ARC Raiders Returns October 8 With Its Biggest Update Ever

Published Sep 23, 2026, 7:13 PM EDT

Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted.

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It's tough to stay relevant in the competitive world of online shooters, but ARC Raiders isn't lying down and waiting to fade into obscurity. Less than two weeks after the release of the new hit FPS Wardogs, ARC Raiders has just revealed that its plans for the future are bigger than ever.

This news comes after a period of relative quiet, as ARC Raiders stepped back from monthly updates in May to pivot to less frequent, more substantive additions. Per the latest preview, the first of those major updates is now just around the corner, and fans have a lot to look forward to.

A new YouTube video from the official ARC Raiders account offers a first look at the Frozen Trail update, which moves beyond the Rust Belt into a snowier setting. Frozen Trail, which is set to arrive on October 8, introduces the new map of Pendola Pass and plenty of new material to go with it.

ARC Raiders creative director Tahir Tanis introduces Pendola Pass as a "large map with lots of gameplay opportunities," ranging from stealth opportunities to dangerous environmental conditions. The big star of the show is the Frigate, a massive vessel that serves as an "endgame challenge for highly-skilled players" to get in and get out with loot without dying in the process. More broadly, other challenges come in the form of new ARC enemies like the Bully, Skulker, and Hydra.

Of course, players will also be getting some new tools to help them fight these foes. The Stiletto is a new light ammo gun that works as an early-game Renegade alternative, and the Bantam is a new snub-nosed revolver. Mobility is getting a boost with the introduction of a grappling hook, which is self-explanatory, along with a Tether Launcher and Yank Grenade.

Weapon Amplification adds something similar to a "fifth quality level," but focuses more on diverse customization than strict stat boosts. Raider Dens are also getting an upgrade with the introduction of Outposts, which allow players to customize their home bases and research Weapon Amplification at workstations.

A new Reward Pass with a Premium Track sounds like some typical live-service clutter, but if you want to spend more money on the game, it's a fresh way to do so. Basically, October will be a big month for ARC Raiders fans, as long as they can tear themselves away from the allure of horror games in the Halloween season.

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