Arc Raiders has received a major new content update with Update 1.26.0, released on April 28. The patch brings the long-awaited Riven Tides map, a new aerial ARC enemy called the Arc Turbine, fresh gear, seasonal content, economy adjustments, weapon balancing, expedition improvements and a long list of technical fixes.
This is more than a routine balance patch. Riven Tides gives players a new coastal battleground to explore while also changing how weapons, durability, looting and late-game gear value work across the wider game. For players who have been waiting for a larger reason to return, Update 1.26.0 is clearly designed to refresh both moment-to-moment raids and long-term progression.
Embark Studios has shared official details through the Arc Raiders news page, confirming the arrival of new content, balance changes and quality-of-life improvements as part of the April 28 rollout.
Riven Tides Adds a New Coastal Map
The biggest addition in Arc Raiders Update 1.26.0 is the Riven Tides map. Instead of another dense industrial location, this new area moves the action to a ruined shoreline filled with beaches, resort buildings, shipwreck-style spaces and portside routes.
That setting should immediately change how raids feel. Wide beach sections can leave players exposed, while hotels, docks and enclosed structures offer tighter routes for ambushes and close-range fights. The result is a map that appears built around contrast: open coastal danger on one side and valuable indoor loot zones on the other.
Riven Tides also introduces a new minor map condition called Beachcombing. When active, players can search the sand for buried items, but they will need the right tool to do it properly. This gives the map its own identity beyond layout, encouraging players to slow down, scan the environment and take risks away from the usual loot paths.
The new Dockmaster’s Detector gadget supports this system, making coastal scavenging a more deliberate part of the update rather than a simple environmental gimmick.
Arc Turbine Brings a New Kind of ARC Threat
Update 1.26.0 also adds the Arc Turbine, a new flying ARC machine. Unlike smaller hostile units that immediately pressure players, the Turbine appears to be built around area control and defensive power. It may not always look aggressive from a distance, but getting too close can turn the encounter dangerous fast.
This matters because Riven Tides includes open areas where aerial threats can become especially punishing. Players will need to watch sightlines, manage noise and decide whether fighting the Turbine is worth the possible reward.
Embark has also adjusted existing ARC activity to smooth out difficulty spikes. Comets have been removed from standard Dam Battleground sessions, Firefly presence has been heavily reduced there, and Comets have been lowered in Buried City. These changes should make early or beginner-oriented sessions feel less punishing while preserving challenge in tougher areas.
Weapon Durability and Loot Economy Reworked
One of the most important parts of the April 28 patch is the weapon economy update. Embark is trying to solve a growing imbalance where some players had too many stored weapons while PvP-heavy players faced constant repair pressure.
To make the system feel fairer, weapon upgrades now restore 25% of a weapon’s maximum durability. This gives damaged weapons a second life and makes upgrading less expensive in practice, because players no longer need to fully repair before improving gear.
Weapon spawns have also changed. The average durability of found weapons has been reduced from 50 to 30, and fewer weapons will appear around map outskirts. Better durability rolls should now be more closely tied to locked rooms and high-value areas, increasing the importance of contested loot zones.
Durability loss per shot has also been adjusted by rarity:
- Common weapons: 75% higher durability loss
- Uncommon weapons: 50% higher durability loss
- Rare weapons: 35% higher durability loss
- Epic weapons: 5% lower durability loss
- Legendary weapons: 10% lower durability loss
This makes lower-tier weapons more temporary while giving premium weapons better staying power. For PvP players, there is another important change: durability loss after being knocked out has been reduced from 30% to 15%. That should make aggressive play less punishing without removing the risk of losing value in raids.
Bettina Buff, Trigger ‘Nade Nerf and Cloak Changes
The Bettina receives one of the most noticeable weapon adjustments in Update 1.26.0. Its base damage has increased from 14 to 16, and its damage against ARC armor has also been improved. Dispersion now builds more slowly, and recovery has been improved, making controlled bursts more reliable.
However, the Bettina’s fire rate has been reduced from 285 to 235, so the weapon should now reward accuracy rather than pure spray. Heavy ammo stack size has also increased from 40 to 60, making it easier to carry enough ammunition for longer fights.
The Trigger ‘Nade has been slowed down to reduce spam. Players now face a delay after throwing and triggering, which should stop rapid chain detonations from dominating fights.
The Photoelectric Cloak has also been weakened. Its weight has increased from 1 to 3, while power consumption has jumped sharply. The cloak remains useful, but players will need to use it with more planning instead of staying hidden for long stretches.
New Gear, Event Rewards and Seasonal Content
Riven Tides adds several new items that support movement, survival and exploration. The Powered Descender and Crash Mat offer new ways to manage fall damage, while the White Flag deployable adds another tactical option. The Dockmaster’s Detector is especially tied to the new beach treasure system.
The update also introduces the Avian Alarm player project and the Last Resort Event. During the event, players can earn merits by collecting ship models and gaining XP across different maps. Featured collectible models include Wind Sprite, Twilight Compass, Velocity, Sirena Dorata and Leviathan’s Crown.
Trials Season 4 is also part of the update, alongside new cosmetic drops such as the Solare Set and Rachetta Set. A new Tactical Mk.3 Smoke augment has also arrived, while Embark has signalled that broader augment balancing is still being worked on.
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Fixes, Performance Updates and Known Issues
Update 1.26.0 includes fixes across ARC behavior, maps, audio, movement, UI and stability. Aim assist has been improved for weak spots on enemies such as Bastion, Bombardier, Queen and Matriarch. ARC enemies should now respond better to nearby breaching sounds, while patrol issues affecting Vaporizer and ARC Surveyor units have been fixed.
Several maps have received cleanup work, including The Blue Gate, Buried City, Spaceport and Dam Battlegrounds. Fixes target stuck spots, clipping props, ladder problems, collision issues, flickering textures and broken interaction points.
Expeditions also get meaningful UI improvements, including clearer departure screens, progress bars, timers, late departure information and better quest tracking. Inventory management has been improved with multi-select enabled by default on project screens, while crafting suggestions now take priority over recycle suggestions.
Performance improvements include reduced rubber-banding near playable-area edges and an upgrade to Intel XeSS SDK version 3.0.0. Voice chat now includes a noise suppression option, and several audio bugs tied to footsteps, emotes and reconnecting have been fixed.
Some known issues remain. Embark lists problems including occasional customization purchase failures, Firefly disappearance after going idle, ARC spawning inside geometry on The Dam, broken player animations during certain interactions, and the “On the Radar” quest not being completable on Riven Tides.
Even with those remaining bugs, Arc Raiders Update 1.26.0 is a substantial patch. Riven Tides gives players a fresh map to learn, the Arc Turbine adds a new combat threat, and the weapon economy changes could reshape how Raiders value gear, repairs and risk. For returning players, this is one of the strongest reasons yet to jump back in.
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