ARC Raiders Update 1.39.0 ABMM Matchmaking | Defensive PvP Changes Create New Problems

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• ARC Raiders Update 1.39.0 Fixes PvP Matchmaking: Self Defense Won't Penalize You Anymore!

  While there is still some time to go before the next major ARC Raiders patch arrives, the team remains dedicated to refining core mechanics and foundational systems through regular weekly updates, ensuring a more stable experience with the existing content.

  To that end, ARC Raiders rolled out Update 1.39.0 this Tuesday, July 28th. Like all weekly updates, this one brings bug fixes and new outfits, but it also introduces further optimizations to the matchmaking system.

  In fact, Updates 1.36 and 1.38, released over the past month, already included adjustments to matchmaking. So, what changes does this update bring? And are the new outfits worth getting? Let's take a look.

  

  Matchmaking adjustments based on defensive PvP behavior

  Previous adjustments in Update 1.36.0 focused on precise matchmaking based on your playstyle (whether playing solo or in squads of various sizes), while Update 1.38.0 further refined those changes.

  Update 1.39.0 shifts the focus to self-defense during PvP encounters. ARC Raiders does not strictly separate PvE and PvP modes; this means that even if your goal is simply to take down ARCs, you might still attract attacks from players who prefer PvP.

  In such situations, your instinct might be to evade the threat, but if the other player relentlessly pursues you, you will have to draw your weapon and defend yourself.

  As you know, ARC Raiders matches you with teammates and opponents based on whether your combat style is aggressive or friendly. However, it would be unfair if frequently defending yourself resulted in being matched into a chaotic, high-intensity PvP environment.

  With this in mind, Update 1.39.0 removes the influence of self-defense actions on the matchmaking system; only initiating PvP combat will now affect your playstyle assessment and subsequent matchmaking.

  Please note that this change is currently in the testing phase. It may undergo further adjustments, be fully implemented, or be scrapped entirely if the results aren't satisfactory.

  If you encounter any bugs or have unique suggestions during the testing period, please provide feedback via the in-game questionnaire. Your input helps make ARC Raiders a better game for everyone!

  What counts as self-defense?

  Based on these changes, ARC Raiders has established more detailed criteria for defining self-defense. When playing in a squad, if another team initiates any form of attack against yours, your squad is considered being in a state of self-defense.

  Your squad's future matchmaking will remain unaffected by this specific skirmish; however, the initiating team will face progressively greater consequences depending on the intensity and duration of the combat.

  Furthermore, if a third party intervenes, whether to break up the fight or to instigate a more chaotic brawl, they will also be classified as an aggressor, and their future matchmaking will be impacted accordingly.

  While this might seem unfair to players who genuinely want to play peacemaker, hardly anyone is altruistic enough to try breaking up fights in a shooter game, right? Ultimately, this rule is designed to prevent disruptive players from interfering with the action.

  Finally, all these changes are compatible with the updates introduced in version 1.36.0, demonstrating the development team's commitment to further integrating PvP and PvE elements within ARC Raiders.

  Although this makes the release of a dedicated PvP or PvE mode seem more distant, the specific format matters less as long as the combat experience remains thrilling!

  The brand new Dweller Outfit Set

  Update 1.39.0 introduces the new Dweller outfit set, featuring components such as a backpack and gloves. When fully equipped, the set clearly emphasizes a heavily armored, fully covered look, complete with protective eyewear and a mask that completely conceals your face.

  The torso gear is also incredibly bulky, reminiscent of Cold Snap update released last winter.

  Unlocking the set individually needs 1,300 Raider Tokens, but if you unlock a specific bundle that includes the set, you can unlock it for an additional 1,000 tokens.

  Keep in mind that outfit sets are primarily for cosmetic customization; if you want to boost your combat effectiveness, the key lies in acquiring rarer gear and upgrading it regularly.

  

  Trinkets can now be stacked

  ARC Raiders previously launched Forgotten Relics Event in Update 1.33.0, allowing players to earn Merits and redeem them for various rewards, including a range of trinkets. The game now allows you to stack these trinkets.

  More bug fixes

  In addition to the new changes mentioned above, ARC Raiders brings a series of general bug fixes. Of particular note is a fix addressing inconsistent damage output from Seeker and Wolfpack.

  Once thrown, ARC Raiders Seeker Grenade locks onto the nearest ARC enemy and detonates upon impact. Wolfpack can launch up to 12 missiles, locking onto all ARC targets within its radius.

  This means both pieces of gear are highly useful, whether you are tackling standard Trials or special raids, so ensuring they function correctly is crucial.

  Speaking of the trials, Season 5 Week 4 trials have arrived alongside Update 1.39.0, featuring five specific missions.

  To complete all missions with a three-star rating before the event ends, you will need the right strategies and powerful gear. Don't delay, get started now! Plus, you can also test the new matchmaking system firsthand!

• ARC Raiders Harvester Puzzle Guide: How to Get Jupiter and Equalizer Weapon Blueprints Fast?

  Almost every Raider knows how crucial the weapon blueprints for Equalizer and Jupiter are to ARC Raiders.

  These two weapons are arguably the core indicators of a player's or team's late-game maturity, possessing devastating power in PvE, especially against high-difficulty mechanical bosses in the late game, where they outperform regular ARCs. However, not all players possess them.

  As high-value weapon blueprints, the primary way to obtain them in the game is still by farming Harvester Puzzle.

  

  Harvester Puzzle

  Spawn Points

  Harvester Puzzle typically spawns as a limited-time map event for ARC Raiders, guarded by Queen.

  Its main spawn maps are:

  • Dam Battlegrounds
  • Spaceport
  • Blue Gate

  Of course, you can check the icon in Speranza lobby map interface to see where it lights up. Harvester Puzzle lasts for about an hour, after which it transitions to the next environment, so it's recommended to go there immediately after checking the icon's location. 

  Key Features

  Harvester Puzzle revolves around speed and puzzle-solving, with a continuous 45-second cycle (charging, discharging, fire-breathing), severely testing players' speedrunning abilities.

  Therefore, your task isn't to defeat Queen outside, but to quickly infiltrate the interior and solve the puzzles.

  Completion Guide

  1. Collect and Insert Power Canisters

  After entering, use the elevator to reach the upper area. You'll need to use melee attacks or shooting to forcefully break through the upper metal panels to find hidden Power Canisters(3 are needed; sometimes one is lying on the ground).

  The facility's high-temperature defense system will activate periodically (the interior will glow orange or blue). When the system activates, you must immediately find cover or temporarily leave to avoid being burned by the flames.

  Blue light indicates an impending EMP impact, which only breaks the shield without causing damage (you can remove the shield to become immune to damage).

  A flashing orange and red light accompanied by a rapid alarm indicates that a full-scale firestorm will occur in 3 seconds, instantly burning your character to death. You must immediately escape the cabin for safety.

  After successfully escaping, forcibly break open the slot at the bottom of the central pillar (Queen will release a brief stun current upon breaking it; it is recommended to remove your shield beforehand to prevent it from shattering). Insert all 3 collected Power Canisters into the connected terminal.

  2. Destroy the Yellow Button

  After inserting all Power Canisters, Harvester will completely shut down, and 3 separate reward containers will pop up around the central pillar. Opening these containers will give you a chance to obtain high-tier loot and the extremely rare weapon blueprints for ARC Raiders Jupiter, and Equalizer.

  To prevent enemy players from ambushing you outside, it is recommended that you immediately place the blueprints into a Safe Pocket and quickly head to the extraction point after obtaining them.

  Weapon Configurations

  Targeting the characteristics of Harvester Puzzle and for a safer extraction, here are two optimal weapon configurations after ARC Raiders 1.38.0 update. These configurations feature high burst damage, rapid shield breaking, and node-breaking kills, allowing you to more safely obtain Jupiter and Equalizer.

  First Configuration

  Primary Weapon: Renegade

  Renegade is the primary damage-dealing weapon, effectively dealing with Queen guarding the outside and large numbers of ARC robots. Its high single-shot damage and accuracy allow you to quickly clear the area before entering Harvester.

  Secondary Weapon: Stitcher

  Stitcher is primarily used for melee combat and emergency shield breaking, suitable for defense and quickly breaking shields in the event of sudden external conflicts.

  Second Configuration

  Primary Weapon: Renegade

  Same function as the first configuration, but easier to obtain and more suitable than other ARC Raiders Weapons with similar functions.

  Secondary Weapon: Scambler

  After planting all Power Canisters in the first step of Harvester Puzzle, a yellow node will pop up on the central pillar. Using Scambler at close range, you can kill a node in just two shots, making it faster and less strenuous.

  Besides weapons, there are some essential items that you should carry regardless of your build:

  Crowbar

  Used for quickly prying open vents to infiltrate and for prying open second-floor panels to retrieve Power Canisters.

  Surge Coil

  While prying or planting Power Canister, place it at the only main entrance and vents on the first floor of Harvester to effectively prevent other Raider teams from sneaking in and attacking.

  Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper)

  While regular safe pockets usually have restrictions on what items can be put in, ARC Raiders Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) not only allows you to put in any item in the game, but you can also take the items out even if you are knocked down.

  Therefore, after completing Harvester Puzzle and obtaining Jupiter and Equalizer weapon blueprints, place them along with your primary weapon into Safe Pocket provided by Looting Mk. 3 (Safekeeper) to prevent them from being stolen.

  Since a Harvester Puzzle only rewards three chests, and only one Jupiter or Equalizer blueprint will appear at a time, if you are in a multiplayer group, only one person can obtain the blueprint. The player who doesn't get it needs to re-enter and try again.

  Therefore, some players prefer to operate solo, making the three ARC Raiders Items mentioned above essential. In addition, there are some tips suitable for solo players, the essence of which lies in avoiding combat, removing the shield, speed, and quick escape through tunnels.

  Tips

  1. Removing the Shield for Infiltration

  Observe the patrol routes of ARC Queen on the outer perimeter. The instant you enter the facility's main gate or ventilation shaft, immediately manually remove your shield from your inventory. This perfectly negates the severe stun and vulnerability caused by the pulse shield breaking.

  2. Quickly Transport Power Canisters

  After entering the first floor and picking up the canister in its designated location, quickly insert it. Then, take the elevator directly to the second floor and find the remaining two Power Canisters. Don't carry them up the stairs; throw them directly to the first floor.

  If you hear three alarms or the sealed compartment lights up with an orange-red light, don't hesitate; run.

  3. Instantly Eliminate Alarm Nodes

  Use ARC Raiders shotgun recommended in your weapon configuration. Run and fire simultaneously; you can clear the nodes in about three seconds.

  4. Instant Escape Through the Tunnel

  After solving the puzzle, open the two chests closest to you in the center. With luck, you might find the blueprint for either Jupiter or Equalizer. Once you find them, immediately put them in your Safe Pocket. Don't linger in the red zone; quickly move to the nearest Raider Hatch to escape.

  If your strength and time allow, you can also try defeating Queen outside, as it, being a high-level boss, has a chance to directly drop the blueprints for these two legendary weapons. Even without the blueprints, it will drop the rare material needed to craft these weapons - Queen Reactors.

  In short, if you want to quickly acquire the blueprints for Jupiter and Equalizer, or already own them but want to farm more for trading on the market, ARC Raiders Harvester Puzzle is your best choice.

• Struggling with ARC Raiders Season 5 Week 3 Jump Mine Trial? Stop Target Farming the Wrong Enemies!

  There are only three days left until the conclusion of Season 5 Week 3 Trials in ARC Raiders. How is your progress coming along? After all, completing all five missions with a three-star rating can be quite tricky.

  One specific trial requires you to eliminate enough ARC enemies using Jump Mines to earn a three-star rating. The challenge lies in selecting the right types of ARC and grouping them effectively to maximize explosive damage in a single blast.

  If this mission has stumped you and you haven't finished this week's trials yet, don't worry, we will provide a guide for you.

  

  Stocking up on Jump Mines

  Whether you've already mastered the technique or are still figuring out the best strategy for using Jump Mines, a key prerequisite is having plenty of mines at your disposal.

  In ARC Raiders, Jump Mine is technically an Explosive Mine; it earned the nickname Jump Mine because it suddenly pops up and detonates at close range to deal damage. They can be placed directly on the ground or on the bodies of large ARC units.

  This quick-use item can be scavenged or crafted once you've unlocked the blueprint and gathered the necessary materials.

  However, if you've already burned through your supply, the best way to ensure you finish the trial on time is to buy IGGM ARC Raiders Explosive Mines now!

  It's worth noting that Explosive Mine blueprint is currently available in Nomadic Envoy Ermal's shop; you can acquire it by turning in the required quantities of Leaper Pulse Units, Pop Triggers, and Steel Springs.

  You can gather many of these trade materials while completing another trial mission that requires dealing melee damage to ARC enemies. So, be sure to adopt a strategy that maximizes your returns while boosting combat efficiency.

  Which ARC units are the best targets?

  There is a wide variety of PvE enemies in ARC Raiders, making it difficult to decide which ones to target for this trial.

  There are two common strategies: setting traps or using yourself as bait to lure a group of small ARC units together for a mass explosion, or focusing on large ARC units and placing Explosive Mines on their most vulnerable core areas.

  We tested both approaches. Overall, the first method is less efficient, so it is better to focus your attention on the larger enemies.

  For instance, simply placing a single Jump Mine on a Bastion's core yields at least 800 trial points; naturally, placing more mines results in a significantly higher score.

  Compared to Bastion, ARC Raiders Bombardier has thinner armor and lacks an exposed core, so you can place mines directly on its back. The final point yield is roughly the same as that of Bastion.

  Another enemy worth considering is ARC Turbine. It usually soars through the air but slowly descends to the ground to attack as the current raid nears its end.

  Ideally, the strategy would be to predict where Turbine will land and pre-place a cluster of Jump Mines; when it touches down, the simultaneous detonation would deal massive damage instantly.

  However, in practice, the moment you start placing Jump Mines, or even just approach while holding them, Turbine becomes agitated and immediately launches an electric attack. This electricity can destroy the mines you've already placed, effectively ruling out this strategy.

  What about Shredder? These enemies move incredibly fast, making them easy to lure into traps. Placing about four Jump Mines in a trap beforehand yields excellent results.

  Since Shredders respawn continuously across the map, you can place new mines in the same trap after destroying one and lure nearby newly spawned enemies in; this saves you from wasting time running all over the map.

  Overall, while most large ARC units are viable targets, Shredders offer the best results.

  Best locations for Shredder spawns

  This enemy type appears primarily on Stella Montis map, which has around 20 spawn points. To maximize your Trial Point farming efficiency, provided you can handle the challenge, enter the map during a Night Raid condition, as enemy spawn rates increase then.

  When luring Shredders, maintain the right distance so they simply follow you without attacking. If they attack, you'll waste time eliminating them prematurely, and the mines won't be as effective.

  

  Other recommended gear

  To ensure you complete the trial missions and extract successfully, you should, in addition to the essential Explosive Mines, bring plenty of healing and shielding items.

  A key healing item to unlock is Adrenaline Shot; it restores your stamina while also boosting your subsequent stamina regeneration rate.

  As for shields, a medium-sized model is a solid choice. It is also highly recommended to equip Augments to enhance its overall performance.

  Another piece of essential gear is Photoelectric Cloak. It renders you undetectable to ARC enemies until your energy runs out, though the trade-off is that you must move slowly while using it.

  Regarding offensive weaponry, simply bring the weapons you are most proficient with; their primary roles are defending against potential PvP threats and finishing off ARC units.

  Options like Bobcat, Renegade, or Tempest work well. Of course, don't forget to upgrade them and equip attachments.

  We hope this guide helps you successfully complete all missions before the weekly trial ends. Gear up and head into battle at Stella Montis now!

• ARC Raiders Update 1.38.0 Review: Matchmaking Finally Gets Fixed, But that's Nowhere Near Enough

  Dear Raiders, the fourth Expedition Departure for ARC Raiders officially began yesterday. To be honest, every time Expedition is about to start in the game, players can't help but express in the community their expectations that the development team might create some surprises.

  And this isn't just hype; it's purely based on their understanding and experience of the game. They just feel that for such an important milestone as Expedition, the development team should at least include something new, right?

  Even if it's not a major update, a new Raider deck, some new ARC Raiders items to pick up, or even a backpack trinket would be great. Many veteran players, though they don't say it out loud, are secretly hoping for even a small update.

  However, perhaps because of previous disappointments, some players are saying, "Don't worry, it'll probably just be adding a couple of new colors to our skins and that's it." Or they're saying there will definitely be another round of Trials, but it'll likely be released with bugs.

  These jokes are quite disheartening. So, did the recent ARC Raiders Store Update 1.38.0 meet everyone's expectations?

  

  Update Content

  The update everyone was waiting for finally went live on July 21st: Store Update 1.38.0. And indeed, as some players predicted, this update added two new colorways to Torpedo set - Camo and Black.

  Frankly, this is just a cosmetic change and doesn't significantly affect how you play matches in ARC Raiders. The truly noteworthy change is the optimization of the matchmaking algorithm.

  The development team candidly stated in their announcement that they received numerous complaints from players regarding the quality of matchmaking, especially during off-peak hours, in certain regions, or under specific map conditions, where the match experience was indeed subpar.

  Therefore, starting July 21st, they will be testing a new matchmaking logic. Simply put, the algorithm might make you wait a little longer, but the goal is to match you with opponents of similar playstyles and team sizes, making matches fairer and more interesting.

  This change is actually quite crucial because ARC Raiders is a mix of PvPvE. The quality of matchmaking directly determines whether you encounter equally matched opponents, get crushed by skilled players, or have a very quiet match when you enter the map.

  The Gap Between Expectations and Reality

  The updated outfit colors and matchmaking algorithm seem fine on their own, but the problem is that Update 1.38.0, comprised of these two elements, completely fails to meet player expectations.

  Many players are complaining that after each Expedition, regardless of win or loss, they have to use the materials lost in Topside to upgrade their benches level by level.

  This is the fourth Expedition, and the situation has remained almost unchanged in ARC Raiders.

  What players truly want is something fresh and innovative that breaks the mold - like a new gun that makes the ubiquitous Bobcat and Vulcano no longer the only viable options.

  Or a new map mechanic that forces players to adjust their tactics from ARC Raiders.

  In short, only these things can make Expedition feel different and fresher than before.

  How can new outfit colors and matchmaking optimizations alone keep players motivated to log in during the long lull from July to October?

  The Main Event in October

  If we put ourselves in their shoes, we might understand that ARC Raiders development team is not unaware of the desire for a new design, but they have most likely focused their manpower on the major update in October of this year.

  The community is naturally placing incredibly high expectations on that October update, with some even jokingly saying it will not only save the game but also solve world peace.

  It's clear that most people are pinning their hopes on that moment, but with several months to go, the regular updates in between won't satisfy the players' desires.

  Many rational veteran players believe that once this Expedition ends, they should put ARC Raiders aside and play something else first.

  Don't mistake this for giving up; it's more like a smarter form of self-management - since there's no new work, I won't waste my time here, lest I burn out my last bit of enthusiasm for the game.

  Future Uncertainties

  Overall, it's not that ARC Raiders development team isn't working, nor that players are too picky. Rather, the current timing is indeed delicate and awkward, and games that focus on PvPvE inherently need a constant influx of fresh content.

  Outfit color updates and matchmaking optimizations are routine game maintenance procedures and have their value, but expecting them to sustain the hype during a months-long hiatus is unrealistic.

  Whether the highly anticipated major update in October will deliver the new map, weapon balance improvements, and system overhaul everyone is hoping for remains to be seen.

  For veteran players who have already spent hundreds of hours in ARC Raiders, they need to see some noteworthy new changes in the game. Only in this way can Expedition not just be a repetition, but truly the beginning of a new journey.

  And only in this way will those who decide to leave ARC Raiders temporarily be willing to download the game again and return to this familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar battlefield when October truly arrives!

• Does ARC Raiders Need a PvE Mode? | Community Demand, Developer Signals, and Future Possibilities

  It must be admitted that ever since the developers announced the next major update for ARC Raiders would not arrive for several months, the online player count has been declining in a way that seems impossible to curb.

  Although roughly ten thousand loyal players still remain in the game each day, the in-game environment has suffered serious damage, which has sparked a recurring topic among the community: does ARC Raiders need a dedicated PvE mode?

  

  Official Signals

  When it comes to a PvE mode, the developers' own moves are far more telling than any speculation on our part. And in the face of shrinking active numbers, there are signs that they are indeed considering a pure PvE offering.

  THE FINALS

  Even though ARC Raiders has not yet received a PvE mode, THE FINALS - a title that leans more heavily into PvP - has actually introduced PvE first.

  AI opponents in THE FINALS are no pushovers; you cannot treat them as mindless bots, because their aim is actually quite impressive.

  But the real question is why the developers would roll out a PvE mode in THE FINALS rather than in ARC Raiders, where the community has been clamouring for it far more loudly.

  This might be a harbinger for ARC Raiders' own PvE future. The PvE mode in THE FINALS could serve as an early test run, given that ARC Raiders features larger maps and much more complex environments. The team can first gauge AI performance and appropriate difficulty levels in THE FINALS, so that when such systems eventually appear in ARC Raiders, they will feel more natural.

  Rebellion Incident

  If we look further back, a PvE-style mode has actually already gone live in China. Notably, this was not developed by the official studio, but rather by a Chinese workshop.

  Rebellion Incident is a highly creative map condition that carries PvE traits. At the start of a match, all players are in a non-hostile state by default, unable to harm each other, unless you actively choose to become a rogue.

  You can voluntarily activate the rogue status. Once activated, your backpack lights up with a red warning beacon, making it clear to everyone around you that you have turned hostile.

  As a rogue, you can attack anyone, but anyone can also attack you. For those who have not turned rogue, it is very easy to figure out who the target should be.

  This mode is currently available only on Chinese servers, and for players who do not understand Chinese, trying to join those servers is quite challenging. Whether this mode will eventually come to European and North American servers - well, it is certainly a possibility.

  Official Stance

  There is, in fact, some pessimistic news: the creative director of ARC Raiders had already made their position very clear. They stated that they would not introduce a PvE mode, because they wanted players to remain under constant pressure during matches, always on guard against threats from both ARC and other players. A pure PvE mode, in their view, would run counter to their design philosophy.

  If that were all you knew, you would certainly think that a PvE mode was off the table. But times have changed. When that statement was made, the player base of ARC Raiders was at its peak; now the numbers have dwindled to only a fraction of that, and keeping the game alive has become the most pressing concern for the development team.

  A major reason for the sharp drop in ARC Raiders' population is simply that the developers cannot produce content fast enough. Neither the maps nor the loot collection can offer players anything fresh anymore, and placing the next significant update several months down the line was hardly a wise decision.

  If the team lacks enough developers to create brand-new content, then consistently introducing new modes is probably the best way to sustain the game's momentum. Designing new map conditions on top of existing environments does not consume too many extra art resources, so this is well within their reach. And the PvE mode that the community has been asking for so loudly is one such solution.

  Why No PvE Mode Yet?

  But a PvE mode is not simply a matter of turning off PvP damage; there are more nuanced issues to consider.

  The first question is whether the inventory for the PvE mode should be separate from that of the main mode. It is hard to ensure that the difficulty levels of PvE and the core mode remain equivalent. If the gap in difficulty is large, players might grind for ARC Raiders items in the easier mode and then take them into the harder mode for combat.

  If the two inventories are not shared, that forces players to engage with both sets of content. And if the rewards differ between the two modes, that could create FOMO and add extra pressure on players.

  Benefits of a PvE Mode

  Although a PvE mode cannot solve every problem that ARC Raiders faces, it could certainly bring back those players who have already quit but originally loved the game.

  Moreover, there are millions of players in the market who enjoy cooperative, open-world looter-shooters and co-op multiplayer experiences - they may never have tried an extraction shooter precisely because they know PvP is not their cup of tea. A PvE mode could change that.

  With endgame content, PvE, and more map conditions , ARC Raiders has every chance to reclaim its former glory and attract hundreds of thousands of players again. All of that hinges on whether the developers can stay committed and truly deliver a transformative change with October update.

• ARC Raiders Expedition 4 Departure Window Bug Being Resolved | No Need to Worry about the Game's Future Just Yet!

  While there haven't been any major updates to ARC Raiders recently, meaning there are no complex new mechanics to master, players still need to stay alert for changes caused by routine updates or bugs.

  For instance, a registration issue recently cropped up, likely due to the impending end of Expedition 4 window and the developers' recent focus on tackling cheaters.

  Here, we'll cover the details of this bug and its fix, and analyze the game's potential trajectory leading up to the major October update.

  

  What is Expedition 4 window departure bug?

  This window began on July 7 and concludes the next Monday, July 21. Players who hit specific damage output targets during this period earn permanent rewards that become available after the next reset.

  However, a bug surfaced a couple of days ago: if a player hit the 100,000 damage target, the system would sometimes automatically register them for a departure without their input.

  While many players might have intended to sign up anyway, others might have had different plans, such as simply testing their maximum damage output without intending to commit to a full expedition.

  Has the bug been fixed?

  To address this, ARC Raiders development team rolled out a fix to cancel these automatic registrations, processing the changes in batches starting at 10:00 AM (UK time) on July 17. Consequently, the issue may already be resolved for some players.

  That said, the fix arrived quite late, and there is a chance some players might have been missed before the weekend. If you want your registration cancelled but haven't seen the change take effect, it is best to contact the development team directly to resolve the issue.

  Even if you weren't affected by the bug because you haven't hit the target yet, don't let your guard down; if you do plan to join a Departure, time is running out to rack up that required damage!

  To deal enough damage within the allotted time, you need to choose the right enemy types and combat zones, as well as the appropriate weaponry.

  If your preferred strategy involves using ARC Assessors to lure in swarms of smaller enemies for a concentrated takedown, then a good supply of grenades paired with high-fire-rate ARC Raiders items, such as the Bobcat, makes for an ideal setup.

  Once enemies have gathered, start by throwing a grenade or detonating a pre-planted mine to deal widespread damage; then, while ensuring your own safety, use Bobcat's high rate of fire to take out any stragglers.

  However, keep in mind that high-fire-rate SMGs like Bobcat often suffer from inherently poor accuracy, so it is best to equip reliable attachments to boost its overall effectiveness.

  PvE mode is unlikely to be added in the short term

  Although ARC Raiders is a PvPvE game, its unique world-building has led players to call for a standalone PvE mode ever since its launch.

  In the Chinese closed beta version released in June, ARC Raiders introduced Rebellion Incident as a special new game mode. While not strictly a pure PvE mode, it offers significant autonomy, meaning you can decide for yourself whether to engage in PvP chaos.

  Consequently, many Western players are eager for the development team to bring this feature to the global servers, or introduce something similar, to fill the gap before the next major update.

  Unfortunately, this hope is likely to go unfulfilled, at least in the short term, because The Finals, another first-person shooter from the same development team, has recently added a PvE mode.

  While the gameplay differs, the core mechanics are very similar; launching PvE modes for both games in quick succession would inevitably split the player base and hurt the performance of The Finals.

  Speaking of Rebellion Incident, the mode has also drawn some global server players to try out the Chinese version. Since the Chinese version is still in beta, the mode has its rough edges, but it serves as a fun diversion while waiting for the official update on global servers.

  Don't panic over the drop in player numbers

  The lack of updates has caused a sharp decline in ARC Raiders' concurrent player count. Even if you think you can tide yourself over until October by just doing daily tasks, you might worry the game will die out before then.

  However, even without changes to the update schedule, it is perfectly normal for a major live-service game to experience high player attrition after its post-launch peak.

  Rather than a sign of decline, this trend reflects a natural, inevitable pattern. Take Helldivers 2, a game in a similar situation to ARC Raiders, as an example: although its current player count has dropped significantly from its peak, the numbers still surge whenever a new update is released.

  Therefore, the key issue isn't the decline in concurrent players, but rather whether the remaining core player base is cohesive enough to quickly return once ARC Raiders launches new updates.

  The Finals, which comes from the same development team, saw its peak concurrent player count hit over 200,000, only to lose nearly 79% of its players within three months, a much more drastic trend than what ARC Raiders has experienced.

  However, following the recent launch of a new season and an ARC Raiders crossover, The Finals saw a substantial rebound in player numbers.

  So, provided the subsequent content is of high quality, ARC Raiders can still achieve a genuine resurgence, at least, that is the current expectation.

  We hope the information shared here proves useful for your future ARC Raiders experience. Thank you for reading.