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As of October 7, 2026, ARC Raiders’ latest official update is Store Update 1.48.0, a small cosmetic release that adds two Misthorn Set color variants. The next major update, Frozen Trail, is announced for October 8—not live yet at this cutoff. The most recent detailed Live Update in the official notes covered here is 1.45.0, released September 8.
Which ARC Raiders updates are live, and which are still announced?
| Update or event | Date | Status at October 7, 2026 | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store Update 1.48.0 | September 29 | Released | Store and cosmetic update |
| Store Update 1.47.0 | September 22 | Released | Store update with fixes and Fair Play changes |
| Live Update 1.45.0 | September 8 | Released | Gameplay, progression, interface, stability, and engine changes |
| Frozen Trail | Announced for October 8 | Upcoming | Major content update |
The numbering can be misleading: 1.48.0 is the newest entry in the official update list, but it is a Store Update, not a large gameplay patch. Embark said it did not plan another update the following Tuesday ahead of Frozen Trail.
What the released updates changed
Store Update 1.48.0
The September 29 update adds Blue Silver and Green Wood color variants for the Misthorn Set. Players who own the set receive the variants automatically, and Embark says a restart is not required.
Store Update 1.47.0
Released September 22, 1.47.0 added Camo and White variants for the Riposta Set, a Fair Play update, and fixes for Rawhide headgear, keyboard input, and doors that could look open while remaining closed. Its detailed notes also list safeguards for inventory placement, a Buried City lighting fix, Riven Tides visual fixes, memory and stability improvements, and an inventory stability fix. Embark also addressed a rare crash during server shutdown, an Xbox resource conflict, a PS5 physics-related crash, and Skill Tree input behavior.
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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.
Live Update 1.45.0
The September 8 Live Update introduced the “Ascending the Mountain” Raider Project and Expedition 5, added community-designed rubber ducks, and adjusted gameplay and interface behavior. It included several crash fixes and upgraded the game from Unreal Engine 5.3 to Unreal Engine 5.7. Embark said it was the last Live Update planned before October 8, while noting that a smaller update would arrive in the meantime.
That update also said remaining Cred would expire with the October 8 update. Because the stated deadline is imminent, check the current in-game notice or official update information if you are reading this after October 8.
What Frozen Trail is expected to add
Embark’s September 23 preview describes the following as Frozen Trail content planned for October 8. These are announced features; the preview is not confirmation of what ultimately shipped, so check the release notes after launch for final details.
Pendola Pass, the Frigate, and new ARC enemies
Pendola Pass is an icy area beyond the Rust Belt, built around an old Italian village and an Exodus transport hub. The expedition’s focus is a fallen Emperor and rare technology. A large ARC vessel called the Frigate patrols the area; Raiders are expected to board it, navigate its passages, and face both ARC threats and other players.
The preview names three new enemies: the aggressive Bully, the ambushing Skulker, and the Hydra, a stationary, three-part turret found on the Frigate.
Outpost, weapons, and gadgets
The Outpost is an expandable Raider home with modules and furniture. A Research Workstation is intended to unlock higher weapon customization and modding. Amplified Weapons add a fifth quality level with branching upgrades; Embark’s preview says 15 existing weapons are included initially. The Stiletto and Bantam are new weapons.
Announced gadgets include a Grapple Hook, Tether Launcher, Yank Grenade, and camera. Other previewed additions include new questlines, Skill Tree changes, a new Map Condition, weapon stencils, a harmonica, and a banjo. Embark says the banjo blueprint is included through the Collector Set DLC, so it should not be assumed to be a separately available item.
Reward Passes and the Collector Set
The Reward Pass is announced to launch with Frozen Trail and uses Feats to unlock rewards. The Frozen Trail pass has 60 levels, with Free and Premium tracks; a separate Legacy Pass brings together unclaimed cosmetic rewards and Raider Tokens from older Raider Decks.
| Option | Announced contents | Gameplay effect |
|---|---|---|
| Free Reward Pass | Gameplay items and up to 200 Raider Tokens | Includes gameplay items |
| Premium Reward Pass | Cosmetic toggles, modifications and colorways, weapon stencils, hairstyles, and up to 1,150 Raider Tokens | Embark says it does not include gameplay-benefit items such as weapons or gadgets |
| Legacy Pass | Unclaimed cosmetic rewards and Raider Tokens from old Raider Decks | Available to all players, according to Embark |
| Collector Set DLC | Frozen Trail Premium Reward Pass, a cosmetic set and other cosmetics, 2,400 Raider Tokens, an Outpost sofa, and the banjo blueprint | Optional paid content; the Premium Pass is not required for the update’s core gameplay |
October free-play window and PvE test dates
The free-play window and the PvE matchmaking test are separate events with different dates and rules.
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
| Event | When | What Embark announced |
|---|---|---|
| Free-play window | October 8 at 09:00 UTC to October 12 at 08:00 UTC, 2026 | Access to the full game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation |
| PvE matchmaking-toggle test | October 13–20, 2026 | Players can choose standard PvPvE or a test PvE mode with no player-to-player damage |
For the PvE test, Embark says sessions combine Solos, Duos, and Trios. Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate are excluded, and loot is reduced to account for the lower risk. The studio describes this as a limited test; normal matchmaking is set to return when it ends.
Embark’s free-play announcement lists questions about participation, whether progress carries over, and whether PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass is required. The announcement information available here does not establish answers to those questions, so check its current event details rather than assuming.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Embark says about anti-cheat and matchmaking
In a September 30 developer update, Embark said ARC Raiders uses Denuvo kernel-level protection, Anybrain detections, and in-house machine-learning and other data models. It said detection is not fully autonomous and human review remains part of appeals. The studio says accounts caught using cheats are permanently banned, and describes license restrictions, linked-account sanctions, and hardware bans.
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- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
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Embark reported that queue teaming fell by 85% after five days, and that “spoiled raids” declined from around one in 50 to one in 300. Those are studio-reported figures: the post does not provide sample sizes, a study design, or an independent audit, so they should not be read as independently verified measurements.
For the PvE-toggle announcement, Embark reported that 37% of surveyed players were Friendly co-op players, 27% Mixed players, and 34% Pure PvP players; it also said 51% expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. The rounded category percentages total 98%, and the post does not disclose survey size or methodology. Embark further said more than 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters. These figures describe the studio’s survey, not a verified census of the player base.
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