New ARC Raiders Update Nerfs Popular Weapon

A new ARC Raiders update has begun rolling out on March 17, bringing the popular extraction shooter to version 1.20.0 across all supported platforms, which include PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. ARC Raiders players can download and install the newest update right now, which not only includes a handful of bug fixes and changes, but also makes a serious balance adjustment to the IL Toro shotgun, a weapon that has been dominating PvP encounters for many weeks now.

With the month of March coming to a close, fans are eagerly anticipating the next major content update for ARC Raiders. Earlier this year, developer Embark Studios revealed a 2026 roadmap for its newest shooter, confirming four big patches between January and April. The first two, Headwinds and Shrouded Sky, brought about new map conditions, new ARC enemies, new cosmetic items, and even a controversial new matchmaking option. While the biggest update of the bunch will arrive in April, with a brand new map and a new large ARC enemy, similar to the Queen and Matriarch, the highly anticipated Flashpoint update should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.

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ARC Raiders Nerfs IL Toro Shotgun In New 1.20.0 Update

ARC Raiders‘ big Flashpoint update is still likely another week or two away, but Embark is tiding fans over with a new patch on March 17. The 1.20.0 update arrived earlier today and can be downloaded right now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. According to the official patch notes, which can be found further down this article, Embark has made numerous fixes, including one to audio problems with ARC Raiders‘ newest ARC enemy, the Comet. The studio has also adjusted the sell price of Energy Clips from 1,000 Coins to 200 Coins, as players were abusing the sell price to become very profitable.

Undoubtedly, the biggest part of today’s update, however, is the adjustments to the IL Toro shotgun, a powerful ARC Raiders weapon that has been dominating PvP encounters for many weeks now. Embark says it has tuned the weapon to address its DPS and effectiveness at range, especially when combined with a choke. The changes included a reduction in its pellet damage from 7.5 to 7, its base fire-rate has been reduced from 43 to 38, base dispersion increased from 4.5 to 6, and total reload time increased from 4.3 seconds to 5.7 seconds.

Balance the critic averages

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

Fans also have some new cosmetic items to check out, including the Rawhide Outfit and two new haircut options, both of which are available to purchase via the in-game store. The new Rawhide skin can be purchased for 1,100 Raider Tokens and does not come with any additional cosmetic items, such as a new backpack or emote.

ARC Raiders‘ skins have often been a divisive topic since the shooter’s launch late last year. While Embark has said it will not be going down the same route as Fortnite or Call of Duty with “goofy” skins, many fans have been blasting the overall designs of in-game outfits. Prior to today’s update, the most recent addition was last week’s Devotee outfit, which some players said was “weird” and questioned who exactly at Embark was green-lighting such skins.

It’s still unclear exactly when the next major content update for ARC Raiders will be released, but Embark has confirmed it will arrive sometime in March. Given that the studio aims to release new patches every Tuesday, Flashpoint may release on either March 24 or 31. The official roadmap states that it will add a new ARC threat, another new map condition, a new player project, and more. Further details will likely arrive shortly before its release.

ARC Raiders Update 1.20.0 Patch Notes for March 17

Update 1.20.0 is rolling out on all platforms, please restart your game to download.

Rawhide Outfit.
Two new haircuts.
Il Toro Balancing:
- Dev Note: This is an adjustment many of you requested. We have tuned the Il Toro to address its DPS and effectiveness at range, especially when combined with a choke. We’re also making some changes so it performs more like a weapon of its rarity (less versatile at lower upgrade levels and more dependent on upgrades and mods). Most notably, fire-rate and reload time have been reduced, which will make it more important to fully utilize positioning, cover, and timing to defeat your opponents. We will of course continue to keep a close eye on this to see how it plays out in practice, and make additional adjustments when needed. Thank you for your feedback and patience!
- Pellet Damage reduced from 7.5 to 7
- Base Fire-Rate reduced from 43 to 38
- Base Dispersion increased from 4.5 to 6
- Total Reload Time increased from 4.3s to 5.7s
- - Looping Reload Entry increased from 0.8s to 1s
  - Looping Reload Time increased from 0.5s to 0.7s
- Damage loss from Falloff increased from 40% to 50%
Fixed an issue that would cause persistent audio from destroyed Comets and Fireballs.
Fixed an issue where players could get pushed through the wall and stuck on the Dam Controlled Access Zone.
Fixed missing collision issues near the east elevator and under pipes on Spaceport.
Reduced Energy Clips sell price from 1000 to 200 coins.
- Dev note: Energy Clips have unintentionally become a very profitable craft, so we are reducing the sell price to make the value profitability in line with other crafts.