ARC Raiders Phantom Targets Event Part 2 Countdown | Don't miss the showcase of the new Camera Gadget Feature Meanwhile!

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• Can Frozen Trail Save ARC Raiders? | The Biggest Test for the Extraction Shooter

  ARC Raiders' Frozen Trail is just over a month away from its full reveal, and the official team will begin its marketing campaign in September, gradually introducing everything they have been preparing over the past few months.

  In fact, Gamescom 2026 would have been an excellent opportunity for promotion, but the official team chose not to reveal any information about Frozen Trail. It seems they mainly wanted to maintain a presence at the event, while saving more substantial reveals for September.

  Some information about Frozen Trail was already revealed on August 12, including the map, new ARC enemies, and skill tree adjustments. Before the official team reveals more details, let's first discuss whether it can save ARC Raiders.

  

  Opening Promises

  ARC Raiders has certainly made quite a few mistakes throughout its live service, and it all goes back to the beginning. When the game first launched, the development team promised monthly updates to ensure that the content would remain fresh.

  However, that became their first major mistake because it created expectations that were simply too high and unrealistic.

  Even the largest game studios in the industry would struggle to deliver substantial updates every single month.

  Based on the wording used by the official team at the time, it seemed to suggest that a large amount of content was already prepared and waiting to be released. The reality, however, was quite different.

  The new ARC enemies and new map conditions they introduced were both fairly good, but they still could not hide the underlying lack of content.

  What actually had a positive impact were Close Scrutiny event and Vaporizers. These challenging activities provided a welcome test for veteran Raiders who were beginning to find the core gameplay loop increasingly repetitive.

  Reward System

  

  ARC Raiders has always had some serious problems with its reward system. The rewards only remain meaningful during the early stages, and once players reach the endgame, even rare and legendary loot can no longer generate much excitement.

  This is partly because legendary weapons not only fail to outperform blue or pink-tier weapons, but can even be slightly worse in certain situations.

  They have a higher value and a more impressive appearance, but from a risk-to-reward perspective, they are simply not worthwhile because players carrying these weapons often become like cheese that attracts huge numbers of rats.

  Blueprints also make it much easier for players to obtain these weapons. As long as they have the required materials, they can craft them repeatedly, so losing one is not something they need to worry about.

  Player Loss

  On May 13, the promise of monthly updates was proven to be unrealistic. The official team announced that updates would instead be released only twice a year going forward, explaining that this would provide enough time to make meaningful and substantial changes to the game.

  The news was a major blow. The situation was even more disappointing given the expected performance of Riven Tides.

  Although this situation was frustrating and temporarily killed the game's momentum, it was indeed the right decision. The game genuinely needs a large-scale and comprehensive overhaul to fundamentally change the gameplay experience.

  At the same time, item duplication exploits and cheating problems also pushed the in-game environment into a very poor state. It seemed like almost everyone had a fully equipped Tempest 4, with much of this gear coming from duplication exploits.

  Due to this gear disparity, the current environment isn't favorable for starters or those who participated in Expedition reset. If you don't want to be complicit with cheaters, you can buy ARC Raiders items at IGGM.com to gain the ability to fight back.

  If you're a registered IGGM user, remember to use IGGM check-ins to accumulate points. You can accumulate a large number of points to redeem discounts and cash coupons, with discounts up to 10%.

  Can Frozen Trail Save ARC Raiders?

  If you expect players to endure a long period of silence, then every update cannot simply be a new biome, several new threats, and another activity to try out. It needs to provide genuine reasons for players to log in every day, continue forming squads, and remain invested in their own progression.

  According to the information released by the official team, Frozen Trail is large in scale and densely packed with explorable areas both above and below ground, which seems substantial enough to keep players occupied for a long time.

  Risks 

  But the risks remain. Frozen Trail may expand the game's breadth while still lacking depth. A new map can look visually impressive and yet fail to become a space that players actually want to explore repeatedly.

  New high-difficulty operations may be tense and exciting at first, but they could eventually lose their appeal if their scope is too narrow. A new ARC Boss may initially become a major challenge for players, but if its behavior patterns are easy to predict, players will quickly adapt to it.

  Still, there is reason for cautious optimism. October 8 is not that far away. The official team has also mentioned improvements to matchmaking, stability, and overall quality.

  Because no matter how much content a game has, it cannot save an online game if the underlying experience remains rough or unstable. Players pay attention to major features, but they also immediately notice friction throughout the game.

  If the game runs more smoothly, the controls feel better, and the overall Raider experience becomes more seamless, these improvements could be just as valuable as a visually stunning new region.

  Will it Be a Complete Failure?

  ARC Raiders was extremely popular when it first launched, and Frozen Trail may not be able to recreate that level of excitement. Every update is likely to bring a massive wave of returning players, followed by another gradual decline in the player count until the next update arrives.

  It is similar to Fortnite. At its peak, it attracted almost everyone, yet its popularity inevitably faded over time. Even so, Fortnite remains full of life to this day.

  If September Frozen Trail reveal can demonstrate genuine endgame pressure and progression systems that meaningfully strengthen the core gameplay loop, it could reignite ARC Raiders' momentum. If the reveal remains vague, or the final patch delivers less than what the marketing suggests, ARC Raiders may end up moving toward an even longer development cycle, which would not be good news for the game.

• ARC Raiders Update 1.43.0: New Set Arrives Alongside Another Account Ban Warning

  ARC Raiders Store Update 1.43.0 is now live. This update is relatively small, focusing on new store items, the continuation of Phantom Targets event, and community activities. At the same time, the official team has once again reminded players to be aware of account security and anti-cheat issues. Let's take a closer look at what Store Update 1.43.0 brings.

  Heavy Duty Roamer Set

  

  The highlight of this store update is undoubtedly the newly added heavy duty Roamer Set. Judging from its name and positioning, this set of gear is tailor-made for Raiders who dare to venture deep into the surface and engage in long-term exploration. Whether it's durability or endurance, Roamer Set aims to help players go further and survive longer in the perilous surface environment.

  To experience this new gear, simply restart the game, update to the latest version, and then go to the in-game store to view and unlock it. The addition of Roamer Set, a new shop addition in version 1.43.0, further enriches players' gear options.

  

  Phantom Targets Event is Underway

  Phantom Targets event is now in its crucial phase and will continue until September 6th. Raiders must venture to the surface to hunt the aberrant Wasps - ARC units exhibiting unusual behavior never before seen by Shani, emitting strange noises and carrying mysterious malfunctioning technology.

  By participating in the event and contributing to the research, players will earn a range of generous rewards:

  • Anomalia Outfit - the core reward of Phantom Targets Part 2, a limited-edition, futuristic outfit
  • Finger Guns Wave emote - a fun and interactive emote
  • Trashpile Bag - a unique wasteland-style decoration
  • Raider Tokens - can be used to redeem in-game items

  

  The official statement says these rewards will help you prepare for the upcoming challenges. For ARC Raiders items collectors and players looking to express their individuality in the wasteland, this is undoubtedly an opportunity not to be missed. It's worth noting that the Phantom Targets event already launched its second phase in update 1.42.0, and update 1.43.0 continues this event. If you haven't started participating yet, now is a good time to catch up - the event ends on September 6th, so time is limited.

  Anti-Cheat Enhancement: Linked Account Risk Warning

  As the studio continues to strengthen its anti-cheat efforts, 1.43.0 update brings an important account security warning.

  The official statement clearly states that if someone (whether or not with your permission) logs into your account and is found cheating, even if the cheating was not done by you personally, your account may still be banned.

  This means that account security is no longer just about personal privacy; it directly affects your game progress, purchased content, and future gaming eligibility. To avoid such situations, the official recommendation is for players to immediately take the following security measures through their login platforms (Steam, Sony, Xbox, Epic, etc.):

  • Use a strong and unique password
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Never share your login information with anyone

  It's important to emphasize that this warning is not unfounded. The official team has been continuously strengthening its anti-cheat measures - in July of this year, they completed the full deployment of Denuvo Anti-Cheat to all players; simultaneously, the studio is collaborating with Anybrain to improve hardware detection, software detection, and machine learning-based telemetry analysis.

  Previously, the official team also implemented a strict joint-account ban policy for Steam Family Sharing. The tightening of account association in version 1.43.0 is the latest step in this series of anti-cheat measures.

  Wasp Week Community Highlights Submissions Still Open

  The official team is still accepting player submissions and plans to select Top 5. The final selected works will receive a Wasp Hunter DLC set.

  The official announcement specifically mentioned some interesting submission directions, such as riding a Wasp through the air, using a Snap Hook to pull a Wasp to the ground, or repeatedly using a Snitch Scanner to provoke a swarm of Wasps.

  For ARC Raiders, this kind of activity is also quite in line with the game's characteristics. Unplanned chaos often occurs during raids: ARC, other Raiders, resource points, and extraction routes interfere with each other, easily creating exciting moments that cannot be deliberately crafted in ordinary missions.

  Therefore, if you've been farming Phantom Targets or dealing with Wasps recently, you can record some interesting combat clips and try submitting them for this Community Highlights.

  Gamescom 2026 Ongoing

  In addition to in-game content, the official announcement also stated that ARC Raiders team will be participating in Gamescom from August 26th to August 30th, preparing merchandise and some free items, and also mentioned that they will be traveling with Scrappy.

  However, judging from the timing, Gamescom falls right at a crucial stage in the current content rollout of ARC Raiders. The official announcement of the fifth Expedition and the confirmation that Frozen Trail will launch on October 8th are just some of the details. Let's look forward to seeing if they reveal any more future content during Gamescom.

  Overall, while Store Update 1.43.0 isn't a massive release, it adds a significant amount of content to the current version, from new items and event continuations to anti-cheat measures and community activities. With Gamescom progressing and Expedition and Frozen Trail approaching, it remains to be seen what other news ARC Raiders will bring.

• ARC Raiders Expedition 5 Launch Window Date and More Changes Revealed: It's the Last One until 2027!

  Regardless of whether a major update has just launched, Expeditions remain a key, regularly updated feature in ARC Raiders. Participating allows you to unlock permanent rewards by completing missions and embark on a fresh adventure starting from scratch.

  After the preparation phase for Expedition 5 has been underway for about a month, ARC Raiders has finally announced more details regarding the launch window for this expedition.

  Since the end of this window coincides closely with the launch of the next update, Frozen Trail, several changes have been made to Expedition mechanics. Here are the details.

  

  Expedition 5 launch window duration

  The launch window for this expedition opens on September 8 at 4:00 AM PT and closes on September 29 at 1:00 AM PT. This gives you three weeks to complete challenges and earn permanent rewards exclusive to ARC Raiders Expeditions.

  You can continue collecting materials for Expedition 5 preparation phase right up until the launch window closes. However, to avoid delays in your mission progress, it is advisable to buy ARC Raiders items to complete material submissions quickly.

  What's new?

  If you have participated in previous ARC Raiders Expeditions, you will likely notice that Expedition 5 window opens nearly two weeks earlier than previous ones, and the duration has been extended back to three weeks (up from the two-week duration of Expeditions 3 and 4).

  This change likely serves two purposes: providing you with ample time to gather resources given the recent lack of new game content, and ensuring you have the opportunity to earn more permanent rewards so you can experience Frozen Trail at a more relaxed pace.

  It is worth noting that there is no seamless transition between the old and new Trials seasons this time; Season 5 concludes on September 22, followed by a two-week hiatus until Frozen Trail launches on October 8, at which point Season 6 Trials cycle will begin.

  Additionally, Last Call feature, introduced this past April, has been removed for Expedition 5 launch window. This means you must sign up during the designated window; otherwise, you will miss out on this round of challenges.

  Finally, to address player feedback regarding repetitive mission lines after an expedition ends, the game now allows you to retain your mission progress and pick up where you left off, rather than forcing a complete reset.

  However, since one of the primary ways to obtain Hullcracker blueprint in ARC Raiders is by completing The Major's Footlocker quest, a new method for acquiring this blueprint will be introduced after Expedition 5 window concludes.

  

  Expedition 5 launch window missions and rewards

  During the launch window, once you complete the five-step process of gathering and submitting materials, you can immediately register and begin progressing through Expedition missions.

  The mission structure mirrors that of ARC Raiders Expedition 4 window: you must deal a specific amount of damage using various combat methods within a three-week period.

  There are five reward tiers to achieve; unlocking each one grants you 150 Raider Tokens and a random blueprint that can be used during the preparation phase for the next expedition:

  • Level 1: Deal 5,000 damage
  • Level 2: Deal 10,000 damage
  • Level 3: Deal 30,000 damage
  • Level 4: Deal 50,000 damage
  • Level 5: Deal 100,000 damage

  In other words, if you reach Level 5 before Expedition 5 launch window ends, you will earn five unique random blueprints (with no duplicates) and a total of 750 Raider Tokens.

  Additionally, upon completing all damage objectives, Expedition 5 window offers the complete Zenith Outfit, 12 extra stash slots (up to a maximum of 60), and consecutive boost buffs for XP, Scrappy materials, and repair value.

  It is worth noting that these three types of buffs can only be upgraded a maximum of three times; this means that if you participated in and completed the launch windows for Expeditions 3 and 4, these buffs will reach their maximum level after Expedition 5 concludes.

  Rewards for Expedition 1 and 2 windows included extra permanent skill points. If this is your second, third, or fourth time participating in an ARC Raiders expedition, you can use the catch-up mechanic to claim those missed skill point rewards, provided the total value of items in your stash meets the required threshold.

  Future Expeditions paused!

  In addition to these new details and changes regarding Expedition 5 launch window, ARC Raiders development team has announced that, in order to improve Expedition gameplay experience, updates to this mechanic will be paused after the current window ends, with a return scheduled for early 2027.

  In fact, this decision might not come as a huge surprise, as players have long criticized ARC Raiders Expeditions mode for lacking originality and sustainability. Previous adjustments only scratched the surface without addressing the core issues.

  Therefore, pausing the mode is essential to fundamentally revamp it. The development team plans to share more details about this decision sometime in September; if you have any ideas, feel free to share your feedback, it might just get implemented!

  Rest assured, pausing Expeditions mechanic will not affect the rewards you earn from completing existing Window missions.

  Don't miss Subway Crossover

  In addition to updates on Expedition 5 Window, ARC Raiders has recently launched a collaboration with the fast-food chain Subway!

  From August 20 to October 26, 2026, simply get a qualifying meal at participating Subway locations in the US, via the app, or on the official website to receive an exclusive, onetime-use redemption code. The code is valid until November 10.

  

  You can then log in to your ARC Raiders account and enter the code in the designated section to unlock two rotating weekly in-game items, Subterranean outfit, and one of three potential Subway-themed outfit variants.

  That's all for now. We hope the next four months bring truly valuable updates and changes to ARC Raiders, reigniting the intense combat atmosphere we experienced last year!

• ARC Raiders Update 1.42.0 Photoelectric Cloak Guide: How to Farm Turbine Compressors Fast?

  With the implementation of ARC Raiders Update 1.42.0, Photoelectric Cloak has undergone a significant change and received a decisive enhancement: ARC Turbine lightning strikes and Matriarch missiles can no longer target players using Photoelectric Cloak. This means that what was once the most troublesome tracking attacks can now be easily neutralized with Photoelectric Cloak!

  Based on this, we can combine ARC Raiders items such as Ziplines and Deadlines to precisely control combat with ARC Turbines and obtain Turbine Compressors.

  

  The Importance of Turbine Compressors

  In the current game environment, Turbine Compressors are a highly valuable hard currency in the trading market, second only to Vaporizer Regulators, but far exceeding Matriarch Reactors.

  Furthermore, it can only be obtained from destroyed ARC Turbines, which are precisely the enemies most players fear, making it even scarcer on the trading market.

  Sometimes you can even trade 6 Turbine Compressors for one of the rarest blueprints in the game on the trading platform.

  Therefore, times have changed, and Turbine Compressor's value is now well worth our serious consideration.

  Pre-Battle Preparation

  Turbines don't always spawn in ARC Raiders, so to reliably encounter them, players should prioritize Riven Tides or Night Raid map conditions.

  Utilizing Regional Map Condition Scheduling added in Update 1.42.0 - by changing the server region in settings (e.g., North America or Asia) - you can almost always play in Night Raid map conditions. However, be aware that higher latency will slightly increase the difficulty of dodging, but it's still manageable.

  Equipment List

  • Primary Weapon: Jupiter - Used to deal primary damage to Turbine core.
  • Secondary Weapon: Any rapid-fire weapon - Used to clear the mines thrown by Turbine.
  • Core Item: Photoelectric Cloak - Thanks to the enhancements in Update 1.42.0, this is the absolute cornerstone of the entire tactic.
  • Mobility Tool: Zipline - At least two, for quick approach or retreat.
  • Explosives: Two Deadlines - If both hit Turbine's core area, a few Jupiter shots are usually enough to kill it; if they miss the core, prepare an Energy Clip as a backup.
  • Medical Supplies: Vita Shot.

  If you need any of these resources, you can buy ARC Raiders items at IGGM.com to make your Turbine kills smoother!

  Furthermore, as a registered user, you can earn points through IGGM Check-in, which can be redeemed for coupons to lower the cost of your item orders.

  

  Terrain Clearance

  Upon reaching the vicinity of Turbine spawn point (approximately 18 minutes remaining), prioritize clearing all flying ARC enemies in the surrounding area - including Rocketeer, Vaporizer, and even Leaper.

  These enemies will severely disrupt your subsequent actions and will respawn approximately every 8 minutes, so the earlier you clear them, the less pressure you'll face before Turbine is killed.

  However, conserve your medical resources during clearing; try to use Jupiter for remote attacks.

  Once Turbine has landed, observe its landing point. From behind cover, use your secondary weapon to clear mines along its path, and simultaneously set up your first Zipline for easy aiming at Turbine. Do not activate it yet; save it for later in conjunction with Photoelectric Cloak.

  Core Combat Flow

  The essence of fighting Turbine in ARC Raiders lies in utilizing Photoelectric Cloak's ability to avoid being locked onto, allowing you to safely traverse Turbine's attack range.

  1. Approach using Photoelectric Cloak

  Make sure your Photoelectric Cloak is fully charged and both Deadlines are in your hot bar. After activating Photoelectric Cloak, immediately slide along Zipline towards Turbine.

  Upon landing, quickly deploy Deadline and prioritize aiming at the glowing yellow core area on Turbine's body.

  2. Retreat using Photoelectric Cloak

  After deploying Deadline, reactivate your Photoelectric Cloak. This will completely disable Turbine's lightning strikes, preventing them from locking onto you.

  You can then calmly walk behind cover and wait for Turbine to finish its attack and enter de-aggro mode.

  Note that the lightning strikes will continue to fire several times towards the same location after you leave. Just keep wearing Photoelectric Cloak and avoid entering the strike's landing zone.

  3. Repeat the Attack

  After Turbine re-lands, its position may have changed slightly. At this point, you'll need to wear Photoelectric Cloak and use your second Zipline to approach it.

  Repeat the steps above: clear the new mines and redeploy Deadline. If both Deadline deployments hit Turbine's yellow core, it's practically doomed.

  If you miss, retreat to a safe distance of 160 to 200 meters and aim your Jupiter at its core; two or three shots should be enough to finish it off.

  Looting

  When this enemy, one of the toughest in ARC Raiders, is destroyed, if it's standing, all its parts will be scattered. You'll need to pick up the core pieces bit by bit to find the glowing Turbine Compressors.

  Note that multiple Turbine Compressors (up to two) may stack within the same part, and the stack count will be displayed directly; you don't need to separate them individually.

  The fight is worthwhile, as you can get an average of about 7 Turbine Compressors per kill, and with a bit of luck, 10 or even more is possible.

  

  Escape

  While happily looting the loot, don't forget to allow yourself a safe escape time.

  If you have Trigger 'Nade with you, you can use it to clear out low-level ARC enemies blocking your path. Be sure not to panic in the final stages of the countdown; by avoiding dense enemy groups, you'll have plenty of time to loot all Turbine parts.

  Mastering this tactic will allow you to reliably and efficiently store Turbine Compressor in your inventory, making trading in ARC Raiders a breeze.

• ARC Raiders Update 1.42.0 Full Update Overview | New Event, Anti-Cheat and Map Changes

  ARC Raiders released Update 1.42.0 on August 18, and it is considerably more substantial than Update 1.41.0. Phantom Targets event is now officially live, along with the second part of the Raider Project.

  The update also introduces a large number of fixes, map condition adjustments, shop bundle updates, and more. While this is still not a major update, it is certainly encouraging after the relatively quiet state of the game over the past few months.

  

  Phantom Targets Part II

  Phantom Targets was originally introduced as a limited-time event in Update 1.40.0. During the first part, Shani detected some strange readings on the radar, and Raiders were tasked with investigating them.

  In Update 1.42.0, Shani has now confirmed the source of these strange readings: erratic Wasps.

  Their flight patterns and technology differ from those of ordinary Wasps, so Raiders must hunt them down and collect their components for Shani to study. The second part will last for 19 days in total, with the following requirements and rewards:

  Stage 4

  Requirements (10 Each)	Reward
  Glitched ARC Power Converter (Common)	Canto III Stable Stock III Extended Medium Mag III Silencer III
  Glitched ARC Phased Array (Uncommon)
  Glitched ARC Transmitter (Rare)
  Advanced ARC Powercell (Rare)

  Stage 5

  Requirements  (10 Each)	Rewards
  Glitched ARC Light Ring (Epic)	Vulcano III Extended Shotgun Mag III Shotgun Silencer Fireworks Box Blueprint
  Glitched ARC Circuitry (Legendary)
  ARC Thermo Lining (Rare)
  ARC Circuitry (Rare)

  Stage 6

  Stage 6 no longer requires players to collect items. Instead, they must use fireworks to deal damage to any airborne ARC unit. and here are the rewards:

  • Anvil IV
  • Crash Mat Blueprint
  • Anvil Splitter
  • Computer Mouse

  

  Phantom Targets appears to consist of several quests, or Parts, with players following clues that gradually lead them toward stronger enemies or a particular location.

  With roughly a month and a half remaining before the major October 8 update, it would be a pretty cool marketing strategy if the official team could keep Phantom Targets going as a questline that eventually leads into Frozen Trail.

  This would undoubtedly be a reward for the players who have continued to stick with ARC Raiders. The official team could also plant clues about Frozen Trail throughout each stage and give players reasons to search for them. That could help bring the player community back to life as well.

  The drop rate of these items has a degree of randomness, with Glitched ARC Circuitry drops being even rarer. If you want to quickly obtain rewards, you can directly buy ARC Raiders Items at IGGM.com.

  If you're a registered IGGM user, don't forget to earn points through IGGM check-ins. You can redeem points for discounts or cash coupons and use them in your orders.

  Improvements to Map Condition Scheduling

  Regional Map Condition Scheduling is one of the important system improvements introduced in this update. The development team aims to make map condition scheduling better aligned with players' habits, so a regional scheduling system has been introduced.

  Starting with Version 1.42, map condition schedules will be shifted according to different regions instead of following a single global timetable.

  This means scheduling will be adjusted around peak playtime in specific regions, providing a better experience for local players and reducing the chances of missing specific map conditions because of time zone differences.

  This regional scheduling also allows players to switch servers to experience different map conditions, although doing so may result in higher network latency.

  Anti-Cheat

  Regarding the latest fair-play measures, the official team has once again emphasized that protecting the game environment from cheaters and exploit users remains a top priority.

  For reports involving third-party software, the development team will first verify whether the software actually works as claimed, noting that many claims about supposed cheat software are not legitimate.

  Downloading unverified software can not only result in an account ban but can also put personal data at risk. This warning is mainly aimed at item duplication cheats.

  To keep your account secure, the official team strongly recommends enabling 2FA or passkeys on all external accounts linked to your Embark ID, and you should never share your login credentials with anyone.

  Over the past few weeks, the official team has worked with Anybrain and Denuo Anticheat on multiple improvements and has taken swift action against a large number of accounts using recently popular cheat servers.

  At the same time, the official team is ensuring that players who repeatedly and openly cheat continue to receive permanent sanctions, while also working to raise the barrier to creating new accounts and prevent cheaters from returning.

  The ability to detect economy-related exploits has also been improved, allowing offenders to be sanctioned more quickly. Several measures are also being implemented against teaming-related cheating and matchmaking abuse, and more details will be shared once they are ready.

  Shop Updates

  Tick Hunter Set is now available in the shop as a bundle and includes Raider Coins.

  The set includes Spider Tattoo, Field Phone Backpack, and Tick Trophy, which is a pretty cool backpack charm.

  In addition, Merits Rewards Pass offers a completely free skin called Anomalia, which can be unlocked simply by obtaining Glitched ARC components or earning XP.

  Glitched ARC components can be obtained by looting downed erratic Wasps. These components are quite valuable. For example, a Glitched ARC Transmitter is worth around 1,000 coins, while higher-tier components can be worth up to 5,000 coins, making them an efficient way to generate resources in the game.

  Keep in mind that ordinary Wasps from the initial wave will not drop the new Glitched ARC components. Only erratic Wasps with distinctive appearances and sounds will drop them.

  Besides being sold, these components can also be recycled at the crafting station. For example, Glitched ARC Circuitry can be dismantled into Exodus Modules and ARC Alloy, providing additional crafting materials.

  Overall, ARC Raiders Patch 1.42.0 brings a reasonably substantial amount of content, but it still is not enough. With Frozen Trail update approaching, the official team will need to introduce more content to bring players back.

• Is the Long-Missing Raider Deck Finally Returning to ARC Raiders? | Frozen Trail May Reveal the Answer This October

  Since its official release in October 2025, ARC Raiders has maintained a fairly active update schedule. However, in recent Live Updates, one piece of content that was previously announced by the official team has yet to appear - the paid Raider Deck.

  Meanwhile, with the approaching October Frozen Trail update, discussions within the player community about the game's future content are becoming increasingly heated. Below, I will outline the current update status for all Raiders and, based on this, provide a preview of the game's future.

  Current Content Gap & Phantom Targets Project

  

  Judging from the current update schedule, ARC Raiders is currently in a relatively low content gap. Live Updates are released approximately every three weeks, but the content is mostly focused on bug fixes, with few substantial new additions. Among the recent updates, the most notable is the Phantom Targets Player Project.

  According to the official announcement, the first part of Phantom Targets project launched with Store Update 1.40.0 on August 4, 2026. In this project, players need to repair faulty antennas to triangulate signals and employ unconventional strategies to counter ARC. The second part of the project was released with 1.42 on August 18. The entire project will last until September 6, 2026.

  However, for many veteran players who have already explored all the game's content, the novelty of a limited-time project is ultimately limited, and projects like Phantom Targets are often quickly completed. This has led many to yearn for more systematic and long-term content, such as Raider Deck.

  Raider Deck: The Forgotten Battle Pass

  What is Raider Deck?

  

  Raider Deck is a progression system similar to Battle Pass in ARC Raiders. Players earn Creds by completing daily Feats and then use Creds to unlock various rewards in the Raider Deck page by page. These rewards include cosmetic items, item packs, and premium currency, Raider Tokens.

  Free Raider Deck

  To date, ARC Raiders has released three free Raider Decks. The first, Starter Raider Deck, was released at game launch; the second, Goalie Raider Deck, was released on December 26, 2025; and the third, Surgeon Raider Deck, was released with Shrouded Sky update on February 24, 2026.

  However, since February 24, 2026, there has been no new Raider Deck released for over five months. Considering that a new Raider Deck was released approximately every two months in the early stages of the game's release, this gap is indeed exceptionally long and perplexing.

  Paid Raider Deck

  More noteworthy is that the studio publicly announced back in November 2025 that a paid Premium Raider Deck would be released in the future. At the time, the official statement clearly indicated that gameplay items would only appear in the free Raider Deck. The paid Raider Deck would not contain any items that altered gameplay or were pay-to-win, focusing solely on aesthetics and convenience.

  However, since then, we have never seen the actual paid Raider Deck in any public release. In fact, during Tech Test in April and May 2025, three placeholder content items resembling paid passes appeared - Back Alley Market, Secluded Courtyard, and Shuttered Storefront.

  These, then called Battle Passes rather than Raider Decks, each cost 500 Raider Tokens, but offered a 300-Token refund. However, these included gameplay-related items such as weapon blueprints, clearly contradicting the official promise.

  This is perhaps the fundamental reason why the paid Raider Deck has been delayed - finding a balance between excluding pay-to-win items and providing attractive paid content is a difficult task for any game developer.

  Frozen Trail Update: Raider Deck will return on October 8th

  

  The good news is that ARC Raiders will receive its largest update to date on October 8th, 2026, which includes the Raiders Deck:

  • A brand new snow map -  Rust Belt Edge, the largest new map to date, featuring abandoned villages, underground research facilities, mountain observatories, and more, emphasizing vertical exploration.
  • New ARC Operations & Enemies - A brand new large-scale ARC Operation, and two new enemy types: small, agile troublemakers and giant, immobilizing machines.
  • A redesigned progression system - new Raider progression goals.
  • Skill tree adjustments - more Skill Points/progression options.
  • ARC Origins Story - beginning to unravel the mysteries of what ARC is and where it came from.
  • Outpost - a new private outpost to explore and decorate.
  • Raider Deck - more attractive and valuable to players.
  • More new content - new weapons, items, instruments, and skins.

  While waiting for Frozen Trail to launch, players who want to prepare game resources or enhance their characters can buy ARC Raiders items at IGGM.com to better prepare for the unknown new enemies.

  Before placing an order, you can earn points by registering and logging into your IGGM account and participating in daily check-ins. These points can be redeemed for IGGM Coupon, helping you acquire various game resources at lower prices.

  Update Pace Adjustment and Future Outlook

  From Monthly to Semi-Annual Updates

  In May 2026, the studio announced an adjustment to the update pace of ARC Raiders. The previous monthly major update model will be changed to two major updates per year.

  The official explanation stated that the pressure of monthly updates limited the depth and impact of the updates, claiming that this pace was unsustainable and incompatible with their greater ambitions for the game. After the adjustment, each major update will be larger in scale and more impactful, aiming to truly change the way the game is played.

  Filling the Gaps

  During the six-month gap between major updates, the official team promised to maintain the game's vitality through daily Live Updates, balance adjustments, bug fixes, store updates, and player activities.

  However, for the player community, the situation of not having a new Raider Deck for more than five months remains a concern. Many players hope to see more content worth grinding in future Live Updates, such as a new weapon or utility item every two months, regular Raider Deck updates, or the introduction of a Prestige skin system to keep players who have reached the level cap motivated.

  Conclusion

  It's been almost a year since the official mention of a paid Raider Deck in November 2025. With the upcoming Frozen Trail update, we have reason to expect more news about the future of  Raider Deck in October - whether it's a new free Raider Deck or the paid version that's only been mentioned in announcements.

  For players, the period before October may require patience. But as the official statement says, Frozen Trail is just the beginning of where ARC Raiders is headed. With adjustments to the update schedule and a shift in development focus, the future of this game remains promising.