Arc Raiders Update – Latest Patch Notes & Upcoming Changes
Latest Arc Raiders Update
The most recent Arc Raiders update is Patch 1.2.0 — Operation Thunderstrike, which added the Frozen Reach zone, two new weapons, a skill rebalance, and numerous quality-of-life improvements. Read the complete patch notes history for all previous updates.
What’s New in Patch 1.2.0
New Zone: Frozen Reach
A frozen mountain region featuring the Observatory point of interest — the only location where certain Legendary blueprints can be found. The zone introduces new ARC enemy types adapted to the cold environment, including the Frost Sentinel and Ice Drones.
New Weapons
- Longbow — A bolt-action sniper rifle capable of one-shot headshots. Currently S-tier on our weapon tier list.
- Phantom — A suppressed assault rifle with built-in stealth capabilities. Does not reveal your position on enemy radar when firing. A-tier and essential for stealth builds.
Weapon Balance Changes
| Weapon | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Scorpion | Fire rate +5%, magazine 40→35 | Higher DPS but needs more reloads |
| Anvil | Recoil reduced | Even more dominant at range |
| Breaker | Spread -10% | More consistent one-shots |
| Rusthog | Damage -3% | Slight nerf, still viable |
Skill Rebalance
- Headhunter nerfed: 8% → 6% bonus per level
- Scavenger buffed: 10% → 15% loot bonus per level
- Tech Mastery now unlocks exclusive crafting recipes
Re-plan your build with our skill tree planner.
Previous Major Updates
Patch 1.1.0 — The Iron Valley Update
Added Iron Valley zone, the Torrent LMG, the blueprint crafting system, and daily/weekly challenges. This update also introduced Titanium and Carbon Fiber as new high-tier crafting materials.
Patch 1.1.2 — Hotfix
Emergency fix for an inventory duplication exploit and server stability improvements for Dam Battlegrounds.
View all patch notes on the patch notes archive.
Upcoming Arc Raiders Updates
Based on official Embark Studios communications and the Season 2 roadmap:
Season 2 (Q2 2026)
- New Zone: “Ashlands” — A volcanic region with unique environmental hazards
- Vehicle System — Driveable vehicles for faster zone traversal
- Clan/Guild System — Create or join clans, clan leaderboards, and clan-exclusive missions
- Competitive Ranked Mode — Skill-based matchmaking with seasonal rankings and exclusive rewards
Confirmed Quality of Life Updates
- Improved inventory management and sorting
- Expanded loadout presets (currently limited to 3)
- Ping system improvements for better squad communication
- Additional controller customization options
Arc Raiders Update Schedule
Embark Studios follows a regular update cadence:
- Major updates: Every 6-8 weeks (new zones, weapons, features)
- Balance patches: Every 2-3 weeks (weapon tuning, bug fixes)
- Hotfixes: As needed for critical issues
- Scheduled maintenance: Tuesdays, 6:00-10:00 AM UTC
Check our server status page for real-time maintenance and downtime updates. Follow our news page for all Arc Raiders announcements.
How to Update Arc Raiders
PC (Steam)
Steam updates Arc Raiders automatically. If an update is available, restart Steam or right-click the game → Properties → Updates → ensure “Always keep this game updated” is selected.
PS5
Enable auto-updates: Settings → Saved Data and Game/App Settings → Automatic Updates → turn on. Or manually check: highlight the game → Options → Check for Update.
Xbox
Enable auto-updates: Settings → System → Updates → Keep my games & apps up to date. Or check manually in My Games & Apps → Manage → Updates.