ARC Raiders Update: Headwinds Patch Rolls Out, Hotfix Lands, and Server Instability Sparks Caution

The latest arc raiders update has arrived with the Headwinds drop, bringing new matchmaking, a fresh map condition, and a long-term progression project, while also triggering a quick follow-up hotfix after players flagged unintended changes. At the same time, arc raiders servers down reports and unstable matchmaking have dominated community chatter, as the developer works to steady service and limit disruption.

The Headwinds package launched Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, ET, and a hotfix followed on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, ET, as the studio moved to address early pain points and gameplay side effects from the initial rollout.

ARC Raiders Headwinds update adds high-risk matchmaking and a new Buried City twist

The arc raiders headwinds update is built around three headline additions that change how late-game players approach runs. First is Solo vs Squads, a toggle for level 40 and above that allows a solo Raider to queue into squad lobbies for a bonus experience payout, whether the run ends in extraction or defeat. It is designed as an opt-in challenge for players who want maximum danger and more frequent player encounters.

Second is Bird City, a permanent minor map condition tied to Buried City that cycles in and out weekly. The condition pushes combat upward by adding more rooftop movement tools and placing valuable loot opportunities in chimneys and high routes, increasing the odds that Raiders collide while chasing the same prizes.

Third is the Trophy Display, a long-term player project centered on hunting increasingly dangerous ARC groups, donating parts, and climbing through multi-step progression to earn rewards such as blueprints, tokens, and cosmetic items. There is no fixed end date for the project, and it is not meant to be affected by expedition resets.

Arc Raiders patch notes highlight party tools, anti-cheat steps, and quality-of-life changes

Beyond new content, the arc raiders patch notes for Update 1.13.0 include social and usability upgrades meant to reduce friction when grouping up. Parties can be set to open so friends can join more seamlessly, and squadmates can now invite others without relying solely on the party leader. Players also received expanded controller rebinding options and additional settings aimed at improving feel and consistency.

The update also includes a broad set of fixes across enemies, maps, and systems, including stability work and improvements to voice communication. An anti-cheat escalation step is also being introduced through a progressive ban approach intended to increase penalties for repeat offenders.

Some specifics have not been publicly clarified about how quickly every anti-cheat component will be fully deployed across all regions and modes.

Arc Raiders update time: Hotfix 1.13.1 rolls out after unintended changes

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, ET, the studio pushed Hotfix 1.13.1 to correct several high-impact problems introduced with the prior day’s update. The hotfix restores intended weapon behavior after an unplanned rate-of-fire change affected multiple guns, and it addresses a cosmetic menu issue that could hide items until purchased.

The hotfix also responds to complaints that looting felt slower by rebalancing the speed at which the first item appears when searching containers, while keeping a faster reveal advantage for players who have the relevant unlock. In addition, it fixes an accidental localization mix-up that surfaced in parts of the interface.

One console version was listed as delayed for the hotfix rollout, and cross-play for that build was set to remain unavailable until the update is delivered. Further specifics were not immediately available on the exact timing for that delayed deployment.

Servers down reports follow coordinated attacks as service stabilizes unevenly

The most urgent issue surrounding this headwinds update arc raiders rollout has been service stability. The developer has said the game has faced extensive, coordinated attacks that have strained matchmaking and server performance, with mitigation work ongoing. Players have reported symptoms ranging from severe lag and failed matches to lost gear and loot during unstable sessions.

Here is why the impact can feel especially harsh in an extraction game. Your loadout, inventory, and run outcome depend on completing a round cleanly and reaching a valid extraction state. When connectivity fails mid-session, the system may not reliably record progress, which can result in missing rewards or an unexpected loss of a kit even if a player was otherwise in a safe position. That is why a brief outage can feel more damaging than a typical shooter disconnect.

A full public timeline has not been released for when the underlying attack pressure will fully end or when performance will be consistently stable for all players.

ARC Raiders roadmap points to monthly drops through April

Looking beyond the immediate turbulence, the arc raiders roadmap outlines a monthly cadence through April under an Escalation banner. February is labeled Shrouded Sky and is set to include a new map condition, a new ARC threat, a player project, a raider deck addition, a map update, and an expedition window. March follows with Flashpoint, adding another new map condition, a new ARC threat, a player project, and a Scrappy-focused update. April is slated for Riven Tides, featuring a new map, a new large ARC, a new map condition, and another expedition window.

Two groups are feeling the push and pull of this moment most directly: high-level players testing Solo vs Squads and endgame projects, and everyday squads trying to run consistent extraction sessions without risking lost progress during instability. The delayed console build also faces a practical disadvantage while waiting for the same fixes and cross-play restoration.

In the days ahead, the next verifiable milestone is the developer’s next service-status communication tied to stability and attack mitigation, followed by the delayed hotfix deployment event for the remaining platform build. After that, the next scheduled content checkpoint is February’s Shrouded Sky drop, which will be the first major test of whether the new monthly rhythm can hold while the team hardens infrastructure and gameplay systems.