ARC Raiders update 1.45.0 is less about one isolated patch and more about preparing the game for a major transition on October 8. The headline change is simple: unused Cred will expire when Frozen Trail launches. At the same time, Embark has outlined a broader reward overhaul, adjusted expeditions, added story setup for the new region, and shipped a round of gameplay and stability fixes.

This article breaks down what is confirmed, what remains unclear, and what players should actually do before the deadline. If you are managing progression resources, planning reward claims, or deciding how to spend time before the next major update, these are the key details that matter.

Unused Cred Will Expire on October 8

The most important confirmed change is that remaining Cred will be retired when Frozen Trail arrives on October 8. Embark tied this to a larger reward-system overhaul, which means the current currency is going away rather than being carried forward.

That creates a clear deadline. Any unspent balance should be used before the update launches. The current guidance is to spend it through Shani or on Raider Deck rewards while those options still exist.

For players tracking account value, this is the practical takeaway: claimed rewards and unspent currency are not the same thing. Ownership of already unlocked rewards is preserved, but unused Cred is not. If it sits in the balance when the new update goes live, it expires.

What stays in your collection

Embark has been clear on one part of the transition. Rewards already claimed will remain in your collection after the change. If an item, cosmetic, or deck reward has already been unlocked, it is not being removed just because the currency system is changing.

This distinction matters because some players may assume that keeping old rewards also means preserving the spending power tied to old balances. That is not how the transition works. Claimed rewards are retained, while the currency itself is being retired.

What is still unclear

Embark has said the replacement reward system will be more expansive, but it has not yet fully explained how players will earn rewards under the new model or how quickly that progression will happen. It has also confirmed that existing Raider Deck rewards will remain available in the future, but the exact method for obtaining them after October 8 has not been detailed.

Because of that, there is no reliable basis yet for saying whether the new system will be better, faster, or more rewarding than the current one. The only definite recommendation supported by the announcement is to use remaining currency now.

Frozen Trail Is the Big October Pivot Point

Update 1.45.0 also serves as a bridge into Frozen Trail, which Embark has described as its biggest update since launch. The October release is expected to add a new map, a new Arc operation for experienced players, additional enemies, progression changes, and a new Outpost system.

The setting itself sounds ambitious. Frozen Trail takes players to a frozen settlement beneath mountain ranges at the edge of the Rust Belt, with villages, factories, research facilities, and an observatory forming the backbone of the new region. Embark has also emphasized stronger verticality, with threats and exploration both above and below ground.

That matters for loadout planning as much as atmosphere. Vertical spaces usually place more value on scouting, repositioning, efficient healing, and dependable weapon handling. Players preparing for the update may want to stockpile ARC Raiders Materials and other progression resources now so they can respond quickly once new recipes, research paths, and upgrades are revealed.

The current story setup begins with an investigation into Phantom Arc signals beyond the reach of the existing tube network. Apollo is positioned at the center of the effort to solve that travel problem, with raiders assisting through schematics and discreet work.

What is confirmed is the narrative goal: reaching an area that current infrastructure cannot serve. What is not confirmed is the exact travel method. There has been speculation about balloons or some kind of improvised transport, but Embark has not established a player-controlled flying mechanic or a specific vehicle system.

So the safe interpretation is narrow and useful: the game is setting up access to the mountain region, but not yet promising aerial traversal gameplay.

The New Outpost and Progression Overhaul Could Be Major

Beyond the new map, Frozen Trail is also supposed to introduce the Outpost, a space intended for decoration, research, and longer-term development. That makes it one of the most important progression additions on the horizon, even if many of its details are still missing.

Research and long-term development suggest a stronger sink for loot and upgrade investment, which could increase the value of hoarded crafting stockpiles, rare components, and future ARC Raiders Blueprints. It also raises the importance of efficient farming and clean extractions in the weeks leading up to launch.

Embark has further announced changes to the skill tree and Raider Decks, plus new weapons, gadgets, instruments, cosmetics, and personalization options. The scope is broad, but the exact progression requirements are still unknown. For now, players should think of Frozen Trail as a systems expansion with confirmed breadth but incomplete specifics.

Expeditions Changed Now, Then Pause Until Early 2027

One of the most immediate gameplay changes in update 1.45.0 is the new expedition window and the handling of quest progress. Embark previously acknowledged several complaints with expeditions, including repetitive quests, restrictive departure timing, reward concerns, and accessibility issues for newer players.

The current patch does not solve every one of those problems, but it does make two meaningful adjustments before a larger redesign arrives later.

Quest resets are now optional

The most useful change is that quests no longer reset by default when players depart. Resetting is optional instead. That means players can preserve progress rather than automatically repeating the same line from the beginning.

This directly targets the repetition issue Embark identified. It does not remove every expedition reset element, but it gives players more control over how much repeated work they are signing up for.

Take a look at: our deeper Frozen Trail plans breakdown

The fifth expedition window is longer

The fifth expedition opened on September 8 at 11:00 UTC and closes on September 29 at 08:00 UTC. That extends the departure window from two weeks to three.

The extra week is helpful, but it does not remove the need to register. Completing a caravan is still separate from officially signing up for departure, and Embark also confirmed there is no last-call feature during this window. In practical terms, players need to finish the gameplay requirement and also handle the registration step before the deadline.

The fifth expedition will be the last until early 2027 while Embark works on a broader redesign. During that pause, earned consecutive buffs will remain, and partially completed caravans will be replaced with equivalent-value herbal vouchers.

Those transition rules are specific and limited. They explain what happens to certain forms of progress during the break, but they do not reveal the full structure of the future expedition system or its reward economy.

For players focused on efficiency, this is a good time to finish valuable progress loops, preserve what can be preserved, and avoid leaving time-sensitive rewards unattended. Anyone trying to optimize base growth may also want to prepare for future ARC Raiders Workbench Upgrades by securing flexible loot and upgrade stock now rather than waiting for the October rush.

Patch 1.45.0 Gameplay Fixes That Matter

Although the transition systems dominate the conversation, the patch also includes several quality-of-life and gameplay adjustments that affect day-to-day runs.

Quick item cycling can now be configured separately

Quick item cycling can now be rebound independently from the quick-use wheel or disabled entirely. This is a practical fix for players who were getting unintended swaps after closing the wheel.

It will not solve every inventory-input complaint, but it gives players more control over item handling and reduces one of the more annoying interaction problems during tense moments.

Aphelios gets reduced weapon sway

Embark also reduced Aphelios weapon sway to improve aiming stability. No numerical comparison was provided, so the safe reading is simply that the weapon should feel steadier while aiming. It is not a confirmed damage buff or a hard-stat accuracy rework.

For players evaluating loadouts ahead of Frozen Trail, this type of aiming improvement can be meaningful, especially if the new region places more emphasis on elevation changes and mid-range engagements. If Aphelios becomes more comfortable to use, it could fit more solo and duo kits alongside strong healing and utility choices.

Matriarch stomp and movement fixes

The Matriarch fix addresses stomp damage hitting players through tall cover or while standing on top of the machine. That is a targeted correction rather than a general redesign of the enemy.

Moving surfaces were also adjusted so players begin following the surface when they land on it. Again, this is a specific behavior fix and should not be treated as proof that every moving-platform interaction is now perfect.

Embark listed fixes for a PlayStation 5 crash, crashes linked to rapid key presses, and a squad issue that could stop players from readying up after a disconnect and rejoin. These are separate stability problems, and the patch addresses them individually.

That is good news for players doing repeated loot runs, especially in squads where ready-up bugs can waste time between matches and disrupt farming efficiency.

Take a look at: this progression guide for better loot and upgrade planning

Engine Upgrade and Patch Note Uncertainty

The update also includes a move from Unreal Engine 5.3 to 5.7. That is a meaningful technical change, but Embark did not provide measured performance gains. So while the engine migration is real, players should avoid assuming guaranteed frame-rate improvements until live results can be judged over time.

There are also a couple of patch-note discrepancies worth noting. The help center and main news page do not fully match on at least two points: a severe over-encumbrance tier and the status of a Rawhide headgear toggle issue. One source describes the over-encumbrance restriction, while the other omits it. One lists the headgear issue as fixed, while the other still presents it as known.

That leaves the current implementation uncertain unless verified in the live game. It is also important not to invent motives behind these mechanics. There is no confirmed basis for claiming the over-encumbrance behavior was designed to target trading activity. The available information only supports describing the movement restriction itself, not the developer's intent.

How Players Should Prepare Before October 8

Because so much of this update is transitional, the best approach is to separate confirmed deadlines from future speculation. There are several smart steps players can take right now without overcommitting to unknown systems.

• Spend all remaining Cred before October 8. This is the clearest action item in the entire update.
• Claim rewards you actually want now. Claimed rewards remain, but unused currency does not.
• Finish expedition goals early. The window is longer, but registration still matters and there is no last-call safety net.
• Preserve useful resources. New research and progression systems may increase demand for crafting stockpiles and upgrade parts.
• Clean up your loadouts. Input changes, sway adjustments, and stability fixes make this a good moment to refine your routine kits.

Players who are behind on progression may also want to prioritize efficient extraction routes, reliable healing, and practical gear upgrades over risky experimentation. This is especially true if you expect the Outpost and future research systems to create new sinks for loot and resources. A smoother stockpile now could make early Frozen Trail progression much easier.

That is also where broader economy planning enters the picture. If the October update introduces more demanding research paths, more recipes, or stronger development loops, access to in-game items, crafting stock, and upgrade pieces becomes more valuable. For players trying to avoid extended grind walls, phrases like how to stock up on ARC Raiders Materials without endless grinding or where to get ARC Raiders Workbench Upgrades and Workstation Upgrades reflect the kind of progression pressure this update is setting up, even if the exact requirements are not known yet.

Why This Update Matters More Than a Normal Patch

Update 1.45.0 is important because it changes the calendar as much as the game itself. Trials end on September 22 and then pause until October 8. Expedition departure closes on September 29. Cred expires on October 8 when Frozen Trail launches. Those are different deadlines tied to different systems, and treating them as one generic cutoff can lead to mistakes.

Some things are ending temporarily, such as trials and expeditions. Other things are being retired outright, most notably the currency. At the same time, the game is preparing to introduce a new mountain region, a new operation for experienced raiders, a progression-focused Outpost, reward overhauls, and system changes that could reshape how players value loot and upgrades.

In short, this patch is the handoff point between the current ARC Raiders structure and a more expansive version that is still only partly explained. The certainty is in the deadline, not yet in the replacement systems.

FAQ

No. Unused Cred expires on October 8 when Frozen Trail launches.

Do I lose rewards I already claimed?

No. Previously claimed rewards remain in your collection after the currency transition.

Are Raider Deck rewards disappearing?

No. Embark says they will remain available, but the post-update acquisition method has not been fully explained yet.

What is the most important thing to do before October 8?

Spend remaining currency, finish time-sensitive progression, and organize your stored loot for upcoming research and upgrade systems.

Should players save crafting stock before Frozen Trail?

Yes. With new progression systems coming, holding useful crafting materials, gear parts, and flexible resources is a sensible preparation strategy.