Arc Raiders Update Shrouded Sky: How topside hurricanes, new Arc threats and weapon fixes shift play for Raiders

For Raiders who head topside, the arc raiders update shrouded sky makes weather the immediate tactical variable: violent hurricanes reduce visibility, throw debris and force new movement choices, while two newly spotted Arc types change how you approach the Rust Belt. Add sweeping weapon-input fixes and targeted TTK and maneuverability tweaks, and the people who read the weather and tune loadouts will feel the impact first.

Immediate impact on players braving topside conditions

Violent hurricanes are sweeping topside, creating low-visibility combat, powerful gales and hurtling debris that alter positioning and cover value. Scouts have spotted two new ARC types in the Rust Belt, and the patch note advice is clear: exercise caution while the storm runs its course — but those who learn to read the weather will find opportunity in the chaos.

Here's the part that matters: these environmental changes make mobility, cover discipline and weapon pacing more consequential. What's easy to miss is how weather can amplify or blunt the changes being made to the weapons themselves, so the same encounter can feel very different when wind and debris are in play.

Arc Raiders Update Shrouded Sky — new threats and map condition

The update introduces two new Arc enemies and a hurricane map condition. The Firefly is a drone with flamethrower capabilities, described in the notes as a floating nightmare that will burn Raiders to a crisp if they fail to find cover or escape its jet of flames. The Comet is a ground-bound sphere that patrols the Rust Belt and locks onto Raiders who venture too close; once it locks on, it explodes and causes serious damage.

The patch also adds a new project that pairs players with Shani to collect materials for a better weather-monitoring system, tying gameplay objectives to the new hurricane condition.

Weapon input buffering, the "shadow buff" and targeted balance moves

Patch 1. 13 added an optimization fix that unintentionally lowered total fire-rate of semi-automatic weapons. 1. 13. 1 reverted that fix, but it introduced a separate problem: many players reported a shadow buff. Investigation found that 1. 13. 1 had inadvertently impacted weapon input buffers, allowing spam-clicking to bypass the required timing cadence for some guns.

To reach a middle ground between responsiveness and skill expression, developers added more levers to control the weapon input buffering window on a gun-to-gun basis and adjusted semi-automatic weapons accordingly. The intended outcome: weapons remain more responsive when spam-clicked, but players who pace their shots should achieve better results.

Specific weapon adjustments and lingering Venator watch

Efforts to rebalance low-tier versus high-tier weapons are under way. The team acknowledged concerns that some low-tier weapons outperform higher-tier options at reduced cost and aims to shift that balance while preserving room for skill-based upside. The patch starts by reducing overall TTK of the Stitcher and the Kettle and increasing maneuverability of the Aphelion and Jupiter. The Venator is being revisited as well, noted as still dominating many PvP encounters.

• Stitcher: Repositioned as a close-quarters tool that rewards positioning; its fast headshot-driven TTK could result in ambush deaths before reaction time. Changes reduce full-spray accuracy and the headshot multiplier to bring headshot TTK closer to body-shot TTK.
• Kettle: Intended for medium-range, deliberate play but often used like an SMG in close quarters. Base damage is reduced to bring TTK into line, while a high headshot multiplier remains to encourage precision.
• Venator: Since the last nerfs to the Venator in 1. 3. 0, we've kept an eye on our data to unclear in the provided context

New Raider Deck, facial hair and progression touches

A free Raider Deck called The Surgeon is added; the Surgeon cosmetic is gradually unlocked by completing the Raider Deck and offers a cosmetic path with a thematic choice — whether to play the healer or a more destructive persona is left to the player. Facial-hair cosmetics arrive as well: Stubble will be instantly available to all players on release, Full Beard is an unlockable reward from The Surgeon Raider Deck, and two paid styles — Stubble Beard and Thick Moustache — will be available in the in-game store starting Feb. 24.

Timing, patch version and an odd stray line

The Shrouded Sky patch notes are labeled 1. 17. 0 and the update goes live Feb. 24, with all listed changes becoming available the Shrouded Sky patch on that date. A curious, out-of-context line also appears in the provided material: "Short and stout, this is my handle, this is my spout. "

• 1. 13: optimization fix that lowered semi-auto fire-rate.
• 1. 13. 1: reverted that fix but changed input buffers (shadow buff discovered).
• 1. 17. 0: Shrouded Sky patch introduces hurricanes, Firefly, The Comet, The Surgeon deck, facial hair and the listed balance changes; goes live Feb. 24.

Key takeaways:

• Topside play is riskier: hurricanes and the new Arc types force conservative positioning or creative approaches to cover and movement.
• Weapon handling now balances responsiveness with skill; spam-clicking is less of a bypass but still more responsive than before.
• Specific guns—Stitcher, Kettle, Aphelion, Jupiter and Venator—receive focused tuning that will alter close- and medium-range dynamics.
• Cosmetic and progression updates (The Surgeon deck, facial hair options) change customization and unlock rhythms for players.

The real question now is how quickly players adapt their loadouts and tactics to storms, flying flamethrowers and altered weapon rhythm — those answers will show up in matches once the patch lands on Feb. 24.