ARC Raiders Frozen Trail First Look Coming on September 23: Data-Mined Content Credibility to be Revealed!

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• ARC Raiders Store Update 1.46.0 Adds New Boonie Set Colorways and Urges You to Finish Season 5 Final Trials!

  In keeping with routine and the plan announced last week to release a small update prior to Frozen Trail, ARC Raiders has launched Update 1.46.0 this week.

  This update focuses on the in-game store, introducing two new color schemes for Boonie Set. It also provides a recap of the previously launched Ascending the Mountain project and Trials Season 5.

  Here, we focus on these updates to bring you a guide on how to make the most of this week in ARC Raiders following the release of Update 1.46.0.

  

  New color schemes for Boonie Set

  ARC Raiders Boonie Set consists of four components: a cape, headgear, a mask, and a water tank. Originally available in Yellow, Green/Red, and Turquoise Glow, Update 1.46.0 adds a Black and Green Camo variant.

  While outfits do not provide combat stat bonuses, they allow you to craft a specific visual style. That said, wearing a set that matches the surrounding environment might help you blend in better.

  The release of new colors for this specific set ahead of Frozen Trail launch suggests that these new combinations could create a striking look within the new map environment.

  Continuing Ascending the Mountain

  Launched last week, this project runs until October 5 and comprises four stages, giving you roughly three weeks to complete it. You earn specific ARC Raiders items as rewards for fulfilling the material submission requirements of each stage.

  Although the schedule suggests these rewards are primarily intended to help meet the damage output requirements for Expedition 5 launch window, you might also want to hold onto high-value weapons or blueprints to give yourself a head start in Frozen Trail.

  

  Wrapping Up Trials Season 5

  Unlike previous transitions, there is no seamless handover between ARC Raiders Trials Season 5 and Season 6; instead, there is a gap of about two weeks. Season 5 Trials conclude on September 22, while Season 6 will not begin until Frozen Trail goes live.

  Consequently, this is not only the eleventh week of Trials Season 5 but also the final one. Successfully completing this week's trials earns you not just the standard trial rewards, but also additional prizes based on your ranking at the end of the season.

  Simply completing Trials Season 5 earns you the new Scorta outfit, but achieving a higher rank unlocks additional variants and color schemes. In addition to the set, you will receive:

  • Backpack: Green Bruiser
  • Backpack Charm: Pressure Gauge
  • Backpack attachment: Hydraulic Pump
  • Emote: Come at me

  How to complete Season 5 Week 11 Trials?

  This week's trials follow the usual format, consisting of five specific tasks. Generally, ARC Raiders trials aren't overly dangerous; the challenge lies more in their complexity. However, this time, one of the tasks requires you to attack Queens or Matriarchs.

  

  Damage ARC enemies using Deadline

  Deadline is an in-game mine; once deployed, it has a six-second countdown, during which you must retreat as far as possible to avoid the massive blast radius.

  This item deals lethal damage to most ARCs. Due to its high power, it is rare and difficult to find while scavenging, so it is primarily obtained through crafting.

  It is worth noting that the reward for Stage 3 of Ascending The Mountain includes two Deadlines, so it is best to complete that stage as soon as possible.

  Open ARC Probes

  ARC Probes are non-hostile ARC units found across the maps. Completely destroying one yields valuable crafting materials as loot, but attacking it triggers a distress signal that draws in other PvE enemies.

  Normally, these probes remain on the ground for only seven minutes before flying away. However, once you interact with one, it will not fly away for the remainder of its duration, regardless of what happens.

  Completing this task isn't difficult; the key is to minimize encounters with the swarms of ARCs that gather. It is recommended to retreat quickly after opening a probe, or to resolve any necessary combat swiftly.

  You can employ a touch-and-go strategy: run up to the probe, initiate the hacking sequence, and then leave to find the next one.

  The map area you need to explore is vast; as long as ARC Probes don't fly away, you can easily return later to finish them all off.

  Damage Queens or Matriarchs

  Although this task carries a higher risk, you can complete it in conjunction with the first task. In other words, provided you can retreat in time, you can plant Deadline explosives on Queens or Matriarchs to deal massive damage.

  Of course, if you aim to complete the mission with a three-star rating, you should plant Deadline on the enemy's weak points and ideally supplement the attack with other mines or weapons.

  Damage ARC enemies in Red Lakes

  Red Lakes is a specific area on the east side of Dam Battlegrounds map; you can easily reach it by locating Control Tower. This mission requires you to eliminate a sufficient number of PvE enemies in this area.

  Damage ARC using Hullcracker

  Hullcracker is a special pump-action grenade launcher that uses unique Launcher Ammo; it detonates upon impact, dealing increased damage.

  Interestingly, the reward for Stage 3 of Ascending The Mountain includes 30 rounds of Launcher Ammo, making this project a perfect opportunity to complete Season 5 Week 11 trials!

  Overall, there isn't much to worry about regarding this week's update itself; the key is to complete the trials as soon as possible. If you find any of the missions tricky, be sure to team up with others to get them done!

• Will ARC Raiders Continue to Optimize ABMM Matchmaking to Deliver a Better Frozen Trail Experience?

  During the nearly six-month hiatus leading up to Frozen Trail launch, ARC Raiders development team focused heavily on optimizing underlying mechanics, most notably, ABMM matchmaking system, in addition to occasional project updates.

  In traditional extraction shooters, teammates are often assigned randomly, with no guarantee of compatibility or friendly cooperation. To mitigate the risks associated with such systems, ARC Raiders introduced ABMM matchmaking mechanism.

  This system aims to match you with teammates or opponents who share a similar playstyle based on your individual in-game performance; however, achieving the ideal balance requires ongoing fine-tuning by the development team.

  While Update 1.39.0 (released in late July) introduced significant optimizations, many players feel the system has yet to reach an ideal state.

  As Frozen Trail launch approaches, will the team tweak ABMM system again beforehand, or wait until the new content stabilizes? Here is our analysis.

  

  Current state of ABMM Matchmaking

  ARC Raiders ABMM system operates on a continuous sliding scale, calculating matches based on behavioral patterns observed across multiple sessions to group players with similar tendencies.

  At the same time, the system retains an element of randomness to ensure the game maintains the necessary level of excitement and tension.

  Casual players generally report high satisfaction with the system, as it successfully creates lobbies with lower aggression levels, allowing them to focus on environmental exploration and PvE combat.

  However, the experience is often less than ideal for hardcore players who prefer PvP.

  These players tend to favor frequent firefights and looting, environments where the prevalence of cheating is often higher.

  Furthermore, in the high-PvP environments fostered by ABMM, players wishing to switch up their style or focus temporarily on PvE objectives often face constant harassment, which hampers efficiency.

  Although Update 1.39.0 clarified that self-defense in PvP does not count as aggressive action, the system still faces ambiguity in complex combat scenarios.

  Additionally, your experience can be affected if your teammates have a different playstyle profile than yours.

  Potential impact of Frozen Trail on matchmaking

  While ARC Raiders has not yet released full details, it is confirmed that Frozen Trail update will introduce a new map, new ARCs, and Outposts, player-base-derived spaces.

  A key feature of the new map is the blizzard; this will inevitably obscure visibility, likely increasing the frequency of sudden skirmishes and accidental fire.

  Furthermore, the launch of Frozen Trail will draw in newcomers and returning veterans. This expansion of the matchmaking pool, and the resulting dilution of player behavior data, may lead to short-term fluctuations in the matchmaking experience.

  

  Further adjustments likely after Frozen Trail launch

  With the release of Update 1.45.0 this week, the developers indicated that only one minor update would precede Frozen Trail, and that update is unlikely to include significant matchmaking changes.

  We therefore anticipate that the development team will implement further optimizations later on to align with the new gameplay mechanics introduced in Frozen Trail and to address the community's accumulated dissatisfaction with the current ABMM Matchmaking system.

  Currently, the matchmaking system relies on aggregate statistics derived from your behavior across the entire map. However, the influx of new players and content means that even casual players may find themselves inevitably drawn into firefights in high-value zones.

  Consequently, ARC Raiders might lower the penalty weighting for such combat encounters. This would prevent the awkward situation where a player is labeled aggressive simply for vying for high-value loot on the new map.

  The developers will also likely address issues such as the misclassification of self-defense as aggression and accidental friendly fire during cooperative combat, ensuring a better overall experience in Frozen Trail.

  Potential solutions could include refining the criteria for identifying legitimate self-defense and allowing for independent combat-style weighting when fighting as part of a squad.

  To safeguard the interests and experience of PvP players, and to prevent players from avoiding PvP modes solely to steer clear of cheaters, ARC Raiders should also upgrade its anti-cheat measures alongside Frozen Trail launch.

  Finally, beyond tweaking existing algorithms, ARC Raiders could shape player behavior by introducing new mechanics, such as placing bounties on aggressive PvP players or offering reputation boosts for assisting teammates or strangers.

  Summary

  Recent plans for ARC Raiders, specifically the move to scrap Cred in favor of a new reward system, indicate that the development team intends to use Frozen Trail update not only to introduce new content but also to refine the game's core mechanics.

  ABMM Matchmaking is a pivotal factor in the player experience; it, too, should be adjusted during this period to better align with the game's evolving trajectory and underlying logic, rather than remaining merely an idealized concept.

  The developers have recently stated that, despite the typically short lifespans of games in this genre, they aim to build ARC Raiders into a long-term project capable of running for at least a decade.

  Achieving this goal requires more than just periodic updates to gameplay and maps; the game's core systems and operational framework must remain reliable and capable of evolving with the times. ABMM Matchmaking plays a crucial role in this regard.

  Of course, the idea that ARC Raiders will optimize its matchmaking system alongside Frozen Trail update is merely our speculation.

  That said, if you want to avoid unnecessary confrontations on the new map, you should start paying attention to your playstyle now and adjust your behavioral weighting accordingly!

  ---

  Matchmaking is just one piece of the puzzle; to ensure the best possible experience at all times, having ample resources is essential, so be sure to buy ARC Raiders items whenever the need arises!

  This is especially important following the launch of Frozen Trail, as the initial phase of the new environment will make locating valuable supplies more difficult and time-consuming. Being prepared in advance will give you a head start and a distinct advantage!

• ARC Raiders October Comeback Faces Major Rivals | What Frozen Trail Needs to Deliver?

  After remaining relatively quiet for several months, ARC Raiders will make its comeback in October. The development team hopes to use Frozen Trail update to give the game a major reset.

  However, October is not an ideal time for this comeback. Aside from the impact of GTA 6, ARC Raiders will face numerous competitors in the extraction shooter space alone. At the same time, the official team cannot keep delaying the update indefinitely.

  Here are the competitors ARC Raiders and its Frozen Trail update will face:

  

  • Active Matter
  • Arena Breakout: Infinite
  • Escape from Tarkov
  • CoD Modern Warfare 4

  Active Matter

  Active Matter, which launches on September 15, will clearly be the first major challenger to ARC Raiders. Both are extraction shooters, although their core elements are somewhat different.

  Compared with ARC Raiders' post-apocalyptic wasteland and industrial sci-fi aesthetic, Active Matter offers a much stronger focus on surreal elements.

  Players will need to enter quantum-unstable areas to collect Active Matter and other loot. Localized gravity wells, gravity reversals, shifting terrain, and other physical distortions can appear across the map, instantly changing cover positions and lines of fire.

  The development team behind Active Matter has considerable experience creating shooter games, while its setting is also highly distinctive. Its overall quality should not be overlooked, and some players who are waiting for Frozen Trail may decide to give it a try.

  The release date of Active Matter is not far from Frozen Trail. If it manages to attract enough new players, it could clearly become a serious challenge for ARC Raiders.

  

  Arena Breakout: Infinite

  Arena Breakout: Infinite will also enter Full Release on September 15 after remaining in Early Access for an extended period.

  Although the game is not as popular as ARC Raiders, it has still built up a loyal player base. Its visual quality is quite impressive, although its overall style feels somewhat dated. However, the developers have been more willing to focus on gameplay systems and mechanics.

  On September 15, the game will introduce a brand-new season along with major gameplay updates. In PvPvE Infected Zone mode, the official team will replace the fortified lockdown zones in Farm and Armory, as well as the lockdown zone in Valley.

  Players will have to survive attacks from infected mutants while also staying alert for other tactical squads. White Zombie Endless is a completely PvE-focused mode.

  Although this is hardly an entirely new concept, many ARC Raiders players have been looking for a purely PvE mode. As a game in the same genre, Arena Breakout: Infinite adding a dedicated PvE mode could potentially attract some players who would otherwise be playing ARC Raiders.

  

  Escape from Tarkov

  As one of the veterans of the extraction shooter genre, Escape from Tarkov will also introduce major updates throughout September and October. The game is scheduled to upgrade its engine to Unity 6 in October, improving optimization and updating vegetation visuals. A Halloween event is also planned.

  Escape from Tarkov actually introduced a PvE mode back in 2024. However, the mode was initially restricted to a version that cost $250, which went against promises made to players years earlier and triggered a strong backlash.

  Despite that controversy, the developers did not remove PvE. Instead, they continued expanding it. The official team will introduce Prestige system with version 1.2.0.0 in October, while also reworking Bot spawn system and AI behavior in PvE areas and improving raid reconnection functionality. This shows that demand for PvE has not disappeared.

  The dedicated player bases of Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders may not overlap very much, but Frozen Trail and Update 1.2.0.0 are scheduled to arrive relatively close to each other, which is certainly bad news for ARC Raiders.

  

  CoD Modern Warfare 4

  Launching on October 23, 2026, Modern Warfare 4 will undoubtedly be another major rival for ARC Raiders. Call of Duty franchise has long been one of the biggest names in the shooter genre, with a massive fan base.

  As a return to Modern Warfare series, the official team has already confirmed that MW4 will include Campaign, Multiplayer, and DMZ.

  DMZ is Call of Duty's official extraction shooter mode. The series had already experimented with this gameplay formula through Warzone 2.0 DMZ back in 2022.

  DMZ is set in large-scale conflict zones that change dynamically. Players will need to complete missions, gather resources, and find a way to extract while dealing with changing weather, moving military targets, and other threats, offering a deeper extraction shooter experience than previous versions of DMZ.

  DMZ could become a major rival for ARC Raiders, but it will launch after Frozen Trail. If ARC Raiders delivers enough content in its October update, it may avoid losing too many players to the new release.

  

  Can Frozen Trail handle these challenges?

  Since the official team changed its update strategy, Frozen Trail will be the largest content update since the game's launch.

  The new frozen map in Frozen Trail is set in a mountainous settlement on the outskirts of Rust Belt. It will feature a more vertical and layered design, which is expected to have a major impact on how players move and fight.

  The official team has also promised to add more dangerous ARCs, meaning players will need to carefully decide whether to aim their weapons at other players or cooperate with them.

  Additionally, the freezing environment may continuously drain player health or shields while outdoors; players will need ARC Raiders items to mitigate these adverse effects.

  The development team behind ARC Raiders has established a 10-year update plan, with the goal of gradually revealing more of the game's world through future updates. The question is whether players will have enough patience to wait for the official team to create more content.

  The extraction shooter genre evolves rapidly, and ARC Raiders' lengthy update cycle risks making the game feel outdated.

  Several games in the same genre are launching around ARC Raiders Frozen Trail, while the game has already suffered significant player losses. Hopefully, Frozen Trail will be engaging enough to bring those players back.

• ARC Raiders Will Remove Cred System with the Launch of Frozen Trail: How Should You Deal with This Change?

  With the launch of the major Frozen Trail update fast approaching, ARC Raiders has seen a recent uptick in activity and content updates. This week's Update 1.45.0, for instance, brought a wealth of new information.

  Perhaps the most notable announcement is that Cred, a special in-game currency, will be removed on October 8, coinciding with the official launch of Frozen Trail. It will be replaced by a brand-new reward system offering greater depth and a tiered structure.

  This decision marks a significant shift in the game's economy and core loops, signaling a comprehensive restructuring as the game transitions to its new version.

  Here, we analyze this major change by examining the role and function of Cred, as well as the underlying reasons for its removal.

  

  Understanding the nature of Cred

  The core gameplay loop of ARC Raiders involves scavenging for supplies, successfully extracting, using those supplies to upgrade your character and base, and then heading back into combat.

  Currency is fundamental to the smooth operation of the game's economy and market. If Coins serve as the primary currency, then Cred acts as a specialized intermediary and a metric for tracking progression.

  Players earn one unit of Cred for every 2,000 XP gained in combat. Consequently, it provides a predictable, reliable baseline return while serving as a direct numerical reflection of player engagement.

  In terms of utility, Cred is used to trade for resources with the vendor Shani and to unlock rewards and progress through Raider Decks (a system similar to a battle pass).

  Thus, Cred is essential not only for Shani's trading loop but also for the proper functioning of the Raider Decks system.

  

  Why retire Cred?

  Given the analysis above, Cred appears to be a crucial element of ARC Raiders. So, why has the development team decided to scrap the system?

  For starters, while there is a hard cap on how much Cred a player can accumulate, experienced players can easily replenish their supply after using it, a feat that newcomers or casual players often cannot match.

  This creates an imbalance as the game cycle progresses into the mid-to-late stages; certain players can leverage Cred to instantly acquire materials from Shani's shop or unlock Raider Deck rewards, thereby disrupting the game's balance.

  Since the launch of ARC Raiders, the game has introduced an increasing number of gameplay features; however, the inventory in Shani's shop is rarely updated, and the current Raider Decks system feels somewhat monotonous. Consequently, the utility of Creds has steadily declined.

  Given the upcoming overhaul of Raider Decks system, rather than going to great lengths to tweak Creds mechanic, it makes more sense to scrap it entirely and replace it with a richer, more detailed reward system.

  This approach not only prevents the accumulation of useless currency but also allows Raider Decks to integrate seamlessly with the new mechanics introduced in Frozen Trail, encouraging you to engage deeply and consistently with the update.

  How will the removal of Creds affect you?

  First, between now and October 8, when Creds mechanic is retired, you should consume as much of your accumulated currency as possible to minimize waste.

  To date, only three Raiders have been released; if you have been playing regularly, you have likely unlocked them all. Therefore, most players will likely focus on using their Creds at Shani's shop.

  This vendor primarily sells various quick-use items and modifiers; while not necessarily high-rarity, they can subtly enhance your raid experience and help you progress through Expedition 5 damage output missions.

  

  Furthermore, the development team has confirmed that any rewards obtained via Creds prior to the launch of Frozen Trail will be retained and remain valid under the new system, ensuring that the time you have already invested remains valuable.

  In the long run, the new reward system shifts your focus away from the monotonous accumulation of currency, allowing you to engage more strategically with the diverse content introduced in Frozen Trail based on your specific needs.

  This not only extends the lifespan of Frozen Trail and ARC Raiders as a whole but also diversifies team-play dynamics, offering you a richer and more enduring gaming experience.

  What should you do now?

  With the deadline approaching, you should devise a smart plan to use your current Creds, ensuring that every last unit is converted into a tangible advantage for your character once the new version goes live.

  To that end, your first step should be to prioritize unfinished Raider Decks and check for any locked nodes, particularly those offering exclusive skins or weapon finishes, so you can secure more permanent assets.

  Once you have claimed all the permanent rewards available in Decks, you should consume your remaining ARC Raiders Cred with Shani, prioritizing frequently used mods or augments, such as Angled Grip 2, Combat Mk. 2, and more.

  While Frozen Trail may introduce new gear, equipping mods is essential for ensuring consistent and reliable weapon performance in ARC Raiders.

  However, there is no need to simply hoard resources in anticipation of the new update; the current Expedition 5 window is active, and completing specific damage-dealing missions allows you to unlock additional high-value permanent rewards.

  You can therefore use the substantial resources gained from these final Cred exchanges to fully upgrade your character and weapons, aiming to hit the ultimate milestone of 100,000 damage before September 29.

  Ultimately, the removal of Cred is not merely a simple mechanical tweak in ARC Raiders, but the first step toward restructuring the game's economy, demonstrating the development team's commitment to the game's long-term operation.

  After a hiatus of nearly six months, this is a rare opportunity for a trading spree in ARC Raiders before Frozen Trail arrives, so make sure to grab the loot you want while you can!

• Destiny Inspired ARC Raiders 10-Year Plan | And It's Not Just About More Content

  Were you surprised when the executive producer of ARC Raiders revealed that the team aims to make the game a decade-long journey? To be honest, players aren't afraid of a long-term commitment; what they fear is a long haul that offers nothing new.

  However, the developers have outlined specific directions for this journey, so let's take a closer look at what players can actually expect in each area.

  New Locations

  When it comes to adding new maps, many games simply swap color palettes or reskin monsters while keeping the gameplay loop exactly the same.

  But the new locations mentioned for ARC Raiders promise to be far more complex. Imagine that the survival strategies you've mastered - where to hide, where to find resources, and which routes are safest - become completely obsolete once you step into a new zone.

  For instance, if they introduce a zone with permanent sub-zero temperatures, managing your body temperature would suddenly become your top priority; gear for staying warm - previously an afterthought - would require careful planning and resource management.

  Alternatively, consider a radiation-filled zone: you can no longer scavenge with reckless abandon. Every movement must be calculated, as prolonged exposure could easily mean you won't make it out alive.

  If the new locations in ARC Raiders' ten-year plan achieve this level of depth, it won't just be about having more ground to cover; it will force you to rethink your entire survival strategy.

  Every quarter or year, you'll find yourself exploring the rules of a new environment just as you did during your first week in the game, recapturing that fresh, newbie sense of discovery. That is precisely what makes a decade-long journey so exciting.

  

  New Events and Threats

  If we look objectively at how dynamic events usually play out in games, they often amount to little more than asking players to team up and grind a boss at a set time.

  But if the new events and threats promised for ARC Raiders are implemented effectively, they should be capable of interrupting whatever you're currently doing.

  Picture this: you and your teammates are excitedly hauling loot back to your base, Speranza, when a system broadcast suddenly signals an anomaly in a nearby sector. The ground beneath your feet begins to shake, and a horde of never-before-seen enemies spawns right in a previously safe corridor.

  ARC Raiders items you're carrying were originally only enough to handle standard enemies; now you have to decide - do you grit your teeth and fight, ditch your supplies and run, or take a long detour and roll the dice? 

  These new events and threats arrive without warning or countdown; it's entirely a matter of luck.

  Moreover, a new threat implies more than just a cosmetic reskin; it could involve attack patterns we've never encountered before - such as enemies capable of completely disabling your electronic devices, or stealthy ARC units that track heat signatures.

  If ARC Raiders can roll out one or two new mechanics every six months that keep players scrambling to adapt, the game is sure to win widespread acclaim.

  

  A Deeper Narrative

  In reality, most players diving into an extraction shooter focus on the opening two or three minutes of cutscenes at best; few care much about the actual reason for the conflict.

  However, since the developers have explicitly promised a deeper narrative, it's clear they intend for the in-game storytelling to be a key draw for players.

  Right now, we only know that ARC enemies relentlessly hunt us down. But perhaps after an update next year, you'll receive logs detailing ARC's origins, followed by an event the year after that reveals their mission objectives.

  Naturally, the game will also weave in various clues to help you gradually piece together the enemies' background; with every passing interval, you'll gather another piece of the puzzle.

  Individually, these pieces might not reveal much, but once assembled, they'll fuel your curiosity and spark increasingly intense speculation about what ARC is actually up to.

  Stretching the narrative out over time is far more effective at whetting your appetite than dumping all the information at once; it keeps you voluntarily engaged on ARC Raiders battlefield, eager to uncover more astonishing secrets.

  After all, with a ten-year plan in place, the developers need a substantial amount of story content to keep the experience engaging and prevent it from becoming monotonous.

  Progression and Game Systems

  Finally, let's look at progression and game systems. Regarding the skill tree changes and new weapons or items mentioned by the developers, the ideal approach would be to let players choose between several useful options, rather than simply handing them a more powerful item to use.

  For instance, following a major update, a skill tree might be split into two new branches, forcing you to make a fresh choice.

  Similarly, new weapons might not necessarily deal more damage but could offer functional changes that completely alter your tactical approach.

  If the item system also allows players to combine items into more powerful gear, we'll have to put even more thought into our preparations before each battle.

  Changes like these will undoubtedly inject a fresh feel into the decade-long journey of ARC Raiders.

  Frozen Trail

  

  Everything discussed above is based on reasonable speculation drawn from official reveals, but Frozen Trail update - arriving on October 8, 2026 - will be the first opportunity to put those theories to the test.

  Of course, it likely won't realize every single vision right away, but it should give us a real sense of just how different the new map and events are.

  Nailing Frozen Trail update is essential; only then will players have reason to believe that the ten-year journey of ARC Raiders can truly deliver fresh challenges.

• ARC Raiders Update 1.45.0 Brings New Project Ascending the Mountain: Complete It In Time to Accumulate More Usable Gear!

  Released this Tuesday, Update 1.45.0 is not just a routine weekly update for ARC Raiders; it is also the final major online update before the launch of Frozen Trail on October 8th, making it a crucial event to pay attention to.

  Update 1.45.0 brings the usual bug fixes and optimizations, but it also introduces a new project, Ascending the Mountain, and opens the departure window for Expedition 5.

  Here, we detail the contents of Update 1.45.0 to ensure you can keep striving for rewards over the next 1-3 weeks.

  

  New Raider Project: Ascending the Mountain

  Much like the recently concluded Phantom Targets, Ascending the Mountain is a multi-stage project requiring you to submit specific materials at designated stages to earn corresponding rewards.

  The project is scheduled to run until October 5th, though the Expedition 5 departure window closes earlier, on September 29th. This means the rewards earned during this period are primarily valuable for helping you meet the damage output challenges required within that window.

  Consequently, the rewards for Ascending the Mountain focus on guns, grenades, and popular Augments designed to boost your combat efficiency; completing the final stage also grants an exclusive Hot Air Balloon Charm.

  Required items, such as Mechanical Components or Explosive Compound, can be obtained through scavenging and eliminating ARCs. However, if you are short on time, you can also buy ARC Raiders items directly to collect them faster.

  Here are the details for each stage of the project:

  Stage	Submitted Materials	Rewards
  Research High-Altitude Mechanics	10x Mechanical Components 6x Pop Trigger 10x Explosive Compound 2x Headphones	1x Burletta 1x Extended Light Mag III 1x Silencer III
  Begin Ignition Tests	20x Wires 8x Voltage Converter 2x Sentinel Firing Core 1x Rocket Thruster	2× Wolfpack 2x Deadline 3x Trailblazer 1x Crash Mat Blueprint
  Implement Landing Capabilities	2x Ruined Parachute 10x Crash Mat 5x Shredder Gyro 3x Breathtaking Snow Globe	1x Powered Descender 2x Raider Hatch Key 1x Rascal 30x Launcher Ammo
  Final Tweaks	30x Sensors 3x Broken Guidance System 15x Advanced Electrical Components 3x Vaporizer Regulator	Hot Air Balloon Charm 1x Tactical Mk. 3 (Defensive) 1x Tempest 1x Kinetic Converter

  The project also features a narrative backstory: Raider operations have uncovered clues regarding mysterious ARC signals that are leading ARCs into previously inaccessible territories.

  Apollo is seeking a solution to this crisis and needs your assistance, specifically, the delivery of those required materials.

  

  Expedition 5 departure window opens

  As the final ARC Raiders expedition before 2027, the departure window for Expedition 5 spans three weeks, longer than any previous expedition. You will need to deal up to 100,000 points of damage to unlock all the challenge rewards.

  The rewards, including random blueprints, Raider Tokens, and various specific buffs, will significantly aid your progress after the game resets and make starting your Frozen Trail adventure much easier, so it is highly recommended to unlock them all.

  Cred expiring soon

  In addition to standard coins and Raider Tokens (used for outfits and cosmetics), ARC Raiders features a currency called Cred, with a maximum holding limit of 800 points.

  Cred can be unlocked at the vendor Shani or used to redeem specific rewards in Raider Decks. You automatically earn 1 Cred point for every 2,000 XP gained during a raid.

  Following the launch of Frozen Trail, the developers plan to overhaul several mechanics, including Decks, and introduce a more robust reward system; consequently, Cred will be removed.

  With Update 1.45.0, the developers have set an expiration date of October 8 for your current Cred balance; any unused Cred remaining after this date will be wiped.

  New rubber ducks added

  Bird City, a map condition in ARC Raiders offering moderate risk and reward, is ideal for farming ARC drones and hunting down various rubber ducks hidden inside chimneys.

  These rubber ducks offer no combat bonuses; their sole purpose is to decorate your base. However, collecting the wide variety of ducks available is a fun, casual pastime!

  To celebrate this, ARC Raiders hosted a community rubber duck design contest. Three player-created designs were selected via voting and have now been added to the game, so keep an eye out for them!

  

  New Hornet Hunter Set

  New outfit sets are a regular feature of ARC Raiders' weekly updates, and this week introduces Hornet Hunter Set. You can redeem it in the store using Raider Tokens.

  As the name and official teaser video suggest, the set is crafted from salvaged Hornet parts. Its standout feature is a highly detailed helmet that covers only the upper half of the face, making it look as though the wearer has a Hornet strapped directly onto their face.

  Additionally, the bug fix notes mention that Boonie Set will be available in the store starting September 15. It comes in three color schemes, and the set includes four pieces; unlocking a full set is estimated to require around 1,300 Raider Tokens.

  

  More bug fixes

  In addition to standard bug fixes, Update 1.45.0 notes that if you were previously unable to launch Phantom Targets: Project Part 2 (which has since ended), you will receive compensation later this week.

  Another significant change is that Expedition mode will no longer reset your progress and inventory by default; instead, you can choose whether or not to reset them when setting out. This may well be the first step in ARC Raiders' overhaul of Expedition system.

  Update 1.45.0 also introduces an over-encumbrance tier to the game. Specifically, if the weight of your carried items significantly exceeds your capacity limit, you will be restricted to walking; sprinting and jumping will be disabled.

  Furthermore, this update upgrades the game engine from Unreal Engine 5.3 to 5.7. This means you can look forward to a smoother gameplay experience and enhanced visuals in ARC Raiders moving forward.

  That covers the key details of ARC Raiders Update 1.45.0. While you might be eagerly awaiting Frozen Trail, launching in a month, now is the time to focus on unfinished missions and unlock more rewards to stock up for the future!