Raiders Patch 1.23.0 Overview

Raiders update 1.23.0 is a relatively small download (around 1.2 GB on Steam), but it targets several high-impact issues: audio clarity for specific Arcs, a major damage bug involving trigger grenades, responsiveness problems when swapping and using items, and a long list of fixes tied to Assessors and a few maps. The patch also adds a new cosmetic: the Vanguard set in the in-game shop.

Below is a structured breakdown of what changed, why it matters, and what players should pay attention to in PvP, PvE, and general moment-to-moment gameplay.

New Store Cosmetic: The Vanguard Set

The headline addition for many players is the Vanguard set, now available in the shop. The set leans into a grounded, military-inspired look and includes multiple toggles and color options that let you fine-tune the silhouette.

What’s included

• Helmet with visor options (up/down/off) and mask toggle (on/off).
• Chest and arm options including sleeves toggle and shoulder pad selection.
• Pouches such as a chest pouch and leg pouch toggles.
• Backpack as part of the set bundle.
• Extra detail option like the “battle teddy” attachment.
• Multiple color variants (including light, earth-toned, and blue-themed palettes).

If you care about readability and character identity in firefights, the Vanguard set’s toggles are the real value: visor and mask settings can change the “feel” of the head silhouette, while sleeves and shoulder pads help the outfit look either streamlined or bulked up.

Gameplay Fixes That Affect Combat

Patch 1.23.0 includes several fixes that directly impact how fights play out, especially in situations where timing and sound cues matter.

Rocketeer audio cue corrected

An issue was fixed where Rocketeers used an incorrect combat alert sound. Distinct audio cues are a big deal in Raiders because they help you identify threats before you have line of sight. With this change, Rocketeers should be easier to recognize by sound alone, reducing confusion with other Arc types.

Trigger grenade damage bug fixed

A major fix addresses an interaction where two trigger grenades could sometimes deal triple damage when detonating next to each other. This kind of bug can warp PvP outcomes and create “instant delete” moments that feel inconsistent or unfair.

With the fix in place, grenade stacking should behave more predictably, and explosive engagements should be easier to read and counter. If your loadout previously relied on this interaction (intentionally or not), expect a noticeable drop in burst damage in tight detonation setups.

Item usage responsiveness improved

The patch fixes an issue where an item would not be used as soon as possible when holding fire or swapping to it. This is particularly relevant for quick-access utility items where a delayed pull-out can get you killed.

In practical terms, this should reduce cases where you swap to a utility (for example, a smoke-type tool) but the game still uses the previously equipped item due to delayed state changes. If you frequently rotate between defensive and mobility tools, this is one of the most meaningful quality-of-life improvements in the patch.

An issue was fixed where weapons and items would fire automatically. Players commonly noticed this as an unwanted single shot after reloading or during certain transitions. Removing accidental firing improves stealth, reduces wasted ammo, and prevents giving away your position at the worst possible time.

Shoulder swap camera bug fixed

A fix addresses a shoulder swap issue where the camera could remain stuck on one side. Even if you didn’t encounter it often, it’s the kind of bug that can ruin corner-peeking and cover play when it does happen.

Ambulance splitter exploit addressed

An exploit was fixed where the ambulance splitter could be used without its intended dispersion penalty. This should bring the item back in line with its intended risk/reward and reduce cases where it outperforms other options without tradeoffs.

Barricades can no longer be placed on zip lines

Patch 1.23.0 removes the ability to place barricades on zip lines. While it created some memorable clips, it also enabled awkward blockages and unintended control over traversal routes. Expect zip-line paths to be more consistent and less prone to “gotcha” setups.

Map Fixes: Stella Montes, Berry City, and More

Several map-specific issues were addressed, including out-of-bounds hazards, geometry exploits, and missing navigation elements.

Stella Montes: fire and geometry issues

• Fixed an issue where players could be set on fire outside a locked room in Medical Research.
• Fixed a spot where players could be shot through the floor, reducing unfair angles and exploitative kills.

These changes should make fights in the affected areas more consistent, especially when teams are holding choke points near locked-room objectives.

Berry City: missing staircases fixed

Some staircases were missing in Berry City. Missing traversal elements can break rotations and create dead ends that feel like map knowledge “traps.” Restoring staircases should improve flow and reduce confusion for newer players learning routes.

Some instances where the code printer could not be interacted with during Lock Gate were fixed. This is an important stability fix for objective progression—anything that blocks an interaction-based step can hard-stop a match or force awkward resets.

Close Scrutiny: Assessor and Arc Behavior Improvements

A large portion of patch 1.23.0 focuses on the Assessor encounter and related Arc behaviors. These fixes collectively target stuck states, incorrect positioning, despawn behavior, and map ping accuracy.

Rocketeer and Vaporizer idle movement adjusted

Movement speed changes were applied to Rocketeers and Vaporizers to prevent strange behavior while idling. If you saw them “wiggling” or drifting in unnatural ways when stationary, this update should make their idle states look and behave more reliably.

Reconnection and visibility fixes

Reconnected players should now correctly see the Assessor’s platform. This helps prevent situations where a reconnect leaves you with mismatched visuals compared to the actual platform state—an especially frustrating issue when timing jumps or planning rotations.

Vaporizers getting stuck near the Assessor

Vaporizers could get stuck when approaching an Assessor. This can reduce encounter pressure (good for players) but also cause unpredictable pathing and clutter. Fixing it should make the fight more consistent and reduce “free” moments caused by AI snagging on geometry.

Assessor orbit and platform interaction fixes

• Fixed an issue preventing an Assessor from flying back into orbit.
• Fixed cases where the Bleach Bridge platform could break if players spammed bridge/search prompts, preventing orbit return.
• Fixed scenarios where players could get stuck when jumping between platforms on an Assessor.

These changes matter because Assessor platform states are often tied to encounter pacing. When orbit return breaks or platform transitions bug out, the whole flow of the objective can become messy, sometimes even trapping players in awkward states.

Arc despawn behavior improved

All Arcs summoned by the Assessor will now correctly leave the area and despawn if they remain idle for too long. This is a performance and clarity win: fewer lingering entities means less clutter, fewer unexpected aggro moments, and potentially less server strain in extended sessions.

Pinging an Assessor on the map screen now correctly reflects the actual location. Previously, pings could be misleading or non-functional, forcing players to ping nearby terrain just to communicate direction. This fix improves team coordination, especially when splitting to cover multiple objectives.

Berry City landing overlap fixed

A fix addresses a spot in Berry City where an Assessor and a probe could land in the same location. Even if rare, overlapping entities can create collision problems, visual confusion, and broken interactions—so it’s a good cleanup item.

UI and Stability Fixes

Patch 1.23.0 also includes improvements to UI accuracy and crash prevention.

Weapon upgrade UI tiers corrected

An issue was fixed where the weapon upgrade UI could show incorrect upgrade tiers. Even when the underlying upgrade system is working correctly, wrong tier display can mislead players into wasting time or resources chasing an upgrade that doesn’t exist.

Transparent helmet visors fixed

Fully transparent helmet visors were fixed. This is primarily a cosmetic and readability issue, but it also affects how certain sets look in different lighting and can break the intended aesthetic of specific helmets.

Crash investigation and VFX crash fixes

Some instances where certain visual effects could cause crashes were fixed, and the developers note they’re continuing to investigate remaining crash cases. Stability improvements are always welcome—especially in a game where losing gear, progress, or a match due to a crash is particularly painful.

What This Patch Means for the Current Meta

Patch 1.23.0 is mostly about consistency rather than sweeping balance changes. That said, a few fixes can still shift how the meta “feels” in day-to-day play:

• Explosives are more predictable with the trigger grenade interaction fixed, reducing sudden outlier damage spikes.
• Utility swapping should be snappier, which indirectly buffs reactive defensive play and quick tool rotations.
• Audio recognition improves with Rocketeer sound corrections, helping players make better decisions before visual contact.
• Assessor encounters should be cleaner with fewer stuck states, better despawns, and accurate pings.

If you were hoping for buffs/nerfs to shake up weapon viability, this patch likely won’t change your loadout choices much—but it should reduce the number of “that shouldn’t have happened” moments.

Is Raiders patch 1.23.0 mostly bug fixes or new content?

It’s primarily bug fixes and quality-of-life changes, with the Vanguard set being the main new content addition via the shop.

Did patch 1.23.0 nerf grenade builds?

It fixes an unintended triple-damage interaction with trigger grenades. If your damage relied on that bug, your burst will be lower; otherwise, your setup should feel the same.

What’s the biggest gameplay improvement in this update?

The item swap/use responsiveness fix is a standout, since it affects moment-to-moment survivability and reduces misfires when switching tools.

Are Assessor encounters more stable now?

Yes. The patch includes multiple Assessor-related fixes: platform visibility after reconnect, fewer stuck AI cases, improved orbit return behavior, and proper Arc despawns.

Does the Vanguard set have customization options?

Yes. It includes multiple toggles (visor, mask, sleeves, pouches) and several color variants, letting you adjust the look without changing sets.