Arc Raiders‘ Shrouded Sky update is live, and it’s a balance pass more than anything. Quality of life stuff. Weather now interferes with matches. The high-powered mid-tier weapons have been toned down. Legendary guns get buffs. Crafting has been tightened, and now you can play the piano.
It’s a pacing adjustment. Here’s the highlights.
New Map Condition: Hurricane Winds
Hurricane Winds – New dynamic storm condition affects matches, updated Stella Montis lighting, general environmental polish. Impact – More chaotic positioning and reduced long-range comfort.
Two New ARC Enemies
Firefly – Flying ARC that spews fire from above. Impact – Adds aerial pressure and forces vertical awareness.
Comet – Rolling seismic ARC that disrupts ground engagements. Impact – Breaks defensive setups and punishes static play.
Major Weapon Nerfs
Semi-Auto Global Change – Reduced spam-firing effectiveness, shot pacing rewarded, smoother than original slower fire-rate system. Impact – Encourages controlled fire over click-spam.
Stitcher (SMG) – Headshot Multiplier 2.5 → 1.75, Base Damage 7 → 6.5, Per Shot Dispersion ~+50%. Impact – Less accurate, lower burst. Still usable, just toned down.
Kettle – Base Damage 10 → 8.5. Impact – Weaker overall, harder to justify in PvP.
Venator – Base Damage 9 → 8, Headshot Multiplier 2.5 → 2. Impact – Still strong, reduced PvP burst potential.
Legendary Weapon Buffs
Jupiter (Sniper) – ADS ~1.9x → ~2.2x, Equip Time 1.2s → 1.05s, Unequip Time 0.9s → 0.75s. Impact – More responsive and usable, charge time still limits dominance.
Aphelion (Burst Rifle) – Reload 4.5s → 3.5s, Time Between Shots 0.9s → 0.7s, Vertical Recoil ~-50%, ADS Settle Speed ~+35%. Impact – Major usability boost, significantly stronger in PvP and PvE.
Crafting & Item Changes
Energy Clips – Now craftable instead of shop-only. Impact – More loadout flexibility.
Wolfpack Grenade – Now requires Rocketeer Driver, Refined Explosives cost reduced. Impact – Higher effective cost, one grenade won’t kill a Rocketeer, tighter farming loop.
Deadlines, Trailblazers, Vita Spray, Showstoppers – Crafting costs and requirements adjusted. Impact – Economy tightened across key utility items.
Trigger ‘Nades – No change. Impact – Remain strong and relatively easy to craft.
Utility Improvements
Pop Triggers – Quick Slot compatible, roll forward, now explode. Impact – More flexible mid-fight deployment.
Spotter Relays – Quick Slot compatible, function as ARC lure grenades. Impact – Stronger distraction and crowd control tool.
Cosmetic Additions
Beards – New cosmetic option. Impact – More character customization.
Playable Pianos – Interactive environmental addition. Impact – Style points mid-extraction.
Overall Patch Direction
Shrouded Sky is the biggest update the game will see until May at the earliest, which might be a disappointment for some but it tightens the core experience in ways that’ll keep the game far more enjoyable in the long run.