Embark removed PvP-focused Feats in ARC Raiders’ February 2026 Shrouded Sky update, reducing progression prompts that rewarded actions against other Raiders. The change shifts incentives toward a more PvE-friendly experience; it does not remove player combat or make ARC Raiders a PvE game. Embark’s separate PvE matchmaking test is scheduled for October 13–20, 2026, and the studio says matchmaking will return to normal afterward.
What changed when Embark removed PvP Feats?
In the Shrouded Sky update, Embark removed PvP Feats, updated some existing Feats and added others, according to the patch notes quoted by Insider Gaming on February 24, 2026. Feats are short challenges that award credits for the free Raider Deck progression system. The report cites former examples such as damaging Raiders with Light Ammo and searching knocked-out Raiders; players could reroll Feats for free up to three times per day.
Removing those objectives means progression no longer prompts players to complete those particular PvP actions. It is a change to challenges and incentives, not evidence that player combat was disabled. The update also revised and added Feats, rather than removing the challenge system altogether.
What will the October PvE matchmaking test include?
Embark announced a limited PvE matchmaking toggle test for October 13–20, 2026. As of October 8, the announced trial had not yet begun. During it, players are to be able to choose between the classic PvPvE experience and a PvE experience with zero player-to-player damage, focused on the ARC threat and co-op play. The details below are from Embark’s September 24, 2026 announcement.
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| Feature | Classic PvPvE | Test PvE matchmaking |
|---|---|---|
| Player-to-player damage | Part of the PvPvE experience. | Zero player-to-player damage. |
| Main danger | ARC enemies and other Raiders. | The ARC threat, with co-op social play as the focus. |
| Squad matchmaking | Not specified in the announcement’s comparison. | Solos, Duos and Trios are combined. |
| Conditions available | Not specified in the announcement’s comparison. | Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate are excluded. |
| Matchmaking rating | PvPvE rating applies. | PvE sessions do not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating. |
| Availability | Normal matchmaking experience. | Limited test, scheduled for October 13–20, 2026; matchmaking is to return to normal afterward. |
The test is a separate, more direct way to opt out of player-versus-player damage during the announced period. Embark says the toggle will be removed and matchmaking will return to normal after the trial. The studio says feedback and data from the test will help shape the system’s future; the announcement does not establish a permanent PvE mode or a decision to retain the toggle.
Why is Embark testing a PvE option?
Embark says it wants to respect player choice and support different playstyles while staying true to the game’s core principles. In the September 24 announcement, it reported that 51% of surveyed players were interested in a dedicated PvE option, and that more than 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters. The studio also reported its player-style breakdown as 37% friendly co-op players, 27% mixed players and 34% pure PvP players. These are company-reported figures, not independently verified measurements. Embark also said Friendly players reported frustration with ratting and camping.
The figures suggest that interest in fewer hostile encounters is not confined to one playstyle, but they do not mean every player wants PvP removed. Embark’s design director, Virgil Watkins, described matchmaking as a nuanced process shaped by multiple rounds and player engagement. In a PC Gamer interview published February 19, 2026, he said, “It’s far more nuanced than that. Your engagement with PvP is part of the situation, and it’s not as though one action does it. It’s a series of rounds together and things like that.” He also said, “The game needs that element of tension and risk from other players to be good.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does this mean ARC Raiders is becoming a PvE game?
No such permanent shift has been announced. The removed Feats reduce PvP-directed progression prompts, while the October toggle is explicitly a limited test alongside the classic PvPvE option. Embark’s statement that matchmaking will return to normal after the test is a clear limit on what can be concluded about its availability.
Earlier balance changes also show why the Feat removal should not be read as the end of PvP. In its April 28, 2026 Riven Tides patch notes, Embark said it wanted heavy PvP to remain a viable way to play and reduced weapon durability loss on knockout from 30% to 15%. That is historical balance context, not proof of current policy beyond the announcement itself. The notes are available from Embark Support.
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