'This Wasn't Fun At All' New ARC Raiders Trials Adds Bizarre Challenge

ARC Raiders players have been left baffled after a new set of weekly trials adds one of the most bizarre challenges to date, with fans stating that completing it “wasn’t fun at all.” New trial challenges are added to ARC Raiders every single Monday, but one of the latest additions requires players to get hit by lightning, leaving many confused as to why Embark would actively encourage players to damage themselves while in a raid.

Ever since the monumental launch of ARC Raiders late last year, Embark Studios has offered players a new set of trial challenges to complete every single week. The feature rotates on the first day of the week, bringing players a fresh set of challenges to complete in return for some in-game rewards. Unlocked at level 15, ARC Raiders‘ Trials system features five objectives that award points based on the players’ performance in-game. Only a player’s best score for each challenge will count, as opposed to a cumulative scoring system. A player’s score then determines their place on a leaderboard within their current division. While achieving 1 to 3 stars per challenge will reward players with blueprints, weapons, and more, climbing the rankings each season will offer additional prizes such as cosmetic items.

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New ARC Raiders Trial Requires Player to Get Hit by Lightning

On Monday, March 16, Embark released another new set of trial challenges, this time adding one of its most confusing to date. ARC Raiders‘ Trials have often drawn criticism from players for being too repetitive, as Embark often rotates between the same handful of challenges or some form of slight variation. From damaging Rocketeers and Leapers to searching First Wave Husks, each week usually has very little to get excited about. However, it’s fair to say that Embark has attempted to mix things up this week, as one of the latest trial objectives requires players to get hit by lightning, and nobody really understands why.

In a post on Reddit, which has garnered nearly 2,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, players say the challenge isn’t “fun.” A separate user said that the objective “sums up Trials in general,” seemingly referencing previous backlash towards the feature. One player even said they haven’t played ARC Raiders since the first Expedition and “thought this post was a meme,” likely due to the sheer absurdity of the challenge. Some also highlighted a continued complaint from players, saying, “So with a group of 3, I can again make triple points? It’s really time that they remove the advantage for trios in the trials. ASAP.”

As of writing, Embark has made no indication that it plans to overhaul the game’s Trials system, but the studio has said it has plans to redo various other parts of the game. A major update for Scrappy is on the way as part of a new Flashpoint update this month, and Embark has previously confirmed that it intends to revamp ARC Raiders‘ skill tree. Fans have often complained that the shooter’s skill tree feels unbalanced and underwhelming. It’s currently not possible to max out the skill tree, as additional points are awarded per Expedition departure. However, a developer at Embark has said the studio “doesn’t want players to be able to max out the entire skill tree.”

It’s unclear when this apparent revamp will arrive, but fans can expect a major new content update to hit ARC Raiders in the coming weeks. Flashpoint will be the third of four significant patches laid out as part of the game’s 2026 roadmap, with Embark set to add a new ARC threat, a new map condition, a new player project, and much more to the game. A firm release date for the update has yet to be revealed, but it is due to come out at some point this month.