Blizzards, your own bases on the surface, and possibly a feature many have been waiting for since launch: The upcoming October update, “Frozen Trail,” could turn Arc Raiders upside down.
Arc Raiders is about to enter its most important weeks since launch. On October 8, 2026, “Frozen Trail”—the biggest content update yet for the sci-fi shooter—will roll out.
It was already known that Embark Studios had a lot planned for this update: a snow-covered mountain map, a new outpost system, and new killer machines have been officially promised.
But behind the scenes, it seems there’s much more brewing. A massive datamining discovery paints a picture of a game that’s fundamentally reinventing itself this fall and may be taking a step that many had long since given up hope of seeing.
Is there going to be a pure PvE mode?
There are concrete references to a pure PvE mode in the game files: According to dataminer Silarius, who shared the findings in a stream lasting several hours, these are by no means outdated code remnants from the early stages.
The game was originally announced in 2021 as a pure co-op game against the machines, before the developers turned it into a PvPvE concept. Since then, many players have been hoping for a return to a more peaceful co-op option.
The latest data contains plenty of clues as well as dedicated menu text that explicitly refers to “Only PvE.” The matchmaking suggests that players can stay entirely among themselves without having to worry about being camped by opposing teams at the map exit.
Embark Studios has not yet officially confirmed a pure PvE mode. It therefore remains unclear whether this will be a permanent playlist, a limited-time event, or a mode option with adjusted loot rates.
Icy Cold Waves and Base Building on the Surface
What’s already certain, however: With Frozen Trail, Arc Raiders is getting its most expansive map to date. The setting is a harsh, frozen settlement beyond the mountain ridges on the edge of the Rust Belt. Amid abandoned factories, research stations, and an observatory, the area is said to offer significantly more verticality than previous locations.
There are already some exciting new features to look forward to in your fight for survival in the snow:
- Similar to previous cold events, sudden cold snaps will hit you in waves. Anyone caught outdoors unprepared will take massive frost damage. The only hope for survival is seeking shelter in bunkers in time.
- After months of holding out underground in Speranza, you’ll venture permanently to the surface. With the Outposts, the update introduces a base-building system where you can set up and decorate your own outpost and research new technologies.
- The skill tree is undergoing a significant overhaul. The data reveals abilities such as wall-climbing, a ninja roll, reduced fall damage, and perks that let you sprint even when fully loaded.
But the enemy machines are upgrading too: The “Tarragon” marks a new addition to the Leaper class. Unlike its hopping relatives, this four-legged robot relies on pure ground mobility: It gallops across the battlefield at full speed, rams Raiders head-on, and deals damage with a shotgun as well as incendiary and fragmentation grenades.
For experienced squads, the update also features a new major operation: a gigantic flying frigate that plunges from the clouds right in the middle of ongoing matches. Similar to the Queen, you’ll have to fight your way through the ship and solve puzzles to unlock doors and loot chambers.
