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Embark Studios has released ARC Raiders update 1.29.0, introducing a new trader system, a fresh anti-ARC weapon, extensive balance changes, and a large collection of gameplay fixes. The patch also expands social features, improves AI behavior, and introduces additional anti-cheat measures for the extraction shooter.
One of the biggest additions is the arrival of the Nomadic Envoy trader Ermal, who offers rotating rewards and progression-related trades for high-level players. Players can also try out the new Rascal grenade launcher, while several gameplay systems, augments, ARC enemy behaviors, and weapon modifications have been adjusted.
New Features
New Trader: Nomadic Envoy
- Added the Nomadic Envoy trader Ermal to Speranza
- Available for Raiders who have reached Level 25
- Players can exchange ARC materials and rare weapons for rewards including:
- Expanded Stash space
- Expedition Vault access
- Cosmetics
- Blueprints
- Raider Tokens
- Gameplay and progression items
- Expedition Vault allows storage of up to five items during Expeditions
- Trader inventory rotates weekly
- Initial Stash expansion and Vault capacity are limited for balance monitoring
New Weapon: Rascal Grenade Launcher
- Added the Rascal grenade launcher
- Designed as a lightweight anti-ARC sidearm
- Features slower reload speeds and less predictable aiming
- Intended as an alternative to heavier anti-ARC weapons
Additional Content
- Added new lower-tier variants for Extended Barrel mods
- Added the Sandveil cosmetic set
- Added Sideburns facial hair style
- Confirmed The Sheath Set launches on June 2
Balance Changes
ARC
- Improved ARC vision behavior through bushes and smoke
- Raiders near the edge of cover are now easier for ARC to detect
- Raiders deeper in foliage or smoke are harder to detect
- Improved ARC sound detection in open outdoor environments
- Reduced ARC sound sensitivity indoors and through geometry
Firefly
- Improved fire application behavior to better match visual effects
- Reduced cases of players feeling damaged around corners
Rocketeer
- Rocket volleys now spread over wider areas to prevent stacked missile impacts
Gameplay
- Reduced Photoelectric Cloak power cost from 10/s to 5/s
Augments
Tactical Mk.3 (Healing)
- Cloud of Renewal changed to an area-of-effect heal
- Healing increased from 20 to 45
- Cooldown increased from 30 seconds to 45 seconds
Combat Mk.3 (Flanking)
- Shield capacity now supports Medium Shields
Weapons
Bettina
- Increased base fire rate from 235 to 250
Weapon Durability
- Increased durability for weapons that degraded too quickly in previous updates
Weapon Mods
Extended Barrel
- Increased bullet velocity bonus from 25% to 30%
- Increased damage falloff distance by 15%
- Renamed mod to Extended Barrel III
- Added new visual mesh
- Added Extended Barrel I and Extended Barrel II variants
Gameplay Improvements and Fixes
ARC
- Fixed flying ARC becoming stuck
- Improved Queen and Matriarch movement behavior to reduce unfair knockback
- Reduced ARC aggression immediately after Raider spawns
- Fixed ARC spawning in unintended locations
ARC Turbine
- Fixed invisible leg issues at certain angles
- Improved landing positioning and leg placement
- Increased chances of players being burned while inside the ARC Turbine
Animation
- Improved outfit cloth physics
- Fixed laggy ARC weapon rotation animations
- Fixed item clipping when looting while holding gadgets
Audio
- Reduced audio dampening while taking damage
- Added new sounds for Bastion and Bombardier target switching
- Improved directional audio clarity and elevation detection
Cosmetics
- Improved texture consistency and performance for character models
Gameplay
- Added stun immunity while entering Raider Hatches
- Fixed downed players moving out of bounds
- Fixed firing inputs not buffering during dodges and climbing
General
- Fixed players teleporting while standing on destroyed ARC parts
- Fixed floating characters after disconnecting mid-air
- Fixed incorrect Expedition timer durations
Items
- Agave Juice now automatically moves into Quick Use slots
- Increased free loadout Augment sell price from 100 to 660
Maps
General
- Fixed low-resolution textures and visual inconsistencies
- Improved vent material visibility
Riven Tides
- Fixed hotel balcony clipping issues
- Fixed floating objects and rope visuals
- Fixed missing collision and alignment issues
Stella Montis
- Improved environment textures
- Fixed collision issues
Social Features
- Added the ability to block players after reporting them
- Fixed voice chat issues when opening console UI on PS5 and Xbox
End of Round Changes
- Players can now see all squad members at the end of rounds
- Added social interaction options through squad nameplates:
- Report
- Mute
- Block
- Players can now leave squads immediately during tunnel sequences
Stability & Performance
- Added general performance and stability improvements
- Fixed loading screens becoming stuck
UI
- Added extra Crash Mat tooltip information
- Improved deployable placement previews
- Fixed erratic ARC Turbine ping markers
Utility
- Removed grenade throw delays after cancelling Trigger ‘Nades
- Fixed grenade throw cancellation issues
- Cancelling Pulse Mine or Gas Mine placement no longer consumes the item
- Fixed missing Zipline prompts
- Fixed unintended vaulting interactions with Powered Descender
- Fixed Surge Coil not damaging teammates properly
Security & Anti-Cheat
- Added Denuvo Anti-Cheat support beginning May 19 for a limited player pool
- Embark confirmed Denuvo DRM is not being used
- Anti-cheat rollout will expand gradually alongside continued use of Anybrain systems
Known Issues
- Opening the console menu during matchmaking cancels matchmaking on PS5 and Xbox
- Sandveil scarf visuals may stretch with long hairstyles
- Players may fall off the map near Pilgrim Peak walls
- Extraction music may incorrectly play during trader introduction videos
- Squad Walk character models may fail to appear
- Dolabra does not damage training dummies
- Regen Effect pauses may fail after revivals
- Trigger ‘Nade throw animations may fail occasionally
- Some localization text issues remain
- Customization purchases may occasionally fail until the menu is reopened
- Firefly enemies may disappear and drop incendiary grenades
- Shredders may float to ceilings in Hidden Bunker rooms
- Player animations may break while interrupting Baron Husk searches
- Leapers can jump through the ARC Turbine
ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Developed and published by Embark Studios, the multiplayer extraction shooter places players in the role of Raiders scavenging a hostile post-apocalyptic Earth while battling mechanized ARC enemies and rival players.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
