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Choose solo if you want to make your own decisions and set your own pace; choose a squad if you value company and coordinated decisions. Neither is a guaranteed shortcut to safer or more successful extractions: standard matchmaking tries to find similar squad sizes and considers playstyle, but it cannot promise who you will meet or how they will act. As of the October 8, 2026 Frozen Trail 2.0 update, the former “Solo vs. Squads” matchmaking option is gone. A limited PvE matchmaking beta is scheduled for October 13–20, 2026, with important trade-offs for players who want to avoid player-versus-player damage.
What changes when you play solo or with a squad?
The practical choice is between independence and coordination, not between a mode that is always dangerous and one that is always safe. ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure, and Embark presents social play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. In standard PvPvE matchmaking, whether you enter alone or with a group influences the kind of decisions you can make together, but it does not determine how every other Raider in the match will behave.
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It helps to separate two decisions that are easy to conflate. The first is whether you want to play by yourself or with other people. The second is how much player-versus-player uncertainty you are willing to accept. Standard solo play answers the first question, but does not remove the second: other Raiders may still attack. A squad gives you company and shared decisions, but matchmaking does not promise a peaceful lobby or a particular result. During the announced PvE beta, avoiding player-to-player damage becomes a distinct option, but one with its own limitations.
Solo: your pace, your decisions
Going alone suits players who prefer to choose their own pace, make decisions without coordinating with others, or simply do not have a group available. It also means accepting uncertainty about encounters with other players in standard matchmaking. Embark does not establish a guaranteed solo-only experience, so do not treat solo queue as protection from squads or from hostile Raiders.
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Solo is therefore a preference, not a promise of easier or more difficult results. The official matchmaking information does not publish comparable solo and squad extraction or survival rates, so there is no supported percentage that shows which choice succeeds more often.
The key benefit is control over your own decisions, not a special matchmaking shield. You can choose solo because you prefer independence, but you should not choose it on the assumption that other Raiders will leave you alone. Embark says the system considers past playstyle, particularly how players engage with other Raiders, but behavior influences future lobbies gradually and similarity is not assured. The game does not publish a rule that guarantees a solo player will be matched only with other solo players.
Squad: shared decisions and company
A squad is the natural choice if you want company and want to coordinate decisions with other players. Embark says matchmaking attempts to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible. That can make group size a relevant matchmaking consideration, but it is not a guarantee that your squad will meet only another squad of the same size, or that playing together will make an extraction safer or more successful.
Choose a group because you want to play with other people, not because matchmaking promises a particular opponent or outcome. The official material supports no numerical performance comparison between solo and squad play.
Equal-size matching is an aim, not a fixed rule. Queue time and latency are among the practical constraints Embark says it balances against fairness and enjoyment. The system tries to find similar group sizes when possible, which means it can be useful to understand the goal without treating it as a promise. During the October PvE beta specifically, Embark says separation by squad size is not prioritized, so differently sized groups meet more often there.
How standard matchmaking shapes encounters
Embark describes its matchmaking goals as fairness and enjoyment, balanced against practical constraints such as queue time and latency. In standard PvPvE, the system tries to match similar squad sizes when possible and takes past playstyle into account, with particular attention to how players engage with other Raiders. Embark describes that behavior as a continuum rather than a simple friendly-or-aggressive classification.
The key qualification is likelihood, not certainty. Embark’s May 20, 2026 matchmaking notes say, “Similarity is more likely, not guaranteed.” The system may gradually adjust future lobbies in response to behavior, but a similar playstyle is not a promise of a peaceful encounter. Embark states that there are no “PvE-only” lobbies or servers in standard matchmaking where other Raiders will never attack you.
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This matters if you are trying to use matchmaking as a substitute for a play-style choice. The system is not described as sorting everyone into two permanent camps, one friendly and one aggressive. Instead, Embark says it treats playstyle as a continuum and that behavior shifts future lobbies gradually. A cooperative approach may make similar encounters more likely over time; it does not mean the next Raider you meet will cooperate, or that one match will determine every future lobby.
What matchmaking does not promise or use as a shortcut
- One shot or kill does not immediately put a player into PvP-focused matchmaking.
- The end-of-round survey does not affect the next lobby.
- Loadout cost does not set the difficulty of a match.
- Matchmaking does not weigh only the squad leader’s playstyle.
- Crossplay changes who is in the matchmaking pool and may affect queue times, but it does not indicate whether other players will be cooperative or aggressive.
These points can help dispel common assumptions when deciding how to play. For example, the cost of your loadout is not presented as a difficulty dial, and a post-round survey is not a way to immediately steer the next matchmaking result. Similarly, a single shot or kill is not described as an instant switch into a PvP-focused pool. The system’s stated use of prior playstyle is gradual, and the official notes do not describe a guaranteed effect from any one action.
Crossplay is worth thinking about for access to the matchmaking pool and queue speed, especially when playing in a party, but not as a way to choose the social tone of a lobby. Turning crossplay on does not guarantee friendly encounters, and turning it off does not make standard matchmaking PvE-only.
The old Solo vs. Squads option is no longer available
Do not rely on older guides that describe a special way for solo players to enter the Squads queue. Embark’s October 8, 2026 Frozen Trail 2.0 update says “Solo vs. Squads” is no longer available in matchmaking options. Embark said it wanted players to have a proper incentive to use available settings and was re-evaluating the feature’s role.
The option was introduced earlier, in the January 27, 2026 Headwinds update. At that time, it was available to solo Raiders at level 40 and above: they could enter the Squads queue and receive a 20% bonus to XP after either a successful extraction or defeat. That bonus and eligibility describe the former feature, not a current setting. The October removal supersedes those older instructions.
That timeline is useful because advice about this setting may still appear in older coverage. The level-40 requirement and the XP bonus were real features of the January version, but they do not describe what a player can select after the October 8 removal. In particular, do not treat the former option as a current way to opt into squad lobbies, or count its historical bonus when comparing today’s solo and squad choices.
What the October 2026 PvE matchmaking beta changes
For players whose main concern is damage from other players, Embark has announced a separate PvE matchmaking beta scheduled to run from October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST. The option switches between standard PvPvE and new PvE servers. Its rules make it meaningfully different from standard play, but it comes with trade-offs rather than reproducing the standard experience without player-versus-player combat.
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| Consideration | What Embark has announced for the beta |
|---|---|
| Player-to-player damage | Zero on PvE servers |
| Loot value | Lower than in standard play |
| Squad-size matching | Separation by squad size is not prioritized, so differently sized groups meet more often |
| Map conditions | Several major conditions have no PvE option |
| Queue times | May be affected in low-population regions and during quiet hours |
| Standard PvPvE matchmaking | Continues during the beta |
The announced beta window is limited to those dates. Embark’s announcement does not establish whether the toggle will remain available after October 20, so treat it as a temporary test rather than a permanent mode. If you are deciding between solo and squad play during the test, first decide whether zero player-to-player damage matters more to you than lower loot value, reduced separation by squad size, and the absence of PvE choices for some major map conditions.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The PvE option is therefore not simply “standard solo, but safe,” nor does it promise that squads will be separated from solo players. Its defining rule is zero player-to-player damage on PvE servers. In exchange, Embark has announced lower loot value and less emphasis on separating differently sized groups. A player who values avoiding player damage above those other considerations may find the trade-off worthwhile; someone who prioritizes the standard loot value or wants more separation by squad size may prefer the standard PvPvE queue.
There are also two practical limits to keep in view. First, several major map conditions do not have a PvE option, so the beta does not provide every condition through that queue. Second, queue times may be affected in low-population regions and quiet hours. The standard PvPvE option continues during the beta, so players can choose between the announced test rules and standard matchmaking rather than assuming the latter disappears.
Because Embark has not said what happens to the toggle after October 20, avoid building a long-term plan around it. Check for a later announcement if you are reading after the beta window. The currently supported facts are the announced dates and rules, not a promise that PvE matchmaking will continue beyond the test.
Choose the play style that matches your priorities
Choose solo if independence matters most
- You want to set your own pace and make decisions independently.
- You do not have a regular group, or you would rather play without coordinating with one.
- You accept that standard PvPvE matchmaking does not guarantee solo-only encounters or peaceful Raiders.
If the last point is a deal-breaker, consider the announced PvE beta during its stated window rather than assuming standard solo play removes player-versus-player danger. The beta has its own costs, described above.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A useful test is to ask what you want the game session to feel like. If you want the freedom to decide for yourself and do not need a group to enjoy the experience, solo fits that preference. If your reason for choosing solo is specifically that you expect to avoid other players, adjust that expectation: standard matchmaking does not guarantee it. The PvE beta is the relevant announced alternative for eliminating player-to-player damage within its test window, but it changes loot, squad-size matching priorities, map-condition availability, and potentially queue times.
Choose a squad if coordination and company matter most
- You enjoy making shared decisions and playing alongside friends or other Raiders.
- You prefer company to making every decision alone.
- You understand that equal-size matching is an aim where possible, not a guarantee of opponents, safety, or results.
A squad is a social and coordination choice. The available official information does not show that it produces a higher extraction or survival rate.
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Think of the squad choice as one about how you want to play, rather than a claim about performance. Embark’s overview presents social play as part of ARC Raiders, and the matchmaking system tries to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible. Those facts support choosing a squad for shared play, but they do not prove that a squad will always have an easier encounter or extract more often. If you do not have a group ready, the available official information does not establish any special requirement to join one; solo remains a valid preference, subject to standard matchmaking uncertainty.
Use the PvE beta if avoiding player damage is the priority
During the announced October 13–20 test, the PvE option is the directly relevant choice for players who want zero player-to-player damage. Decide whether that benefit outweighs its lower loot value, less emphasis on separating differently sized groups, excluded map conditions, and possible queue delays. Standard PvPvE remains available during the test for players who prefer its usual matchmaking.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteMake the comparison in order of importance: Is avoiding player damage your main requirement? If yes, the beta’s PvE rules address that priority during the published window. Can you accept the lower loot value and the fact that squad sizes are not separated as a priority? Are the map conditions you want available in that option? If one of those trade-offs matters more, standard PvPvE continues to be available. This is a way to choose based on the rules Embark has announced, not a forecast that the beta will become permanent.
A quick decision checklist
- Decide whether independence or company matters more. Pick solo for your own pace and decisions; pick a squad for coordination and shared play.
- Separate group size from encounter safety. Standard matchmaking tries to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible, but does not guarantee equal-size opponents or cooperative behavior.
- Be honest about your PvP tolerance. Standard PvPvE does not guarantee that other Raiders will not attack. During the stated beta dates, PvE servers have zero player-to-player damage.
- Compare the beta’s costs if you want to avoid player damage. Lower loot value, more frequent meetings between differently sized groups, unavailable PvE options for some major map conditions, and possible queues in low-population regions or quiet hours are all part of the announced test.
- Check whether you are using current information. The Solo vs. Squads option and its level-40/+20% XP terms are historical, not current, after the October 8 update.
If you still feel undecided, choose by the trade-off you least want to make. A player who dislikes coordinating may be happier alone even while accepting uncertain standard PvPvE encounters. Someone who values shared decisions may prefer a squad without treating it as a guarantee of safety. And a player whose top concern is player-to-player damage can compare the limited PvE beta rules with standard play, rather than expecting solo matchmaking to provide an equivalent protection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a squad queue is slow, check settings and region
Queue speed is separate from the social tone of a lobby. Embark Support identifies crossplay being turned off as a common reason a party may have slow matchmaking. In a party, the most restrictive member’s crossplay setting applies. Support also recommends verifying that the matchmaking region is correct and setting it to Automatic.
- Check crossplay for everyone in the party. If a member has crossplay disabled, the most restrictive setting applies to the group. Review the party’s settings if the queue is taking longer than expected.
- Check the matchmaking region. Confirm that the selected region is appropriate; Embark Support recommends Automatic when troubleshooting matchmaking.
- Consider timing and population. During the PvE beta, Embark warns that queue times may be affected in low-population regions and quiet hours. A slower queue is not evidence that a lobby will be more cooperative or more hostile.
These are matchmaking troubleshooting steps, not ways to alter who you encounter. Crossplay changes the pool of players who can be matched and can affect queue times, while the most restrictive party setting applies when playing together. Neither crossplay setting nor region selection is described as a tool for choosing friendly opponents. If a queue is slow, check the settings and region before drawing conclusions about lobby behavior.
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Embark’s published information explains the matchmaking goals, the former solo-versus-squads feature, and the announced PvE beta rules. It does not provide observed comparative extraction rates, survival rates, or a guaranteed composition for solo queues. As a result, a recommendation based on a numerical claim about which play style performs better would go beyond what is established.
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For the same reason, do not read matchmaking’s use of past playstyle as a promise that friendly behavior will reliably produce a peaceful lobby. Nor does crossplay being enabled or disabled tell you whether other Raiders will want to cooperate. Those details may affect matchmaking pools or queue speed, but they are not a guarantee of encounter tone.
The evidence also has a time limit. The Frozen Trail 2.0 update establishes the removal of Solo vs. Squads as of October 8, 2026, and the PvE test is announced for October 13–20. The announced details do not say what will happen to the PvE toggle after the test, nor do they establish observed results from the beta. If you are making a decision after October 20, check for a newer Embark matchmaking update instead of assuming the test remains available.
There is no supported extraction-rate figure to settle the solo-versus-squad debate, and no reliable shortcut based on level, loadout cost, one action, or crossplay setting. The strongest recommendation is therefore preference-based: choose the level of independence or coordination you want, understand that standard PvPvE encounters remain uncertain, and use the temporary PvE option only with its published trade-offs in mind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is solo play safer than squad play in ARC Raiders?
The official material does not provide comparative survival or extraction rates, so it cannot establish that either is safer or more successful. Standard matchmaking tries to prioritize similar squad sizes where possible and considers past playstyle, but neither equal-size matching nor peaceful encounters are guaranteed.
Can solo players currently opt into the Squads queue?
No. Embark removed the “Solo vs. Squads” option in the October 8, 2026 Frozen Trail 2.0 update. The former feature was introduced in January for solo Raiders level 40 and above and included +20% XP after extraction or defeat, but those terms are historical, not a current option.
Does standard solo matchmaking keep squads or hostile players away?
No such guarantee is established. Embark says similarity in matchmaking is more likely, not guaranteed, and explicitly says standard matchmaking has no PvE-only lobbies where other Raiders will never attack you.
What does the October 2026 PvE matchmaking beta change?
The announced beta runs October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST. PvE servers have zero player-to-player damage, but loot value is lower, squad-size separation is not prioritized, several major map conditions have no PvE option, and queues may be affected in low-population regions or quiet hours. Standard PvPvE matchmaking continues during the test.
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Does crossplay affect whether other Raiders are friendly?
No. Crossplay changes who is in the matchmaking pool and may affect queue times; it does not promise a cooperative or aggressive encounter. For a slow party queue, Embark Support says crossplay being off is a common cause, the most restrictive party member’s setting applies, and checking the region or setting it to Automatic may help troubleshoot.
The Bottom Line
Choose solo for independence, a squad for company and coordination, and the announced PvE beta during October 13–20, 2026 if zero player-to-player damage matters most and you accept its trade-offs. Standard matchmaking does not guarantee equal-size opponents, peaceful encounters, or better extraction results for either play style; the old Solo vs. Squads option is no longer available.
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