ARC Raiders releases a new live update, adding a new Phantom Targets project and event, while making a major change to how map conditions spawn. Although fans continue to wait for the upcoming Frozen Trail content update, Embark continues to release smaller, live-service style updates for ARC Raiders, smaller hits of content and bug fixes to further improve the experience.
After a massive launch back in October 2025, things have slowed down as of late for ARC Raiders. Despite the popularity of monthly updates, Embark made the decision to put an end to major monthly releases for ARC Raiders. The studio admitted that the release cycle was unsustainable due to immense pressure to nail each release. Instead, the studio was moving to 2 major and impactful content releases per year, with a dedicated live team continuing to not only fix issues with the game, but add smaller content releases like new events, cosmetics, and more.
For many, the biggest piece of this live update is with map conditions in ARC Raiders. Previously, map conditions were set to rotate on a singular, global schedule. What this meant is that players could miss out on certain conditions, including ARC Raiders’ recent Hurricane storm condition, if they didn’t log in at specific times. To improve the player experience, Embark is switching to a regional map condition schedule, shifting peak hours to match regional playtimes instead of just one specific time used for everyone. The switch will hopefully make it easier for players to take part in certain map conditions that were previously kicking off at odd times.
This update also kicks off the second part of the Phantom Targets event in ARC Raiders, essentially continuing Shani’s investigation into mysterious signals that have been found throughout the world. It seems that Wasps exhibiting erratic behavior have begun appearing and are swarming towards a singular location. Players will need to help Shani’s investigation to figure out what’s waiting at this location. The new event also features the Anomalia Outfit as a possible reward.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
The post also features a section on fair play, following up on changes made to anti-cheat systems in ARC Raiders over the past few months. For this latest update, Embark is clarifying its stance on third party software, indicating that it’ll be investigating any reports of unfair advantages in-game or on the account level. They also warn against downloading unverified or unofficial software as it can potentially lead to personal information exposure as well. In terms of anti-cheat improvements, further tweaks are being made to Anybrain and Denuvo Anti-Cheat systems, leading to action being taken against a large number of accounts flagged to be utilizing cheating software.
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Image via Embark -
Image via Embark Studios -
As for what’s next, Embark gave fans a sneak preview of the big Frozen Trail content update for ARC Raiders that’s scheduled to arrive on October 8. While the studio is continuing to keep much of the update under wraps for now, Embark did reconfirm that the winter-themed map will be the biggest the game has ever seen to this point. In addition, it’ll introduce a new high-level challenge activity, new ARCs to fight, a skill tree overhaul, as well as a new progression system and an expanded Raiders Den called the Outpost.
ARC Raiders Live Update 1.42.0 Patch Notes
Audio
- Refined footstep and movement sounds indoors: removed scuff sounds, improved audibility at distance, and updated occlusion and concrete surface cues.
- Improved footstep audio when moving through foliage for clearer, more natural sound.
- Added unique footstep sounds when moving over plastic cloth and tarp surfaces.
- Added different audio for all Tier 3 magazine upgrades firing sounds.
Gameplay
- The Snitch can now call in a Rocketeer. Additionally, it can also call in a Firefly and Hornet duo. Snitch Scanners should not be affected by this change.
- Fixed stomp attacks from the Queen and Matriarch sometimes hitting through walls or from much farther away than intended.
- The Photoelectric Cloak now works against Turbine lightning attacks and Matriarch missiles.
- Added spawn protection to the Surge Coil Trap to avoid affecting players as they spawn in.
- Added the ability to rebind Quick Wheel slots.
- The Dolabra, Hullcracker and Rascal now deal damage correctly in the Practice Range.
- Snitches and Snitch Scanners can now spawn Fireflies.
Map
- Fixed an issue where a zip line in Buried City couldn’t be interacted with by repositioning it to ensure it can be used.
Performance
- Improved UI texture streaming cache for better memory efficiency and reliability.
Stability
- Fixed several crashes and made various improvements to stability.
UI
- Fixed project tiles incorrectly showing “Part X completed” on projects without parts.
- Corrected spelling errors and updated localized text across multiple languages.
- Polished matchmaking error messages for clarity.
- Completed project quests now correctly bring you to the associated project page when pressing the “Claim” shortcut button in the logbook.
- Added a Region label on the Map selection screen, which displays your current Matchmaking region.
KNOWN ISSUES
- We’re continuing to investigate reports of crashes on XBOX Series S. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your reports. As soon as we know more, we’ll let you know.
- We’re aware of issues with crashing on PC, related to Windows Update KB5121003. Please consult our workaround shared here while we work on a fix.
- Players on Epic may experience a sudden loss of keyboard input.
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- While we look into this, we recommend disabling any Overlay you may have active. Additionally, you can try alt-tabbing out and back into the game.
- The Projects tab has a sticky notification dot.
- The throw animation may sometimes fail to play when attempting to detonate a Trigger ‘Nade immediately after throwing it.
- The weapon swap animation may appear broken if weapon swapping right after vaulting.
- Player animations may appear broken when interrupting a search of the Baron Husk.
- Shredders float to the ceiling in some rooms of the Hidden Bunker.
- Leapers can jump through the ARC Turbine.
- When bringing items that give Merits with you into a Raid, the items will wrongfully display a Merits icon.
- Shots taken while riding ARC may not register correctly.
- Some doors may allow player flashlights’ beams to pass through instead of blocking the emitted light.
- We are aware of some clipping issues with the Triumph, Reaver and Azimuth outfits.
- Old Ermal offers may appear to be available in the ‘Acquire and Craft’ menu (visual only).
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
