Is ARC Raiders a purely PvE game now?

No, ARC Raiders remains a PvPvE extraction shooter, but recent patches and events, such as the 1.15.0 'Shared Watch' event and the 'Shrouded Sky' update, have significantly increased its PvE focus. PvP is still possible, but the game's reward systems and matchmaking now strongly encourage and facilitate PvE-centric gameplay.

How does 'aggression-based matchmaking' work in ARC Raiders?

ARC Raiders uses a hidden behavioral matchmaking system that observes how players interact in-game. If you consistently play passively, focus on ARC enemies, revive teammates, share loot, and use friendly communication, the system will attempt to match you with other PvE-focused players. Conversely, aggressive PvP behavior will place you in lobbies with other aggressive players.

What are the best weapons for PvE in ARC Raiders?

The Hullcracker grenade launcher is widely considered the best PvE weapon due to its high damage against all ARC types, including bosses. Other strong PvE options include the Jupiter, Equalizer, Anvil, and the recently buffed Aphelion marksman rifle. Shotguns, Stitcher, and Bobcat are generally less effective against ARC enemies.

Introduction to PvE in ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders, released on October 30, 2025, is a multiplayer third-person extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios. While initially conceived as a co-op PvE game before pivoting to a PvPvE model, the game has recently seen a significant shift towards Player vs. Environment (PvE) content due to strong community interest. Developers have acknowledged the strong desire for PvE experiences, leading to dedicated events and system changes that encourage cooperative play against the robotic ARC units.

Key PvE-Focused Patches and Events

The 1.15.0 "Shared Watch" Event

Launched on February 10, 2026, the 1.15.0 patch introduced the "Shared Watch" event, a significant step towards a PvE-centric experience. This event, which ran until February 24, 2026, focused entirely on teamwork against ARC units. During Shared Watch, players earned "merits" exclusively by destroying, assisting, or damaging ARC enemies on the map. Crucially, no merits were awarded for PvP encounters, effectively removing the incentive for player-on-player combat for event rewards.

In addition to the PvE focus, the 1.15.0 patch also brought back the "Cold Snap" map condition, which introduces frostbite and allows for the collection of Candleberries and the use of snowballs, adding an environmental challenge to gameplay. The event also offered various rewards, including blueprints, cosmetics, and Raider Tokens.

The "Shrouded Sky" (1.17.0) Patch

The "Shrouded Sky" update, version 1.17.0, was released on February 25, 2026, further emphasizing ARC Raiders' lean into PvE. A notable change in this patch was the removal of PvP feats from the game, meaning players are no longer tasked with specific PvP challenges for rewards. This change aims to benefit PvE players by removing the feeling of being forced into PvP encounters for progression.

"Shrouded Sky" also introduced new content and gameplay adjustments:

New ARC Types: Scouts reported two new ARC types, Firefly and Comet, in the Rust Belt, requiring players to adapt their strategies.

Hurricane Weather System: Intense storm conditions were added, reducing visibility, continuously damaging shields, and slowing movement across the map, impacting combat and traversal.

Weapon Balance Changes: Some PvP-oriented weapons like the Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator received base damage reductions and headshot multiplier nerfs. Conversely, the Jupiter and Aphelion received buffs, making them more useful across the board, particularly for PvE.

Crafting Nerfs: Several useful PvE items, including the Deadline, Trailblazer, Wolfpack, and Showstopper, became more difficult to craft, often requiring additional resources. For instance, the Wolfpack now requires a rare Rocketeer Driver per craft.

Bug Fixes and Quality of Life: The patch included fixes for glitches, such as the Trailblazer dealing damage through walls, and improvements for players reconnecting after disconnections. Troublesome feats can now be rerolled three times per day.

Influencing PvE Lobbies: Aggression-Based Matchmaking

ARC Raiders employs an "aggression-based matchmaking" system that attempts to pair players with others who share similar playstyles. This system tracks player behavior, such as whether they initiate PvP encounters, revive teammates, share loot, or focus on ARC enemies and objectives.

To increase your chances of landing in PvE-friendly lobbies, players are advised to:

Play Passively: Avoid shooting other players on sight.

Cooperate: Revive downed randoms and share loot.

Focus on ARC: Prioritize fighting ARC enemies and completing objectives.

Communicate: Use emotes or proximity chat to signal friendly intentions.

Use Free Kits: Sometimes entering with basic, free loadouts can make you appear less threatening.

Consistently exhibiting these behaviors can lead to a more cooperative environment where players are less trigger-happy and more likely to team up against the ARC. Conversely, aggressive PvP behavior will funnel players into lobbies with other aggressive players.

Optimizing for PvE Combat

Best PvE Weapons

Effective weapon selection is crucial when facing the diverse ARC enemy types. Some weapons excel against machines, while others are better suited for PvP.

Hullcracker: Considered the top PvE weapon, this grenade launcher delivers high pure DPS and is effective against all ARC sizes, including bosses like the Queen and Matriarch. Its grenades explode only when hitting ARCs, making it specialized for PvE farming.

Jupiter: Buffed in the Shrouded Sky patch, it's a strong choice for PvE.

Equalizer: A reliable option for taking down ARC units.

Anvil: Effective for engaging low to mid-tier ARC in normal raids.

Aphelion: A new marksman rifle that received a buff, making it a viable PvE weapon.

Tempest: A good assault rifle for low to mid-tier ARC, offering a controllable fire rate and solid damage, but may struggle at range or against heavily armored bots.

Weapons generally not recommended for PvE include shotguns (weak against ARCs despite high close-range damage), Stitcher, and Bobcat, as they are often more suited for PvP or inefficient against machines.

Crafting Considerations

The "Shrouded Sky" patch introduced nerfs to crafting requirements for several important items. Players will need to gather more resources for:

Deadline

Trailblazer

Wolfpack: Now requires one Rocketeer Driver per craft, a notoriously rare and difficult-to-farm resource.

Showstopper

Players should prioritize farming the necessary ARC resources, especially Rocketeer Drivers, to ensure they can craft these valuable tools for PvE encounters.

General Combat Strategies

Prioritize Objectives: Focus on mission objectives rather than engaging in unnecessary robot combat, as ARC enemies can act as environmental hazards that deplete ammo and health.

Stealth and Evasion: Utilize stealth and evasion to conserve resources and avoid attracting additional threats, especially if a mission doesn't explicitly require ARC kills.

Teamwork: In PvE-friendly lobbies or events like Shared Watch, cooperation is key. Team up with others to efficiently take down ARC units and bosses.

Progression and Early Game Tips for PvE Players

New players can benefit from strategic choices to aid their PvE progression:

Utilize Free Loadouts: For the first 10-20 hours, "abuse free loadouts" to learn map layouts, practice combat, and stockpile materials without financial risk. These loadouts provide random weapons and basic equipment with no cooldowns.

Quick Extraction Loops: With free loadouts, experienced players recommend quick 5-10 minute loops: spawn, loot aggressively, and extract immediately.

Squad Skill Priorities: For team play, prioritize skills like "Broad Shoulders" (increases carrying capacity for loot), "Revitalizing Squat" (regenerates stamina while crouching for defensive positions), and "Proficient Pryer" (speeds up door breaching).

Solo Play Builds: Solo raiders might benefit from the "Stubborn Mule" build, which allows stamina regeneration even when over-encumbered.

Upcoming PvE Content: The Escalation Roadmap

Embark Studios has an "Escalation" roadmap for ARC Raiders in 2026, promising more PvE content. This includes plans for new map conditions, additional ARC threats, a new map, and a new large ARC by the end of April.

Specific upcoming content includes:

"Flashpoint" Update (Late March 2026): Expected to bring more threats and Scrappy changes.

"Riven Tides" Update (April 2026): Set to add a new map and a new large ARC.

New Map Conditions and Enemy Variants: The developers are looking into adding new variants of existing enemies with different attack patterns and weapons to spice up PvE gameplay. The "Toxic Swamp" condition was also added to the Dam Battlegrounds map on January 19, 2026.

Embark Studios aims to continue developing the PvE aspects of ARC Raiders while also ensuring the PvP experience remains balanced and fair.

ARC Raiders PvE Guide: Navigating the Evolving Landscape After Recent Patches

Quick Summary