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ARC Raiders’ Frozen Trail 2.0 update went live on October 8, 2026. Its patch notes stand out less for the new Pendola Pass map than for how much attention they pay to everyday friction: you can open the map while downed, drop loot straight from containers, and get more useful pings. The notes also rework the Skill Tree, retune explosives and several items, replace Cred with Reward Points, and publish a candid list of problems that were still open at launch.
The headline’s phrase that players have “dreamed of” these changes for a year is best read as a tone, not a timeline. Embark’s notes don’t say how long any of these requests had been circulating, so this article doesn’t treat any single fix as a year-old demand.
What arrived in Frozen Trail 2.0
Embark’s official highlights list the following additions for the October 8, 2026 update:
- New map conditions: Pendola Pass, Frigate, and Redirection
- New enemies: Bully, Skulker, and Hydra
- New weapons: Bantam and Stiletto, plus Amplified Weapons
- A revamped Skill Tree
- The Outpost and a Research Bench
- 22 new quests
- A Reward Pass system (covered below)
The stash and content counts the notes publish are summarized here:
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- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
| Content | Count stated in the notes | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| New quests | 22 | Quest log |
| Maximum stash slots | 328, without Expedition bonuses | Stash capacity |
| Frozen Trail Pass levels | 60, across free and premium tracks | Reward Pass |
| Weapon Stencils | 14: 5 exclusive to the Frozen Trail Premium Pass, 1 exclusive to the DLC, 8 findable Topside | Mixed |
| Furniture Designs | 100: 73 findable Topside, 4 exclusive to the Frozen Trail Pass, 1 exclusive to the DLC | Mixed |
| Riven Tides loot value | Overall value up by approximately 15% | Map loot |
The everyday fixes that drive the update’s tone
Most of the patch’s goodwill comes from changes that remove small, repeated annoyances rather than from new systems. According to the notes, players can now:
- Open the map while downed
- Drop loot directly from containers
- Receive more contextual pings
- Scramble up steep slopes for a short time
The notes also say hit registration improved when shooting ARC enemies, and they add a slide state that triggers after a player has tumbled for too long. Smaller corrections include quest sorting, clearer reward and milestone progress, fixes to recipe unlock notifications, and changes to party joining and voice chat behavior.
The notes describe performance optimization and the integration of AMD FSR 4.1.1, but they publish no frame-rate or loading-time measurements. Any claim about speed gains would go beyond what Embark has published.
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
Skill Tree revamp
Embark says it acted on player feedback and internal data suggesting the old tree did not offer enough interesting character-building choices. Its stated goal is twofold: review underperforming skills and modify or replace them, and make choice and expression a more central part of the tree.
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Mid-branch choices
Some mid-branch nodes now require picking one of two skills. Choosing one means forgoing the other, which is the main structural change in the tree.
End-of-branch selections
Later nodes let players select up to two of three skills, but only after they have invested enough points to unlock them. The studio says it expects further tuning as it observes how players engage with the new layout.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
What the early impressions say
PC Gamer’s October 7 preview reports about three hours with the update, much of it spent with the Grappling Hook. Its assessment of the Skill Tree and map is one writer’s impression, not an official claim or a measure of broader player opinion.
Combat and item balance
Several combat and item changes are concrete enough to compare directly:
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| Item or system | Before | After (per Embark’s October 8 notes) |
|---|---|---|
| Explosives vs. ARC armor plates | Baseline | Over 50% more damage |
| Explosives vs. fragile parts | Baseline | Around 30% less damage |
| Anvil rarity | Green | Blue |
| Snap Hook range | 20m | 18m |
| Snap Hook durability cost per use | 2% | 4% |
| Snap Hook power cost | 50 | 60 |
The notes do not state a “before” value for the explosives multipliers, so the percentages describe the change as published rather than a measured difference. The Bantam now occupies the uncommon hand-cannon role.
Rank #4
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Snap Hook versus Grappling Hook
Embark describes the Snap Hook’s intended role as burst mobility, with more commitment per use following the cost increases. The new Grappling Hook broadens the set of mobility tools rather than replacing the Snap Hook outright. The two suit different movement habits, and the notes do not declare one better.
Reward Pass, Reward Points, and the end of Cred
Frozen Trail replaces the progression structure previously associated with Raider Decks. The main changes are:
- Cred has been removed and replaced with Reward Points. Points are applied automatically to whichever pass is currently active.
- The Frozen Trail Pass has 60 levels across a free track and a premium track.
- Existing Raider Deck rewards have been moved into the Legacy Pass.
- Rewards players already unlocked remain granted.
- Only one pass can be active at a time.
Pendola Pass and Dynamic Loot Zones
Pendola Pass is a frozen mountain setting based on the Italian Alps region as described in the official launch material. Embark says it will test Dynamic Loot Zones there. Under that system, an area’s loot value can change from raid to raid, while the underlying loot type stays the same. A residential area stays residential even when the amount of value it yields shifts. Because the system is described as a test, its final form may differ.
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Known issues at launch
Embark’s notes disclose several problems that were still open on October 8. They are listed here as reported that day, and later hotfixes may have changed them:
- Some weapon meshes are partially invisible when fitted with attachments.
- Footsteps occasionally become inaudible after shoulder swapping while sprinting.
- Field Repair is sometimes unavailable after it has been unlocked. The stated workaround is to restart the game.
- The Tether Launcher repair option is unavailable.
- Lobbies occasionally spawn invisibly, which is described as rare.
- In the Cargo area, a Hydra can detect and shoot through walls.
- Standing on the side of a Cargo drop position can instantly eliminate a player.
The Outpost section separately lists camera obstruction, furniture clipping, and a few UI and lighting problems.
Free-play window and offers
Embark’s October 8 announcement said the game was free to play from October 8 to October 12, 2026. A €0.25 fee applied to PS5 in Germany during that period. The announcement also said a 50% discount was live on all platforms at publication. These offers are date-sensitive: the free-play window ends on October 12, 2026, and the discount’s end date is not given in the material reviewed for this article.
The announcement also described the Collector Set DLC, which includes a cosmetic set, the Renzo, the Dragon’s Breath Weapon Stencil, the Bob Hair Style, 2,400 Raider Tokens, and access to the Frozen Trail Premium Reward Pass.
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Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal explained the reasoning behind the release schedule. When Embark changed its update cadence, it accepted that it would have fewer players over stretches of time. The hope, he said, was to draw those players back with larger pieces of content such as Frozen Trail. That context helps explain why this update bundles so many visible changes at once, from map and progression to basic quality-of-life fixes.
Quick Recap
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