and eliminate it quickly.

The third new enemy type is Hydra. It normally remains in a retracted, disc-like state but unfolds during combat to reveal three pairs of gun barrels. This grants it multi-target locking capabilities, allowing it to engage multiple Raiders simultaneously.

Personal base expansion: Raider Outpost

Previously, ARC Raiders lacked a dedicated base for your character; there was only a rudimentary Raider Den based on Speranza, which offered limited functionality and storage for furniture.

Frozen Trail update upgrades this Den into an Outpost, designed to provide a highly customizable, personal space.

Here, you can explore the game's lore, manage character progression and assets, craft and arrange furniture and decorations, and even expand the facility with additional, interesting functional modules.

More importantly, Outpost will feature a new research bench alongside the existing crafting system, allowing you to upgrade weapons to Ascended tier, essentially a Level 5 upgrade.

New gear and crafting system upgrades

To craft these Level 5 weapons using the new Ascended Weapons mechanic, you must complete specific challenges at Outpost's research bench and expend rare materials to unlock unique upgrade paths for specific pieces of gear.

These upgrades go beyond simple stat boosts; they represent comprehensive functional enhancements. For instance, Burletta can be modified for fully automatic fire, while Renegade can be fitted with a scope.

However, note that not all existing gear is compatible with Ascended system. Upon the launch of ARC Raiders: Frozen Trail, support will be available for 15 weapons, with the eligible roster expanding over time.

Additionally, Frozen Trail introduces two brand-new weapons: Stiletto and Banttom. The former uses light ammo and offers superior range and shield-breaking capabilities, while the latter delivers higher lethality at close range and features a unique hip-fire animation.

Beyond performance enhancements, ARC Raiders is introducing a weapon skin system for gear customization. Be warned, however: if you are defeated by another player, your gear, along with its skin, will be confiscated by the enemy.

Other new items

ARC Raiders: Frozen Trail also significantly expands the game's tactical movement and interaction options. New additions include a throwable grappling hook that adheres to surfaces, enabling climbing, rappelling, and swinging across gaps.

There is also a zipline launcher for creating connections between two points, as well as a cable grenade that can grab nearby heavy objects to slam into the ground or forcibly pull enemies out of cover.

Further additions include playable musical instruments and an in-game camera feature, previously announced at Gamescom 2026, which supports selfies and various standard photography settings.

Raider Decks overhaul

The removal of Cred system a few weeks ago signals a major overhaul of the game's progression and reward systems by ARC Raiders development team.

This first look reveals that the game's battle pass system is evolving into a new three-tiered structure: a free Legacy Pass based on Raider Decks, a standard Free Pass, and a Premium Pass. Additionally, there is a higher-tier Collector's Pack.

More than just a first look

Beyond what was shown in the first look, ARC Raiders development team will host a Q&A livestream later this Friday to address player questions regarding Frozen Trail, and perhaps reveal even more details.

It is safe to say that, starting this week, the momentum ARC Raiders lost over the past six months could quickly return. How will Frozen Trail ultimately perform? Let's wait and see!