ARC Raiders’ Jan. 27 Update Brings a Brutal New Hardcore Mode—and More
New content is rolling into Arc Raiders! Starting today, Embark Studios’ extraction shooter is shaking up the routine with a solo-vs-squads mode that’s already sparking debate, a completely unhinged new weather condition, and plenty of other surprises to spice up our Arc-hunting runs.
After weeks of teasing and feverish anticipation, Embark Studios is getting ready to deploy Headwinds, the first major update of the year for Arc Raiders. Available from January 27 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this patch kicks off an ambitious roadmap running through April.
Image credit: Embark Studios
A solo vs squads mode that’s splitting the community
The biggest headline in Headwinds is, without a doubt, the arrival of Solo vs Squads matchmaking. Reserved for Raiders who’ve reached level 40, this option lets a lone player take on teams of up to three opponents. The trade-off for that titanic challenge? A generous helping of bonus XP to reward the bold.
📡 Attention, Raiders!
— ARC Raiders January 26, 2026
The ice has thawed – Unprepared Raiders have fallen, the hardy survivors must press on. Here’s what’s coming tomorrow when Headwinds launches!
Solo VS Squads
• A new matchmaking option for LV40+ Raiders, take on full squads as a solo Raider for higher risk… pic.twitter.com/Rg69cT3gil
On X, reactions range from hype to head-scratching. Some see it as a mode tailor-made for streamers and hardcore players, while others question how relevant it is for the broader player base. The Swedish game studio stands by its vision : giving veteran Raiders a playground to truly test their skills—whether as a ruthless hunter, a stealthy assassin, or a discreet scavenger.
The Sandwalker set to face adversity in style
No one takes on entire squads solo without looking the part. Headwinds unveils two new cosmetic sets designed for Raiders who enjoy defying the odds. Built for players who favor stealth and tactical agility, the Sandwalker set is the centerpiece of the collection.
Trophy display : Arc hunting becomes a sport
Headwinds also launches a new trophy project, letting you showcase your feats against the ARC and unlock exclusive, valuable rewards. Players can now build their own personal display case, immortalizing their clashes with The Queen, The Matriarch, and other metallic colossi.
Bird City : when the city takes flight
Another surprise in this update: a brand-new map condition for Buried City, dubbed Bird City. As the ice melts, flocks of birds swarm rooftops and chimneys, leaving behind nests packed with valuable loot.
It’s an idea that’s equal parts weird and wickedly dangerous—because those heights also draw other Raiders, ready to capitalize on the slightest lapse in attention.
Welcome day-to-day improvements and new additions
The patch also brings several quality-of-life tweaks aimed at smoothing out the experience:
- Open groups now let players join a squad between matches
- Expanded squad invites allow teammates to directly recruit additional reinforcements
Small changes, but essential ones—showing the studio’s intent to evolve the game’s social ecosystem alongside its content. New quests are also joining the mix, along with a series of gameplay adjustments the studio says will be plentiful.
A first step toward a packed year
Headwinds is only the first chapter of a four-phase roadmap. February will bring Shrouded Sky with a new weather condition, an Arc threat, and a map update. March follows with Flashpoint, focused on events and additional tweaks, before Riven Tides closes things out in April with a brand-new map and a massive new Arc. The Arc Raiders team seems determined to keep a steady cadence of new content to retain its community and draw new players into this unforgiving post-apocalyptic world.
As Embark puts it, Headwinds is only the beginning: an invitation to take bigger swings, to experiment, and to see how the community makes these new tools its own. One thing’s certain: in 2026, Arc Raiders fully intends to let a gale of challenge rip across the surface.
Arc Raiders, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
