ARC Raiders Headwinds Update Arrives January 27

[madmax]

Embark Studios is rolling out the third major update for ARC Raiders on January 27, titled the Headwinds Update. This patch introduces new matchmaking options, including Open Parties for friends to join between matches and Squad Invites for direct invites. Players level 40 and above can also try the Solo vs. Squads mode, taking on tougher opponents for bonus XP.

Buried City gets a twist too, with flocks of birds dropping prized items on rooftops and chimneys, encouraging new player encounters and making matches even more intense. The update also adds a new ARC Trophy Display, letting players exchange ARC parts for rewards like cosmetics, blueprints, and Raider Tokens.

Headwinds kicks off a series of 2026 updates, with February’s Shrouded Sky, March’s Flashpoint, and April’s Riven Tides—which introduces a brand-new map—promising a steady stream of content for fans.

[etfs]

solo vs squads at level 40 sounds brutal but also kinda hype for bonus xp