ARC Raiders Officially Reveals New Map Condition, and It's a Hurricane

ARC Raiders‘ anticipated new map condition is set to introduce a massive hurricane that significantly impacts gameplay across several key areas, including player movement. Fans have been waiting for Embark Studios to share more details about this addition, especially after the recent teaser trailer heightened anticipation. While many expected it to involve rain and storms, few accurately predicted just how dramatically the event would alter ARC Raiders‘ gameplay.

According to ARC Raiders‘ newly revealed lore, the year is 2181, and an unexpected hurricane is approaching the Rust Belt. Shani plans to lock down all of Speranza to help citizens survive the storm. That said, the lockdown will not stop the Raiders from heading topside in search of valuable loot. If anything, Embark Studios says the new condition will encourage even more of them to venture out.

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ARC Raiders’ Hurricane Map Condition Explained

Map-wide storm
New wind gimmick
New debris gimmick
Visibility changes
Valuable Raider Caches from the First Wave

Revealed in a short teaser trailer, ARC Raiders‘ latest map condition, part of the upcoming Shrouded Sky update, introduces a deadly hurricane. Earlier, Embark Studios teased the feature with a clip showing a constantly rotating wind vane. It has now been confirmed that this map modifier will pit players against one of the harshest environmental threats yet: a storm that can expose their position, alter movement patterns, and reduce visibility.

According to Embark Studios’ blog post, the Hurricane map modifier will arrive on February 24 with the release of the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update. The most significant change is a new wind gimmick that affects both player movement and projectiles. “The wind will change how you navigate topside,” the post explains, with players moving faster when it’s at their back and slowing down significantly when it’s coming from the opposite direction. The wind also influences projectiles, potentially extending their range or altering their trajectory. The same effect applies to smoke, gas, and even jumping, with distance and direction all impacted by the storm.

The second major gimmick in ARC Raiders‘ February update is debris. Embark Studios explains, “The gale forces of the Hurricane will inevitably kick up dirt and debris from the surface.” However, players’ shields are not equipped to handle this, causing them to “glitch and sparkle” whenever struck by rubble. This creates a new visual cue for spotting enemies and adds a strategic layer to topside raids, as players may choose to risk removing their shield in the hurricane to avoid detection.

Another key change with the Hurricane modifier is limited visibility. While not entirely unexpected, this gimmick interacts cleverly with the shield glitches. PvP-focused players can use the reduced sightlines to their advantage, targeting shielded opponents who are now easier to spot. “When shieldless, other Raiders will find it harder to spot you amidst the chaos of the storm,” notes Embark Studios.

The Hurricane Map Condition Seems Worth the Risk

Although details remain scarce, Embark Studios has teased “valuable loot” tied to the Hurricane condition. “Rumors are circulating of valuable Raider Caches, relics of the First Wave,” the Swedish studio says. These special items are said to be unearthed by the storm and likely include rare collectibles and resources. Raider Caches will probably appear in limited quantities on each map, forcing players to act quickly and potentially compete for them.

Embark Studios has long emphasized climate, environment, and physics in its extraction shooter, and the Hurricane map modifier continues that design philosophy, following other ARC Raiders conditions like Cold Snap. The studio seems determined to push the impact of the environment on gameplay further, making the Hurricane event feel more in-depth. Fans will have to wait until February 24, when the update goes live, to see whether the player base embraces the change or sticks to regular raids. For now, however, the overall reaction to the reveals appears positive, with thousands eager to try it out.