Arc Raiders Patch Notes: Shared Watch Event and Trailblazer Grenade Rework

Key Changes in Arc Raiders' Latest Patch

• Shared Watch Event: Live now for two weeks, this event significantly incentivizes PvE collaboration, rewarding merits for taking down Arc machines over PvP encounters.
• Matchmaking Philosophy: Embark's unique system continues to prioritize grouping cooperative players together, minimizing aggressive encounters by design.
• Cold Snap Condition: The fan-favorite snowy map modifier returns unchanged, reintroducing environmental challenges like frostbite and unique items.
• Trailblazer Grenade Rework: Tweaked to deal more damage to small enemies but less to larger ones, impacting loadout viability; a bug causing damage through walls has been resolved.
• Shrouded Sky Update: The highly anticipated major update is confirmed to be "locked on wrapping up" for a late February release, hinting at a "new threat in the storm."

Alright, Raiders, it's February 10, 2026, and Embark Studios has just dropped a fresh patch for Arc Raiders, rolling out a brand-new event while the larger "Shrouded Sky" update continues to simmer. As veteran players, our take at In Game News is that this update leans hard into the wholesome, emergent co-op moments that have truly defined this game since launch, especially with the introduction of the "Shared Watch" event.

The Shared Watch Event: A PvE Focus With a PvP Edge

Running for the next two weeks, the "Shared Watch" event is all about banding together against the machines. This new event, live until February 24, explicitly rewards players with merits for "destroying, assisting, and damaging Arc," while making it clear that "no merits will be earned from PvP encounters." This is a significant move, and frankly, a welcome one in our books. While many casual players have clamored for a dedicated PvE-only mode, Embark has wisely avoided caving completely. The core tension of its PvPvE extraction shooter formula—that ever-present risk of another raider picking you off—is what, for us, makes Arc Raiders one of the best multiplayer experiences out there.

However, "Shared Watch" certainly edges closer to that PvE ideal for a limited time. Skirmishes with other players are still absolutely possible, and you’ll still snag raider XP and loot from player eliminations. But let’s be real: for the next 14 days, the most efficient way to blitz through those generous event rewards is to focus every bullet and every ounce of energy on the robots. It's a clever design choice that encourages cooperation without stripping away the foundational risk.

Matchmaking Philosophy: Still Ahead of the Curve

It's worth reiterating that Arc Raiders' matchmaking system is doing some heavy lifting here, consistently taking player aggression into account. Those of us who prefer to avoid opening fire on fellow players are still being matched with similarly peaceful, cooperative folk. This system has been a quiet game-changer since launch, cultivating a community where emergent teamwork often takes precedence over cutthroat competition.

Cold Snap Returns: A Chillingly Good Modifier

We're overjoyed to confirm that the "Cold Snap" map condition is back! This snowy modifier, a standout from the winter event, brings more than just a visual overhaul to maps like Blue Gate and Spaceport. The constant threat of frostbite forces players to actively seek shelter, adding another layer of strategic depth to engagements. According to the patch notes, there are no changes to "Cold Snap" from its previous iteration, meaning bespoke items like Candleberries and Snowballs will still spawn. It’s a fantastic way to keep maps feeling fresh and challenging.

Trailblazer Grenade Tweaks & Bug Squashing

Not all news is perfect, and we have to admit, the tweaks to the Trailblazer grenade are quite disappointing, especially given the new event's PvE focus. The throwable now "deals more damage to small enemies but less damage to bigger enemies such as the Leaper and Bastion." Trailblazers were a solid option for loadouts when dealing with those larger, tougher 'bots, so this rebalance feels like an unnecessary nerf to a valuable utility. Thankfully, we still have other reliable options like Deadline mines and Wolfpack grenades to fill the void.

On the brighter side, an issue that caused Trailblazers to deal damage through walls has been fixed, alongside several other unlisted bugs. Quality-of-life improvements are always welcome, even if a specific nerf stings a bit.

Shrouded Sky Looms on the Horizon

While "Shared Watch" keeps us occupied, the bigger prize, the "Shrouded Sky" update, is just around the corner. We're speculating it will drop in late February, likely at the conclusion of "Shared Watch." Community Manager 'Ossen' confirmed on the Arc Raiders Discord that Embark "is locked on wrapping up the content for our large February update Shrouded Sky, where you'll have to brace a new threat in the storm - but more on that later!" This focus on taking down Arcs during "Shared Watch" might even serve as crucial practice for whatever new threat "Shrouded Sky" unleashes upon us. The anticipation is palpable.