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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →As of October 7, 2026, ARC Raiders’ PvE matchmaking toggle is an announced limited beta scheduled for October 13–20—not a permanent mode with proven results. In the test, you can focus on co-op against ARC machines without player-to-player damage. The classic PvPvE option still carries the risk of hostile Raiders, alongside the machine threat.
What changes in the announced PvE test?
The toggle changes the player threat, matchmaking pool and available conditions; it does not remove the ARC enemies. These are rules for the announced October test, not established results from a mode that has already run.
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| What changes | PvE matchmaking test | Classic PvPvE |
|---|---|---|
| Threat from other players | Zero player-to-player damage; the focus is co-op against ARC machines. Embark’s test announcement | Other Raiders may be hostile, as well as ARC enemies. Embark’s matchmaking explanation says there are no PvE-only lobbies in the system it describes. Embark’s matchmaking explanation |
| Squad composition | Solos, duos and trios are combined in the same sessions. Embark’s test announcement | The cited announcement does not state a comparable squad-composition rule. |
| Loot value | Lower overall loot value, reflecting the relative safety from hostile players. Embark says the test is not intended to test new PvE progression. Embark’s test announcement | The cited announcement does not state a directly comparable loot value. |
| Conditions and locations | Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate are excluded because they are designed around higher tension and uncertainty about other players. Embark’s test announcement | The cited announcement does not list a comparable set of exclusions. |
| Matchmaking rating | Sessions do not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating. Embark’s test announcement | The cited announcement does not give a comparable rating rule. |
ARC enemies remain a threat
Removing player-to-player damage does not make the test harmless. Embark specifically warns that, during the test, ARC enemies may reacquire downed players who crawl; staying still causes those enemies to ignore them. That is a specific instruction for the announced test, not a rule established for every enemy or future build. Embark’s test announcement
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The toggle is temporary
Embark describes the toggle as a limited test to be removed when the test ends, with matchmaking returning to normal. As of October 7, 2026, no post-test decision or permanent PvE mode had been established. Embark’s test announcement
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- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
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Does classic PvPvE matchmaking guarantee friendly encounters?
No. Embark says its matchmaking system uses playstyle as a strong factor and treats Raider behavior as a continuum, rather than a simple friendly-or-hostile split. It tries to group players with similar preferences while retaining unpredictability; it does not promise that you will never be attacked. The developer also distinguishes defending yourself from starting a fight. Embark’s matchmaking explanation
Embark’s May 20, 2026 explanation states: “There are no ‘PvE-only’ lobbies/servers where other Raiders will never attack you.” That describes the matchmaking system covered in that explanation; it is separate from the limited PvE toggle test announced for October. Crossplay affects who is in the matchmaking pool and queue time, not a guarantee about whether an encounter will be friendly. Embark’s matchmaking explanation
Why is Embark testing a PvE option?
Embark says ARC Raiders began as a raid-based PvE co-op game with looting mechanics before the team reset the project and developed the high-tension PvPvE extraction adventure. That history provides context for the test, but does not mean the test recreates the original design exactly. Embark’s test announcement
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In its September 24, 2026 announcement, Embark reported that 37% of players were friendly co-op players, 27% were mixed players and 34% were pure PvP players. It also said over 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters, while 51% expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. These are figures reported by Embark; the announcement does not establish that they came from an independent or nationally representative survey. Embark’s test announcement
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- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
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What the test can—and cannot—tell players
The announcement sets out the test’s rules, but it cannot establish how the test will perform before it runs. As of October 7, actual player outcomes, reception, loot results and any decision about a lasting PvE option remained unknown. The dates announced for the test are October 13–20, 2026; availability or design after that period was not established.
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- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
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