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ARC Raiders just got patched to Version 1.13.0, the Headwinds Update. This January update may be one of the biggest content patches since ARC Raiders launched.
You’ll find even more matchmaking options, a massive long-term progression project, social systems improvements, and a huge influx of fixes and gameplay enhancements for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Solo vs Squads Matchmaking Arrives
Amongst Update 1.13.0's new features is Solo vs Squads matchmaking. It's aimed at giving higher-level players who queue as a solo an extra challenge.
Details:
- Players that are level 40+ can queue as solo
- There's a checkbox above the matchmaking that allows you to queue into Squads as a solo player
- Rewards +20% bonus XP upon successfully extracting or getting eliminated
- Queue categories will remain together
New Trophy Display
Another feature added with the update is Trophy Display. It's a permanent progression system with rewards that will continue to offer players goals outside of Expeditions.
Details:
- Progresses through five stages of your current build
- Players must kill threatening ARC groups and turn in parts
- Completing a stage grants you a new cosmetic item for the Display Case
- Stage rewards grant you blueprints, Raider Tokens, cosmetics, and Coins
- When maxed out players are rewarded with an emote (Howl), a guitar cosmetic, and 300,000 Coins
- Won't be reset with Expeditions and has no end date
Bird City Map Condition and Environmental Changes
Rotating map condition Buried City has received another bird-themed twist with the addition of Bird City.
Highlights:
- Bird City causes birds to nest on vacant rooftops
- Some nests may hold shiny goodies
- Flocks of ARC on rooftops, you can fly with them
- Bird traps/ziplines are more commonRotates weekly with Buried City
- Elevated traversal is rewarded with less time between player encounters
Expanded Social and Accessibility Features
Alongside quality of life changes, Update 1.13.0 includes features that promote social play.
- Party invitations are now open so friends can join your session
- Allow your entire Squad to invite members
- Integration with Discord to accept and invite friends
- Toggle mouse smoothing
- Allow full button rebinds for gamepads
- Option to delay matchmaking to prevent stream sniping
- Receive a notification when friends join you while topside
New Content and Progression Additions
The update also introduces new content for players to experience:
- Two new Epic Augment Categories
- Seven new quests
- Fixes for players not seeing progression on multiple achievements
Bug Fixes and Gameplay Improvements
This update includes a big list of fixes spanning nearly every system:
- Enhanced ARC enemy AI and traversal
- Fixes to enemy hitscan/popping, audio bugs, and voice chat functionality
- Collision, lighting, and exploit fixes on maps across all three regions
- Movement improvements to ladder/zipline traversal as well as network disconnection recovery
- Fixes to UI visibility and inventory display inconsistencies
- General stability and crash fixes across all platforms
- Aim assist now properly functions at any framerate
Anti-Cheat Updates
Embark Studios has implemented a three-strikes progressive ban system:
- First offence: 30-day ban
- Second offence: 60-day ban
- Third offence: Permanent ban
Known Issues
Issues being tracked:
- Pop-up window regarding unlocking Solo vs Squads may not show at level 40
- Certain Raider Token cosmetics may not show until you've purchased one
- Players have reported occasionally losing a skill point after completing Expeditions. Fix: Exiting and rejoining or playing a different round will correct this.
ARC Raiders launched onto PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 30th, 2025. Update 1.13.0 released on January 27th, 2026 and is a huge leap forward for progression and gameplay polish.
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