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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ARC Raiders’ Frozen Trail 2.0 went live on October 8, 2026, and Embark Studios calls it the biggest update since the game launched. It adds the Pendola Pass map with new map conditions and enemies, a reworked skill tree, a new 60-level Reward Pass, an expanded Outpost, 22 new quests, and a set of movement and utility gadgets led by the Grappling Hook.
What Embark says is new
Embark’s official ARC Raiders update notes, last updated October 8, 2026, describe the release this way: “Frozen Trail is our biggest update since launch, packed with new features, fresh challenges, and a long list of fixes and improvements.” The notes do not name an individual speaker, so the claim is Embark’s own characterization. They also do not measure it against earlier updates by map area, player count or development effort, so “biggest” should be read as Embark’s assessment rather than a quantified comparison.
The official feature list falls into six groups:
| Category | What the notes list |
|---|---|
| Map | Pendola Pass, with Frigate and Redirection map conditions |
| Enemies | Bully, Skulker and Hydra |
| Weapons | Bantam and Stiletto weapons, Amplified Weapons, weapon stencils |
| Gadgets and items | Grappling Hook, cameras, Tether Launcher, Yank Grenade, Mountaineer’s Detector, Banjo, Harmonica |
| Progression | Revamped skill tree, new Reward Pass, quest-system improvements and 22 new quests |
| Base building | Outpost, Research Bench and furniture designs |
Pendola Pass and its new enemies
Pendola Pass is the update’s new map. GamesRadar, which is secondary reporting, describes it as a snowy, mountainous Italian setting with vertical spaces. PC Gamer’s preview coverage calls it visually distinctive but familiar in layout. Embark’s notes list the Frigate and Redirection map conditions by name only. Check the in-game descriptions before a run to learn how each one changes the match.
The three new enemy types, Bully, Skulker and Hydra, are also named in the notes without behavioral detail. Early impressions of how they play were not published in the coverage available at the update’s launch.
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![ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I3Aj2PM0L._SL160_.jpg)
- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
Weapons and gadgets
The Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is the most discussed addition. PC Gamer staff writer Morgan Park attended a preview session and played for three hours. He found the hook versatile for climbing, swinging, descending and interacting with the environment, and described it as immediately enjoyable. He also noted that using it can involve trial and error. That account is one writer’s pre-release impression, not a broad read of how players are using it.
Tether Launcher, Yank Grenade and other items
The notes also list cameras, the Tether Launcher, the Yank Grenade, Mountaineer’s Detector, Banjo and Harmonica. Park did not test the Tether Launcher and Yank Grenade thoroughly, so there are no detailed hands-on impressions of those two in the coverage available. The notes do not describe their effects in the summary available here, so treat them as listed items until you can see them in the live game.
Bantam, Stiletto and Amplified Weapons
The update adds Bantam and Stiletto weapons, and introduces Amplified Weapons as a category. The official notes name these additions but, in the material available, do not publish their stats or how Amplified Weapons differ from standard versions.
The rebuilt skill tree
The skill tree changes how skills are picked. According to Embark’s notes:
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
- The middle of each branch is now a binary choice between two skills.
- At the end of each branch, players choose from three skills and can select up to two, once they have invested the required skill points.
- The middle choice can be changed by resetting the skill tree.
Embark says the redesign aims to make skill choices more meaningful and better reflect playstyle. That is the developer’s stated rationale. Park reported that the rework did not immediately change his own playstyle, which is one preview session’s experience rather than a verdict on the system.
The Reward Pass and the Legacy Pass
The Reward Pass replaces Cred as the progression currency described in the notes. Its key points:
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- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
- Frozen Trail’s pass has 60 levels, split between Free and Premium tracks.
- Reward Points apply to whichever pass is currently active.
- Only one pass can be active at a time.
- Existing Raider Decks move into a Legacy Pass and remain progressable.
Outpost, Research Bench and cosmetics
The Outpost is unlocked by completing a project, and it can be expanded with modules. Unlocking it also grants access to the research station, which the notes list alongside the Research Bench. The notes give two cosmetic counts, and their access tiers differ:
| Item (Embark Studios, 2026) | Total | Exclusive to Frozen Trail Premium or Pass | Exclusive to DLC | Findable Topside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon Stencils | 14 | 5 (Premium Pass) | 1 | 8 |
| Furniture Designs | 100 | 4 (Frozen Trail Pass) | 1 | 73 |
The furniture breakdown accounts for 78 of the 100 designs. The notes do not say how the remaining 22 are obtained. The stash maximum is 328 slots, which the notes give without Expedition bonuses or acquired Nomadic Envoy space.
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Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
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- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
Access: free play and Twitch Drops
Two access windows have fixed end dates. Verify both on the day you play, because they can close.
| Offer | Window | Requirement or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Free play (Embark news listing) | October 8–12, 2026 | Listed as active as of October 9, 2026 |
| Twitch Drops (official notes) | October 8–November 4, 2026 | 60 minutes of viewing for the Oxygen Respirator; 120 minutes for the Mailbox |
GamesRadar reported that the free trial covered Steam, PlayStation and Xbox and gave access to the full game. That is secondary reporting, so confirm platform-specific access on Embark’s official live announcement before relying on it.
What the evidence does and does not establish
- The release date, feature list, skill-tree mechanics, pass structure and cosmetic counts come from Embark’s official notes and news listing.
- “Biggest update yet” is Embark’s description. It has not been measured against earlier updates.
- The hands-on impressions available come from one writer’s preview session, which took place before the public release.
- Free-play and Twitch Drop windows are time-limited, and the free-play status reflects October 9, 2026.
For most players, the practical questions are whether the Grappling Hook changes how they move through the map, whether the skill-tree rework suits their playstyle, and whether the new pass is worth progressing before its access windows change.
Quick Recap
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