The latest official ARC Raiders patch verified on October 25, 2026, is Update 2.2.0, released October 20. It focused on fixes and tuning for Frozen Trail, including Hydra targeting, ARC Turbine spawns, Gondola interactions, Grappling Hook movement and Reward Pass Feats. The bigger gameplay overhaul arrived with Frozen Trail 2.0 on October 8.
If you have not played since September, your first job is to revisit the map selection, Skill Tree, current weapon options and progression systems. If you played 2.0 last week, the 2.1 and 2.2 changes are more about adapting routes and fixing problems than replacing every build again. This ARC Raiders update tracker highlights the changes worth acting on and links to the full official patch notes.
ARC Raiders Latest Updates: October 2026 at a Glance
| Update | Official date | Main change | What to do now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2.0 | October 20, 2026 | Hydra and Turbine changes; Gondola, Frigate and Grappling Hook fixes; updated Feats | Recheck ARC routes, Gondola safety and your next Feat objective. |
| 2.1.0 | October 13, 2026 | Shoulder-swap timing, movement and skill fixes; Gondola extraction corrections | Stop relying on instant repeated peeks and test your mobility kit. |
| 2.0 — Frozen Trail | October 8, 2026 | Pendola Pass, Frigate, Bully/Skulker/Hydra, Outpost, Reward Pass and Skill Tree overhaul | Replan skills, weapons, progression and exits rather than following pre-2.0 builds. |
Short answer: start with the official 2.2.0 notes if you want the newest fixes. Read the 2.0 launch notes if you missed the major content update. Update 2.2 is not a second expansion; it builds on the systems introduced on October 8.
Update Your Loadout Without Guessing
Frozen Trail changed weapons, ARC armor damage and equipment options. Choose ready-to-use gear for your next raid or compare guns yourself before investing in repairs and upgrades.
Update 2.2.0 — October 20: What Actually Changed?
Embark published 2.2 as a Store Update with gameplay fixes. The headline is not a new weapon tier or another map; it is how current enemies, routes and equipment behave.
Hydra targeting and ARC Turbine farming
The Hydra now spreads its fire across separate targets more consistently. Embark increased its base damage to compensate and improved its ability to hit nearby players. This is a reason to respect different firing angles in a group rather than assuming a Hydra will remain focused on a single Raider.
ARC Turbines became more consistent spawns in Buried City, Riven Tides, Blue Gate and Spaceport. On Dam Battlegrounds, standard-session and most minor-condition Turbine spawns were removed, while their presence became more consistent in the remaining relevant conditions. Choose an appropriate active map and condition before planning an ARC-specific farming run; the update is not a guarantee that every individual route will contain a Turbine.
Gondola, Frigate and traversal fixes
ARC now reacts to Gondola Transceiver interactions. That matters on Pendola Pass: plan cover and a backup position before starting extraction instead of treating the transceiver as a free, unnoticed action. Update 2.2 also adjusted Gondola sounds, fixed Frigate cargo descent problems and polished Grappling Hook climbing, swinging and auto-vaulting on steep terrain.
For practical route selection, use the extraction guide; the seven-map guide covers areas, conditions and loot without repeating every technical fix.
Feats, quests and Outpost corrections
Embark added, removed and rebalanced Feats in 2.2. Check the current in-game Feat requirements before preparing a dedicated Reward Pass run; do not rely on an old task screenshot. The patch also fixed the To the Skies quest so its installation can be completed on a chosen map, provided the actual required installation is finished. Several Outpost and Reward Pass UI issues were repaired as well.
The temporary PvE matchmaking toggle test had finished on October 20. Embark requested feedback rather than announcing permanent PvE-only matchmaking in these notes. Do not confuse the completed test with a currently promised permanent mode.
Update 2.1.0 — October 13: Peeking, Movement and Extraction
The middle October patch mattered most for players using constant camera swaps and movement tricks. Repeated shoulder swapping now has a short animation cooldown. A camera angle can still provide information, but repeating the swap instantly is no longer a reliable assumption in a fight.
Embark also balanced loud outdoor footsteps, improved Grappling Hook ledge grabs and fixed several movement problems. Notably, the patch corrected an issue where players could be eliminated despite already being inside the Gondola during extraction. A separate skill fix prevented certain builds from bypassing the downside of Sprinting on Fumes; stamina-restoring consumables cannot be used during that cooldown.
In your next fight, test the new shoulder-swap rhythm from cover instead of assuming every old peek-and-roll combo still works. Check the current patch notes before copying a movement or melee build from a guide written before Frozen Trail.
Frozen Trail 2.0 — October 8: The Changes That Reset Old Guides
Frozen Trail 2.0 was the major release. It brought Pendola Pass as the seventh map, two new Map Conditions (Frigate and Redirection), Bully, Skulker and Hydra enemies, Bantam and Stiletto guns, Amplified Weapons, an Outpost with a Research Bench, and a rewritten Skill Tree. If your guide still describes only five maps or the pre-October skill layout, its core advice is outdated.
| Your goal | Change that matters | Next useful guide |
|---|---|---|
| Fight Raiders or armored ARC | Anvil moved to Rare; explosive damage against ARC armor changed; Stiletto, Bantam and Amplified Weapons arrived. | Weapon Tier List |
| Extract safely | Pendola Pass uses Ballistic Gondolas; 2.1 fixed a Gondola extraction failure, while 2.2 updated ARC reactions to transceivers. | Escape Routes & Safe Exits |
| Plan loot runs | Pendola Pass tests changing loot value by area; 2.2 adjusted ARC Turbine spawn consistency on several maps. | Seven-Map Loot Guide |
| Climb Trials ranks | The old universal 2x bonus from major Map Conditions was removed in April; Frozen Trials use their own seasonal rules. | Trials Explained |
| Return after a break | The Skill Tree, Reward Pass and Outpost change the core progression loop. | Frozen Trail Overview |
Weapon balance and armor damage
Embark changed the explosive damage formula against ARC. Weapons such as the Hullcracker now deal substantially more damage to armor plates but less to fragile components than before. The Anvil moved from Uncommon to Rare, with Bantam taking the earlier Uncommon hand-cannon role. Stiletto and Bantam were added, while weapon amplification created new upgrade choices for selected guns. These changes affect what equipment is worth crafting, not just which firearm has the largest damage number.
Skill Tree, Outpost and research
The Skill Tree now forces meaningful mid-branch and late-branch choices. Returning players should review their build before spending points based on a pre-Frozen Trail screenshot. The Outpost opens through its own project, and the Research Bench follows that unlock; opening the Outpost does not instantly provide every research level or every amplified weapon.
The initial Outpost work includes photographing a farmland house, so a Camera matters for that objective. For a full route, see the Frozen Trail guide rather than following an obsolete April workshop checklist.
Reward Pass and the end of Cred
Frozen Trail removed Cred and introduced Reward Points. Players select an active Reward Pass; the Frozen Trail Pass offers 60 levels with Free and Premium rewards, and earlier Raider Deck rewards remain under Legacy Pass. Premium rewards still require Premium access. These systems are different from character XP, coins used with traders, and weekly Trials ranking.
Stash upgrades also expanded to 328 slots before Expedition and other bonus space. Returning players should check their active projects and reserves rather than treating older storage advice as fixed.
Pick the Next Step for Your New Content
The Outpost, Research Bench, Reward Pass, Pendola Pass and Frigate are different progression goals. Choose the activity you actually need rather than assuming one unlock covers them all.
ARC Raiders Patch Timeline: Important 2026 Changes
This is a selected history of gameplay-relevant updates, not a copy of every cosmetic store drop or minor hotfix. Older changes remain listed so players can tell when a familiar guide became outdated.
| Date | Milestone | Why it still matters |
|---|---|---|
| October 20 | 2.2.0 | Hydra, map and movement fixes; Feats adjustments. |
| October 13 | 2.1.0 | Shoulder-swap cooldown, Grappling Hook and Gondola fixes. |
| October 8 | Frozen Trail 2.0 | New map, ARC, gear, skills, Outpost and pass progression. |
| September 8 | 1.45.0 | Expedition 5 and Ascending the Mountain were preparation for later changes. |
| April 29 | Trials Season 4 starts | Major Map Conditions stopped granting double Trials points. |
| January 13 | 1.11.0 | Kettle and Trigger Nade nerfs; now part of the historical balance timeline. |
One older change remains especially important: major Map Conditions no longer provide a universal 2x Trials score bonus. Embark removed that system with Trials Season 4 in April. For today’s scoring and rewards, use the current Trials Guide rather than planning a week around old Night Raid multipliers.
What Should Returning Players Do First?
- Update and restart the client. The official 2.1 and 2.2 posts describe downloadable fixes; do not judge your game from an earlier client version.
- Review your Skill Tree. The October 8 overhaul changed the choice structure and individual abilities. Compare your desired gameplay role before spending points.
- Inspect your weapons and armor plan. Anvil rarity, new weapons, Heavy Shield movement changes and explosive ARC damage alter old gear assumptions. Review the current weapon comparison before expensive upgrades.
- Choose one content goal. New map exploration, Outpost research, Frigate, Reward Pass, weekly Trials and resource farming are separate activities.
- Check your route and extraction. Pendola Pass uses Ballistic Gondolas; ARC reactions to the transceiver and recent route fixes change how you prepare.
- Read the official patch notes for edge cases. Specific bugs and requirements can change between store updates without a brand-new expansion.
Outdated Advice to Stop Following
- “January 1.11.0 is the newest patch.” It was a real balance update, but it is now historical. The most recent official release verified here is 2.2.0.
- “Night Raid always gives double Trials points.” That universal bonus was removed in April.
- “The PvE toggle is permanently available.” The announced October 13–20 beta concluded, with no permanent release promised in the 2.2 notes.
- “Cred is still needed for the current Reward Pass.” Reward Points replaced it in 2.0.
- “All old skill builds are still valid.” Frozen Trail reworked the tree, so each build needs an October compatibility check.
- “A fixed loot route pays the same every raid.” Pendola Pass is testing Dynamic Loot Zones; loot category stays consistent, but relative area value may shift.
ARC Raiders Updates and Patch Notes FAQ
What is the latest ARC Raiders patch as of October 25, 2026?
The latest official patch identified in Embark’s news listing is 2.2.0, released October 20, 2026. Its major changes include Hydra behavior, ARC Turbine spawn adjustments, Gondola and Frigate fixes, Grappling Hook improvements and Feat balancing.
When did Frozen Trail release?
Frozen Trail launched on October 8, 2026, as Update 2.0. It introduced Pendola Pass, new enemies, gear, the Outpost, Skill Tree overhaul and Reward Pass progression.
Is Update 2.2 a new expansion?
No. Update 2.2 is a follow-up patch with fixes and adjustments to systems introduced in Frozen Trail and the existing game.
Did ARC Raiders add permanent PvE-only matchmaking?
Not in the October 20 patch notes. The temporary PvE toggle beta ran from October 13 to October 20 and then closed for feedback and evaluation.
Did the Kettle and Trigger Nade nerfs happen in October?
No. Those adjustments were part of Update 1.11.0 on January 13, 2026. The Kettle fire-rate cap changed from 600 to 450 RPM and Trigger Nade’s activation delay increased from 0.7 to 1.5 seconds.
Are old ARC Raiders builds still usable after Frozen Trail?
A familiar playstyle may still work, but an old skill-point allocation may not. The current tree contains reworked paths and exclusive choices; verify each named perk and its prerequisites before copying a pre-2.0 build.
Do major Map Conditions still double Trials points?
No. Embark removed the universal 2x bonus in April 2026. Choose a Map Condition for its activity and available routes, not for an outdated scoring multiplier.
Did the update remove all earlier Raider Deck rewards?
No. Earlier decks are available through the Legacy Pass and already-unlocked rewards stay claimed. You can choose which eligible pass receives Reward Points.
Where should I check for a patch released after October 25?
Use the official ARC Raiders news and patch notes first, then revisit this summary for the practical changes that affect weapons, maps, progression and extraction. Dates in this article are a verified snapshot, not a guarantee against future updates.
Bottom Line: Which Patch Matters for Your Next Raid?
For players already using Frozen Trail, start with 2.2’s Hydra, Turbine and extraction fixes. For players returning after an extended break, the 2.0 Skill Tree, seventh map, Outpost and Reward Pass will change far more of your routine. Use 2.1 for its movement, camera and Grappling Hook corrections, and keep 1.11.0 as historical balance context rather than today’s meta.
Source status: official Embark patch notes checked October 25, 2026. The official patch list remains the source of truth when another update lands.
