ARC Raiders’ Shrouded Sky update launched on February 24, 2026, so it is a past update—not an upcoming release. It brought the Hurricane map condition, two new ARC machines, a high-value area on Dam Battlegrounds, a seasonal project, and a second Expedition window that ran from late February into March. Embark’s update announcement and Patch Notes 1.17.0 describe what changed.
What is the Shrouded Sky update?
Shrouded Sky was an ARC Raiders update released February 24, 2026. Its central gameplay addition is the Hurricane map condition, which changes how Raiders move, see, and use equipment. The update also added Firefly and Comet, a new Dam Battlegrounds area, the Weather Monitoring System project, and cosmetic and progression changes.
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What does the Hurricane map condition do?
The Hurricane creates a trade-off between exposure and opportunity. Strong wind affects movement and stamina, while low clouds and windblown debris make it harder to read the battlefield. The storm can also reveal First Wave Raider Caches, but Embark describes these as a possibility, not a guaranteed find on every run. Its Hurricane condition explainer outlines the effects.
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A tailwind can help you travel, while running into a gale slows you and drains stamina. Wind also shifts throwable trajectories and affects smoke and gas, so a throw that would be reliable in calmer weather may not land where expected. Jumping is affected as well.
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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.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
Visibility and shields become tactical factors
Low clouds reduce visibility, making navigation harder and ARC machines less noticeable. Debris can strike shields, making them glitch and spark, degrading them and making shielded Raiders more visible outdoors. Embark says Raiders without shields may be harder for other players to spot in the storm.
What are the new enemies in Shrouded Sky?
The update introduced two ARC machines with distinct threat patterns. Embark’s announcement gives their basic behaviors but does not publish precise health, damage, spawn-rate, or loot figures.
Firefly
Firefly is an armored flying machine that emits a jet of flame. Embark’s advice is to move quickly or find cover rather than remain exposed to its attack.
Comet
Comet is a spherical machine that patrols, locks on after spotting a Raider, and then explodes. Avoid letting it close the distance once it has detected you.
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
What changed on Dam Battlegrounds?
Dam Battlegrounds gained the Controlled Access Zone, a newly uncovered high-security area described by Embark as a high-value-loot location. A “Rocketeer chandelier” is the visual clue the studio says helps identify it. The announcement does not give a map, coordinates, or route, so there is no official route to reproduce here.
What else came with the update?
Weather Monitoring System project
Shani’s Weather Monitoring System is a seasonal project. Raiders collect specified materials topside and contribute them toward building system features, earning rewards as they progress.
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
Surgeon Raider Deck and facial hair
The free Surgeon Raider Deck rewards Cred earned by completing Feats. Stubble was immediately available to all players, while the Full Beard could be unlocked through the deck. The announcement also noted facial-hair cosmetics in the in-game store; store availability can change over time.
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Patch and progression adjustments
Patch Notes 1.17.0 include balance changes to the Stitcher, Kettle, Venator, Jupiter, and Aphelion; an interactable piano; three free Feat rerolls per day; removal of PvP Feats; and a catch-up system for missed Expedition Skill Points. The full patch notes list additional fixes and details.
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When was the Shrouded Sky Expedition window?
The Expedition dates associated with this period are historical. Embark said signup for the second Expedition would begin February 25, 2026, with departure scheduled for March 1, 2026. The announcement did not state the signup opening hour or a precise closing hour. It also lowered the stash-value threshold for the maximum five Skill Points to 3 million Coins. See Embark’s second Expedition announcement for its stated terms.
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