Arc Raiders: Bird City - Feathered Chaos and Rooftop Riches

Arc Raiders, Embark Studios' intense PvPvE extraction shooter, has carved a niche for itself in the post-apocalyptic gaming landscape. Set in a Rust Belt ravaged by relentless mechanized ARC threats, it challenges players to scavenge, fight, and survive against both AI and human rivals. On January 27, 2026, the game took another leap forward with the release of the Headwinds update (patch 1.13.0), introducing a thrilling new layer of vertical gameplay: Bird City. This permanent minor map modifier, exclusive to the Buried City at a difficulty of three out of five, transforms the urban decay into a chaotic avian playground, promising loot, combat, and mayhem high above the streets.

The Birth of Bird City

Bird City is born from a post-Cold Snap environmental twist. As melting ice reshaped the landscape, flocks returned to Buried City, seeking resources and refuge among the crumbling skyline. Embark Studios teased this development on their official blog: "Have you noticed more birds hanging around the Buried City? Now the ice has melted, these intrepid survivors are stocking up on supplies for their nests." Unlike the occasional scavenger bird seen in prior events, Bird City ramps up their presence from sporadic appearances to swarming chaos, making the city a living, breathing threat.

Birds now occupy rooftop chimneys and ledges, hoarding "shiny trinkets" that can be inspected for rewards. However, disturbing these nests is no trivial matter. It draws both players and flying ARCs into the skies, creating tense encounters where awareness and timing are everything. What might have been a simple loot run becomes a vertical chess match, where every rooftop could harbor enemies, nests, or airborne threats.

Key Mechanics and Map Alterations

Bird City introduces three core modifiers that redefine traversal, combat, and risk assessment in Buried City.

First, the urban skies are swarming. Larger packs of birds scatter unpredictably across rooftops. Disturb them, and they erupt into loud flocks, functioning as mobile alarms. This mechanic not only exposes player positions to rivals but also summons flying ARCs eager to patrol the newly active skies. No longer can raiders move stealthily along familiar streets; the sound of wings becomes a constant threat.

Second, the city's verticality is dramatically amplified. Rooftops link seamlessly through ziplines, ledges, and precarious bridges, allowing swift traversal without fatal falls. The level design encourages risk-taking, offering multiple paths to objectives and loot, but every leap carries danger. Players can now approach objectives from angles never before possible, making ambushes from above a frequent and lethal reality.

Third, the city is littered with sellable curios. From abandoned chimneys to balconies, players can find items that provide quick credits, a critical resource in the PvPvE ecosystem. These items, while not game-breaking, reward exploration and height awareness. The emphasis on vertical engagement transforms routine loot runs into adrenaline-filled rooftop races.

Patch notes warn players that Bird City escalates combat significantly. More flying ARCs swoop in from above, raiders converge on high-value nests, and firefights frequently span multiple floors of crumbling buildings. While the overall difficulty rating remains three out of five, the elevated threats and aerial dimension create a tense, high-stakes environment where split-second decisions determine survival.

Loot Bonanza: Trinkets and Prized Ducks

Bird City's loot system is perhaps the most compelling reason for raiders to brave its heights. Chimney nests contain a mix of valuables that blend functional utility and pure collectible appeal. Trinkets include faded photographs, cat beds, music boxes, film reels, and even Lance's mixtape, all of which can be sold for credits but are non-craftable, making them highly desirable for players seeking a fast infusion of cash.

There are unique, collectible Rubber ducks. Variants of the standard rubber duck have been appearing in chimneys, and though they serve the same function mechanically (a throwable noisemaker that also appears in your base) now there are multiple types of different rarities and values. All the ones we've found so far are:

Tropical Duck (Uncommon)

Gentle Duck (Uncommon)

Alien Duck (Uncommon)

Flashy Duck (Rare)

Doodly Duck (Rare)

Familiar Duck (Epic)

This loot system injects a unique layer of strategy into Bird City. Players must weigh the risks of approaching a chimneynest swarmed by birds and potentially exposed to rivals against the potential windfall of rare items. Early-morning raids often yield uncontested grabs before the area becomes crowded with other hunters, while later in the match, high-value nests frequently become the epicenter of combat.

Prime Spots and Survival Tips

Knowledge of the city's layout is more important than ever. High-density chimney areas such as South Piazzas, Old Town, West Village, and various residential zones become hotspots for both loot and conflict. Mastering rooftop traversal is key, and ziplines chain together to allow quick escapes or rapid assaults on unsuspecting players below.

For solo players, skimming the edges of the map and timing nest inspections during quieter moments can maximize loot while minimizing danger. Squads, on the other hand, can dominate vertical engagements by controlling ziplines and rooftop vantage points, leveraging both firepower and mobility to dictate the pace of the match.Bird City embodies "high-risk, high-reward zones," demanding a combination of foresight, agility, and situational awareness.

Effective strategies include sprinting past flocks to prevent triggering alarmed birds, scanning the skyline before attempting a nest grab, and prioritizing high-value items like rare rubber ducks for early extraction. Awareness of ARC patrol routes and potential player ambushes remains critical, as vertical encounters often leave little room for cover. Bird City is a playground for the daring and a trap for the reckless.

Player Buzz and Escalation Ahead

The Headwinds update has stirred a lively response from the Arc Raiders community. Launch reactions have ranged from ecstatic celebration of the rare loot-"Best event! Multiple $7k ducks," gushed several users-to criticism of the map's fixed weekly modifier cycle, which some argue limits flexibility in planning raids. Despite mixed opinions on scheduling, the update's verticality and loot variety have been widely praised.

Headwinds is also the kickoff to 2026's Escalation Roadmap, a sequence of updates that promise to further evolve the game. February's Shrouded Sky will introduce major environmental conditions and enemy types, March's Flashpoint will bring additional PvPvE challenges, and April's Riven Tides will debut a beach map, expanding the world both thematically and tactically. Bird City, with its focus on vertical combat, loot diversity, and swarming AI, sets the stage for these future updates by testing players' adaptability and coordination.

For seasoned raiders, Bird City is more than just a map modifier; it is a trial by fire. Success depends not only on aiming and looting but on understanding the interplay of vertical space, flock behavior, and rival movements. The reward is tangible-loot, credits, and bragging rights-but the real challenge lies in mastering an environment where every rooftop can hide both fortune and death.

Arc Raiders Bird City demonstrates Embark Studios' continued commitment to evolving the PvPvE extraction shooter experience. By transforming Buried City into an avian-infested urban playground, Headwinds delivers a unique mix of high-risk gameplay, vertical traversal, and strategic loot collection. Players can experience more exciting content and obtain a large amount of resources such as ARC Raiders Coins and ARC Raiders Items/Blueprints. The city's new mechanics-from swarming bird packs to rooftop ziplines and sellable curios-create a tense, layered experience that rewards careful planning and daring execution.

For players seeking the thrill of rooftop combat, the lure of rare collectibles, and the chaos of swarming ARC and AI threats, Bird City offers a playground like no other. The Headwinds update isn't just a new map-it's a test of skill, strategy, and nerve. As the 2026 Escalation Roadmap unfolds, raiders will find that the lessons learned among Bird City's rooftops will be invaluable in the challenges to come.

MMOexp ARC Raiders Team