ARC Raiders Update Expands PvP and Progression With New Content Update

We got an update for ARC Raiders not that long ago, but now update 1.13.0 for ARC Raiders is now live as of January 27, 2026, introducing new PvP matchmaking options, a fresh progression system, and a broad set of fixes and polish improvements.

Solo vs squads matchmaking targets veteran players

The most notable addition is a Solo vs Squads matchmaking option for players level 40 and above. Those who opt in can challenge full squads alone and receive a 20% bonus XP, whether they extract successfully or get eliminated. The feature aims to reward high-risk playstyles while giving experienced Raiders a new way to test their skills.

Trophy display introduces long-term goals

Update 1.13.0 also adds a new long-term progression feature called the Trophy Display. Players can collect rare ARC parts from increasingly difficult enemy groups, with each milestone unlocking blueprints, Raider Tokens, emotes, a guitar cosmetic, and a substantial coin reward. The system gives long-term players clearer goals beyond individual raid success.

Buried City gets new environmental mechanics

The Buried City map now includes a new environmental condition centered around flocks of birds gathering near chimneys. These birds store shiny trinkets and enable new traversal mechanics through bird traps and added ziplines. The changes encourage more rooftop movement and expand vertical combat opportunities throughout the map.

New augments, quests, and social improvements

Two new Epic Augments and seven new quests arrive with this patch, offering more strategic variety and structured objectives during raids. Social features also see upgrades, including open party settings that let friends join more easily, improved squad invites, and better integration for players waiting in matchmaking queues.

Bug fixes improve combat, audio, and maps

The update fixes several achievement tracking issues so progress now registers correctly. ARC unit behavior has also improved, with enemies handling obstacles more reliably and behaving more consistently in combat.

Audio fixes restore missing emote voice lines and resolve multiple voice chat dropout and connection issues. Map-level fixes address collision bugs, stuck locations, and extraction exploits across Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Stella Montis, alongside improved loot placement and ARC spawn behavior.

A wide range of general bug fixes and polish changes are included, such as crash fixes, smoother movement, UI improvements like better mouse smoothing and expanded gamepad rebinding, and other quality-of-life enhancements.

Developers also list several known issues, including a missing pop-up explaining Solo vs Squads availability and some cosmetics not appearing until after purchase. These are expected to be resolved in future patches.

Separately, ARC Raiders was recently cracked, with blueprints reportedly being sold outside the game. This development has raised concerns about in-game balance, and players are now waiting to see how the developers respond.