The ARC Raiders community is unmatched — Embark nerfs event progression because the community was doing it too quickly

The new ARC Raiders has been a massive success for Embark Studios. Released on October 30, 2025, it's already managed to rack up 4 million sales in just two weeks. For a new IP, that's absolutely incredible! The fun isn't stopping anytime soon, either.

Raiders, we're headed to Stella Montis. Well, we are as soon as you all start donating materials! Embark Studios has launched its November community event titled "Breaking New Ground."

Beneath Speranza is a sprawling network of tunnels, and it seems some have been sealed off with great effort. However, with ingenuity and elbow grease, nothing stays hidden forever. Will you join Speranza's efforts to rebuild the tunnels and connect what has been lost?

To rebuild these tunnels, players will need to donate basic materials to the cause for progression to be counted. These include Metal Parts, Fabric, Chemicals, Rubber Parts, and Plastic Parts. Every donation will cost a Raider 5 of these materials, but in return, you'll be granted 5 Merits.

The North Line Update | ARC Raiders - YouTube

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Merits are a new event currency that players can use during Phase II of the event, "Staking Our Claim". Players can earn upwards of 900 Merits, but extra materials will still help the cause and be counted toward the overall progression.

That overabundance of materials in Raider's pockets caused Embark to nerf progression for the event, just so more players could aid the cause and earn Merits. Earlier in the morning, progress had already reached a staggering 14% in just a few hours before Embark had to step in.

Now, as of 1:00 PM CST, the community progression is at 9%. I've personally maxed my donations and have been pitching every spare scrap of material I have over 100.

The ARC Raiders community is hilariously kind

When I logged on this morning to check the event out for myself, I donated just about everything I had before hopping into a match. That was where I met someone whom I could only describe as the pinnacle of the ARC Raider community.

Shouting from the top of his lungs, this fellow by the name of "Fent_Daddy" was running around begging for trades. For any source of materials players had on them, he was throwing out Epic loot in return.

For the measly 40 scraps of materials I had on me, he gave me a Torro II blueprint, a Wolfpack Grenade, and Exodus Modules. Needless to say, I was stunned when he did it, and my jaw hit the floor.

The generosity on display in order to promote the cause fuels reminiscent feelings of the Helldivers 2 community. Hellbent on success, it seems the ARC Raiders group is no different. Well, at least the good ones.

To pay it forward, I loaded my next round with another 400 materials to pass out to other Raiders so they could donate and reach their Merit counts. I urge each and every player to do the same in solos. Be friendly, be courteous, and by all means, let's get that tunnel open!

New Map, New Gear, New ARC

First on the "to talk about" list is the new map, Stella Montis. As described in the Embark news story:

Carved deep into the northern mountains, Stella Montis tempts Raiders to explore an abandoned facility that remains relatively well-preserved compared to the wreckage of the lower Rust Belt. Cold and sterile, these ruins hint at what humanity left behind in its push towards the stars.

Once the tunnels to Stella Montis have been reconnected, the "Staking Our Claim" phase will trigger, and a new progression track chalked full of challenges and rewards will be unlocked. Players will have the opportunity to work on this until December.

Raiders will find new gear, items, schematics, and even ARC on the map. These include:

• New ARC:
  • Matriarch
  • Shredder
• New Weapon and Gameplay Items:
  • New legendary weapon
  • Three new mines
  • Two new grenades

The Shredder will challenge players on the new map in close-quarters areas that will surely cut to the chase. As for the Matriarch, well, it's said to be the Mother of all Queens and will only be found under specific map conditions. No players have yet managed to find the Matriarch on the Blue Ridge map, but some estimate it may only occur once the tunnel is unlocked.

Of course, to tidy it all up, players will get access to a new line of quests specifically for Stella Montis. Through these, Raiders can earn more rewards like gear and blueprints. So keep your eyes open for something to accept!

In just over two weeks, we'll get another event by the name of "Flickering Flames" that promises a new snowfall map condition, the Expedition Project Raider reset, and plenty more!

Are you excited to jump into the first event for ARC Raiders? Sound off in the comment section below or on social media. If you need some extra materials, heck, shoot me an email!

FAQ

Was $39.99 now $34.99 at loaded.com

Nothing hits quite like crawling your way to a hard-earned exfil after getting absolutely shredded in the raid before. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that’ll break your heart, then hand it back to you like an ex-girlfriend you can't quit. From your first boot-shaking sprint across the surface to the moment you start hunting other raiders for sport, every match will leave you wanting another. Hands down, ARC Raiders is my favorite PvP shooter in years.

👉See at: Loaded | Xbox

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