ARC Raiders PvE Test: Rules, Loot, and What Changes

ARC Raiders combines scavenging, combat, and extraction into a tense experience where every trip into the Rust Belt comes with risks. ARC machines are dangerous enough on their own, but other Raiders can make an otherwise successful run much harder. A fight that starts over a few valuable resources can quickly turn into a lost loadout and an unsuccessful extraction.

The limited-time PvE matchmaking test offers a different way to experience the game. Player-to-player damage is disabled, allowing players to focus more on fighting ARC enemies, completing quests, exploring the map, and collecting resources without the same threat of direct combat from other Raiders.

However, PvE is not a completely safe mode, and it comes with several restrictions. Loot values are adjusted, different squad sizes can share the same matchmaking pool, and certain map conditions are excluded. Understanding these rules will help you decide whether PvE suits your current goals.

Quick Rules Summary

• Player Damage: Player-to-player damage is disabled in PvE sessions.
• Throwable Items: Stun and fire items do not work against other players.
• ARC Threats: ARC enemies remain dangerous, and successful extraction is not guaranteed.
• Loot Value: Overall loot value is lower in PvE to account for the reduced risk from hostile players.
• Matchmaking: Solo, Duo, and Trio groups can share the same PvE matchmaking pool.
• Excluded Conditions: Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection are excluded from the test.
• PvPvE Rating: Playing PvE does not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating.
• Test Period: The limited-time test is scheduled to run from October 13 to October 20, 2026.

What Is the ARC Raiders PvE Mode?

The ARC Raiders PvE mode is a limited matchmaking option designed to reduce direct conflict between players. In standard PvPvE matches, other Raiders can attack you while you are fighting ARC machines, searching buildings, or carrying valuable resources toward extraction. In PvE sessions, player-to-player damage is disabled, changing how these encounters play out.

The core gameplay remains largely focused on the same activities. You still need to explore the Rust Belt, fight hostile ARC machines, collect useful resources, complete quests, and make it back to extraction with your loot.

PvE may appeal to players who want to learn the maps, gather crafting ARC Raiders materials, or make progress on objectives without constantly preparing for a fight against another player. It can also provide a different environment for players who enjoy the survival and exploration aspects of ARC Raiders more than its competitive encounters.

That said, PvE does not remove every danger. ARC enemies can still threaten your survival, equipment and resources still matter, and your raid can still end badly if you underestimate the situation. The reduced risk of player combat also comes with lower overall loot value, so PvE is not automatically the most rewarding option for every player.

How to Access the ARC Raiders PvE Mode

During the test period, players can look for the PvE matchmaking option in the matchmaking interface before deploying. Check the available options and confirm your selection rather than assuming the game will automatically place you in the mode you want.

Map conditions are another important consideration. PvE is not available under every condition, so the option may be unavailable for a particular deployment even while the test is running. Check the active conditions before changing your loadout or preparing for a raid.

The October 2026 test is scheduled to run from October 13 at 11:00 CEST until October 20 at 11:00 CEST. Because this is a temporary matchmaking test, players should not assume the option will remain available after the scheduled end time.

If you cannot find the PvE option, check whether the test is still active and whether one of the excluded map conditions is in effect. The current in-game matchmaking interface is the best place to confirm which options are available for your next deployment.

ARC Raiders PvE Rules: What Changes?

Can Players Damage Each Other in PvE?

The main rule is straightforward: player-to-player damage is disabled in PvE sessions. Other Raiders may still be present, but they cannot directly damage you as they would in standard PvPvE matches.

This changes how you approach encounters across the Rust Belt. You can focus more on nearby ARC threats, your objectives, and the resources you need instead of constantly preparing for another player to attack while you are distracted.

However, the protection does not make you immune to danger. ARC machines remain hostile, and you still need to manage ammunition, healing supplies, armor, and positioning. Getting surrounded by enemies or entering a fight without enough resources can be just as costly as making a mistake in a standard raid.

It is also important to distinguish PvE from a private session. Other Raiders can still appear in the same match, so you should not expect the map to be empty simply because direct player damage has been disabled.

Do Grenades and Other Explosives Work Against Players?

PvE changes how certain throwable items interact with other players. Stun and fire items do not work against other Raiders in these sessions, so you cannot rely on these effects to damage or disrupt another player as you might in standard PvPvE.

Not every item loses its normal function, however. Physical-interaction ARC Raiders Items such as barricades and ziplines remain unaffected by the PvE rules.

Players should avoid assuming that every explosive, gadget, or piece of equipment follows exactly the same restrictions. If a particular item is important to your loadout, check its behavior in the current game version rather than treating all throwable items as identical.

For most players, the practical takeaway is simple: PvE removes direct player damage and disables the stated stun and fire effects against other Raiders, but it does not eliminate the normal utility of every item.

Can Other Players Still Affect Your Raid?

Other Raiders can still appear during PvE sessions, even though they cannot directly damage you. Their presence can influence how busy an area feels and how many players are trying to complete objectives or collect resources.

Squad size is another important consideration. Solo, Duo, and Trio groups can share the same PvE matchmaking pool. You should not assume that the game will always match you exclusively with players running the same squad size.

This can make PvE sessions feel different depending on how many Raiders are present and what they are doing. Although the lack of player-to-player damage changes the risk of encountering another squad, it does not turn every raid into a private exploration session.

The best approach is to focus on your objectives, pay attention to ARC activity, and avoid assuming that all player interactions work exactly as they do in standard PvPvE matches.

What Happens When ARC Enemies Down a Player?

PvE still includes dangerous encounters with ARC machines, including situations where a player is knocked down. Being downed does not mean the surrounding enemies will stop being a threat.

During the test, a downed player has an eight-second grace period in relation to ARC enemies reacquiring them. After that period, movement can allow ARC enemies to reacquire a downed player, while remaining still can help prevent reacquisition under the stated test rules.

This mechanic reinforces the importance of positioning and awareness. When you are downed, pay attention to nearby enemies and avoid assuming that you are safe simply because other players cannot damage you.

PvE reduces one major source of danger, but surviving an encounter with ARC machines still requires preparation, good decisions, and sometimes help from nearby teammates.

Does ARC Raiders PvE Have Lower Loot Rewards?

Yes. Overall loot value is lower in PvE sessions to account for the reduced risk of encountering hostile players. During the test, standard PvPvE sessions receive slightly higher baseline loot values to help balance the in-game economy.

This creates a trade-off between a more relaxed experience and the value of what you bring home. PvE can be useful when your main goal is to explore, collect resources, or complete objectives without worrying as much about direct player combat. However, players focused on maximizing loot value may prefer standard PvPvE matches.

The difference matters when planning a raid. If you need specific crafting materials or want to make progress on a quest, consider whether the PvE environment is a good fit for your objective. If your priority is obtaining the highest possible overall loot value, the adjusted rewards are worth taking into account.

Keep in mind that lower overall loot value does not mean every item is reduced by the same percentage. The adjustment should not be interpreted as a uniform reduction applied identically to every item.

Ultimately, the better option depends on your current priorities. A quieter raid may be more appealing when you want to concentrate on exploration, while standard PvPvE may offer a more attractive balance of risk and reward for players who enjoy hostile encounters.

Party Size and Matchmaking Changes

The PvE test allows Solo, Duo, and Trio groups to share the same matchmaking pool. Solo players should therefore not assume that every other Raider they encounter will also be playing alone.

The absence of player-to-player damage changes the nature of encounters, but squad sizes can still affect how crowded certain areas feel. A player exploring alone may encounter groups completing objectives together, even though those groups cannot directly damage them.

Queue times may also vary depending on region, time of day, and the number of players searching for a match. Individual reports about waiting times should not be treated as universal results, since matchmaking conditions can differ between regions and sessions.

One useful detail is that playing PvE does not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating. Players can try the limited test without worrying that their PvE sessions will change that rating.

Before deploying, consider whether you are comfortable sharing a matchmaking pool with different squad sizes. PvE removes direct player damage, but it does not guarantee that every encounter will involve players with the same group size or objectives.

Which Map Conditions Are Excluded from PvE?

Five map conditions are excluded from the PvE test:

• Night Raid
• Locked Gate
• Hidden Bunker
• Frigate
• Redirection

If one of these conditions is active, the PvE matchmaking option may not be available for that deployment. This can explain why you cannot select PvE even when the limited-time test is still running.

Before starting a raid, review the current map conditions and make sure the available matchmaking options match your plans. If the option is missing, check the active condition first rather than assuming there is a problem with your game.

Map conditions can also influence your preparation. Even when PvE is available, you should review the deployment details, select equipment suited to the expected threats, and make sure your planned activities fit the current situation.

Because this is a limited test, the restrictions should be checked again if the developers announce changes. Players should rely on the current in-game options rather than assuming that every map condition will always support PvE.

When Does the ARC Raiders PvE Test End?

The October 2026 PvE matchmaking test is scheduled to end on October 20, 2026, at 11:00 CEST. It begins on October 13 at the same time, giving players a one-week window to try the feature.

The end date is important because the PvE matchmaking option is temporary. Players should not assume they will be able to keep selecting it after the scheduled closing time.

The test also does not confirm that a permanent PvE mode will become part of ARC Raiders. Its purpose is to let the development team evaluate the experience and gather feedback about the different matchmaking rules.

Players interested in PvE should use the available period to try different squad sizes, work through objectives, and decide whether the adjusted loot values suit their playstyle. This can also help them understand how much they enjoy ARC Raiders when direct player combat is removed.

Any extension, permanent release, or change to the test schedule should be confirmed through a new announcement or the current in-game options rather than assumed in advance.

Is ARC Raiders PvE Mode Worth Playing?

For players who enjoy exploring the Rust Belt, collecting resources, and completing quests without the constant possibility of direct player attacks, PvE is worth trying. It provides another way to approach familiar activities and lets you focus more attention on ARC enemies and your own objectives.

It is not a completely safe version of ARC Raiders, though. ARC machines remain dangerous, extraction still matters, and the lower overall loot value may make PvE less attractive to players focused on maximizing their returns.

Players who enjoy hostile encounters, the possibility of losing valuable equipment to another Raider, and the higher baseline loot values may prefer standard PvPvE matches. Those who value exploration and objective completion may find the PvE rules more comfortable.

Neither option is automatically better for everyone. If you want a more relaxed approach to exploration and progression, PvE may suit you. If you prefer unpredictable player encounters and higher-risk decisions, standard PvPvE remains an important part of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ARC Raiders PvE Mode Permanent?

No. The October 2026 PvE matchmaking option is a limited-time test scheduled to end on October 20, 2026. A permanent release has not been guaranteed.

Can Other Players Kill You in ARC Raiders PvE?

Player-to-player damage is disabled in PvE sessions. However, other Raiders can still be present, and ARC enemies remain capable of threatening your survival.

Does ARC Raiders PvE Have Reduced Loot?

Yes. Overall loot value is lower in PvE sessions to account for the reduced risk from hostile players. Standard PvPvE sessions receive slightly higher baseline loot values during the test.

Can Solo Players Use ARC Raiders PvE Mode?

Yes. Solo players can enter PvE sessions, but Solo, Duo, and Trio groups can share the same matchmaking pool. Solo players should not expect every other Raider to be alone.

Why Can't I Select PvE in ARC Raiders?

The PvE option is limited to the test period and is unavailable under Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection conditions. If the test has ended or an excluded condition is active, the option may not be available.

The U4GM Team