Arc Raiders Update Temporarily Halts PvP Merits and Brings Back Cold Snap
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
The latest Arc Raiders update introduces the Shared Watch event, which temporarily stops PvP merit gains to encourage cooperative PvE machine hunting, while also bringing back the Cold Snap map condition and addressing a major item duplication exploit.
Embark Studios is leaning into player feedback with the latest Arc Raiders update, introducing a fresh in-game event that temporarily shifts the focus away from player combat. Titled Shared Watch, the two-week event disables merit rewards from PvP encounters. While player killing remains enabled and players can still claim loot from fallen foes, earning actual progression merits now requires focusing entirely on destroying, damaging, and assisting against Arc machine threats. To sweeten the deal, the update adds a dedicated event track packed with rewards, including the Tactical Mk. 3 healing augment blueprint, a Snap Hook, and a cosmetic batting helmet for the community mascot, Scrappy.
The update also marks the return of the popular Cold Snap map condition, which originally debuted over the winter break. Players navigating this frozen modifier must manage a frostbite mechanic that builds up while outdoors, forcing teams to strategically seek shelter indoors. To offset the environmental hazard, base loot values have been increased across the board. Alongside these gameplay shifts, the patch introduces fresh cosmetic options, including the Vulpine store bundle and the baseball-themed Slugger set earned through the event track. A subsequent hotfix has also resolved a notable item duplication exploit, with developers confirming that penalty investigations are underway for players who abused the glitch.
Originally reported by Ford James over at Polygon, this patch represents a fascinating compromise for extraction shooters trying to balance high stakes player conflict with cooperative PvE desires. By removing the incentive to hunt other players for progression without entirely stripping away the tension of open world PvP, Embark is giving the community a sandbox to test new playstyles. For the full breakdown of bug fixes and patch notes, you can check out the original coverage on Polygon.
Tags: Arc Raiders, Embark Studios, PC Gaming, Consoles, Updates
Original article: Polygon