If you play ARC Raiders, today is a big day. Patch 1.17.0, officially titled the Shrouded Sky update, went live on February 24, 2026, and it brings one of the most dramatic changes to the game’s environment since launch. Violent hurricanes are sweeping topside, two brand new ARC enemy types have entered the Rust Belt, and a fresh wave of weapon balancing, bug fixes, and cosmetic additions rounds out what is easily one of the biggest updates the game has received. Here is everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways from the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky Update

• ARC Raiders Patch 1.17.0, Shrouded Sky, went live on February 24, 2026
• The Hurricane map condition brings low visibility, powerful winds, and debris alongside new First Wave Raider Caches
• Two new ARC enemies, the Firefly and the Comet, are now active in the Rust Belt
• The Weather Monitoring System project tasks players with collecting materials to unlock weather predictions and exclusive Surgeon cosmetics via Feat Credits
• The free Surgeon Raider Deck is available to all players, and facial hair customisation has finally launched
• A playable interactive piano has been added as a world object
• All NVIDIA Freestyle filters can no longer be enabled simultaneously, closing a visual exploit
• The Dam Battlegrounds Controlled Access Zone is marked by a Rocketeer chandelier landmark
• The Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator have all been nerfed, while the Jupiter and Aphelion have received buffs
• PvP Feats have been removed, and Feats can now be rerolled three times daily for free
• An Expedition catch-up system for missed Skill Points is now live
• Anti-cheat enforcement has been strengthened with permanent bans for serious violations
• For the complete list of every change, the full official patch notes are available on the Embark Studios website

When Did the Shrouded Sky Update Go Live?

Embark Studios released the Shrouded Sky introduction post and trailer on February 23, 2026. The full update, Patch 1.17.0, went live on February 24, 2026.

What Is the Shrouded Sky Update?

The Shrouded Sky update introduces the Hurricane map condition to ARC Raiders, fundamentally changing how the Rust Belt plays during active storm periods. Visibility drops sharply, powerful gales affect movement, and debris hurtles across the environment. However, the chaos also unearths new loot caches, so players who know how to read the weather will find real opportunity in the storm.

Beyond the weather, Embark Studios used this update to introduce two entirely new ARC enemy types, deliver fresh cosmetics, add facial hair customisation, and push through a significant round of weapon and item balance changes. There is a lot to unpack, so let’s go section by section.

The New Hurricane Map Condition

The Hurricane map condition is the headline feature of this update. When active, the hurricane dramatically reduces visibility topside and introduces environmental hazards including strong gale-force winds and flying debris. Raiders heading topside during the storm face a tougher challenge, but the rewards reflect that risk. New First Wave Raider Caches surface during the hurricane, giving players who brave the conditions a genuine edge over those who stay back.

This is a limited-time weather condition tied to the current seasonal period, so it will not always be active. Raiders who want to take advantage of the storm’s unique opportunities should check conditions before heading out.

Two New ARC Enemies: Firefly and Comet

Embark Studios has confirmed two new ARC enemy types entering the Rust Belt alongside the Shrouded Sky update. Here is what you need to know about each one:

Firefly – A floating ARC machine that emits flames. Fireflies present a serious aerial threat, particularly during the hurricane when reduced visibility makes spotting them at a distance much harder.

Comet – A spherical ARC enemy that locks onto Raiders before detonating. Given how disorienting the hurricane’s low visibility can be, encountering a Comet mid-storm is one of the more dangerous scenarios you will face in this update.

Scouts in the lore have already flagged both enemy types in the Rust Belt, and Embark advises caution while the storm runs its course. Both machines require new strategies that account for the environmental pressure of the hurricane.

The Weather Monitoring System: Seasonal Player Project

A new seasonal player project called the Weather Monitoring System is now available. The project tasks players with collecting materials and contributing to a shared build that unlocks weather predictions and exclusive rewards as it progresses. Feat Credits earned through the project unlock Surgeon cosmetics, including two themed unlocks inspired by the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde concept. Like previous seasonal projects in ARC Raiders, the full scope of rewards ties to how far the community pushes the project forward, so checking the in-game project panel regularly is the best way to stay on top of requirements and your personal progress.

Free Raider Deck: The Surgeon and New Cosmetics

A new free Raider Deck called the Surgeon is available to all players with this update. The Surgeon deck includes a full beard facial hair option as one of its unlocks, with Surgeon-themed cosmetics tied to Feat Credit progression through the Weather Monitoring System project. Beyond the deck, a stubble facial hair style is available to all players immediately at no cost, and a thick moustache option is available via the in-game store.

Additional cosmetic sets arriving with this update include the Volare Set and the Surgeon Set, with the Devotee Set confirmed as coming soon. New Backpack and Raider Tool sets have also been added to the cosmetic lineup.

On the fix side, an incorrect visor glass material on the Marco outfit‘s green colour variant has been corrected, and various instances of clipping on certain outfits have been resolved across the board.

It is also worth noting that facial hair customisation was not available at launch, so this update fills a gap that a lot of players have been waiting on.

Dam Battlegrounds Map Update

The Dam Battlegrounds map has received an update with Shrouded Sky. A new area called the Controlled Access Zone has been uncovered, adding a fresh location for players to explore and contest. You can identify the zone by the Rocketeer chandelier landmark that marks it, making it easier to orient yourself when navigating the updated layout for the first time.

Weapon Balance Changes Explained

Embark Studios addressed a weapon input buffer issue that originated from Patch 1.13 in this update. Here is the background in simple terms.

Patch 1.13 included an optimisation fix that accidentally lowered the fire rate of semi-automatic weapons. Embark reverted that in 1.13.1, but that patch inadvertently altered the weapon input buffers, allowing players to spam-click past the skill requirement for learning a weapon’s cadence. Embark has now introduced a middle-ground solution that keeps weapons more responsive to spam-clicking while still rewarding players who time their shots correctly.

In addition to fixing the input buffer issue, Embark also addressed the balance gap between low-tier and high-tier weapons. Many players pointed out that some cheaper weapons outperformed more expensive ones, and this update begins to shift that balance.

Here are the specific weapon changes:

Stitcher (Nerf)

The Stitcher’s headshot TTK was too fast at close range due to the high headshot multiplier, creating situations where players died before they had time to react.

• Reduced Headshot Multiplier from 2.5 to 1.75
• Reduced Base Damage from 7 to 6.5
• Increased Per Shot Dispersion by approximately 50%, meaning the weapon blooms faster

Kettle (Nerf)

The Kettle was being used as a close-quarters SMG substitute when it was intended for medium-range play. Its base damage has been reduced, but the high headshot multiplier remains to encourage aimed play.

• Reduced Base Damage from 10 to 8.5

Venator (Nerf)

The Venator continues to top PvP performance data even after previous nerfs. Embark is reducing its damage, and further changes to ammo consumption and cost efficiency may follow if this does not bring it in line.

• Reduced Headshot Multiplier from 2.5 to 2
• Reduced Base Damage from 9 to 8

Jupiter (Buff)

The Jupiter has the highest headshot damage in the game for PvP but struggles at range and leaves users vulnerable after a missed shot. These changes make it easier to aim and faster to swap off.

• Improved ADS Magnification from approximately 1.9x to approximately 2.2x
• Improved Equip Time from 1.2s to 1.05s
• Improved Unequip Time from 0.9s to 0.75s

Aphelion (Buff)

The Aphelion was intended to be a PvP-focused legendary weapon but felt too slow and bulky for the pacing of PvP encounters. These changes make it quicker and more nimble.

• Reduced Base Reload Time from 4.5s to 3.5s
• Reduced Time Between Shots from 0.9s to 0.7s
• Reduced Vertical Recoil by approximately 50%
• Improved ADS Settle Speed by approximately 35%

Item and Crafting Changes

Several item values and costs have shifted with this update. Here is a breakdown:

Deadline – Value increased from 5,000 to 6,000. Trader price increased from 15,000 to 18,000. A new ARC part has been added as a crafting cost.

Trailblazer – Value increased from 1,600 to 2,200. Trader price increased from 4,800 to 6,600. A new ARC part has been added as a crafting cost.

Wolfpack – Value increased from 5,000 to 6,000. Rocketeer Driver has been added as a crafting cost, while Refined Explosive cost has been reduced.

Vita Spray – Value increased from 3,000 to 3,400. Tick Pod has been added as a crafting cost.

Showstopper – Value decreased from 2,200 to 2,100. Hornet Driver has been added as a crafting cost. The crafting component changed from Advanced Electrical Components to Electrical Components.

Additionally, ARC Parts sell value has been reduced to better reflect their intended role in crafting and progression. The Energy Clip is now available by default in the Workbench.

Progression Updates

Feats can now be rerolled three times per day for free, giving players more flexibility to shape their daily objectives. PvP Feats have been fully removed, and a selection of existing Feats have been updated while new ones have been added.

An Expedition catch-up system is also now live, allowing players to earn missed Skill Points from previous runs. A new UI tracker has been added so you can follow your catch-up progress clearly.

Utility, Gameplay, and World Changes

Several utility items have received updates worth knowing about:

Spotter Relay – Can now be deployed as a trap that lures nearby ARC enemies, and can also be used in quick slots.

Pop Trigger – Can now roll forward briefly before detonating when deployed, and also supports quick slot use.

Vita Spray – Healing now applies continuously while in use, fixing an exploit that previously allowed the item to be misused.

New Field Craft Item – A Shaker instrument has been added to Field Craft options.

Interactive Piano – A playable piano has been added as an interactable object in the world. It serves no tactical purpose, but it is a welcome bit of character for the world and will almost certainly become a community talking point.

On top of these changes, Ziplines can no longer be placed on carryable objects, and Mines, traps, and remote flares can no longer be placed on other deployables or on Ziplines.

Embark has also addressed a competitive fairness issue by preventing players from enabling all NVIDIA Freestyle filters simultaneously. Stacking all filters at once created an unfair visual advantage, and that exploit is now closed.

Bug Fixes Highlights

The Shrouded Sky update includes a significant list of bug fixes. Here are the most impactful ones:

Gameplay – Players can no longer open doors, loot items, or start hatches from too far away. Fall damage now correctly applies during knockback animations. Players can no longer stand on thrown grenades or other non-walkable items.

Maps – Multiple collision issues on Stella Montis have been fixed, including areas that allowed players to reach out-of-bounds zones. Night-time visibility has been improved at the Seed Vault extraction point with added local lighting. Players can no longer go out of bounds in the Blue Gate tunnels, and the ability to climb on top of metro trains on Stella Montis has been removed.

Audio – Audio stuttering on lower-spec PCs has been reduced. Scrappy, the game’s companion creature, will now cluck less frequently following player feedback about the noise level.

Animation – Various vaulting animation issues have been resolved. Weapon-shake animation no longer triggers indoors during freezing weather.

General – A crash when launching with DirectX 11 has been fixed. A crash related to traversing Ziplines has also been resolved.

Anti-Cheat Update

Embark Studios used Patch 1.17.0 to provide a detailed update on its anti-cheat efforts. The team confirmed that its defences operate across multiple levels, from straightforward software checks to behavioural analysis and machine learning pattern detection.

The studio has recently taken action against multiple exploits and is tightening enforcement rules. Strong detections now carry permanent bans immediately, while other violations result in a temporary suspension with a single opportunity to correct the behaviour. Embark has also updated its Family Sharing policies to reduce misconduct, and a systematic manual review of ban appeals is being prepared. The team has confirmed that the volume of telemetry is substantial but that every case will receive proper attention.

Known Issues in Patch 1.17.0

Embark Studios has flagged the following known issues that players may encounter after the update:

• The “Purchase Raider Tokens” page may appear in front of the inbox and profile page when switching between them
• Player animations may appear broken when interrupting a search of the Baron Husk
• Certain containers may be unavailable to interact with
• Ziplines placed onto destroyed ARC parts will not appear correctly
• Scrappy’s “Batting Helmet” and the “Slugger” outfit might not display correctly in the event preview
• The “Comparative Study” achievement sometimes does not progress correctly after damaging the hanging drone dummies
• The “Unyielding” achievement/trophy fails to progress on console when knocking out raiders using the associated prompt
• One of the new ARC enemies has an unusable interaction occasionally when destroyed
• Flying ARC may sometimes appear stuck in idle
• Sometimes the Embark ID Discriminator fails to show
• Some unintended VFX can appear occasionally
• Pressing LMB outside of the item select area closes the item select window in the Expeditions menu

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For the full official patch notes and latest ARC Raiders news, visit the Embark Studios website or follow ARC Raiders on social media.