arc raiders

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Arc Raiders is one of the most successful new games of the past decade, gaining large player numbers across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC months after its release. Earlier this month, Embark Studios released a content roadmap detailing upcoming updates through April. These include:

• new mode
• new player project
• New map conditions
• New Ark “Threat” (Possibly Enemy)
• New Raider Deck (similar to Battle Pass, but completely free)
• New Expedition Window (Character Reset)
• Scrappy the Rooster Update (probably needs more fruit!)
• brand new map
• New big arc (possibly baron or emperor)
• etc. . . .

All new features in the January Headwinds update

The first of these updates will go live today, Tuesday, January 26th. The frigid Cold Snap event recently ended, effectively putting us in a dead zone between content updates. This January update appears to be the least of them, but things are about to change. Here’s everything you can expect from today’s Headwinds update.

Solo vs Squad (Matchmaking Options)

for arc raiders Players level 40 and above (there is a level cap of 75) will now have the option to play as a solo player in the Trios lobby. Full details of this mode have not yet been released, but here are the gist of it: . . You take a huge risk and get extra XP in return. If you’re really, really good, taking on a 3-pack might not be scary. I find this idea horrifying (I’ve had several matches where I killed two raiders but got flattened by a third when my teammates were already down).

For those of us at max level, the extra XP isn’t much of an incentive. I wish Embark gave max level players something as a reward for reaching XP milestones over the cap. Any credit? Some kind of seed? Metal parts? something. I think Embark is just being awful to streamers. Because it’s definitely more popular with Twitch viewers than most people who play the game.

Other options for optional matchmaking at level 40 include:

• No free loadouts
• some sort of agreement
• Some kind of special challenge system that offers better rewards
• Incentive system
• Special map conditions with high risk and high reward
• Custom map conditions that allow players to choose different modifiers for their matches (could be useful for trials)

bird city

Apparently Buried City is experiencing a huge influx of birds, but I admit I was completely unaware of this detail. The birds have no real purpose in the game other than to let nearby players know that someone has passed through the flock and scattered the birds into the air. Some birds are perched on the wire, and when they jump over the perch, they flap their wings to get out of the way.

From now on, birds will play a bigger role in the buried city. Valuable loot can be found in bird nests and chimneys around the map. How valuable and how random it is remains to be seen. Actually, we could use a little more blueprinting. I don’t have the Tactical MK.3 Augment yet, but the Reliable Looting MK.3 Survivor Augment is pretty hard to beat.

I guess this is the “minor map state” that Embark teased, but it actually wasn’t as exciting as I expected. Where is my toxic swamp? Do I have to go out? dark souls Instead?

Event schedule updated

is not included in Headwind blog post Monday’s update completely changes the 24-hour rotating event schedule. Well, there is fixed weekly schedule Map conditions such as rush blooms and electromagnetic storms change weekly, giving players more options than before. The previous schedule has been decided. All types of situations on each map occur at the exact same time every day. That means if you slept during that particular event, you’ll either miss it or have to stay up all night. Embark says this could change further with the Headwinds update.

Trophy display (project)

Player projects require raiders to travel to different maps to find loot. You must then commit your loot to progress and earn rewards. This project is described as follows:

Some raiders hunt ARCs as a sport. It’s not just about defense anymore. These mavericks take on machines and harvest them for prizes. Build trophy cases, progress through levels, and unlock valuable items along the way.

There’s a visual element to this, and it looks like you’ll be able to show off these trophies alongside your rubber ducky in the raider room. That’s cool. I’m just happy to be able to develop something new. Hopefully there will also be new quests, but this is not mentioned anywhere. Alas, the only quests I have left are those my friends have to do, but it’s fun to help.

cosmetics

Embark has teased two new cosmetic sets, including the Sandwalker Set pictured above. Other sets will be published as updates are published.

All in all, it’s a fairly minor update compared to Cold Snap, but it should at least get us through until February’s Shrouded Sky update. It looks like the update will be significantly larger and include new Arc threats and map updates. Here’s the complete roadmap:

It’s good to have so much content in the pipeline, but I’d still like to see even bigger changes, like improvements to the crafting system and UI, and an end to pointless ABMM (aggression-based matchmaking). It’s still one of the most addictive multiplayer games I’ve played in years. What do you think about this update?