Phrasemaker

ARC Raiders has revealed their road map, which they have titled “Escalation”, for the first four months of 2026! There is a lot to unpack here, so let’s get right into it and make some predictions for what we can expect!

Headwinds:

The smallest of the four, which makes sense since the month is basically already over, January will bring: 

New Matchmaking Option LVL 40+

New Minor Map Condition

Player Project

For the new matchmaking option, my best guess is that this will be some sort of ranking system, separate from the trials. I also think that this will be a more PvP centered system since the emblem is a cross hair, and with the growing population, there has been a lot more players wanting to experience more PvP and less PvE. On top of that, you are going to have to be at least level 40 to experience this new mode, so they clearly want more veteran raiders taking this on.

As for the new minor map condition, judging by the bird emblem, I’m assuming that walking past a flock of birds will result in more alertness from ARC. If you’ve ever played the game and ran past a flock of birds, you know it basically means nothing. 

Shrouded Sky

Although the shortest month of the year, February looks like it’s going to be giving us a lot of Raider content! We’ve got: 

New Map Condition

Player Project

New Arc Threat

Raider Deck

Map Update

Expedition Window

For the new map condition, I have two predictions based on the wind emblem. My first is that strong wind gusts will cause flying ARCs to be less effective, leading to more ground based ARCs roaming around the map. My second prediction, and maybe more likely, has to do with strong gusts unearthing more lootable buildings on the Buried City map. 

There is also going to be a new ARC threat introduced in February. Although we don’t know exactly what it will look like, we do know that it will be a smaller ARC as April’s roadmap specifically shows us that we will be getting a new large ARC. 

More excitingly, players will also be getting a new Raider Deck! My speculation is that the new deck will revolve around Valentine’s Day, so I’m expecting some Cupid-like cosmetics. However, The Winter Olympics will also be going on during this time so it’s just as likely that this could be Olympic themed cosmetics. Regardless, I am excited to see what ARC Raiders has in store for the Raider Deck as the Goalie Deck was pretty cool!

There is also going to be a new Map Update coming in February. We don’t know what it is exactly, nor do we know for what map. However, judging by the location emblem, I’m assuming that there will be a new place to raid in some map. Moreover, if my map condition prediction is true, that new location could be the one that is unburied during the wind storm. 

Finally, February is when the new Expedition Window will open for all of you Raiders that enjoy reaping the benefits of starting over!

Flashpoint

New Map Condition

New Arc Threat

Player Project

Scrappy Update

The first thing on the list is a new map condition. This one has an electricity emblem attached to it, which I would think meant lightning storms, but it looks like that might be reserved for April’s update. I’m not really certain on what we’ll be getting for this condition as there is an electromagnetic storm condition in the game already. If I had to make a prediction, I would say maybe this is a condition in which ARC are supercharged, dealing more damage and being more difficult to defeat. 

We will also be getting another ARC threat in March, it is the same emblem as the one from February so I’m not really sure what this will be. Again, we know that it will be a smaller ARC so it can’t be something too intimidating… right? 

Not only are we getting another player project, but we will be getting a Scrappy update! Scrappy, in my opinion, sort of goes forgotten. He seems to be an early game aspect that gets pushed aside after you level him up all the way, which really doesn’t take that long. This is a much needed update and I’m hoping that it has to do with being able to, not only level up Scrappy some more, but maybe even have him find some more valuable resources along with that.

Riven Tides

Finally, we get to April, which, in terms of scale, is clearly the biggest content drop of all of the four months:

New Map

New Large Arc

New Map Condition

Expedition Window 

First, and most excitingly, we’re getting a new map, raiders! From the emblem (a beach umbrella) we’re obviously going to be getting some goop on the shores! I would expect a map like this to be released in the summer time when everyone is making their beach trips, but I will absolutely take a map by the ocean at any time. 

Not only are we getting a new map, but we’re also getting a new large ARC. My assumption is that this large ARC will call the new map its home, and how cool would it be if this was a giant water based ARC? 

There will also be a new map condition that has a thunder cloud as its emblem. It’s hard to say what this will be since electromagnetic storms is already a severe thunderstorm that causes lighting to strike raiders and ARC. I’m assuming that this map condition is specific to the new map, so maybe it’s a storm that causes more danger by the shore of the map? 

Lastly, April will bring another expedition window to the game. So, Raiders, make sure you keep looting and saving that cred or the awesome payouts that come with resetting your character. 

Along with everything that we covered above, there is a lot of new content that will be dropping in these next few months, including quests, gameplay items, new cosmetics, and quality of life updates! I’m glad to see that Embark Studios is doing everything that they can to keep this game alive and well for all of us gooping raiders out there. As always, let me know what you think about this roadmap in the comments and any predictions that you may have!