ARC Raiders Update 1.33.0 Addresses Three of the Game's Biggest Flaws

ARC Raiders has achieved incredible success since its launch last October, but the journey hasn't been smooth-sailing the whole way through. Embark has overcome a number of game-breaking bugs and exploits, but they're still battling their biggest adversaries thus far: cheaters and item dupers.

These rule-breakers have found ways to duplicate the most valuable items, including explosives and fully upgraded weapons, resulting in a flood of ill-gotten goop, while cheaters are using third-party software to get an unfair edge on the competition. Item dupers are selling in-game guns for real-life cash, and ARC Raiders players are filling their inventories with weapons for just a few dollars.

Embark Continues Fight Against ARC Raiders Cheaters and Item Duplicators

Update 1.33.0 was released today, and it looks like a massive step in the right direction. Embark revealed they are continuing to improve their anti-cheat efforts and remedy the item-duplication plague, but they're also implementing a 'no free loadout' limitation for certain modes.

This 'no free loadout' requirement will be active for the Night Raid and Close Scrutiny map conditions for the next three weeks, and depending on how players respond to it, it could be added to other map conditions as well.

As someone who has spent hundreds of hours topside, I believe this is a smart move by Embark that will help balance the use of free kits and make these modes feel more meaningful. Free loadouts are still an essential part of the game that ensures accessibility for all players, but by adding gear requirements for specific high-value modes, it instantly levels the playing field and will add more excitement for Raiders.

Embark has stated they may add this limitation to other map conditions, and I think it's likely we'll see this being implemented on Matriarch and Queen events in the near future. The reason this is important is that free loadout players are entering these PvE-focused modes with no intention of contributing to the co-operative efforts of other Raiders fighting giant ARCs. They are there to steal the powerful weapons those players are using, while not risking anything of their own.

This no free-loadout experiment could also potentially lead to gear-score requirement modes in the future, which I believe is another great idea that could cause the player count to skyrocket once again. But first, Embark needs to get full control of the cheating and duping situation. Thankfully, it appears they're on the right track.

Embark recently added Denuvo Anti-Cheat for ARC Raiders, and while it may not be perfect, it's definitely helping. In the notes for Update 1.33.0, Embark states their efforts against cheaters are still an ongoing process, and they are scaling up their Denuvo Anti-Cheat and bringing it to more players.

As far as item duplication goes, Embark is tackling the problem head-on, but it may take some time before the issue is fully resolved. "We’ve been focusing on addressing item duplication and taking strict measures against those involved. This means carefully detecting incidents, addressing them directly, and building safeguards to prevent them from happening in the future. It's detailed, methodical work, and we truly appreciate your patience while we see it through."

What's Next for ARC Raiders

While many Raiders have justifiably voiced their frustrations about the cheating and duping situations, free loadout campers, and a lack of new content, it appears Embark is beginning to make substantial progress and is setting a solid foundation for the game as they transition into updating the game only twice a year with major updates, instead of smaller updates every month.

"We know that this quieter period is taking some getting used to, and we completely understand the desire for more things to do in the game. The balance for us is providing content in the short term through Projects and Events, and building something truly substantial for October, and then every six months beyond."

Update 1.33.0 also introduces the Forgotten Relics event, where players can earn raider tokens, weapons and gameplay items, paired with the Converging Paths Project, which allows Raiders to display the relics they've discovered on their travels.

Released October 30, 2025

ESRB Teen / Violence, Blood, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

Developer(s) Embark Studios

Publisher(s) Embark Studios