PvE-Only Mode Is Coming to ARC Raiders

Frozen Trail is shaping up to be one of the biggest updates yet for ARC Raiders. According to new leaks found in the game’s internal files, the update could introduce a completely different map, new weapons and attachments, gadgets, skill-tree additions, new map conditions, additional ARC enemies, and even a potential PvE-only matchmaking option.

The information comes from an investigation by Silarius, a known ARC Raiders leaker who has previously uncovered content that later appeared in the game. Following an update of roughly 25 GB, Silarius and his team analyzed the newly updated game files for references to content that could potentially arrive with Frozen Trail.

One of the first major leaks tied to Frozen Trail is Sky Bucket, a potential project that could be required to unlock the new map.

The system appears to be similar to what happened with Stella Montis, where Raiders had to contribute resources to a community project that ultimately built the tunnels leading to the new area. The main difference is that we still don't know exactly how Sky Bucket will work.

Based on the leak, Raiders may need to complete Sky Bucket before Frozen Trail becomes accessible. However, the exact format of the project hasn't been confirmed.

Possible implementations include:

Another feature that the ARC Raiders community has been asking for is the addition of new weapon mods, and it looks like the developers are actually taking that feedback into account. Among the newly leaked attachments, there are references to what could be scopes for certain weapons.

Another one appears to be related to changing the firing mode from semi-automatic to automatic, and finally, there will be another attachment that will allow players to shoot while sprinting while maintaining greater stability.

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One of the most interesting ARC Raiders leaks points to a potential PvE-only matchmaking option, which would let players enter raids without having to worry about other Raiders attacking them.

References found in the game files include “Enable PvE only matchmaking” and a “PVE only option” tied to the game's social settings. If this feature is eventually enabled, players could potentially queue into matches where the only threats are the ARC enemies, with friendly fire between Raiders completely disabled.

The leaked files suggest a dedicated matchmaking option rather than simply changing the rules inside existing raids.

In practice, that could mean:

Not exactly. Based on the leaked information, the potential PvE Only system appears to be different from the mode previously mentioned for China.

The China mode reportedly uses a defector-style system where Raiders can initially cooperate, but one player can defect and gain the ability to attack other Raiders.

The leaked PvE-only matchmaking would work differently:

Flash Freeze is expected to be one of the new map conditions arriving with the Frozen Trail update. The closest comparison is Cold Snap, where extreme cold can put Raiders in danger and force them to find shelter. However, Flash Freeze appears to work differently.

References found in the game files include:

These references suggest that Flash Freeze could be a moving snowstorm that sweeps through different sections of the map rather than affecting the entire area at once.

Instead of remaining active across all of Frozen Trail, the storm could arrive in waves, moving through specific areas of the map.

The game would apparently announce where the Flash Freeze is coming from, giving Raiders a chance to react and find a safe location before the storm reaches them.

This could add another layer of positioning and decision-making to raids. Players would have to quickly decide whether it's worth staying in an area to finish looting or whether they should rotate toward shelter before the storm rolls through.

Another major addition Raiders are hoping to see with Frozen Trail is a fresh batch of weapons. The game files reportedly contain references to several new firearms, including a Double Action Hand Cannon, a Light Semi-Automatic Assault Rifle, an Energy Pistol, and two different break-action shotguns.

Here’s what has been spotted so far:

The Double Action Hand Cannon, referred to as Subnose in the leaked files, could fill a new role among ARC Raiders' sidearms or heavy-hitting weapons. However, the available information doesn't reveal its damage, fire rate, ammo type, or handling.

The Light Semi-Automatic Assault Rifle is another interesting entry. The leak suggests it could potentially use heavy ammunition, although this isn't confirmed by the available information.

Then there's the Energy Pistol, which is more straightforward based on its name. Beyond the apparent energy-based design, there aren't enough details to determine its actual stats or how it would fit into the current weapon meta.

The files also reference two separate shotgun variants:

The naming suggests one could serve as a more general-purpose break-action shotgun, while the Short Range variant may be tuned specifically for close-quarters fights.

For now, none of these weapons should be treated as fully confirmed final designs. The names found in the files give us an idea of what could be coming, but their final stats, ammo types, handling, and overall gameplay role could still change before release.

There are also references to new skills in the skill tree.

Among the names found, there are possible upgrades related to:

Of all of them, Field Repair is possibly the one generating the most interest.

The interpretation of Field Repair points to a skill that would allow players to repair equipment while they are inside a match.

The theory is that this could be a ship that would appear over the maps and begin moving across them.

Some players had already spotted a kind of ship during the Hurricane condition, and the leak suggests that it could be the same object.

The ship could apparently drop items at different points across the map, and based on the leaked designs, it seems to have an internal structure. This could indicate that the ship may be boardable by Raiders, although this information is not 100% confirmed.