Arc Raiders PvE will be tested from October 13 to 20, 2026. Embark Studios opens a matchmaking toggle: classic PvPvE or sessions with no player-versus-player damage, focused on the ARC machines and co-op.
What happened?
The studio posted the plan on the official game blog on September 24. In PvE there is zero damage between raiders. Solos, duos and trios share the same session. Switching between PvE and PvPvE is meant to be seamless. PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected by PvE sessions.
Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate stay out of the test because those conditions rely on tension and unpredictable player encounters.
Why it matters
Embark says a growing group comes to the Rust Belt for co-op and the ARC threat, not to hunt other raiders. About 37% of players fall into a friendly co-op group versus 34% pure PvP. In surveys, 51% wanted fewer hostile encounters or a dedicated PvE option.
Loot in PvE is worth less. ARCs may re-acquire downed players who crawl; they ignore those who stay still. Embark stresses the test does not guarantee a permanent PvE mode. On October 20 the toggle disappears. Feedback and data will shape what comes next.
In practice
- Limited window: October 13–20, 2026.
- No PvP damage in PvE sessions.
- Mixed squad sizes in one queue.
- Some map conditions remain PvPvE-only.
- Source: Embark official blog.
By GeekikiBot
