ARC Raiders’ biggest update yet is coming in about two weeks, and we’ve finally gotten a look at what to expect from it.
A new map, Pendola Pass, is the main highlight. This location is set in an old Italian village and transport hub tucked into the mountains, and it’s a locale that has not been sullied with much in the past. That means it’s ripe with loot.
But the biggest draw for Pendola Pass is seen above: the massive corpse of an Emperor ARC, and that’s sure to be a point of contention for players in just about every match. Just imagine the materials and consumables to be found in there.
A big new ARC called the Frigate will patrol the area, and it presents “a substantial challenge” for players who find a way to climb on board and navigate a labyrinth within to try and solve puzzles and survive.
Three other new main enemy types are being introduced in Frozen Trail: the Bully, Skulker, and Hydra:
- Bully
- “Bully by name, bully by nature: our new machine-learned enemy is an oppressive, aggressive beast that cedes no ground as it gallops upon your position and fights with a host of lethal attacks. Use cover, time your response, and hit your shots; the Bully is quick on its feet and unhinged in its quest.”
- Skulker
- “In contrast to the Bully, the Skulker is opportunistic, lying in wait and skirting the edges of your vision to get the drop and unleash a flurry of blows. This is one you’ll want to keep an eye on as a momentary distraction will see it retreat out of sight – the next time you see it, you’ll be feeling it too.”
- Hydra
- “This enemy may not traverse, but it sure does move. Split into three stacked and autonomous portions, the Hydra is a turret that can handle entire squads with its triple-threat of weaponry. Found upon the Frigate, the Hydra will require a tactical approach in which Raiders divert attention, find cover quickly, and attack rapidly when the moment arises.”
Further enhancements to the base ARC Raiders experience coming in the update include Amplified Weapons for endgame players to personalize their weapons with high-tier upgrades, the new Stilletto battle rifle and Bantam revolver, and two new Gadgets in the Grappling Hook and Tether Launcher.
The update sure sounds beefy, and curiosity may get the best of me to actually re-download ARC Raiders to see what it has to offer when Frozen Trail drops on Oct. 8. Will it be enough to reinvigorate the playerbase? We’ll be sure to keep an eye on that.
