ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky Update Is Live Today — Hurricanes, New ARC Enemies, and Expedition Rewards Arrive February 24
The ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update drops today, February 24, 2026, at approximately 4:30 AM ET across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Embark Studios, the free content drop is being called the extraction shooter's biggest update since its October 2025 launch — and the storm it brings is very real.
ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky Introduces Hurricane Map Conditions
The headline feature of the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update is the permanent addition of hurricanes as a rotating map condition. Four major locations are affected: Blue Gate, Buried City, Spaceport, and Dam Battlegrounds. Inside the storm, visibility drops sharply, ambient sound is swallowed by howling winds, player movement slows considerably, and shields continuously drain from flying debris. High-risk First Wave Raider Caches have been unearthed across the surface, giving players a powerful incentive to brave the chaos.
Two New ARC Enemies Stalk the Surface
The Shrouded Sky update adds two new ARC machine types designed to complement the hurricane environment:
| Enemy | Type | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly | Armored flying unit | Emits a flamethrower jet; deadlier cousin of the Hornet |
| Comet | Spherical ground unit | Locks on and relentlessly chases Raiders before detonating |
Both threats require fresh tactical approaches, particularly in low-visibility storm conditions where repositioning becomes far more difficult.
Weather Monitoring System Seasonal Project
Alongside the hurricane mechanic, the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update launches the Weather Monitoring System, a five-stage seasonal questline. Players must scavenge for items across the storm-hit surface to construct the titular monitoring system. Completing all five stages rewards Raiders with gameplay items, 250 Raider Tokens, and the Anemometer Backpack Charm. The project runs from February 24 through March 31, 2026, and is unaffected by Expedition resets.
Surgeon Raider Deck, Cosmetics, and Facial Hair
A brand-new free Surgeon Raider Deck is permanently available to all players who have purchased ARC Raiders. The deck offers Raider Tokens, cosmetic unlocks, and a surgeon-themed outfit in multiple color variants. New cosmetic sets — the Volare Set and the Devotee Set — arrive in the store, alongside new Backpack and Raider Tool Sets. Facial hair customization also launches today: Stubble is immediately available to all players, the Full Beard unlocks through the Surgeon Raider Deck, and the Thick Moustache hits the store starting February 24.
Second Expedition Window and Permanent Rewards
The second Expedition window opens Wednesday, February 25, at 5 AM ET and closes Sunday, March 1, 2026. Players who participate receive:
- 5 permanent Skill Points (plus catch-up for those who missed the first Expedition's full allotment)
- 24 additional stash space on top of the base 280
- A 10% XP boost and a 12% boost to Scrappy's material gathering
- Repair value raised to 70%, meaning a single repair covers most gear
Dam Battlegrounds Map Expansion
The Shrouded Sky update also expands the Dam Battlegrounds map with a new interior zone called the Controlled Access Zone — a high-value loot area marked by a distinctive Rocketeer chandelier. New quests accompany the expanded layout, giving players additional reasons to return to one of ARC Raiders' most active combat spaces.
With hurricanes permanently reshaping surface raids, two menacing new ARC machines patrolling the fog, and a loaded Expedition window closing March 1, the ARC Raiders Shrouded Sky update sets a high bar for what's still to come on Embark Studios' 2026 Escalation roadmap.
