Up to three players can team up in ARC Raiders: you can queue Solo, Duo, or Trio. Trio means three players total—you and two teammates. That party limit is separate from who you may encounter in a raid: matchmaking can influence likely encounters, but it does not guarantee that every opponent has your group size.
What party sizes can you choose?
| Queue choice | Players on your team |
|---|---|
| Solo | 1 |
| Duo | 2 |
| Trio | 3 total: you and two teammates |
Embark’s July 7, 2026 Live Update 1.36.0 names Solo, Duo, and Trio rounds. Trio is the largest named party category; the practical meaning is three players total.
Does matchmaking guarantee opponents with the same party size?
No. Embark says it tracks playstyle separately for Solo, Duo, and Trio rounds and uses that information to influence matchmaking. This affects which encounters are more likely over time; it is not a promise that every opposing team will match your size or behavior.
The developer also says there are no PvE-only lobbies that prevent other Raiders from attacking. Its matchmaking explainer puts it plainly: “Topside always carries risk.” Choosing a smaller party or a particular playstyle does not make a raid safe.
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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.
Can a solo player queue against squads?
Yes, through a separate option—not by forming a larger party. The January 27, 2026 Headwinds 1.13.0 patch notes say Solo Raiders level 40 and above can join the Squads queue using the “Solo vs Squad” toggle. Those notes specify a 20% end-of-round bonus XP whether the solo player extracts successfully or is defeated. The level requirement and bonus describe that patch and may change, so check the current in-game settings.
How does a party’s behavior affect matchmaking?
Embark says it considers the squad as a whole rather than relying only on its leader: each member influences the squad profile, and the leader receives no special weight over teammates. In update 1.36.0, the developer also said behavior histories are tracked separately for Solo, Duo, and Trio rounds. Changing party size therefore changes which playstyle history is used; it does not carry one shared history across all three categories.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can friends join a party?
The January 2026 patch notes describe party access features: you can set a party to open so Embark and platform friends can join, and squadmates as well as the party leader can invite others. The notes describe joining and inviting, not a change to the three-player Trio limit.
Embark’s official matchmaking explainer: Notes on The Matchmaking System.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- 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
Rank #3
- 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
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