ARC Raiders update 1.17.0, released February 24, 2026, introduced the Hurricane map condition and adjusted five weapons: Stitcher, Kettle and Venator took damage-related nerfs, while Jupiter and Aphelion received handling improvements. The update also added two ARC threats, a seasonal project, a high-security area on Dam Battlegrounds and changes to item values and crafting. These are the original 1.17.0 patch details; they do not confirm live balance or Hurricane’s current map rotation.
What is the Hurricane map condition?
Hurricane changes how Raiders move, throw items, see and manage shields. Embark said the condition would strike on February 24, 2026. Its official explainer describes a storm that rewards adapting to the wind rather than treating the map like calm-weather conditions: Embark’s Hurricane condition explainer.
- Wind and movement: Tailwinds help movement feel faster; running into gales slows Raiders and drains stamina. Wind also affects throwable trajectories, smoke, gas and jumping.
- Debris and shields: Debris can hit and degrade shields, and shielded Raiders become more visible. A shield offers protection, but the storm can make carrying one a liability.
- Clouds and visibility: Low clouds limit sight and can make ARC encounters less predictable. That same poor visibility may help shieldless Raiders avoid detection by other players.
- First Wave Raider Caches: The storm uncovers these caches, offering a reason to brave exposure to ARC enemies and rival Raiders.
The practical choices are situational: move with the wind where possible, weigh shield protection against debris and visibility, and judge whether a cache is worth the danger of reaching it. Embark summed up its design intent this way: “The true masters of the Hurricane will be those who work with it, not against it.”
Which weapons were buffed or nerfed?
The 1.17.0 weapon adjustments split into damage nerfs for three guns and handling improvements for two. Embark said it aimed to reduce the Stitcher and Kettle’s overall time to kill, improve Jupiter and Aphelion maneuverability, and curb Venator performance in PvP. Values below are the original patch changes, not a claim about later or live balance. Official 1.17.0 patch notes.
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| Weapon | Change in 1.17.0 | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Stitcher | Nerf | Headshot multiplier: 2.5 to 1.75; base damage: 7 to 6.5; per-shot dispersion increased by around 50%, making it bloom faster. |
| Kettle | Nerf | Base damage: 10 to 8.5. Its headshot multiplier was preserved. |
| Venator | Nerf | Headshot multiplier: 2.5 to 2; base damage: 9 to 8. |
| Jupiter | Handling improvement | ADS magnification: approximately 1.9x to 2.2x; equip time: 1.2 to 1.05 seconds; unequip time: 0.9 to 0.75 seconds. |
| Aphelion | Handling improvement | Base reload time: 4.5 to 3.5 seconds; time between shots: 0.9 to 0.7 seconds; vertical recoil reduced by approximately 50%; ADS settle speed improved by approximately 35%. |
What the weapon changes mean
The Stitcher’s lower damage and headshot multiplier, alongside faster bloom, target its ability to secure quick kills—particularly through headshots. The Kettle’s base damage fell, but its headshot multiplier did not. The Venator’s two damage reductions were aimed at its PvP performance.
Jupiter and Aphelion received handling changes rather than listed base-damage increases. Jupiter aims and equips more quickly in the patch parameters, while Aphelion reloads and fires faster, with less vertical recoil and quicker ADS settling. Embark also adjusted semi-automatic input buffering after an unintended earlier change, aiming to keep firing responsive while rewarding paced shots.
What else did Shrouded Sky add?
Firefly and Comet
The update introduced two ARC threats. Firefly is an armored flying machine that emits flame. Comet patrols as a sphere, locks onto a Raider it sees, then explodes.
Weather Monitoring System project
The seasonal Weather Monitoring System project asks players to collect and contribute materials toward system features and rewards.
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Dam Battlegrounds received the Controlled Access Zone, a high-security area with high-value loot. The update also included the free Surgeon Raider Deck and new facial-hair options. In its February 23 announcement, Embark said Stubble would be available with the update, Full Beard could be unlocked through the Surgeon Deck, and Stubble Beard and Thick Moustache would be in the store from February 24. The announcement listed Volare and Devotee cosmetic sets, while clarifying that only Volare would release on February 24 and Devotee would arrive later. Those were announcement-time plans, not confirmation of current store availability. Embark’s Shrouded Sky announcement.
Expedition window
The update included an Expedition window. Its notes also introduced an Expedition catch-up system for missed Skill Points; the patch announcement is the source for those update details, not a guide to current Expedition timing.
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What changed for item values and crafting?
Patch 1.17.0 changed values, trader prices and crafting inputs for several items, and made Energy Clip available by default in the Workbench. The table records the stated changes; where no revised trader price or value was specified in the notes, it is marked accordingly.
| Item | Value change | Trader price change | Crafting change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 5,000 to 6,000 | 15,000 to 18,000 | A new ARC part was added as an input. |
| Trailblazer | 1,600 to 2,200 | 4,800 to 6,600 | A new ARC part was added as an input. |
| Wolfpack | 5,000 to 6,000 | Not stated in the patch notes. | Rocketeer Driver was added as a cost; Refined Explosive cost was reduced. |
| Vita Spray | 3,000 to 3,400 | Not stated in the patch notes. | Tick Pod was added as a cost. |
| Showstopper | 2,200 to 2,100 | Not stated in the patch notes. | Hornet Driver was added; Advanced Electrical Components were replaced with Electrical Components. |
| ARC Parts | Sell value reduced; revised amount not stated in the patch notes. | Not stated in the patch notes. | Not stated in the patch notes. |
| Energy Clip | Not stated in the patch notes. | Not stated in the patch notes. | Available by default in the Workbench. |
What other fixes and gameplay changes were in the patch?
The notes list general performance improvements and fixes for crashes associated with launching with DirectX 11 and traversing ziplines. They also describe collision and lighting fixes, including updates affecting Stella Montis and Blue Gate. During Bird City, the rare-loot chance in Buried City chimneys was lowered slightly.
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- Players received three free daily Feat rerolls, and PvP Feats were removed.
- An Expedition catch-up system was added for missed Skill Points.
- A warning was added for Raider Hatch keys on maps without active hatches, and recycle or salvage outputs became clearer.
- Ziplines could no longer be placed on carryable objects. Mines, traps and remote flares could no longer be placed on other deployables.
The official patch page included a known-issues section alongside the release notes. That historical section should not be treated as a live bug tracker.
How to read these patch notes now
Shrouded Sky is the name of the February 24, 2026 update, version 1.17.0. Its weapon numbers and feature descriptions document that patch as released; they do not establish whether subsequent updates altered weapon balance, crafting, or the Hurricane condition’s availability and rotation. For changes since then, consult the game’s later official patch notes rather than assuming 1.17.0 describes the live game.
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