Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap: January to April maps, events, updates & more

January 2026 has been a quiet month for Arc Raiders content updates. That was to be expected post-Holidays, and with Embark prioritising securing the game against clear exploits. Now, access to ceilings in Stella Montis and unintended console access on PC should be things of the past, meaning no clunky ‘first-person’ views and no more ‘night vision’.

Thankfully, ahead of the coming months, Embark has also laid out the initial Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap, promising monthly content updates. With daily player counts in the hundreds of thousands, there’s plenty of appetite out there for sure. That’s good, because the first content update is immediate, with a steady cadence thereafter.

The new Arc Raiders roadmap kicks off on January 27, with the first content update, known as Headwinds. This follows December’s Cold Snap, with the official blog post noting, “The Cold Snap has passed, but its danger casts a long shadow”. Raiders can therefore expect some lingering adversity Topside, and more.

February will bring the ominous-sounding Shrouded Sky, followed by March’s Flashpoint, and April’s Riven Tides. There is no doubt that lore and world-building continuity are integral for the coming months for both Arc Raiders PvE and PvP fans. Explicitly mentioned are new map updates, map conditions, one new map, projects, and expedition opportunities.

But the above isn’t all. Across the coming months, Raiders should also expect the smaller updates Embark has continued to deliver. QoL updates, cosmetics, and gameplay items will continue to be added to. And new quests are guaranteed, alongside new feats, trials, and additional events. Here’s what each month offers specifically, and what we know so far.

Headwinds is the first Arc Raiders update of 2026, and simply by the number of items listed on the roadmap, it’s the smallest but still hugely significant. Raiders can expect a new minor map condition called Bird City. The official Arc Raiders X account notes, “Loot-packed nests appear as flocks of birds return to Buried City, watch your back on the rooftops.”

A new Player Project has been revealed as an Arc trophy hunt to unlock rewards. Even more interesting, though, is the new matchmaking option for Level 40+ Raiders. You can now optionally take on full squads as a solo, for higher risk and XP rewards. It’s an eye-opening addition that will surely mix things up and diversify PvP dynamics.

February’s Shrouded Sky updates list six ‘additions’ for the month. And considering Headwinds arrives at the end of January, waiting for this heftier update doesn’t seem like a problem. In fact, Headwinds offers more headline features than any of the next four content updates for Arc Raiders:

Topside, Raiders can expect a new map update. However, this could be an update to one specific map, a collective update, or an update of the wider Rust Belt map itself. A new map condition and new Arc threat will also emerge, as well as a new Player Project, a potentially new Raider Deck or update, and a new opportunity for an Expedition Window.

Flashpoint looks set to bring yet another new map condition and a new Arc threat, meaning Raiders will get back-to-back additional PvE enemies. We can’t help but wonder whether one of these Arcs will be air-based and the other ground-based. Again, we don’t yet have further details, and we’re looking forward to seeing what Embark is cooking.

Potentially noteworthy for March is that Flashpoint comes after Shrouded Sky. While Shrouded Sky suggests a looming shadow or threat, is Flashpoint directly linked? Could it bring a new type of warfare or existential threat to Topside? Possibly. A new Player Project and a Scrappy Update will also arrive and could be for bolstering Raiders’ capabilities.

Riven Tides will bring two big changes: a new, large Arc (Emperor?) and a whole new map. The name Riven Tides suggests waves that will violently split. But split what? Raiders? The civilisation of Speranza? A specific new map, riven apart by Arc activity? April may prove monumental for Arc Raiders lore, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Joining the new map and the new large Arc in Riven Tides will be a new map condition and a further expedition Window. Embark intends to offer an expedition, otherwise known as a (currently optional) wipe, every other month. Whether the optionality or expedition mechanic itself will change in the coming updates, we’ll dig into the details as expeditions arrive.

Arc Raiders’ 2026 roadmap promises plenty of additional content from January to April. Expect a new map, three new Arc threats, three new map conditions, one minor map condition, a new solo vs squad option (lvl 40+), and three Player Projects. Plus, a map update, a Scrappy update, a Raider Deck update, two Expedition Windows, and more.

That may seem like a lot to be getting on with, and hopefully it is. The world that is being built needs adventure and potential. Embark will definitely want to maintain positive player sentiment and deliver PvP and PvE-focused Arc Raiders gameplay that continues to impress. The forecast? It looks fun. Expect us to discuss each update in the coming months.