Embark has just deployed the Arc Raiders Riven Tides patch, and it’s arguably the biggest update of the year. This is the last major update of the Escalation roadmap, which revealed content for the first few months of 2026. The update adds a wide range of content, from a new map to a unique boss fight.
However, Riven Tides also introduces a few controversial changes. Embark has faced backlash after announcing major Expedition changes, but luckily, these were adjusted just before the patch dropped. The Arc Raiders developer will keep listening to the player feedback and make more changes if necessary.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the five biggest Arc Raiders changes in the Riven Tides patch.
Biggest additions in Arc Raiders Riven Tides
New map
The new Arc Raiders map is certainly the highlight of the Riven Tides update. As soon as Embark announced it with the early 2026 roadmap, the community was hyped for it. Now, the map is finally out, and it brings a stretch of deserted shoreline.
According to the lore, this location has been abandoned twice. The first time it happened during the Exodus, while later on, survivors of the First Wave were unable to hold it down against ARC. With a new enemy and more challenges that lie ahead, will players be more successful than the survivors?
Before the patch dropped, Embark revealed the map, hyping up the community even more. Even before the Riven Tides update, players were able to see the new locations, from a beautiful sandy beach to an abandoned shipyard.
The new map brings a minor map condition exclusive to it, which is Beachcombing. Players need to unlock Dockmaster’s Detector to uncover buried loot, which may include valuable rewards.
Arc Turbine
The Riven Tides update introduces a new enemy in Arc Raiders: Arc Turbine. The turbine drifts across the new map in a quiet manner, but those who get close to it will certainly see its other side. Instead of being calm and quiet, the turbine is a different beast in its hostile mode and will pose quite a challenge for players.
Embark describes the new Arc Raiders enemy as a “totally unique fight.” The biggest strength of the Arc Turbine is its defense, which will require Raiders to have skill and patience to defeat it.
Expedition changes
While a new map and a unique enemy are perfect additions to the game, the Riven Tides patch also brings a couple of controversial changes. Earlier this month, Embark revealed a new five-day window for Expeditions. In addition, the new system was focused on a damage-based challenge instead of stash value.
While players were fine with the damage-based challenge, a five-day window caused a lot of turmoil. As a result, the Arc Raiders creator extended the Expedition window to 13 days, reducing grind and making the system more accessible.
Instead of stash value, Raiders now need to deal damage to gain skill points. Here is a breakdown of the damage requirements and the skill points earned:
- 1 SP: 5,000 damage
- 2 SP: 10,000 damage
- 3 SP: 30,000 damage
- 4 SP: 50,000 damage
- 5 SP: 100,000 damage
Getting all five skill points requires dealing damage equivalent to destroying 20 Bastions. During internal testing, Embark has been able to earn 8,000 to 10,000 points in a single round.
Arc Raiders Trials Season 4 overhaul
In addition to Expeditions, the Arc Raiders Riven Tides patch introduces major changes to Trials. Season 4 is set to begin on Wednesday, April 29, and will be quite different from the previous seasons. In the past, players were unable to progress through Trials during the Expedition window, but that is no longer the case.
Here are other changes that will affect Trials in Arc Raiders:
- Major map conditions no longer award double points
- Trials are no longer tied to specific map conditions
- New Trials challenges are now available
The Blindspot outfit is a Trials reward in Season 4, and the base outfit can be unlocked by reaching the rank of Tryhard I. Players who reach ranks of Hotshot and Cantina Legend will be rewarded with alternate colors for the new outfit.
Avian Alarm Project
In the new Arc Raiders project, players are tasked with building a makeshift security system. They need to deploy cages along the Riven Tides coastline and catch birds for the Avian Alarm. The project has five stages and several different rewards players can unlock while progressing through it.
Here are the Avian Alarm rewards:
- Dockmaster’s Detector (used for Beachcombing)
- Gel Patches
- Bird House backpack
- Fist in Air emote
- 250 Raider Tokens
Full Arc Raiders Riven Tides patch notes
- Upgrading weapons will now repair 25% of the weapons max durability
- Average durability on spawned weapons: 50 -> 30
- Durability loss on shots for weapons:
- Common weapons: +75% durability loss on shot
- Uncommon weapons: +50% durability loss on shot
- Rare weapons: +35% durability loss on shot
- Epic weapons: -5% durability loss on shot
- Legendary weapons: -10% durability loss on shot
- Durability loss on weapons of knocked out player: -30% durability -> -15% durability
ARC Changes
- Removed Comets from standard sessions in the Dam Battlegrounds.
- Reduced Firefly presence heavily in Dam Battlegrounds.
- Reduced Comet presence in Buried City.
Gameplay changes
Stella Montis
- Adjusted Exodus recyclables loot distribution to be more evenly spread across containers.
Items
Vaporizer Regulator
- Stack size increased 1 -> 3
Trigger ‘Nade
- Added a 1s delay after using the throw action, before allowing the next throw/trigger action
- Added a 1.3s delay after using the trigger action, before allowing the next throw/trigger action
Photoelectric Cloak
- Increasing weight of Photoelectric Cloak from 1 -> 3 to bring it more in line with its rarity/cost.
- Increased Power use rate from 2.5/s to 10/s
Arc Raiders weapons buffs and nerfs
Bettina Balancing
- Base Damage increased from 14 to 16
- Base Fire-Rate reduced from 285 to to 235
- Per Shot Dispersion reduced by around 40% (Making it bloom slower)
- Dispersion Recovery Time improved by around 30%
- Damage against ARC armor increased by around 33%
Heavy Ammo
- Stack Size increased from 40 to 60
