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ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders PvE Toggle: Rules, Dates and What Changes

How the ARC Raiders PvE toggle beta works (Oct 13-20, 2026): zero player damage, lower loot, excluded conditions, matchmaking and what Embark hasn't said.

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ARC Raiders
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Gaming News Team

By TheGameTake · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · Based on Embark Studios' official posts, not our own hands-on play

The ARC Raiders PvE toggle lets you queue for matches with zero player-to-player damage from Oct 13 to Oct 20, 2026. It is a limited beta test, and Embark Studios says it is not a promise of a permanent PvE mode.

Embark says both the start and the end are at 11:00 CEST, which is 9:00 UTC, 2:00 a.m. PT, 5:00 a.m. ET and 10:00 a.m. BST on each day (times converted from Embark's CEST). Update 2.1.0 started the test.

How to use the ARC Raiders PvE toggle

Embark says you can switch between the standard PvPvE experience and PvE servers during the test, and that switching is meant to be seamless. Embark's posts don't give a menu path, so we aren't going to guess one. Look for the toggle in matchmaking after updating to 2.1.0.

PvE sessions include Solos, Duos and Trios together, per Embark's September post.

ARC Raiders PvE toggle rules

Rule What Embark says
Player damage Zero player-to-player damage
Throwables Stun and fire throwables don't work on other players
Barricades and ziplines Unaffected
Loot Overall loot value is lowered
Squads Squad separation isn't prioritized, so groups of different sizes meet more often
Excluded conditions Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate and Redirection
Matchmaking rating PvE play doesn't affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating
Downed players ARC may re-acquire you while you crawl. You get an eight-second grace period when ARC won't target you; after that, ARC can attack if you move

Conflict between posts: the September 24 announcement lists four excluded conditions (Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, Frigate). The newer October 12 post adds Redirection. We use the newer list. Embark also says matchmaking times may be affected in low-population regions and during quiet hours.

Does PvE change loot and PvPvE in ARC Raiders?

Yes, in two ways. Embark says PvE loot value is lower to offset its relative safety. During the test, PvPvE sessions have slightly higher baseline loot values to address the economy impact of higher extraction rates in PvE.

Embark says the test isn't meant to add PvE progression or make PvE harder. Its purpose is to give players an alternative to PvP. The posts don't say whether items or progress carry over between modes, so that is not confirmed.

Why Embark is testing a PvE toggle in ARC Raiders

In its September post, Embark shared survey data: 37% of players are friendly co-op, 27% mixed and 34% pure PvP. It also reports that 51% of surveyed players want a dedicated PvE option.

Embark's own words: "It's possible that this will not work. This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future." When the test ends, the toggle will be removed and matchmaking returns to normal. A survey will follow the test.

FAQ

Does the ARC Raiders PvE toggle have player damage? No. Embark lists zero player-to-player damage.

When does the ARC Raiders PvE toggle end? Oct 20, 2026 at 11:00 CEST (2:00 a.m. PT).

Will PvE be permanent? Not confirmed. Embark says it will use feedback and in-game data to decide.

Which platforms get the PvE toggle? Embark's posts don't list platforms. Steam lists ARC Raiders with cross-platform multiplayer, but that doesn't confirm the beta's platforms.

Does PvE affect my PvPvE matchmaking rating? No, per Embark.

See our Update 2.1.0 news post for the patch notes.

Sources