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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsYes, you can play ARC Raiders solo by entering Topside without a squad, but standard matches are still PvPvE: ARC machines and other Raiders can both threaten your run. There are no guaranteed peaceful lobbies. The safest solo mindset is to treat PvE objectives and extraction as decisions made under the possibility of hostile players—not as a route that can be made risk-free.
Can you play ARC Raiders solo?
Yes. ARC Raiders is online multiplayer-only, but you can enter Topside alone or in a team of two or three. Solo means you do not bring teammates; it does not mean you are placed in a private world. The official PlayStation ARC Raiders FAQ describes the available group sizes and game systems.
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The official game site presents the danger as coming from both ARC machines and Raiders who may prey on others: ARC Raiders. Plan for both rather than assuming that completing a PvE task makes the rest of a run safe.
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Are there PvE-only lobbies?
Not in standard PvPvE. In its May 20, 2026 matchmaking explanation, Embark’s ARC Raiders Team stated: “There are no ‘PvE-only’ lobbies/servers where other Raiders will never attack you.” Matchmaking considers players’ prior Raider engagement and playstyle, but it works by increasing the likelihood of similarity, not guaranteeing it. Embark summarized that limit as: “Similarity is more likely, not guaranteed.” Read the official matchmaking explanation.
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That means a preference for avoiding fights, friendly gestures, or matchmaking tendencies cannot promise a peaceful session. Other Raiders remain part of the risk in standard matches.
What changes with the announced PvE toggle test?
Embark announced a limited PvE toggle test for October 13–20, 2026. As of October 7, 2026, those dates are in the future; the announcement describes a test, not a permanent mode. Its stated conditions differ from standard PvPvE:
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| Mode | Player-to-player damage | Who shares a session | Loot value | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PvPvE | Other Raiders can attack you; no PvE-only protection is guaranteed. | Solo and grouped Raiders, subject to matchmaking. | Not stated in the announcement as a comparative value. | Classic experience; no limited test dates stated. |
| PvE toggle test | Zero player-to-player damage during the test, according to Embark. | Solo, duo, and trio players mixed together. | Overall loot value reduced; the announcement gives no precise amount. | Announced for October 13–20, 2026; a limited test, not a permanent mode. |
Embark’s September 24, 2026 announcement also reported that 37% of players preferred friendly co-op, 27% mixed play, and 34% pure PvP; it said 51% of the surveyed playerbase expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. These are Embark-reported figures; the announcement does not provide survey methods or sample size. See the PvE toggle test announcement for the test details.
How do you survive ARC Raiders solo?
There is no official, verified solo loadout or guaranteed survival formula in the cited guidance. The practical approach is to make choices with two threats in mind: ARC encounters can cost resources or time, while another Raider can turn a PvE-focused run into a PvP encounter.
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- Set a limited objective. Decide what you want from the run before taking risks. A longer detour or extra fight adds exposure without guaranteeing a better outcome.
- Reassess after PvE encounters. Consider your remaining resources, your progress, and whether continuing toward another objective is worth the added uncertainty.
- Keep other Raiders in your calculations. Do not treat friendly behavior or matchmaking as protection from an attack.
- Choose equipment for your own plan. The PlayStation FAQ lists weapons, attachments, armor, gadgets, and workshop functions, but does not rank weapons or recommend a solo build. No single option can be called the “best” on that basis.
This is cautious decision-making based on the game’s described PvPvE risks, not a tested build or a guarantee of survival.
How do you extract safely?
You cannot make extraction reliably safe by following a general rule that ignores the map and current match conditions. The official sources cited here do not establish extraction-point operation, timers, camping patterns, or map-specific routes. Do not rely on an unverified route, timing, or claim that an extraction point will be uncontested.
For a solo run, weigh the value of continuing against the risks of staying exposed, and make the extraction decision with both ARC threats and hostile Raiders in view. Route-level advice needs current, map-specific verification; the available official guidance does not support naming a safest route.
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Should an experienced solo player queue against squads?
Embark’s January 27, 2026 update notes introduced an optional Solo vs Squads queue for solo Raiders at level 40 and above. The notes state that this queue grants a 20% end-of-round XP bonus whether the player extracts or is defeated. That is an incentive, not evidence that the queue is easier or more rewarding overall than ordinary solo play. Check the official update 1.13.0 notes for the stated eligibility and bonus; the notes do not establish whether later updates changed the option’s current availability or balance.
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| Choice | Opponent group-size context | Stated XP incentive |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary solo queue | Solo players; matchmaking may consider playstyle, but does not guarantee opponents with the same approach. | No special solo XP bonus stated in the January 27, 2026 notes. |
| Solo vs Squads | A solo player queues against squads; optional for level 40 and above in the January 27, 2026 notes. | 20% end-of-round XP bonus, whether extracting or defeated, as stated in those notes. |
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