ARC Raiders Dev Hints at Major Weapon Balance Tweaks in Upcoming Update

Embark Studios is preparing important balance changes for ARC Raiders, with design lead Virgil Watkins teasing notable adjustments coming in the next patch. The update will primarily target the Kettle rifle and Trigger Nades, two tools that have become central to recent balance discussions within the community.

Since its late October launch, ARC Raiders has emerged as one of the industry’s biggest breakout hits. The shooter quickly reached Steam player counts comparable to Battlefield and Call of Duty and has already surpassed 12 million copies sold. A key driver behind this momentum has been Embark’s aggressive post-launch support, featuring frequent patches, balance updates, and new content.

Outside of a short holiday pause, ARC Raiders has received near-weekly updates, with the cycle resuming on January 10 via patch 1.7.3. December’s Cold Snap update even introduced a new map condition, adding heavy winter weather that reduced visibility and muffled footsteps. Now, the focus shifts to fine-tuning weapon balance.

Kettle Rifle and Trigger Nades Set for Changes ⚙️

In an interview with GamesRadar, Watkins confirmed that the Kettle rifle will see a reduction to its fire-rate cap, addressing situations where players firing near the limit could instantly eliminate opponents. The design team has observed gameplay clips showcasing how the weapon could be abused at extreme fire rates, prompting the adjustment.

Trigger Nades are also receiving attention. Embark plans to rework their damage falloff curve, making accuracy more important and reducing their effectiveness when thrown imprecisely. In addition, the detonation timing will be adjusted so grenades no longer explode almost immediately after being thrown, encouraging more deliberate use.

These changes are scheduled to arrive with the January 13 balance patch. Watkins also hinted at potential future tuning, noting that the team is evaluating where both weapons should sit within the game’s rarity and power spectrum.

A Breakout Success With More on the Horizon 🚀

ARC Raiders’ rapid rise has already translated into major industry recognition. Despite launching just weeks before award season, the game won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025. It also claimed Most Innovative Gameplay at the Steam Awards and earned a Game of the Year nomination. Looking ahead, the title has been longlisted for six BAFTA Games Awards, set to take place in April.

Beyond in-game updates, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund recently revealed that multiple studios have expressed interest in adapting ARC Raiders into a TV or film project. While the game has faced some criticism over its use of generative AI for art and voice assets, the controversy has done little to slow its momentum.

With continued balance tuning and more content planned, ARC Raiders appears poised to remain a major force in 2026, and players should expect plenty more surprises as Embark continues to build on its breakout success.