ARC Raiders’ March 2026 update did not make blueprint farming easier: it slightly reduced rare blueprint drops from First Wave Caches on the Hurricane map condition. Embark said the caches would remain a solid source, while a separate research system announced for the Frozen Trail update is intended to let players choose some research targets, including some blueprints.
What did the March update change about blueprint drops?
Patch Notes 1.18.0, last updated March 18, 2026, slightly lowered rare blueprint drop rates in First Wave Caches on the Hurricane map condition. The same change increased the caches’ high-tier material drops. Embark said players had become good at tracking down and looting the caches, which had been yielding a lot of blueprints. Read Embark’s Patch Notes 1.18.0.
Embark described the caches as still a solid way to find blueprints, but said players should not reliably expect to leave every session with three to five. That is a qualitative expectation, not a published drop percentage or a guarantee about any individual run.
How can you get the blueprint you want?
There are two distinct routes in the available update information: random blueprint drops from First Wave Caches and the announced research system. The first depends on what drops when you loot a cache; research is described as a way to direct progression toward selected targets.
#1 Best Overall
![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.
| Route | How it works | What is established |
|---|---|---|
| First Wave Caches | Loot caches on the Hurricane map condition and hope for a blueprint drop. | Rare blueprint drops were slightly reduced in the March 2026 patch; Embark says caches remain a solid source. No numerical odds are published. |
| Research system | Find items in the world that contain research points, then use those points to choose research targets. | The system is announced for Frozen Trail and is expected to include some blueprints. The eligible list, costs, and unlock difficulty are not stated in the available reporting. |
Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal described research as an alternative to chasing random drops: “Instead of necessarily having to just chase RNG to get the blueprint you want, there is a system that is called research, where you can find items in the world that contain a number of research points, and using those, you can actually choose which research that you want to have, and that includes a number of blueprints as well,” Grøndal told GamesRadar+.
When is the research system coming?
Embark lists the Frozen Trail update for October 8, 2026. Check the official ARC Raiders news page for update information. The GamesRadar+ report describes research as a new, more directed progression route; it does not say random blueprint drops will be removed.
The available reporting does not establish which blueprints will be researchable, how many research points they will cost, or how difficult they will be to unlock. Those details matter before anyone can estimate whether research will be faster than farming cache drops.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
- Durable Premium Vinyl: Made from thick, high-grade vinyl for long-lasting use on cars, laptops, skateboards, walls, and flasks.
- UV & Weather Resistant: Fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Easy Application & Removal: Applies smoothly without bubbles and removes cleanly with no sticky residue left behind.
- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
Rank #4
- 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
What should blueprint farmers do now?
- Do not treat the March cache adjustment as a blueprint-drop buff: it slightly reduced rare blueprint drops in First Wave Caches on the Hurricane condition.
- Keep caches in mind as a viable random source, but do not plan on reliably getting three to five blueprints every session; that is the expectation Embark specifically said would no longer hold.
- For a targeted blueprint, watch the live Frozen Trail details for the actual research-eligible list and costs rather than assuming a particular blueprint can be selected.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
