ARC Raiders doesn’t have a dedicated PvE mode, but you can still play PvE in it. Sounds paradoxical, but both sentences are true, and it only depends on how you play.
Fighting ARC in the game can be extremely fun on its own, and it’s natural for players to want a lower-stakes mode without the threat of being backstabbed by another raider. The game doesn’t offer that officially yet, but it’s close enough.
Here’s what you need to know about PvE in ARC Raiders, including how to play soft-PvE matches.
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Does ARC Raiders have a PvE mode?
ARC Raiders doesn’t have an official PvE mode for now. Embark disabled damage between players for a limited-time test between Oct. 13 and 20, but that was a one-off.
A dedicated PvE mode may come in the future, though. The studio is still going over feedback from millions of matches in the test to identify possible plans, but Embark stressed it didn’t want to promise anything.
Still, in my experience, the right lobbies seem almost indistinguishable from the PvE trial—and consistently getting into them is pretty simple.
How to play PvE in ARC Raiders
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Despite not having a full-fledged PvE mode, ARC Raiders uses a pretty spot-on aggression-based matchmaking (ABMM) system. This mechanic tries to pair you with players who behave similarly.
If you’re constantly picking fights, the raiders you come across tend to play offensively. Not dealing damage to other players gives you chill lobbies where “hello” and “don’t shoot” are basically the norm, though you might have to give up self-defense to get there.
It may take some time until the ABMM calibrates to your behavior, but when it kicks in, your matches will be filled with like-minded players. As a PvE-only raider, the experience hasn’t been that different from Embark’s test—which is to say, I’m having a grand time.
There’s always the chance a hostile raider might get in, but in my experience, the odds are slim, especially in higher-populated regions. Still, that collective act of non-aggression seems to be what makes ARC Raiders‘ lobbies so special.
