ARC Raiders Releases February 2026 Hotfix to Address Infamous IL Toro Exploit

Nearly two days after the Shrouded Sky update for ARC Raiders, developer Embark Studios released a hotfix to address several technical issues and put an end to the IL Toro rolling exploit. The Shrouded Sky update has already nerfed several weapons, including Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator. However, many ARC Raiders players have been urging the developer to nerf IL Toro as well because it is widely seen as overpowered in PvP.

In recent weeks, ARC Raiders‘ PvP has faced frequent criticism for lacking balance and being riddled with exploits. The game’s director acknowledged some of these concerns in a recent interview with PC Gamer, stating that “There [are] still things we need to work out” when it comes to fairness. While the current hotfix may not significantly shift gameplay stability, it does address an infamous issue that has been affecting player-versus-player encounters for quite some time.

ARC Raiders Addresses Recent Nerf Backlash, Confirms IL Toro Adjustments in the Works

ARC Raiders responds to backlash following recent nerfs included in the Shrouded Sky update and confirms adjustments to the IL Toro are in the works.

ARC Raiders Fixes the IL Toro ‘Shinya’ Roll Tech

According to the patch notes, the February 26 update for ARC Raiders fixes “certain instances where crouch was skipping the recovery time after a dodge roll,” a technique known within the community as the “Shinya” roll. Shinya is a content creator and streamer credited with discovering the exploit, which is how it got its name. By using this tech, players could cancel the rolling animation’s impact on shooting the IL Toro, effectively increasing the weapon’s firing rate.

For those unfamiliar, ARC Raiders‘ weapons use different “input buffers,” encouraging players to time their shots to maximize damage output. What made the Shinya roll exploit so infamous was that it effectively nullified this mechanic, allowing players to bypass the input buffer and eliminate opponents faster than intended. Considering the IL Toro is already one of the strongest close-range weapons in ARC Raiders, the Shinya tech pushed it into near-invincible territory.

While mastering the IL Toro roll technique was challenging for many players, it had evolved into something of a meta move in ARC Raiders‘ PvP. Naturally, Embark Studios finally addressing it has stirred plenty of discussion within the community, with most players seemingly breathing a sigh of relief. That said, a smaller group of PvP fans appears to be unhappy with the change, arguing that Embark Studios is catering to its “Care Bear” audience and gradually making the game less appealing for those who favor a more aggressive playstyle.

The Hotfix Also Removed the Bandolier

Beyond fixing the IL Toro exploit, the February 26 hotfix also removed an early sneak peek at the upcoming Patchwork customizations. “Some Patchwork customization items [displayed] before they should,” the developer said, adding that the leaked items will soon be revoked.

Unfortunately for some fans, the leaked bandolier cosmetic, which many had already praised as a welcome addition, will not be included in ARC Raiders‘ second Expedition. Players will need to wait for the next departure window to obtain it. “The image of the Patchwork outfit for the second Expedition has an incorrect bandolier toggle, which will be introduced later as the third Expedition reward,” the patch notes state.

ARC Raiders February 26 Hotfix Changelog

Client and server crashes are fixed
Server performance is improved
Dodge-roll animation exploit affecting IL Toro is patched
Patchwork customization items displaying before the designated window are fixed
The bandolier is removed, and its release is postponed until the third Expedition

Balance the critic averages

Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)

What’s Next for ARC Raiders

The next major event in ARC Raiders is the second Departure, scheduled for March 1. Following that, the game will receive its third major content update for 2026, Flashpoint, which will introduce a new ARC threat, a new map condition, and fresh projects. Regarding weapon balance, Embark Studios appears to be considering further nerfs for IL Toro, having previously stated that “balancing weapons is an ongoing priority for the team.”