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What changes when you play solo or with a squad?
ARC Raiders lets you enter Topside alone or in a group of up to three. The game is PvPvE: ARC machines and other Raiders can both shape a run. The practical difference is whether you make route, timing, and risk decisions alone or coordinate them with teammates. Those are playstyle trade-offs, not evidence that one option has a higher extraction rate.
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| Decision | Solo | Squad (up to three) |
|---|---|---|
| Pace and decisions | You set the route, timing, and risk level yourself. | You can coordinate choices with teammates. |
| Matchmaking | Solo playstyle is tracked separately; equal squad sizes are prioritized where possible, not guaranteed. | Duo and trio playstyles are tracked separately; equal squad sizes are prioritized where possible, not guaranteed. |
| Threats | ARC machines and other Raiders remain part of the classic experience. | ARC machines and other Raiders remain threats; the sources do not establish that a squad is safer overall. |
| Special option | Eligible level 40+ solo players can opt into the Squads queue as a challenge. | Ordinary squad play is separate from the Solo vs Squads option. |
Embark describes ARC Raiders as a game where players can go alone or in squads of up to three in its October 13, 2025 overview.
How does matchmaking affect solo and squad players?
Embark says matchmaking prioritizes equal squad sizes when possible while also balancing queue time and latency. Since Live Update 1.36.0, the game tracks playstyle separately for solo, duo, and trio rounds, so behavior in one group size does not automatically carry into the other profiles. See the July 7, 2026 update.
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Playstyle matching is not a promise of friendly encounters. In its May 20, 2026 matchmaking explanation, Embark says playstyle is a continuum and that similar behavior makes similar encounters more likely, not certain. The studio also says there are no PvE-only lobbies in the classic experience.
- Prior-round playstyle is among the strongest factors Embark identified; changes influence future matches gradually rather than instantly.
- Embark said loadout cost does not drive matchmaking, end-of-round survey feedback does not tune the next lobby, and squad leaders receive no special matchmaking weight compared with other squad members. These describe the system as publicly explained in May 2026.
- A July 21, 2026 store update said Embark was testing matchmaking optimization in some regions, especially for low-population hours and certain map conditions; the studio noted that matching could take longer. Details are in Store Update 1.38.0.
When should you choose solo?
Solo suits you if you value independence: you can choose your own route and pace without coordinating decisions. It also means entering the classic PvPvE experience without teammates. Do not choose solo on the assumption that matchmaking will guarantee a peaceful lobby or protect you from other Raiders.
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When should you choose a squad?
Choose a duo or trio if coordinating with teammates is part of what you want from a raid. Squad play changes how you make decisions, but it does not remove the ARC threat or guarantee safe encounters with other players. The available official sources do not provide comparable solo-versus-squad extraction rates, win rates, survival times, or loot per round, so there is no supported statistical basis for calling one style more successful.
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Can experienced solo players queue against squads?
Yes. The January 27, 2026 Headwinds patch notes introduced Solo vs Squads for Solo Raiders level 40 and above. The notes document a 20% end-of-round XP bonus whether the player extracts or is defeated. It is an opt-in challenge for experienced solo players, not the same thing as ordinary solo matchmaking. The eligibility and bonus here reflect the launch details in those patch notes.
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What is the announced PvE test?
As of October 4, 2026, Embark has announced a limited PvE matchmaking test for October 13–20, 2026; it has not yet begun. The announced test lets players toggle between classic PvPvE and PvE sessions. PvE sessions combine solo, duo, and trio players, disable player-to-player damage, and focus on ARC threats and co-op social play. Embark says PvPvE matchmaking rating will not be affected by PvE sessions, and the toggle will be removed when the test ends. The studio has not promised a permanent PvE mode. Details and any changes are on the September 24, 2026 test announcement.
The announcement excludes Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate from the test. Because the announced dates are in the future relative to this article’s date, check the official announcement for updates before planning around the test.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is teaming up in a solo lobby allowed?
Embark distinguishes prearranged queue teaming from alliances made during a raid. In its September 30, 2026 anti-cheat update, Executive Producer Aleks said the studio had begun keeping known groups who coordinate to enter the same solo lobby apart in matchmaking. Embark reported 85% fewer players engaging in this behavior after five days, and said spoiled raids fell from around one in 50 to one in 300, with no meaningful queue-time impact. Those are the studio’s early internal figures, not independent measurements. The update says teaming up with someone encountered through proximity chat during a raid remains allowed.
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