Choose solo play if you want independence and are comfortable making decisions alone; choose a squad if you value coordination and company. Neither is officially shown to produce better extraction or survival rates, and standard PvPvE matchmaking does not guarantee that other Raiders will be friendly—or that you will only meet solos. As of Embark’s October 8, 2026 Frozen Trail 2.0 update, the former “Solo vs. Squads” matchmaking option has been removed. A limited PvE matchmaking beta is scheduled for October 13–20, 2026, with reduced loot value and other trade-offs.
The useful question is not which option guarantees a safer or more successful run; the published information cannot establish that. Instead, consider how much you value independent decisions, whether you have people to play with, how comfortable you are with uncertain player encounters, and whether the temporary PvE beta’s restrictions suit you. Those priorities point to a better fit without turning matchmaking goals into promises.
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Solo or squad: the practical difference
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure with social play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The choice between going alone and grouping up is best understood as a preference about how you want to make decisions—not as a proven choice between a low-success and high-success strategy.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| What matters to you | Solo play | Squad play |
|---|---|---|
| Decision-making | You set the pace and make the calls independently. | You coordinate plans and share decisions with teammates. |
| Company | You play without a group alongside you. | You can play with friends or other squadmates. |
| Standard PvPvE encounters | Other Raiders may still attack; a solo-only or cooperative lobby is not guaranteed. | Matchmaking tries to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible, but does not guarantee it. |
| Evidence about results | Embark has not published comparable solo extraction or survival rates. | Embark has not published comparable squad extraction or survival rates. |
These distinctions do not establish that squads are safer, more successful, or always matched against other squads. Matchmaking aims for fairness and enjoyment while also accounting for constraints such as queue time and latency. Equal-size matching is a goal where possible, not a promise.
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That leaves a practical contrast rather than a performance ranking. A solo player can make choices without coordinating them with a group; squadmates can coordinate and share the experience. Neither description tells you how a particular encounter will go. The matchmaking system operates under competing goals and constraints, so even a reasonable matching preference cannot guarantee a particular lobby.
How standard matchmaking affects solo and squad players
Embark says matchmaking considers previous playstyle, particularly how players engage with other Raiders. It treats behavior as a continuum rather than sorting everyone into a simple friendly-or-aggressive category. Similar behavior may be more likely in a future lobby, but it is not assured; Embark’s May 20, 2026 matchmaking notes put it plainly: “Similarity is more likely, not guaranteed.”
That means standard solo play is not a PvE-only experience. Embark says there are no standard PvE-only lobbies or servers where other Raiders will never attack. A solo player can encounter other players whose intentions are uncertain, and no single matchmaking choice guarantees a peaceful run.
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What matchmaking does not promise
- It does not guarantee that a solo player will only meet solo Raiders.
- It does not guarantee that players with similar behavior will be in the same lobby.
- It does not make a single shot or kill an immediate switch to PvP-focused matchmaking.
- The end-of-round survey does not affect the next lobby.
- Loadout cost does not determine matchmaking difficulty, and the system does not weigh only the squad leader.
Crossplay changes the pool of players available for matchmaking and can affect queue times. It does not determine whether a lobby will be cooperative or aggressive. In other words, these matchmaking details can help explain how the system works, but none is a reliable way to force a friendly encounter or predict the behavior of the next Raider you meet.
Embark describes its broader goals as fairness and enjoyment, pursued alongside constraints such as queue time and latency. This matters when interpreting “tries to prioritize equal squad sizes”: that is one matchmaking aim, not a guarantee that every solo player will face only solos or that every group will face a group of the same size. A matchmaking system can pursue those goals without ensuring a specific result in an individual round.
The old “Solo vs. Squads” option is no longer available
Embark’s Frozen Trail 2.0 update on October 8, 2026, removed “Solo vs. Squads” from matchmaking options while the studio re-evaluates the feature’s role. Do not rely on older advice that tells level-40 solo players to use a toggle to enter the Squads queue: that advice describes a previous version of the game.
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For historical context, the January 27, 2026 Headwinds update introduced that option for solo Raiders at level 40 and above. It placed them in the Squads queue and awarded a 20% bonus XP after either a successful extraction or defeat. Both the option and its bonus are historical, not currently available under the October 8 update.
The change is important because older guides can still accurately describe what the feature used to do while being wrong about what players can select now. Embark said the option was no longer available and that it was re-evaluating the feature’s role. Embark’s October 8, 2026 update does not establish that the feature will return, or when it might do so, so treat the October 8 status as the current published rule rather than planning around the former level requirement or XP bonus.
What the October 2026 PvE beta changes
Embark announced a limited matchmaking beta scheduled to run from October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST. The toggle switches between standard PvPvE matchmaking and new PvE servers. Standard PvPvE matchmaking continues during the test.
| Beta setting or rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| PvE servers | Player-to-player damage is disabled. |
| Loot value | Lower than in the standard experience. |
| Squad-size matchmaking | Separating groups by squad size is not prioritized, so differently sized groups meet more often. |
| Map conditions | Several major map conditions do not have a PvE option. |
| Queue times | May be affected in low-population regions and during quiet hours. |
| After October 20 | Embark has not stated what happens to the toggle after the beta ends. |
The beta is relevant if avoiding player-on-player damage is your priority, but it is not simply a no-cost version of standard matchmaking: loot value is lower, squad-size separation is not prioritized, and some major map conditions are excluded. Check the available setting and map conditions in-game during the announced test window rather than assuming the option will remain after October 20.
“Zero player-to-player damage” is a specific rule of the beta’s PvE servers; it should not be confused with a promise that the standard mode has no PvP. The beta gives players a different matchmaking option during its announced window, while standard PvPvE continues to be available. It also does not remove every compromise for a player choosing a group: squad sizes are not separated as a priority, so differently sized groups meet more often than they would under a system focused on matching sizes.
Likewise, do not assume every map condition can be played in the PvE option. Embark’s announcement says several major conditions do not have a PvE option. If a particular condition matters to your plans, verify what is available in-game during the beta rather than assuming the toggle covers the full standard experience. Low-population regions and quiet hours can affect queues, so choosing the beta may also involve waiting longer in those circumstances.
The beta dates are a defined test window, not evidence of a permanent setting. Embark’s beta announcement does not say what happens to the toggle after October 20, 2026. If your decision depends on having PvE matchmaking beyond that date, there is no supported basis here to count on it continuing.
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Choose solo if you want independence
Solo is a reasonable fit if you prefer to set your own pace, make decisions without group coordination, or do not have a group available. It gives you autonomy, not immunity from other players. In standard PvPvE, other Raiders can still attack, and the matchmaking system does not guarantee that you will be placed only with solos or with friendly players.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Pick solo for: independent decisions, flexible pacing, and playing without assembling a group.
- Expect: uncertain player encounters in standard PvPvE.
- During the beta: consider the PvE setting if avoiding player-to-player damage matters more than the reduced loot value and other listed trade-offs.
Solo may also be the straightforward practical option when you do not have a group available. The official material supports independence and the absence of a group as reasons to choose it; it does not show that solo is easier to queue, yields more rewards, or has a particular survival rate. If your main concern is hostile player encounters rather than company or coordination, distinguish standard PvPvE from the time-limited PvE beta instead of assuming a solo queue itself protects you from PvP.
Choose a squad if you want coordination and company
A squad is the natural choice if you want to coordinate decisions and share the experience with other players. Embark presents squad play as a core social option and says matchmaking tries to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible. That effort does not guarantee equal-size lobbies, safer encounters, or better extraction outcomes.
- Pick a squad for: shared decisions, coordination, and company.
- Expect: matchmaking to aim for equal squad sizes where possible, without guaranteeing it.
- During the beta: remember that separating groups by size is not prioritized, so different-sized groups meet more often.
If you are deciding whether to wait for friends or start alone, the evidence here does not support a universal rule that one choice is more successful. It comes down to the experience you want and the group you have available. Playing with others makes coordination part of the choice; it does not promise that matchmaking will place your squad against another squad of the same size. During the beta, pay special attention to that limitation because squad-size separation is explicitly not prioritized.
A quick decision checklist
Use these questions to match the mode to your priorities rather than trying to forecast a guaranteed result:
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Do you want to make every decision independently? If so, solo aligns with that preference. If you want to share plans and coordinate, choose a squad.
- Are you comfortable with uncertain encounters in standard PvPvE? Solo play does not guarantee a peaceful or solo-only lobby, and squad play does not guarantee a friendly one.
- Is avoiding player-to-player damage your top priority during October 13–20? The beta’s PvE servers disable player-to-player damage, but weigh that against lower loot value, unavailable map conditions, less emphasis on squad-size separation, and possible queue delays.
- Are you planning with friends? Check each party member’s crossplay setting and verify the matchmaking region if the queue is slow.
- Does your plan rely on an older guide? Confirm that it is not recommending the removed Solo vs. Squads option or its former level-40 requirement and XP bonus.
These questions do not calculate which mode will extract more often. They help you identify whether independence, company, a specific PvP rule, or queue practicality matters most to you.
Fix slow queues when playing with friends
If a party is waiting a long time to find a match, Embark Support identifies crossplay being turned off as a common reason. In a party, the most restrictive member’s crossplay setting applies. Support also recommends confirming the matchmaking region and setting it to Automatic.
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- Check crossplay for every party member. A restrictive setting from one member applies to the party and may reduce the available matchmaking pool.
- Check the matchmaking region. Confirm that the selected region is appropriate, and use Automatic if you are unsure which one to choose.
- Account for population and time. Queue times can be affected by low-population regions and quiet hours, particularly during the limited PvE beta.
These checks address queue speed, not lobby temperament. Enabling crossplay or changing region does not promise more cooperative encounters. Crossplay can change who is included in the matchmaking pool and may affect how long a queue takes; it is not a social-behavior setting. In a party, remember that it is the most restrictive member’s setting that applies, so checking only the person who started matchmaking may not resolve the issue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make the choice based on your priorities, not a success-rate claim
Embark’s published matchmaking information explains goals and rules, but does not provide comparable solo-versus-squad extraction rates, survival rates, or a guarantee about future lobby composition. There is therefore no supported numerical basis for claiming that one play style is more successful.
For standard PvPvE, the decision is chiefly whether you would rather act independently or coordinate with others while accepting uncertain encounters. For the October 13–20 beta, weigh the zero player-to-player damage against lower loot value, less emphasis on separating squad sizes, map-condition exclusions, and possible queue delays. The removed Solo vs. Squads toggle should not be part of a current plan.
These limits on the evidence are useful rather than a reason to guess. Matchmaking goals describe what the system tries to do; they are not measured outcomes. A preference for squads does not prove better extraction rates, just as choosing solo does not prove a lower survival rate. If a comparison promises exact odds or says that one standard queue guarantees peaceful encounters, it goes beyond the official information summarized here.
Because the beta is limited, check the live in-game options during its October 13–20 window and recheck official matchmaking announcements after October 20 if you need to know whether the PvE toggle remains available. The current published material does not establish what happens after the test or promise a future return of Solo vs. Squads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Solo vs. Squads matchmaking option in ARC Raiders now?
No. Embark’s October 8, 2026 Frozen Trail 2.0 update says “Solo vs. Squads” is no longer available in matchmaking options. The former option was introduced in January for solo Raiders level 40 and above, with a +20% XP bonus after extraction or defeat, but that is historical information, not a current option.
Does solo matchmaking guarantee that I will only meet other solo players?
No such guarantee is published. Embark says it tries to prioritize equal squad sizes where possible, but standard matchmaking can still place different group sizes together. Similar playstyles may be more likely to share a lobby, but similarity is not guaranteed.
Can other Raiders attack me in standard solo play?
Yes. Standard PvPvE is not a PvE-only experience, and Embark says there are no standard PvE-only lobbies where other Raiders will never attack. A solo player’s encounter with another Raider remains uncertain.
Does a squad have a higher extraction or survival rate than solo play?
The official information published by Embark does not provide comparable solo and squad extraction or survival rates. It supports choosing based on independence versus coordination and company, not a numerical success-rate claim.
What does the October 2026 PvE matchmaking beta change?
The announced test runs from October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST. Its PvE servers disable player-to-player damage, but loot value is lower, squad-size separation is not prioritized, several major map conditions have no PvE option, and queues may be affected in low-population regions or quiet hours. Standard PvPvE continues during the test.
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Will the PvE matchmaking option remain after October 20, 2026?
Embark’s beta announcement does not say what happens to the toggle after the beta ends. Check current in-game options and later Embark updates rather than assuming the test setting will persist.
Why is my party’s matchmaking queue slow?
Embark Support identifies crossplay being off as a common reason. In a party, the most restrictive member’s crossplay setting applies. Support also recommends checking the matchmaking region and setting it to Automatic if you are unsure. Crossplay and region can affect the pool or queue time, not whether other Raiders will be friendly.
The Bottom Line
Choose solo for independence, or a squad for coordination and company; neither has a published extraction- or survival-rate advantage. In standard PvPvE, neither choice guarantees friendly encounters or equal squad sizes. The temporary October 13–20, 2026 PvE beta disables player-to-player damage but comes with lower loot value and other trade-offs. The former Solo vs. Squads option is no longer available.
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