What Update 1.42 Changes in ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders update 1.42 is a smaller content patch, but it adds several meaningful features for active players. The headline addition is Phantom Targets Part 2, which expands the event with a new project track, special enemy behavior, and cosmetic rewards. Alongside that, Embark introduced regional map condition scheduling, a new cosmetic bundle, fresh Twitch Drops, and another round of anti-cheat and fair play updates.

For players focused on efficient progression, this patch matters because the event introduces a reliable way to farm valuable components from glitched wasps while also advancing a limited-time project. That creates a useful overlap between event participation, loot generation, and ARC Raiders progression resources. It is also one of the more interesting mid-cycle updates because it changes how players think about map conditions depending on region and time of day.

If the goal is smoother progression, better loot efficiency, and a clearer understanding of what is worth doing right now, update 1.42 has more impact than its size might suggest.

Phantom Targets Part 2 Explained

The center of the update is the second phase of the Phantom Targets event. In the event fiction, strange ARC activity has been traced to erratic wasps that are flying in unusual patterns, making odd sounds, and carrying unfamiliar technology. In gameplay terms, this means players can now encounter glitched wasps that drop event-specific materials.

These enemies are not dramatically harder than ordinary wasps, but they are more important. Their value comes from what they carry rather than from their combat threat. Once defeated, they can provide glitched ARC parts used for event progress and extra income. That makes them especially attractive for players who want efficient ARC Raiders extraction loot without committing to a boss-heavy route.

The event is tied to a multi-stage project that asks players to collect specific glitched parts and complete related objectives. Based on the update details, the project includes tasks involving components such as glitched ARC power converters, phased arrays, transmitters, light rings, and circuitry. One later objective also asks players to deal damage to flying ARC using fireworks, which gives the event a more playful challenge layer.

Why the event is worth playing

• Useful rewards: The project includes weapon rewards, blueprints, and cosmetics.
• Good loot value: Glitched ARC parts can be sold or recycled.
• Low barrier to entry: The featured enemies are manageable for most players.
• Progress overlap: Event farming can support both cash flow and crafting stockpiles.

For players building out their stash, this is the kind of event that naturally supports both short sessions and longer loot runs.

How Glitched Wasps Work

Glitched wasps appear as a special enemy variant connected to Phantom Targets. Their behavior is visibly unstable, and they seem designed to stand out from standard flying ARC. In practice, they are easy to identify and not especially difficult to kill, which is good news for players who prefer consistent farming over high-risk encounters.

The key difference is their drop pool. Defeating and searching them can yield glitched ARC components with notable value. Some parts are worth enough to make them attractive even outside the event project itself. Others can be broken down through recycling for additional materials, turning each encounter into either a quick cash pickup or a source of ARC Raiders crafting Materials.

This flexibility is what makes the event stronger than a simple checklist. Instead of forcing players into a reward path with no side benefits, update 1.42 gives these enemies practical relevance for economy-minded raiders.

Best way to approach glitched wasp farming

• Prioritize routes with frequent wasp spawns rather than slower boss objectives.
• Bring dependable anti-air weapons or accurate mid-range guns.
• Loot every glitched wasp immediately so event parts are secured.
• Decide before deployment whether the goal is selling parts or recycling them.
• Extract once inventory value is high enough instead of overextending for one more spawn.

Because these enemies are not overly dangerous, they fit well into a cautious farming loop. That makes them especially useful for players still assembling starter ARC Raiders Guns or trying to stretch each run into better economic returns.

Phantom Targets Part 2 includes a structured project track with several reward milestones. The update preview shows weapon rewards such as a Kanto 3 and Volcano 3 with attachments, plus blueprint rewards including fireworks and the Crash Map. There are also later unlocks tied to stronger progression incentives, making the event appealing beyond cosmetics alone.

The standout visual reward is the Anomia outfit, a free skin earned through the event reward pass. That is a meaningful addition because it gives players a no-purchase cosmetic goal tied directly to participation. On top of that, the patch adds the premium Tick Hunter set to the store, bundled with Raider Coins and several themed cosmetic pieces.

For progression-focused players, the important takeaway is that this project does more than offer style rewards. It also feeds into gear growth by supplying blueprints and weapon access that can help reduce some midgame bottlenecks. That is where ARC Raiders rare Blueprints become especially relevant, since limited-time event tracks often help players skip otherwise slow unlock paths.

Regional Map Condition Scheduling Is a Bigger Change Than It Looks

One of the most impactful systemic changes in 1.42 is the move to regional map condition scheduling. Previously, a single global schedule could cause players in some time zones to miss desirable map conditions entirely. With this patch, conditions are offset by region to better match local peak hours.

This is a quality-of-life improvement, but it also has gameplay implications. Map conditions affect route planning, enemy density, event access, and the overall value of a deployment. By tailoring schedules to regions, Embark is making it easier for more players to actually engage with the content they want to run.

There is also a strategic angle. Since the map selection screen now displays the current matchmaking region, players can compare active conditions across regions more easily. That may influence how some players plan their sessions, especially when looking for favorable farming windows or specific event combinations.

Take a look at: our Phantom Targets prep guide

Why regional scheduling matters

• It reduces the chance of missing a preferred condition during normal play hours.
• It helps event participation feel more consistent across regions.
• It can improve the value of targeted loot routes.
• It adds more planning depth for players who optimize deployments.

For anyone focused on ARC Raiders loot runs, this is one of the most important long-term changes in the patch.

Loot Value: Sell or Recycle Glitched ARC Parts?

One of the most practical questions in this update is whether glitched ARC parts should be sold for immediate profit or recycled for crafting value. The answer depends on current progression needs.

If credits are the priority, selling can be attractive because some glitched parts appear to have strong vendor value. That makes the event a decent source of income during short sessions. On the other hand, recycling can convert those parts into useful crafting outputs such as electrical components or ARC alloy, which may be better for players preparing ARC Raiders gear upgrades.

The best choice usually comes down to where the account is currently bottlenecked.

Sell the parts if:

• You need quick currency for loadouts and replenishment.
• Your crafting stockpile is already healthy.
• You are focusing on event completions over long-term stash growth.

• You are short on upgrade ingredients.
• You are pushing deeper into base and equipment progression.
• You want more value from each run than a straight vendor sale provides.

This is also where broader resource planning matters. Many players hit progression slowdowns when they run low on ARC Raiders upgrade Materials rather than weapons themselves, so a recycling-first approach can often be more efficient over time.

Store Additions, Twitch Drops, and Cosmetic Highlights

Update 1.42 also adds the Tick Hunter set, a new cosmetic bundle that includes themed armor pieces, accessories, and Raider Coins. Visually, it leans into a rugged scavenger-hunter style and stands out thanks to its layered armor and trophy details.

Outside the store, the patch includes new Twitch Drops such as the car freshener and ceramic vase. These are minor additions compared to the event itself, but they add another layer of collectible content during the patch window.

While cosmetics do not alter gameplay, they often shape how active players prioritize limited-time content. In this case, the free Anomia skin is likely to be the bigger draw because it is tied directly to event progress rather than a purchase bundle.

Fair Play, Anti-Cheat, and Matchmaking Abuse

Embark also used update 1.42 to communicate more about anti-cheat and fair play enforcement. The studio says it has been improving detection alongside anti-cheat partners, leading to faster action against accounts using recently circulated cheating tools. The announcement also mentions stronger detection of economy exploits and ongoing work against matchmaking abuse, griefing, and coordinated lobby manipulation.

This matters because extraction shooters depend heavily on trust in the economy and the risk-reward loop. If duplication exploits or cheating become common, the value of looting, crafting, and progression drops quickly. Protecting the game from that kind of abuse is essential for the health of the player economy, especially when players are investing time into collecting ARC Raiders Weapons, materials, and project rewards.

The patch also includes a warning about third-party software that claims to offer in-game advantages. Beyond the obvious risk of sanctions, unofficial tools can expose personal data and account information. The safest approach is simple: avoid anything outside approved game systems.

Take a look at: our Volcano guide

Other Notable Fixes in Patch 1.42

Although Phantom Targets is the star of the patch, several smaller fixes are worth noting.

• Tier 3 magazine upgrades now have different firing sounds.
• Movement audio over plastic and foliage has been improved.
• Indoor footstep and movement audio has been refined.
• The Queen or Matriarch stomp attack was adjusted again to reduce hits through walls or from excessive range.
• The photoelectric cloak now works against turbine lightning attacks and Matriarch missiles.
• Surgical traps now include spawn protection.
• Quick wheel slots can now be rebound.
• The map selection screen now shows the current matchmaking region.

The photoelectric cloak change may be the most gameplay-relevant item in that list. Any defensive tool that now interacts better with dangerous ARC attacks can alter loadout decisions, especially for players entering tougher PvE routes or preparing for boss-focused deployments.

What This Update Means for Progression Right Now

Update 1.42 is not a giant expansion, but it is a smart progression patch. The event gives players a straightforward loop: find glitched wasps, collect valuable parts, progress the project, and convert those gains into either cash or crafting support. That loop is exactly the kind of limited-time content that can help smooth progression between larger seasonal drops.

It also arrives ahead of Frozen Trail, which makes this a good window to build reserves. Farming event parts, collecting project rewards, and improving stockpiles now can make the next major content update easier to approach. Players who are light on ARC Raiders Blueprints, materials, or utility gear should see this patch as a preparation phase as much as an event phase.

In short, 1.42 succeeds because it offers immediate reasons to log in without overcomplicating the formula. The glitched wasps are easy to understand, the rewards are tangible, and the map scheduling change improves the game beyond the event itself.

If you want to optimize event farming further, check out our Trials and Offers this week coverage for extra Phantom Targets preparation, and if you are planning stronger anti-boss setups after this patch, our Volcano guide pairs well with the event weapon rewards.

How do you get glitched ARC parts in ARC Raiders update 1.42?

Defeat and loot the new glitched wasp variants tied to Phantom Targets Part 2. They are the main source of the event-specific components.

Is Phantom Targets Part 2 worth doing for progression?

Yes. It offers useful rewards, blueprint unlocks, cosmetic progression, and extra loot value through parts that can be sold or recycled.

What is the best use for glitched wasp drops?

Sell them if immediate currency is the priority, or recycle them if you need more crafting inputs for upgrades and long-term stash growth.

What does regional map condition scheduling change?

Map conditions are now offset by region instead of using one global schedule, making them easier to catch during local peak play hours.

Yes. The Anomia skin is a free event reward earned through the Phantom Targets progression track.