ARC Raiders has received a smaller mid-cycle update, but it still matters because it finally puts the teased Phantom Targets thread into active gameplay. Rather than delivering a full live patch packed with broad balance changes, this release works more like a bridge update: a shop refresh, a new limited-time project, and a clearer timeline for the next major beat on August 18.

For players tracking progression, rewards, and event cadence, this is the kind of update that is easy to overlook at first glance. In practice, though, it introduces a short set of objectives with worthwhile loot, confirms that the Phantom Targets rollout is split into two phases, and gives a better sense of how ARC Raiders is pacing content before its bigger fall update window.

This guide breaks down what was added, how each project page works, which rewards are worth chasing, and what the update likely means for near-term progression planning. It also highlights where certain objectives may affect your route choice, extraction habits, and use of valuable loot and resources.

What Changed in This ARC Raiders Update

The biggest takeaway is that this is not a full live update in the usual sense. Instead, it combines a shop-side refresh with the opening of the first half of the Phantom Targets project. That makes it lighter than a major patch, but more important than a routine cosmetic rotation.

The update includes three core points:

• Phantom Targets Project Part 1 is now live with three pages of objectives.
• New Velour outfit colorways were added to the existing bundle.
• Part 2 is confirmed for August 18, when the wider Phantom Targets event is expected to begin.

This matters because ARC Raiders has recently settled into a spaced-out update rhythm. With that cadence in mind, even a smaller content drop can have a noticeable impact if it introduces progression rewards, event setup, or limited-time tasks that shape how players approach the next two weeks.

Phantom Targets Is Now an Active Project

The earlier teaser about strange radar contacts and “phantom targets” has now turned into a playable objective chain. The current patch frames it as Shaunie detecting inconsistent surveillance readings and sending raiders out to investigate. Mechanically, that means interacting with map objects, using ARC enemy devices in combat, and eliminating targets with specific damage types.

The important detail is that this is only the first half. Part 2 arrives with update 1.42 on August 18, alongside the full Phantom Targets event. That strongly suggests the current objectives are laying groundwork rather than delivering the complete feature set up front.

From a content-planning perspective, that split has two effects. First, it gives active players a reason to log in now without requiring a massive patch. Second, it likely means additional pages, event merits, and possibly collectible-style objectives are coming in the second phase. If you care about efficient ARC Raiders progression resources, it makes sense to finish Part 1 early so you are ready to focus entirely on the next stage when it opens.

Velour Set Update: Two New Colorways

On the cosmetic side, the Velour set received two additional color options: black and yellow. These are added to the existing bundle rather than sold as separate rebuys, which is a player-friendly approach compared with games that split simple recolors into standalone purchases.

The black option should appeal to players who prefer a lower-profile look, while the yellow variant is more visible and stylized. This does not change gameplay, of course, but shop updates like this help explain why the patch was labeled more as a store refresh than a conventional content release.

For anyone already managing stash value, upgrade priorities, and ARC Raiders Items for practical use, the cosmetic addition is a side note rather than the headline. The real value of this update is in the project rewards and the signal that a larger event beat is close.

Phantom Targets Project Part 1 Objectives Explained

The current project has three active pages. They are relatively easy to complete, but each one asks you to play a little differently than a normal loot run. That is especially true on page two, which revolves around using enemy-derived tools that many players usually ignore or leave behind.

The first objective asks players to upgrade antennas found at cargo elevator extraction points. To complete it, interact with the wiring near the elevator call area.

There is one important usability note here: the interaction can look misleading because the progress animation may appear to reset. Even if it seems like the action did not hold properly, it can still count toward completion. If the visual feedback feels inconsistent, do not assume the objective failed immediately.

This step currently points players toward maps with elevator extracts, especially Riven Tide Spaceport and Dam. That makes route planning straightforward. If you want to clear this quickly, build a run around reaching those extraction sites safely rather than treating them as a last-second detour.

Because this objective is map-specific, it also creates a subtle demand for reliable survival tools, healing, and mobility options. If you are short on ARC Raiders crafting Materials or key consumables, this is one of those moments where preparation matters more than raw aggression.

Page 1 Rewards

Completing the first page grants:

• Mark III Aggressive Augment
• Heavy Shield
• Vitray

These are direct item rewards rather than blueprints, which makes them immediately usable. That is especially helpful for players who want to experiment with a more forward-leaning build without first spending extra time on farming or crafting.

For players still building out their stash, rewards like this can smooth out the usual early friction around gear testing. Direct drops are often more valuable than they first appear because they preserve your stock of ARC Raiders Materials and let you save your stronger crafted options for harder raids.

Page 2: Deal Damage Using ARC Enemy Devices

The second page is the most unusual objective in the set. It requires you to damage ARC enemies using wasp drivers, pop triggers, and leaper pulse units. In simple terms, you need to collect these tools from enemies and then use them offensively against other ARC targets.

This objective is notable because it pushes players to engage with systems they may normally treat as disposable battlefield clutter. Many players focus on weapon efficiency, pathing, and extraction timing; they do not routinely dedicate quick slots to enemy devices unless a situation specifically calls for it.

That changes here. To finish the challenge efficiently, it helps to enter a run with inventory space, avoid overcommitting to pure gunplay, and identify safe moments to use these devices without getting swarmed. A slower, more deliberate route is often better than a high-risk sprint.

This is also a good example of ARC Raiders using projects to encourage experimentation. Even if the task is simple, it nudges players toward unconventional combat patterns and makes them re-evaluate what counts as useful ARC Raiders extraction loot.

Take a look at: our deeper Phantom Targets Part 1 breakdown

Page 2 Rewards

The second page offers one of the strongest reward bundles seen in a lightweight project:

• Aphilon
• Dalabra
• Jupiter
• Additional raider tokens

That is a very strong payout for a relatively accessible objective chain. Three legendary-tier rewards in one page dramatically increase the value of participating, especially for players who are trying to expand their combat options without burning through scarce ARC Raiders Weapons reserves in repeated failed runs.

Even if your long-term plan is to rely on lower-risk loadouts and stash-preserving setups, these rewards are worth claiming. They either become immediate power spikes or future insurance for event content, difficult contracts, or later progression walls.

Page 3: Kill ARC Enemies with Fire, Energy, and Launcher Ammo

The third page returns to a more familiar structure. It asks players to destroy ARC enemies using three damage categories: fire, energy, and launcher ammo.

This objective is easier to understand, but it still rewards smart inventory planning. Fire sources can come from blaze grenades or similar burn-based tools. Energy and launcher damage can be handled with weapons such as the page-two rewards or comparable options already in your stash.

The practical angle here is simple: do not waste premium ammunition or rare tools on targets that can be cleared more cheaply. If the objective only cares about the finishing damage type, structure your fights so weaker enemies are cleaned up with the required category while tougher threats are softened first.

That approach helps preserve valuable ammo, reduces repair and replacement pressure, and keeps your ARC Raiders gear upgrades path from stalling because of avoidable resource drain.

The third page grants:

• 50 raider tokens
• Power Descender
• Horizontal Grip
• Snap Hook

The Horizontal Grip stands out because it is an attachment reward with practical inventory value. Even when a reward is not as flashy as a legendary weapon, attachments and movement tools can be extremely useful for players refining a stable survival setup.

In that sense, page three is less about spectacle and more about rounding out your stock of adaptable equipment. It is the kind of reward set that supports future loadout flexibility, especially if you are trying to avoid overspending on replacement attachments or niche utility pieces.

Why This Project Is Worth Doing

Phantom Targets Part 1 is low maintenance, quick to understand, and unusually rewarding for the amount of effort involved. That alone makes it worth prioritizing. But there are a few broader reasons it matters too.

• It provides immediate usable gear instead of relying only on delayed blueprint value.
• It encourages system familiarity by making players use enemy devices and varied damage types.
• It prepares players for Part 2 by clearing the current task list before the August 18 event arrives.
• It reduces pressure on your stash by giving direct rewards that can substitute for crafted or hoarded gear.

For players balancing farming, upgrades, and event readiness, this is exactly the kind of project that supports smoother ARC Raiders Workbench progression without demanding a huge time commitment.

What the August 18 Update Likely Brings

The patch notes already confirm that Part 2 of Phantom Targets arrives on August 18 with update 1.42, and that it will launch alongside the Phantom Targets event. That likely means the current three pages are only half the project.

The most reasonable expectation is:

• Additional project pages
• Event-specific merits or milestone rewards
• Possibly new collectible or hand-in objectives
• Another batch of themed rewards or utility items

That structure would fit previous ARC Raiders event patterns, where a project opens the door and the event layer adds extra reasons to keep running raids. If that happens again, finishing the current objectives now will put you in a better position to focus on the next reward track instead of playing catch-up.

It also means players should think ahead about stockpiling practical supplies. If event objectives ask for repeated map access, combat flexibility, or hand-in items, then keeping a healthy reserve of ammo, healing, and ARC Raiders rare Blueprints-adjacent support gear becomes more important than chasing every fight.

How This Fits the Current ARC Raiders Update Cadence

Recent ARC Raiders support has followed a slower, spaced release pattern. This update does not break that cadence so much as fill the gap between larger beats. In other words, it is less a major turning point and more a content bridge that keeps momentum going.

That matters for expectations. Players should not read this as a sign that every week will suddenly become packed with major additions. The more realistic interpretation is that Embark is using smaller drops to maintain interest while saving larger changes for the next scheduled patch and the bigger fall roadmap.

There is still reason to pay attention, though. Teaser text, event staging, and phased projects often reveal where the game is heading next. Even if this patch is modest, the structure around it suggests ARC Raiders is deliberately building toward a more meaningful update cycle later in the season.

Azimuth Crossover Reminder

The update also serves as a reminder about the Azimuth crossover reward flow tied to The Finals. The current requirement on the ARC Raiders side is simple account-linked playtime rather than a difficult challenge chain. That makes it one of the more accessible crossover rewards for players who are already active.

While this is not the centerpiece of the patch, it is worth noting because low-effort cosmetic unlocks are easiest to miss when attention is focused on projects and event rewards. If you are already completing Phantom Targets tasks, the passive time requirement is an easy bonus to keep in mind.

Take a look at: the earlier Patch 1.39 recap

If the goal is efficient preparation, the best plan is straightforward:

• Finish all three current pages before August 18.
• Prioritize elevator maps for page one.
• Leave inventory room for ARC enemy devices on page two.
• Use page-two rewards to help complete page three.
• Avoid wasting high-end gear when cheaper tools can finish the objective.

This approach keeps your stash healthier and reduces the need to overinvest in runs that only exist to clear simple tasks. It is also one of the better moments to preserve premium equipment and rely on intelligent routing, utility usage, and selective combat instead.

Players who are short on survival tools, utility pieces, or upgrade bottlenecks often benefit most from event windows like this. A compact project with direct item rewards can indirectly save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent rebuilding after failed raids or grinding replacement supplies.

What This Update Means Overall

Phantom Targets Part 1 is not a massive content patch, but it is more than filler. It advances a teased storyline hook, gives players a short objective chain with strong rewards, and confirms that another meaningful step is coming on August 18.

The project itself is easy enough that most active players should complete it, especially given the quality of the loot on offer. More importantly, it helps frame the current state of ARC Raiders: a game in a measured update rhythm, using smaller releases to seed larger content beats down the line.

If Part 2 expands the project with another reward track and event-specific progression, then this first phase will look like a smart setup rather than a minor curiosity. For now, the practical takeaway is simple: clear the current pages, bank the rewards, and be ready for the next step when the Phantom Targets event arrives.

FAQ

How long is Phantom Targets Part 1 available in ARC Raiders?

The project currently shows a limited duration of roughly 33 days, though exact timing could still be adjusted around the next live update window.

What is the best reward in Phantom Targets Part 1?

Page two is the standout because it grants multiple legendary items, making it the highest-value section for most players.

Yes. The first page is tied to cargo elevator extraction points, so maps like Riven Tide Spaceport and Dam are the most relevant choices.

Should I save the page-two weapons for page three?

That is usually the most efficient option, since those rewards can help cover the required fire, energy, and launcher damage categories.

Is this update important for progression?

Yes, even though it is small. The direct rewards, tokens, and utility gear can support smoother progression and reduce pressure on your regular farming runs.