ARC Raiders has wrapped up its PvE matchmaking test while introducing the Rex cosmetic set and a broad collection of fixes. The most consequential changes concern grappling hook movement, ARC targeting, transport interactions, and troublesome map collisions. Here is what those changes mean for raid preparation, along with what remains undecided about the future of PvE.

PvE Testing Ends Without a Final Decision on Its Future

The PvE matchmaking toggle test has concluded. Embark says more than 30 million PvE rounds were played during the testing period, providing a substantial amount of information to assess alongside player feedback.

That participation figure is significant, but it does not establish what the eventual matchmaking structure will be. Embark described the test as polarizing and said its decisions would prioritize the overall health and enjoyability of the game.

The announced next step is analysis rather than an immediate commitment to a permanent mode. Further information is expected in November. A return for PvE remains possible, but it has not been confirmed by that statement.

How player feedback fits into the decision

Embark invited feedback through its dedicated PvE Discord channel and announced surveys for a representative sample of players starting October 22. The questions cover more than whether players enjoyed fighting machines without the usual player threat.

• How did PvE compare with the normal raid experience?
• What aspects of the test could be improved?
• How did the usual PvPvE experience change while the test was active?

That last question matters because separate matchmaking options can affect both audiences. Evaluating the experiment means considering the experience of players who joined PvE as well as those who remained in mixed encounters. Participation alone cannot explain how either group experienced the change.

The Rex Set Adds Modular Cosmetic Customization

The store update introduces the Rex set, with the full bundle listed at 1,600 Raider Tokens and the outfit alone at 1,300. A Scrappy helmet is listed separately at 500 Raider Tokens and is also included in the bundle. A handheld lamp charm rounds out the cosmetic selection.

The outfit offers steel, black, and white-and-blue variants. The steel option emphasizes the plated-metal appearance, while the white-and-blue version pairs blue clothing with white armor. The variant named black should be judged by its actual appearance rather than its label.

Customization is a major feature of this set. Removable components include the helmet, mask, shoulder pad, upper and lower armor, arm-mounted technology, leg pouch, and additional technical accessories. Removing the armor layers leaves a simpler shirt-and-trousers combination.

This makes the outfit useful for players who prefer adjusting an appearance rather than wearing a complete armored silhouette. Inspecting the individual components before choosing between the outfit and bundle is more informative than judging only the fully equipped preview.

These cosmetic prices use Raider Tokens, not ARC Raiders coins. Keep the store purchase separate from the budget used for equipment and raid preparation.

Grappling Hook Fixes Address Animation and Traversal Problems

The grappling hook receives attention across both visual presentation and movement behavior. One fix addresses broken weapon animations when switching to a weapon immediately after throwing the hook. Other changes polish transitions between rope climbing, swinging, and jumping away.

• Throw animations follow upward and downward aiming more accurately.
• Dodge rolls performed while attached have smoother animation transitions.
• Rope climbing and swinging transitions receive additional polish.
• Near-ground movement and landing beneath overhead ropes receive fixes.

The distinction between animation polish and traversal reliability is important. A smoother transition makes an action easier to read, while changes to climbing and landing address how movement behaves around geometry.

For Raiders carrying valuable resources and loot, the practical priority is predictable movement. Before relying on a complicated grapple route during a contested escape, get comfortable with the revised transitions in a less exposed situation. The update targets several awkward interactions, but it does not promise that every unusual grapple setup is risk-free.

Take a look at: what PvE and PvPvE both need to succeed

Additional animation and audio work

The broader animation pass also addresses a vault-related jump animation that could fail to play and selfie emotes that could appear distorted while moving. These are separate from the more consequential traversal changes.

Audio work includes multiple adjustments to the Ballistic Gondola's engine sound. These changes accompany the transport and map fixes rather than introducing a new transport mechanic.

ARC Targeting Changes Affect Sliding and Shared Encounters

One combat fix addresses certain ARC being more accurate than intended against sliding players. This is a correction to unintended accuracy, not a promise that sliding makes a Raider safe from incoming fire. Cover and positioning remain important when crossing an enemy's line of sight.

The Hydra also receives a targeting correction. Its weapons were not spreading their attention between different targets as often as intended. After the fix, players should not assume that a machine concentrating on one Raider will continue ignoring everyone else.

In practical terms, dealing damage while another player holds its attention still requires an escape plan. Watch for a change in target selection instead of treating the enemy's initial focus as a permanent opening.

The update also includes an adjustment involving ARC reactions to interactions with gondola transceivers. Consider those interactions part of an active encounter rather than assuming nearby machines will remain uninvolved.

The Frigate receives a fix for players being ejected from cargo while it falls. That issue could turn a transport interaction into an unintended fall, making the correction particularly relevant to anyone using that route.

The Fallen Emperor changes address floor synchronization and the reliability of riding its moving platforms. A separate collision fix targets situations where players could become stuck inside it.

Those fixes should not be confused with confirmation that unauthorized entry has been eliminated. Reports of players entering improperly and taking loot remain an unresolved concern in the update discussion. A collision correction and an access-exploit correction are not interchangeable.

For runs centered on valuable ARC Raiders items, avoid treating an expected reward as guaranteed before it has actually been secured. That is especially important when investing equipment and consumables into an encounter affected by reported access problems.

Pendola Pass Receives Collision and Navigation Work

Pendola Pass is another focus of the map changes. Enemy presence has been increased slightly, while lighting and reflections have received improvements. The update also fixes floating objects and several locations where players could become stuck or fall through terrain.

A Ballistic Gondola navigation issue involving the secure communications mast is addressed as well. Together, these changes aim to reduce interruptions caused by scenery, movement paths, and transport interactions.

The increased enemy presence deserves attention when planning familiar routes. A path remembered as relatively quiet may require more observation before committing, particularly when carrying materials intended for workbench upgrades.

Additional work covers movement, performance, quest stability, and interface behavior. Without more specific details, these are best understood as supporting fixes rather than evidence of new progression systems or revised reward rules.

What to Prioritize Before Your Next Raid

• Recheck grapple routes: Learn the revised climb, swing, and landing transitions before depending on them under pressure.
• Respect target switching: Do not assume a Hydra will stay focused on another Raider.
• Separate fixes from unresolved issues: Fallen Emperor platform and collision work does not establish that improper entry is solved.
• Review familiar paths: Slightly increased enemy presence can change the risk of a routine crossing.
• Keep spending categories distinct: Cosmetic purchases and practical loadout costs serve different purposes.

Take a look at: Emperor routes, loadout choices, and loot priorities

Frequently Asked Questions

No permanent return has been confirmed. Embark says it needs to analyze the test data and community feedback, with further information expected in November.

How much does the Rex set cost?

The announced bundle price is 1,600 Raider Tokens, while the outfit alone is 1,300. The Scrappy helmet is also listed separately for 500 Raider Tokens.

Does the update fix every grappling hook problem?

It addresses several animation, climbing, swinging, and landing issues. That does not establish that every possible traversal problem has been eliminated.

Has the Fallen Emperor loot exploit been fixed?

The described changes cover platform synchronization and collision problems. They do not confirm that improper entry and the associated loot concerns have been resolved.

No. The fix corrects excessive accuracy from certain ARC against sliding targets; it does not make sliding an immunity mechanic.