Embark Studios just dropped their Shrouded Sky update for Arc Raiders, and it’s shaking things up in more ways than one. This patch doesn’t just deliver on the promised brutal hurricanes sweeping the Rust Belt, making topside combat a whole new challenge - it also brings two fresh Arc enemies, crafting overhauls, and some high-flying mysteries that have fans buzzing.
If you’ve logged in today, you’ve probably noticed the weather isn’t your friend anymore. The hurricane map condition adds brutal gusts and reduced visibility that force any self-respecting Raider to rethink their usual tactics. But the storm isn’t just an environmental hazard; it’s stirring up new loot opportunities, enticing risk-takers to brave the chaos for rare gear. On the enemy front, Fireflies and Comets -two new Arc types - have joined the fray, bringing flame and explosive lock-on attacks to spice up those firefights.
Beyond the weather and new foes, the update hits the weapon balance hard. PvP players should prepare for nerfs to some fan-favorites like the Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator pistols, with damage and headshot multipliers trimmed down. Meanwhile, PvE fans face a curveball too: crafting certain powerful gear like the Wolfpack grenade now demands rare Rocketeer Drivers, a resource that’s notoriously hard to farm. This tweak effectively turns the Rocketeers into major hunting targets, as you’ll need their parts to make the very grenade that excels at taking them down—a clever, almost poetic twist in the game’s gear economy. It’s like hunting a dragon for the sword that can slay it, and players are already gearing up for “Rocketeer runs” to secure these precious components.
Layers of polish come in the form of quality-of-life improvements too. You can now interact with pianos scattered topside (yes, you can jam to survive the apocalypse), reroll feats up to three times daily, and even customize your Raider’s facial hair—stubble or full beard, your choice. And for the competitive crowd, PvP feats have been removed entirely to keep things cleaner and fairer.
But it’s the skies that have stolen the spotlight beyond the hurricane. Players have been spotting massive UFO-like crafts soaring high above during the storm, emitting eerie blue energy beams and trailing ominous noise. These gargantuan flying vessels, spotted first on Reddit by user Bewarden, dwarf many known Arc enemies, hinting at something big brewing behind the scenes. Embark Studios, known for their secrecy and surprise drops, haven’t officially acknowledged these behemoths in patch notes, but their presence has set the community abuzz with theories. Are these new Arc threats? Manmade vessels? Or a tease of upcoming content in the March or April roadmap updates like Flashpoint or Riven Tides? Whatever they are, they add a mysterious new layer to the already intense Shrouded Sky experience.
If you want the nitty-gritty, Embark Studios has published the full patch notes on the extraction shooter’s official website, where you can dive into all the balance changes, bug fixes, and feature additions. The update also continues their ongoing fight against cheating, promising tighter anti-cheat measures to keep Raider battles fair.
In short, Shrouded Sky isn’t just another update—it’s a stormy shakeup that demands new strategies, from crafting to combat, and rewards the bold with fresh challenges and mysteries. So gear up, watch the skies, and maybe keep a Wolfpack grenade handy—you’re going to need it.
Check out the full scope of changes in the official patch notes here: Shrouded Sky patch notes 1.17.0.
For a look at the new hurricane and Arc enemies in action, watch the update trailer here: Shrouded Sky update: The hurricane strikes.
And if you’re curious about the mysterious UFO sightings, here’s the original player clip shared on Reddit: What in tarnation is that?.
Finally, the exciting crafting changes around the Wolfpack grenade and Rocketeer Drivers were highlighted well by community discussions and news commentary on the update, capturing the evolving meta of Arc Raiders.
Keep your eyes peeled, Raiders - 2026 is already shaping up to be one wild ride through the Rust Belt.
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