ARC Raiders Challenges Players to Go Solo Against Squads

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ARC Raiders PvP Frustrates Many But There's Still No Signs Of A PvE-Only Mode, And That Might Be For The Best

Published Jan 26, 2026, 5:26 PM EST

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Winter is almost over in ARC Raiders, and as the cold snap event comes to an end, Embark Studios has revealed The Headwinds Update, which will go live tomorrow, January 27th.

The Headwinds Update will include a new map condition on buried city, an additional matchmaking option for experienced players, and a trophy display project that will have Raiders hunting down ARCs like never before.

ARC Raiders Headwinds Update Goes Live January 27th

The birds are back! As the ice melts and temperatures rise, flocks of birds have returned and settled down in Buried City, creating a new map condition known as Bird City.

As birds collect supplies for their nests, some of the items they gather will also be useful to the residents of Speranza. Raiders will now be able to find valuable loot stored away in the chimneys of Buried City buildings.

ARC Raiders: Night Raids Explained

Night Raids allow you to find extremely valuable loot in the cover of darkness. Here's how they work.

Embark has thrown quite a curveball, with the introduction of a Solo Vs Squads matchmaking option, where Raiders that are level 40 and above will be able to push their topside tactics to the limit. This new mode will allow solo Raiders the chance to go up against full squads in exchange for additional experience.

As birds collect supplies for their nests, some of the items they gather will also be useful to the residents of Speranza.

For the battle-hardened Raiders who have become proficient in the art of ARC annihilation, a new project emerges—Trophy Display. Hunt down the ARCs patrolling the surface, show off your best kills in your trophy case, and unlock valuable items as you progress through the levels.

Many players have been calling for a PvE-only game mode, but it appears Embark is leaning more in the opposite direction.

The Headwinds Update trailer, released earlier today, showcases a solo player utilizing jolt mines, synthesized fuel, and noisemakers to take out an unsuspecting squad on a quick supply run.

While the introduction of Solo VS Squads is definitely an exciting curveball, Embark has also given us a hint that things are about to get even crazier: "This is just the beginning—we need to know if you're ready for the impending escalation."