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ARC Raiders’ limited PvE matchmaking test runs from October 13 at 11:00 CEST to October 20 at 11:00 CEST, 2026. It adds a toggle between the standard PvPvE experience and PvE matchmaking, where players cooperate against ARC enemies without player-to-player damage. Embark has not promised a permanent PvE mode.
When does the ARC Raiders PvE test start and end?
Embark’s October 12 reminder sets the test window at October 13, 2026, at 11:00 CEST through October 20, 2026, at 11:00 CEST. That is 09:00 UTC on both dates. The times are for the limited test, not a permanent mode schedule.
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Embark’s October 12 test-day reminder gives the current dates and operational rules.
How do you play PvE matchmaking?
During the test, use the PvE matchmaking toggle to choose between standard PvPvE and PvE sessions. Embark says players can switch between the experiences during the test, and PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected by PvE sessions.
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- 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.
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The official announcements do not provide the exact menu path or button-by-button steps for finding the toggle, so there is no verified sequence of screens to follow. Look for the PvE matchmaking option in-game while the test is active. This test changes matchmaking and session rules; it is not a new PvE progression system.
Embark’s September 24 explanation of the toggle describes its intended seamless switching and rating treatment.
What changes in PvE sessions?
| Feature | PvE test sessions | Standard PvPvE sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Player damage | Player-to-player damage is disabled. | Player-to-player combat remains part of the experience. |
| Throwables and interactions | Stun and fire throwables do not affect other players. Other physical interaction items, including barricades and ziplines, are unaffected. | The PvE-specific immunity for stun and fire throwables does not apply. |
| Loot value | Overall loot value is lower to account for the relative safety. | Baseline loot values are slightly higher during the test while Embark monitors the economy. |
| Squad sizes in matchmaking | Solos, Duos, and Trios share the PvE pool; squad separation is not prioritized, so groups of different sizes may meet more often. | The PvE pool’s shared-squad rule does not apply. |
| Map conditions | Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection do not offer PvE matchmaking. | These five conditions are excluded from PvE matchmaking, not from the standard PvPvE option. |
| Downed players | ARC enemies may reacquire a downed player if they move after an eight-second grace period. Staying still is not a guarantee of safety beyond that rule. | The stated reacquisition rule applies to PvE test sessions. |
| Queue times | Queues may be affected during quiet hours or in low-population regions; Embark has not quantified the effect or named specific regions. | Embark is also monitoring the quality of PvPvE sessions during the test. |
The rule for downed players is easy to misread: ARC enemies ignore a downed player who stays still, but may attack if they detect movement after the grace period. Do not assume crawling is safe.
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Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal says ARC Raiders was originally envisioned as a raid-based PvE co-op game with looting before development shifted toward the PvPvE extraction game. Embark says it wants to accommodate different playstyles and use feedback and data from this test to help decide what comes next.
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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
In its September announcement, Embark reported that 37% of its players were friendly co-op players, 27% mixed players, and 34% pure PvP players. It also said 51% of the surveyed player base expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option, while over 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters. These are company-reported figures; the announcement does not state the survey’s sample size or field dates, so they should not be treated as independently audited results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will ARC Raiders keep a permanent PvE mode?
No permanent mode has been confirmed. Grøndal wrote, “This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it.” Embark plans to review test data and feedback, then send players a survey after the test. It says it will share findings and future plans sometime afterward, but has not given a date. Any future version could differ from this test.
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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
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