Arc Raiders Update Shrouded Sky reshapes topside risk: hurricane map, flamethrower drone, beards and Expedition reset

The Shrouded Sky arc raiders update shifts not just weather visuals but what players will need to do and prepare for next. Expect storms that actively change extraction risk, new ARC threats that punish topside looting, a seasonal project tied to weather monitoring, and timed Expedition rewards that reset progress—changes that alter priorities for anyone who ventures above the Tubes.

Immediate gameplay consequences: why this matters for Raiders

Hurricane conditions will directly affect how and when Raiders go topside. Wind and debris reduce visibility and mobility, shields can be degraded by flying wreckage, and Tube systems face flooding risk—making routine runs into extraction zones more dangerous and strategic choices more consequential. Here’s the part that matters: those First Wave Raider Caches have been unearthed on the surface, creating a hard trade-off between risk and reward.

Arc Raiders Update: Shrouded Sky — core additions and the new project

The patch introduces a hurricane map condition and a Seasonal Player Project called the Weather Monitoring System. Shani will task players with collecting specific materials from topside to build features of the monitoring system; players who collect and contribute these materials earn rewards for their Raider. The update is presented as a major breakdown of new weather conditions and related systems; full patch notes will be updated on February 24 when Bugs/Fixes are released.

New ARC threats on the surface

Two distinct ARC machines patrol the Rust Belt during Shrouded Sky. The Firefly is a floating, armored machine that emits a jet of flame—effectively a flamethrower drone that can burn Raiders unless they move quickly or find cover. The Comet is a spherical, ground-bound machine that calmly patrols until it detects a Raider, then locks on with focused tracking before exploding with a seismic boom. Raiders should treat these threats as high-priority hazards when navigating low-visibility conditions.

Cosmetics, the Surgeon Raider Deck, and store items

The Surgeon Raider Deck is available with the update; the Surgeon cosmetic is gradually unlocked by completing the Raider Deck and offers rewards in return for Cred earned topside by completing Feats. Facial hair arrives as a cosmetic feature: the Stubble is immediately available to all players with the update, the Full Beard is unlockable the Surgeon Raider Deck, and two purchasable styles—the Stubble Beard and the Thick Moustache—will be available in the in-game store from February 24. New store sets include The Volare Set and The Devotee Set, plus a Backpack Set and Raider Tool Set; an update clarifies that only The Volare Set will release on February 24 while The Devotee Set will come soon.

Dam Battlegrounds, loot zones, and access cues

A high-security area called the Controlled Access Zone has been uncovered in Dam Battlegrounds; it’s described as a high-value loot area and can be identified on arrival by a Rocketeer chandelier. Note that routine guidance warns players they are not cleared to leave in hurricane conditions because of low visibility, unsuitable equipment, and risk to Tube systems—though that warning is framed as an invitation to Raiders who seek topside spoils.

• Release timing: Shrouded Sky is set to release on February 24, 2026; the rollout is expected to go live worldwide around 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET, though exact timing may vary with patch implementation.
• Expedition window: The second Expedition window runs from Wednesday, February 25 to Sunday, March 1, 2026; players have that week to complete it before a progress reset.
• Progress context: This Expedition marks a second progress reset since the game launched in October 2025.
• Patch notes: Full breakdown will be updated on February 24 when Bugs/Fixes are released.

What’s easy to miss is the in-universe pressure this update places on infrastructure: the Hurricane reportedly caught even those tasked with keeping Speranza prepared, and the update explicitly calls out a need for better systems to predict weather events that threaten society. That narrative feeds the Weather Monitoring System project players are invited to support.

Access requirements for playing post-update remain: an Internet connection, an Embark ID user account (age +13), a third-party platform account, and acceptance of the Embark Terms are listed as necessary to participate.

Here’s a short set of practical signals that will confirm how the update actually lands in play: higher-than-usual top-side casualties or aborted runs in hurricane conditions; frequency of Firefly and Comet encounters during surface expeditions; uptake rate of the Weather Monitoring System materials collection; and whether Expedition rewards prove to be permanent bonuses as described. The real test will be how teams balance risk to reach First Wave Raider Caches and Controlled Access Zone loot during storms.

Good luck out there, Raiders.