The next major evolution of the Settled Systems is almost here. Embark Studios has officially confirmed that Arc Raiders: Flashpoint will launch on March 31, 2026. As the third major content expansion of the year, Flashpoint introduces a terrifying new aerial threat, a complete rework of your Scrappy companion’s utility, and a map-wide environmental hazard that will change how you choose your loadouts. That promises to be more than enough threats to encourage players to turn their guns away from each other and towards the ARC enemies. Here is everything you need to know to coordinate your next drop.
Arc Raiders Flashpoint Global Release Times
The Arc Raiders Flashpoint update (Version 1.22.0) is scheduled to go live on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Servers will go offline for maintenance approximately two hours before the times listed below:
| Region | Release Date | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| West US (Los Angeles) | March 31, 2026 | 1:30 AM PDT |
| Central US (Chicago) | March 31, 2026 | 3:30 AM CDT |
| East US (New York) | March 31, 2026 | 4:30 AM EDT |
| Brazil (São Paulo) | March 31, 2026 | 5:30 AM BRT |
| UK (London) | March 31, 2026 | 9:30 AM BST |
| Central Europe (Berlin / Paris) | March 31, 2026 | 10:30 AM CEST |
| South Africa (Johannesburg) | March 31, 2026 | 10:30 AM SAST |
| Middle East (Riyadh) | March 31, 2026 | 11:30 AM AST |
| India (New Delhi) | March 31, 2026 | 2:00 PM IST |
| Japan (Tokyo) | March 31, 2026 | 5:30 PM JST |
| Australia (Sydney) | March 31, 2026 | 7:30 PM AEDT |
Arc Raiders Flashpoint Launch Countdown Clock
Use our countdown clock below to track the exact second the Flashpoint update becomes globally available:
What’s New in Flashpoint?
The Shredder Migration and Sentry-Class Harvester
The ARC threat is evolving with the Shredder Migration event, which means that these lethal, fast-moving ground units are no longer restricted to Stella Montis. Expect to encounter them in the Blue Gate and Spaceport regions starting March 31.
Even more dangerous is the Sentry-Class Harvester. This is ARC's newest aerial unit. Unlike the drones we've seen before, the Sentry specializes in area denial. It can deploy gravitational tethers to pull Raiders out of cover or forcibly relocate you into the path of ground units.
Electromagnetic Surge (EM Surge) Map Condition
Flashpoint introduces the EM Surge weather condition. When this storm hits, any electronic weapon attachments (including thermal sights and laser designators) will flicker or fail entirely. Players will need to find or craft the new Grounding Augment to maintain their tech during these high-risk windows.
Scrappy Rework
Your Rooster companion, Scrappy, is getting a much-needed IQ boost. The Scrappy Update introduces a Priority Filter. You can now program Scrappy to ignore common junk and prioritize specific high-tier materials like ARC Alloys or Motion Cores, making your extraction runs much more efficient.
Player Project: Weather Monitoring System
Visit the Projects tab in Speranza to start the Weather Monitoring System. This multi-stage objective requires you to collect sensors and atmospheric data from EM Surge zones. Here’s what you can expect if you choose to participate:
- Reward: The Anemometer Backpack Charm.
- Ultimate Prize: 250 Raider Tokens and the Tactical Mk. 3 (Revival) Augment.
PSSR Technical Updates for PS5 Pro
For players on the PS5 Pro, Flashpoint officially introduces support for PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). This AI-powered upscaling provides a much cleaner image in the dense foliage and higher frame stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arc Raiders Flashpoint is expected to come out on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Arc Raiders servers will go down in preparation for the Flashpoint update. Downtime usually lasts between one and three hours.
No. Flashpoint is a content expansion, not a seasonal wipe. All your gear, stash items, and existing Player Projects will carry over.
Equip the Grounding Augment or switch to iron sights. Most "analogue" attachments are unaffected by the surge. Additionally, keep an eye on the ground for sparking sections; these indicate where lightning is about to strike.
These units typically patrol the "High Loot" points of interest during an EM Surge. Listen for a low, rhythmic mechanical thumping. If you can hear it, the Sentry is already scanning for you.
