2025 was a big year for Arc Raiders, but Embark Studios is hoping 2026 will be even bigger. The team has revealed its 2026 roadmap, or at least part of it. Plans for the first four months of the year have officially been revealed, with the team adding new projects (limited-time events), multiple new enemies, and its first new map since last year's claustrophobic Stella Montis joined the world of Arc Raiders. Below we go over everything players can expect to hit the game each month between January and April.
The month is almost over, but a big update is still on the way before the calendar turns to February. The team is adding a new matchmaking option that's reserved for players 40 or higher, a new minor map condition, and a new player project, which has typically meant a limited-time event with free cosmetics. Collectively, this will be called the Headwinds update.
Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap
One thing the team isn't yet ready to do, for this month and all others listed in this article, is go into specifics. For example, we know of the new map condition coming, but not what it is exactly.
In February's Shrouded Sky update, Arc Raiders will receive another new map condition (presumably a major one, since "minor" isn't specified like it is for January), a new Arc enemy type, and another player project. Also coming that month is the game's third Deck, its battle pass system that exchanges in-game Creds for cosmetics and crates of items, typically such as Snap Hooks and grenades.
There will also be a "map update" in February, which is interesting phrasing since it seems to mean neither new map conditions nor a new map. The second Expedition window will also open up in February, giving players another chance to wipe their progress and start anew--and earn some exclusive rewards for their troubles.
As Spring arrives, the Flashpoint update adds more in March, including another new enemy threat, another map condition, a third player project, and even a "Scrappy update," which means somehow the game's resourceful rooster will be getting some attention--whether this means a higher resource collection cap, even cooler hats, or something else entirely is up to your imagination for now.
In April's Riven Tides update, Arc Raiders will receive its fifth distinct map. If it's any indication, the icon in the team's official roadmap image seems to suggest a beachy locale. Alongside that, a new "large" Arc enemy will come to the game, likely akin to the Matriarch and Queen. Another map condition and the game's third Expedition window will round out this update.
In addition to all of these headlining features, Embark also promises more Arc Raiders quests, new Feats, Trials, and events, new gameplay items, new cosmetics, quality-of-life updates, and more. If you'll be spending lots of time in these updates, don't forget to use our Arc Raiders guides hub, which is regularly updated to help you tackle everything the game offers.
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Arc Raiders update - January 2026
The month is almost over, but a big update is still on the way before the calendar turns to February. The team is adding a new matchmaking option that's reserved for players 40 or higher, a new minor map condition, and a new player project, which has typically meant a limited-time event with free cosmetics. Collectively, this will be called the Headwinds update.
Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap
One thing the team isn't yet ready to do, for this month and all others listed in this article, is go into specifics. For example, we know of the new map condition coming, but not what it is exactly.
Arc Raiders update - February 2026
In February's Shrouded Sky update, Arc Raiders will receive another new map condition (presumably a major one, since "minor" isn't specified like it is for January), a new Arc enemy type, and another player project. Also coming that month is the game's third Deck, its battle pass system that exchanges in-game Creds for cosmetics and crates of items, typically such as Snap Hooks and grenades.
There will also be a "map update" in February, which is interesting phrasing since it seems to mean neither new map conditions nor a new map. The second Expedition window will also open up in February, giving players another chance to wipe their progress and start anew--and earn some exclusive rewards for their troubles.
Arc Raiders update - March 2026
As Spring arrives, the Flashpoint update adds more in March, including another new enemy threat, another map condition, a third player project, and even a "Scrappy update," which means somehow the game's resourceful rooster will be getting some attention--whether this means a higher resource collection cap, even cooler hats, or something else entirely is up to your imagination for now.
Arc Raiders update - April 2026
In April's Riven Tides update, Arc Raiders will receive its fifth distinct map. If it's any indication, the icon in the team's official roadmap image seems to suggest a beachy locale. Alongside that, a new "large" Arc enemy will come to the game, likely akin to the Matriarch and Queen. Another map condition and the game's third Expedition window will round out this update.
More to come
In addition to all of these headlining features, Embark also promises more Arc Raiders quests, new Feats, Trials, and events, new gameplay items, new cosmetics, quality-of-life updates, and more. If you'll be spending lots of time in these updates, don't forget to use our Arc Raiders guides hub, which is regularly updated to help you tackle everything the game offers.
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