ARC Raiders has rolled out Update 1.11.0, delivering major balance changes, a highly anticipated cosmetic set, a free anniversary reward, and new insight into the game’s evolving matchmaking systems. This patch focuses on tightening PvP balance while celebrating the game’s massive success, marking an important step in ARC Raiders’ early live-service journey .

Below is a complete breakdown of everything included in the latest ARC Raiders update.

ARC Raiders Reaches 12 Million Copies Sold

The developers confirmed a major milestone: 12 million ARC Raiders copies sold worldwide. To celebrate surpassing 10 million players, the team is giving everyone a free Gilded Pickaxe Raider Tool.

How to Claim the Free Gilded Pickaxe

- Available to all players who log in from launch through January 13 at 11:59 PM
- Delivered directly via the in-game inbox
- Cosmetic gold variant of the standard pickaxe tool

This reward is a limited-time celebration item, making it a must-claim for collectors .

Kettle Weapon Nerf: Fire Rate Reduced

One of the most impactful gameplay changes in Update 1.11.0 is a nerf to the Kettle weapon, targeting excessive damage output caused by macro usage.

Kettle Balance Changes

- Fire rate reduced from 600 to 450
- Maximum DPS previously required unrealistically high click speeds
- Change aims to eliminate unfair advantages from third-party software

According to the developers, the old fire rate was only achievable through macros or extreme clicking, creating an uneven PvP environment. With this update, the Kettle now sits closer to weapons like the RPG-4 in terms of damage output while remaining effective for legitimate players .

Triggerade Nerf: PvP Dominance Addressed

The Triggerade grenade has also received a significant rebalance after dominating PvP encounters.

Triggerade Changes Explained

- Explosion damage is now more concentrated at the center
- Reduced damage at outer edges of the blast
- Detonation delay increased from 0.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds
- Harder to use as an air-triggered grenade
- Still effective as a sticky explosive

These changes increase counterplay and reaction time, rewarding skillful timing rather than instant detonations. The Triggerade remains viable, but no longer overwhelms other grenade options .

Cold Snap Event Removed (For Now)

The limited-time Cold Snap event has officially ended in Update 1.11.0.

What This Means for Players

- Cold Snap quests and activities removed
- Event schedule has shifted as a result
- Some events (like Locked Gate) now appear earlier in the day
- New players may access rewards such as the Bobcat Blueprint sooner

While Cold Snap is gone, the developers strongly suggest more limited-time events are already planned, with community rumors pointing toward a possible toxic swamp-themed event in the future .

Lighting Adjustments and Bug Fixes

Several smaller but meaningful changes were also included in this patch.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

- Fixed a key card exploit that allowed players to keep room keys after use
- Reduced lighting in parts of Stella Montter Night Road
- Flashlights and audio awareness are now more important in affected areas

These tweaks improve immersion and reinforce ARC Raiders’ tactical survival atmosphere .

New Abyss Cosmetic Set and Store Items

One of the most exciting additions is the Abyss cosmetic set, teased previously and now fully available in the in-game store.

Abyss Set Highlights

Diver-themed outfit with underwater aesthetics

Customization options:

- Multiple color variants
- Toggle helmet visor
- Remove life vest, flippers, or canisters

Matching accessories including:

- Diver backpack
- Flipper backpack attachment
- Diving goggles charm
- Kraken tattoo
- New “Diving Bell” emote

This bundle has quickly become one of the most popular cosmetic releases, praised for its detailed design and flexibility .

Developer Insight: Aggression-Based Matchmaking Explained

The update also surfaced new comments from ARC Raiders’ design lead regarding the game’s controversial aggression-based matchmaking.

Key Takeaways from the Dev Team

- The system is not skill-based or gear-based
- Tracks PvP engagement, such as who shoots first
- Does not judge intent or assign moral value
- Operates on a spectrum, not PvE-only vs PvP-only lobbies
- Designed to give players partial control over lobby intensity

In simple terms, players who avoid PvP engagements over time are more likely to encounter less aggressive lobbies, while frequent fighters will match with similar players. The system is still evolving, and the developers confirmed they are actively tuning it based on live data and player feedback .

Final Thoughts on ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0

Update 1.11.0 is a clear signal that ARC Raiders is entering a refinement phase. By addressing overpowered tools, rewarding long-term players, expanding cosmetic options, and openly discussing matchmaking philosophy, the developers are laying a strong foundation for the future.

With more events, balance tweaks, and new content already teased, ARC Raiders is still very early in its lifecycle—and Update 1.11.0 shows the developers are actively listening and refining the experience. Whether you’re here for PvP, exploration, or cosmetics, the game is clearly on an upward trajectory. As the world of ARC Raiders continues to expand, many players are also looking for convenient ways to buy ARC Raiders Items to customize their loadouts and stay competitive as future updates roll out.