Arc Raiders Update: Shrouded Sky - Patch Notes 1.17.0

The arc raiders update brings Shrouded Sky - Patch Notes 1. 17. 0 and warns that violent hurricanes are sweeping topside, forcing new strategies for low-visibility combat. Scouts have spotted two new ARC types in the Rust Belt; developers advise caution while the storm runs its course, though those who know how to read the weather will find opportunity in the chaos.

Arc Raiders Update: Shrouded Sky

The Shrouded Sky - Patch Notes 1. 17. 0 open with a clear operational picture: violent hurricanes are sweeping topside, creating conditions of low-visibility combat, powerful gales, and hurtling debris. Scouts have spotted two new ARC types in the Rust Belt, and the guidance is explicit — exercise caution while the storm runs its course, but remain alert for opportunity if you can read the weather.

Storm effects and new threats

Patch notes describe topside hurricanes that alter encounters and require new strategies. The combination of low visibility, strong gales and debris changes movement and sightlines in affected areas; the notes urge caution and highlight the Rust Belt as the location where scouts have identified the two new ARC types.

Weapon input buffering changes

The notes trace a multi-step weapon fix history: in 1. 13 the team shipped an update that included an optimization fix for weapons, but that change had the unforeseen consequence of lowering the total fire-rate of semi-automatic weapons. In 1. 13. 1 the developers reverted that fix, but something else made it into the update that shouldn't have.

Players reported a "shadow buff" to weapons. Investigation found that 1. 13. 1 had inadvertently impacted weapon input buffers: where players previously had to time inputs to a weapon's intended cadence to reach full potential, the bug allowed spam-clicking of the button to bypass the skill requirement. To address this, the team added more levers to control the weapon input buffering window on a gun-to-gun basis and adjusted semi-automatic weapons accordingly. The weapons should now remain more responsive when spam-clicking, while players who pace their shots will see better results.

Balancing low and high tiers

Developers are also examining balance between low tier and high tier weapons after many players expressed concerns that some low tier weapons outperform higher tier options at significantly reduced cost. The stated goal is to shift that balance while preserving some flexibility for skilled players to "punch above their weight. " To start, the team is reducing the overall TTK of the Stitcher and Kettle, and increasing the maneuverability of the Aphelion and Jupiter. The notes also say the developers are taking a second stab at the Venator, which still seems to be dominating a lot of PvP encounters.

Notes on Stitcher, Kettle, Venator

Dev notes elaborate on individual weapons. The Stitcher is described as a close quarter weapon that rewards thoughtful positioning, but its fast TTK can lead to ambushes where players are killed before they have much time to react. High headshot damage is singled out as a major contributor: TTK figures are often acceptable when aimed at the center of mass, but when close enough to land the majority of shots to the head, Stitcher TTK can be much faster than other weapons. The planned changes aim to bring headshot TTK closer to body shot TTK by reducing full-spray accuracy and reducing the headshot multiplier.

The Kettle is called "in a bit of a weird place": high damage output intended for medium-range, deliberate use has often been applied in close quarters where it functions like an SMG. The team wants to distinguish the Kettle more from the Stitcher while retaining player-loved versatility. The change will reduce base damage to bring Kettle TTK more in line, while keeping a high headshot multiplier to encourage headshot play.

On the Venator, the notes begin by referencing prior changes: "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.

Other items: Error 418 notice

Separate short entries in the provided materials include an item titled "Error 418 - I am a teapot" with the line: "Short and stout, this is my handle, this is my spout. " Another listed title is "Just a moment... " for which the body text is unclear in the provided context.

These notes collectively map the immediate gameplay changes and contextual quirks carried into this patch, from weather-driven combat shifts to weapon buffering fixes and targeted balance adjustments.