ARC Raiders 1.36 Update Guide: Matchmaking Changes, Better Loot, Anti-Cheat Updates, and Everything You Need to Know

Summary

The ARC Raiders 1.36 Update is one of the game's biggest quality-of-life patches so far. It separates Solo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking, significantly improves Ark Turbine rewards, strengthens anti-cheat protection, launches new seasonal content, and refreshes the in-game store. Whether you're farming loot, climbing the ranks, or returning after a break, understanding these changes will help you progress faster and enjoy a smoother experience.

1. What's New in ARC Raiders 1.36?

Update 1.36 delivers improvements across nearly every major system, including:

• Separate matchmaking for Solo, Duo, and Trio

• The Finals crossover event

• Expedition Season 4 and Trial Season 5

• Better loot and inventory management

• Bug fixes and UI improvements

• Expanded anti-cheat measures

• A redesigned in-game store

Rather than introducing one massive feature, this update improves the overall gameplay experience from start to finish. The improved loot system also gives players more opportunities to earn valuable resources and ARC Raiders Coins more efficiently throughout each expedition.

2. Solo, Duo, and Trio Matchmaking Finally Work Independently

The biggest gameplay change is the new matchmaking system.

Instead of sharing one matchmaking profile, your behavior is now tracked separately for Solo, Duo, and Trio queues. Previously, aggressive Trio sessions could influence your Solo matches, while casual Solo runs could affect Trio matchmaking.

Now every queue develops independently.

This benefits players who enjoy peaceful Solo farming but still want competitive Trio battles without one mode affecting the other.

One downside is that finding PvP-heavy Solo lobbies may become less common. If your goal is constant combat, organized Trio groups will likely offer the best experience.

3. Ark Turbine Rewards Are Finally Worth the Risk

The community has long asked for better Ark Turbine rewards, and Update 1.36 delivers.

Loot from Ark Turbines has been significantly increased, making these encounters much more profitable.

Instead of avoiding them, players should now include Ark Turbines in their regular farming routes, especially when playing with teammates.

For the best results:

• Clear nearby valuable loot locations first.

• Prepare an extraction route before the fight.

• Focus on overall raid profit rather than individual item values.

4. Loot and Inventory Management Get Smarter

Another welcome improvement is inventory display.

High-value items now receive priority, even if lower-value stackable materials have a higher combined total.

This makes it much easier to identify valuable loot during raids and decide what deserves inventory space before extraction.

Small quality-of-life improvements like this help speed up every farming run.

5. New Crossover Event and Seasonal Content

The collaboration between ARC Raiders and The Finals introduces several exclusive cosmetic rewards.

Players can unlock items such as:

• Azimuth Outfit

• Archaeologist Backpack Bundle

• Triumph cosmetic collection

The crossover runs from July 9 through July 30.

At the same time, Expedition Season 4 and Trial Season 5 officially begin, giving players fresh objectives and seasonal rewards to pursue.

6. More Bug Fixes Improve Everyday Gameplay

Update 1.36 also fixes numerous long-standing issues.

Highlights include:

• Ground weapons now display installed mods.

• Terrain problems around the Dam, Spawn Bunkers, and Buried City have been fixed.

• Quest menus and the emote wheel are more responsive.

• Various UI and gameplay bugs have been resolved.

Although these changes may seem minor individually, they create a noticeably smoother gameplay experience.

7. Anti-Cheat Continues to Get Stronger

Embark is continuing its efforts to create a fairer game.

Denuvo Anti-Cheat is now active for all PC players, while systems monitoring item duplication, abnormal profits, and economy exploits continue to improve.

Players may also receive notifications when reported cheaters are punished, and confirmed losses caused by cheaters can still qualify for compensation.

These changes help maintain a healthier in-game economy and a more competitive environment.

8. No Free Loadouts Could Expand

The experimental No Free Loadout rule remains active for high-risk activities like Night Raid and Close Scrutiny.

According to the developers, the feature may expand to additional map conditions in future updates.

The goal is simple: players entering valuable raids should commit real equipment, creating fairer and more rewarding encounters.

9. The Store Gets a Modern Makeover

The in-game store has also been redesigned.

The new interface offers:

• Cleaner organization

• Easier navigation

• Better cosmetic previews

The new Triumph armor set features multiple customization options, including different helmets, shoulder armor, padding, visors, and color variations.

10. Known Issues

A few problems are still being investigated.

Current known issues include:

• Lower FPS for some PC players.

• Crashes affecting certain Xbox users.

• Quick Wheel selection bugs.

• Occasional throwable animation glitches.

Keeping these in mind can help avoid unnecessary frustration until future hotfixes arrive.

11. Final Thoughts

ARC Raiders 1.36 focuses on making the game fairer, smoother, and more rewarding. Independent matchmaking creates better experiences across every squad size, Ark Turbine rewards finally justify the risk, and continued anti-cheat improvements help protect the game's economy.

Whether you're a Solo explorer, a dedicated loot farmer, or a competitive Trio player, Update 1.36 offers meaningful improvements that make every expedition more enjoyable and more profitable. For players searching for ARC Raiders Items for sale, these gameplay improvements also create better opportunities to make the most of upgraded gear and valuable resources throughout the new season.

Quick Tip

Prioritize rebuilding your matchmaking profile first, then focus on Ark Turbine farming to maximize rewards early in the new season.

Why This Update Matters

Solo players enjoy fairer matchmaking, squads earn better loot, collectors unlock exclusive cosmetics, and competitive players benefit from a healthier game environment.