ARC Raiders’ PvE Toggle Beta Is Live Until October 20

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ARC Raiders is testing a PvE matchmaking toggle as part of Update 2.1, giving players a temporary way to choose between the usual PvPvE setup and dedicated PvE servers. The beta runs from October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST.

Embark says the feature has been heavily requested, though the studio is treating this as a short test rather than a permanent change. Once the beta ends, the toggle will be removed, matchmaking will return to normal, and players will be sent a survey. Player feedback and in-game data will decide what happens next.

PvE servers make several notable changes to how raids work:

  • Players can’t damage each other.
  • Throwables such as stun and fire items won’t affect other players, though items like barricades and ziplines still work.
  • Loot value is lower than in PvPvE sessions.
  • Solos, duos, and trios can all appear in the same match, with less squad separation.
  • Some major map conditions won’t support PvE, including Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection.
  • ARC enemies can target downed players again after an eight-second grace period, especially if they detect movement.

Standard PvPvE matchmaking is still running during the test, and Embark says PvE matches won’t affect a player’s PvPvE matchmaking rating. The studio also warns that queue times could be longer in quieter regions or off-peak hours.

The test comes after Embark said 51% of surveyed players wanted a dedicated PvE option. The studio also broke down its audience as 37% friendly co-op players, 27% mixed players, and 34% pure PvP players.

Executive producer Alesander Grøndal said it’s “very possible” the PvE mode could split the game in two, but argued that the community is already divided along those lines. He said the team needs to figure out what supporting that split would actually mean, which is part of why this first test is only lasting a week.

Update 2.1 also adds the Carrion Set to the store and includes fixes for Grappling Hook vaulting, Frigate hatches, stamina consumables, Broad Shoulders, Field Repair, footstep volume, and several Pendola Pass collision issues.

The Evolution of ARC Raiders EP1 - Finding ARC Raiders

Further reading: Official ARC Raiders PvE toggle post