ARC Raiders will receive its Frozen Trail update on October 8, 2026, adding the snowy Pendola Pass map, a high-level Frigate encounter, three new ARC enemies, deeper weapon customization, an Outpost, and a reworked progression system. Embark Studios describes it as the extraction shooter’s biggest update since launch.
The official Frozen Trail preview places Pendola Pass beyond the Rust Belt in an abandoned Italian village and Exodus transport hub. Its centerpiece is a fallen Emperor, the enormous ARC machine previously visible from Blue Gate. Raiders will be able to enter the wreck in search of rare technology while dealing with flash freezes and a scrambled ARC response.
The Frigate brings a new endgame-scale challenge
The Frigate is a huge airborne carrier sent to investigate the fallen Emperor. Players must find a way aboard, open routes through its interior, and fight ARC units while other squads pursue the same rewards. Embark’s description suggests an encounter built around navigation and shifting alliances as much as raw damage.
Frozen Trail also introduces the Bully, Skulker, and Hydra. The aggressive Bully uses machine-learned behavior to keep pressure on its target, while the Skulker attacks opportunistically and retreats when attention turns toward it. The three-part Hydra is stationed aboard the Frigate and can engage multiple threats with separate weapon systems.
New weapons, gadgets, and the Outpost
Two weapons join the arsenal. The Stiletto is a light-ammo battle rifle intended as an accessible early-game alternative to the Renegade, and the Bantam is a heavy-ammo revolver with a distinctive hip-fire function. A new Research Workstation at the Outpost unlocks a fifth quality tier for 15 existing weapons, with branching upgrades that can substantially change how they behave.
The Grappling Hook expands traversal by letting Raiders climb, rappel, and swing across gaps. The Tether Launcher can connect two points or pin targets in place, while the Yank Grenade violently pulls nearby targets toward it. Embark is also adding a camera with manual controls and selfie support, plus playable banjo and harmonica instruments.
The Outpost itself is a customizable surface base where players can place modules, furniture, and crafting stations. Embark says it is the first step toward a more personal home above ground, although the space will not initially be freely explorable.
Reward Passes and platform details
Frozen Trail replaces Raider Decks with Reward Passes. A free track includes gameplay items, five outfits, cosmetic rewards, and 200 Raider Tokens. The Premium track adds alternate outfit styles, exclusive colors, weapon stencils, hairstyles, and 1,150 Raider Tokens. Existing Raider Deck progress moves into a free Legacy Pass, while an optional Collector Set DLC combines the new tracks with additional cosmetics and 2,400 Raider Tokens.
New questlines, a skill-tree rework, and another map condition are also scheduled for October 8. ARC Raiders is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GeForce NOW, with cross-platform social play. The update continues the game’s evolution from the premium PvPvE version Embark unveiled in 2024.
Which Frozen Trail addition are you most eager to try: Pendola Pass, the Frigate, or the new weapon upgrades?
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