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Arc Raiders Patch Notes Explained: What Changed and Should You Reinstall?

The latest ARC Raiders update is Live Update 2.3.0, released October 27, 2026. It adds the Noxious Set, fixes ARC enemies and map collision, moves better loot deeper into the Emperor, and raises the Heavy Shield base charge from 80 to 90. The big one was Frozen Trail (2.0) on October 8, 2026, which Embark calls its "biggest update since launch": a new map, new enemies, a revamped skill tree and a new Reward Pass. If you stopped playing before October 8, 2026, it is a good time to reinstall and look.

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Checked Nov 2, 2026.

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Should you reinstall? A quick guide

You stopped playing...Our readWhy
Before October 8, 2026Reinstall and try itFrozen Trail added a map, enemies, weapons, a new skill tree, the Outpost and 22 quests
Because you wanted PvE onlyWait for newsA PvE toggle ran as a beta from October 13; Embark has not said it is permanent
Because of Raider Decks or CredLook againBoth were replaced by the Reward Pass and Reward Points in 2.0
After October 8, 2026Small changes only2.1 to 2.3 are fixes, balance tweaks and store sets

Embark's 2.3.0 notes say patches return to "the regular schedule of fixes every three weeks and store updates on a weekly basis." Expect the next fix patch around three weeks after October 27, 2026, but Embark gave no date.

Update history, newest first

Live Update 2.3.0 (October 27, 2026)

What it does, in plain terms:

  • New store set: the Noxious Set, plus "a new player project," per Embark.
  • Emperor loot: containers near the entrance now give lower-tier loot, with higher-tier loot deeper inside. Expect to work harder for the good stuff.
  • Heavy Shield buff: base charge goes from 80 to 90. Embark says usage was "still relatively low" and this should "slightly increase survivability against most weapons."
  • Exploit and collision fixes: missing collision on the Frigate is fixed, as are cases of standing on a Skulker forever and players hiding in geometry.
  • Downed players: fixes downed Raiders losing health inside the Ballistic Gondola.
  • Heavy landings: now trigger correctly when dodge rolling, which closes a way to avoid fall damage.
  • Barricade kits: can no longer be placed into walls or very tight spaces.

How to get it: Embark says "Please restart the game to download."

Store Update 2.2.0 (October 20, 2026)

  • New store set: the Wreck Set.
  • PvE beta ended. Embark said the PvE test "has wrapped up" and asked for feedback on Discord, with a player survey starting October 22.
  • Fixes: Grappling Hook animation fixes, Frigate wind animations, and audio polish including mortar sounds at long range.

Store Update 2.1.0 (October 13, 2026)

  • PvE toggle beta test began. Embark said feedback "along with the in-game data, will help us decide if the toggle becomes a permanent part of the game."
  • New store set: the Carrion Set.
  • Frigate changes: hatches now deal burning damage over time when they open; cargo collision smoothed.
  • Skill fixes: Broad Shoulders now applies on spawn, Field Repair works without a restart, and Fight or Flight no longer bypasses the Sprinting on Fumes penalty.
  • Audio: louder outdoor footsteps toned down and balanced across surfaces.

Frozen Trail, update 2.0 (October 8, 2026)

Embark's highlights list includes:

  • New map: Pendola Pass.
  • New map conditions: Frigate and Redirection.
  • New enemies: Bully, Skulker and Hydra.
  • New weapons: Bantam and Stiletto, plus Amplified Weapons.
  • Revamped skill tree.
  • New items: Grappling Hook, cameras, Tether Launcher, Yank Grenade and more.
  • The Outpost, with a new Research Bench and craftable furniture from lootable "Design" items.
  • Quests: 22 new quests and quest system improvements.
  • Reward Pass: replaces Raider Decks. Cred was removed and replaced by Reward Points. The first pass, Frozen Trail Pass, has 60 levels on a free and a premium track.
  • Stash: max stash size raised by two levels, to 328 without Expedition bonuses.
  • Collector DLC went on sale.

If you are coming back after a long break, this is the update to read in full.

Before you reinstall on PC

  • Check your hardware against the ARC Raiders PC system requirements. Specs can change with big updates.
  • On Steam Deck, Valve rates the game Playable on November 2, 2026. See ARC Raiders on Steam Deck.
  • The download size for each patch is not listed in Embark's notes.

New to the game?

Read our verdict, Is ARC Raiders worth it?, which includes a player base check. On PC the game activates on Steam.

Sources

All checked on 2026-11-02. Each entry is Embark Studios' official patch post.

FAQ

What is the latest ARC Raiders update?

Live Update 2.3.0, released October 27, 2026.

How often does ARC Raiders update?

After 2.3.0, Embark said fixes return to every three weeks, with store updates weekly.

Is there a PvE mode in ARC Raiders?

A PvE toggle ran as a beta test starting October 13, 2026 and wrapped up by October 20. Embark has not announced it as permanent.

What happened to Raider Decks and Cred?

Frozen Trail (2.0) replaced Raider Decks with the Reward Pass and replaced Cred with Reward Points.

Do I need to reinstall to get updates?

No. Embark says to restart the game to download each update.

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