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ARC Raiders’ limited-time PvE test runs from October 13 to October 20, disabling player-to-player damage while introducing reduced loot rewards and restrictions on activities such as Redirection. Players looking to support their in-game progression can also explore buy ARC Raiders Coins as they prepare for the new gameplay experience. Embark Studios will evaluate matchmaking, the game economy, and player feedback before deciding the mode’s future. Meanwhile, Trials Season 6 introduces new rewards, although its official end date remains unclear.
ARC Raiders PvE Test Start Time and Duration
The ARC Raiders PvE experiment officially begins on October 13 at 4:00 a.m. Central Time, equivalent to 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 2:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The test is scheduled to end on October 20.
Embark has emphasized that this is a temporary experiment rather than confirmation of a permanent PvE mode. The developer will evaluate player feedback, matchmaking performance, and economic changes before deciding whether to expand or retain the feature.
The PvE mode disables damage between players, allowing Raiders to focus on fighting ARC machines and collecting resources without being directly attacked by other players.
New PvE Restrictions and Gameplay Rules
Embark has clarified several rules that determine how the experimental mode will function.
· Redirection is unavailable: This newly confirmed restriction joins Night Raid, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frig on the list of excluded activities or conditions.
· Stun and fire effects cannot damage other Raiders: These effects will not influence opposing players in the PvE environment.
· Physical interactions remain enabled: Barricades and ziplines can still affect other players' movement and access to certain areas.
· ARC enemies can eliminate downed players: However, downed Raiders receive an eight-second grace period during which ARC enemies will not attack them.
· Squad sizes are not separated: Solo, duo, and trio players may enter the same PvE matchmaking pool.
These rules mean that PvE does not eliminate every form of player conflict. Raiders can still compete for containers, obstruct traversal routes, influence enemy positioning, and potentially interfere with extraction areas.
Redirection Restriction Could Affect Frozen Trails Endgame
The removal of Redirection may have a particularly significant impact on players pursuing Frozen Trails endgame progression.
Redirection is one of the primary targeted methods for obtaining Emperor payloads, Emperor couplers, Gateway Conduit components, and the Gateway Conduit blueprint. Without this activity, players entering PvE will lose an important route toward building the required access equipment.
One question remains unanswered: whether players who already possess a Gateway Conduit can still enter a PvE session and open the Emperor. Embark has not yet confirmed how this interaction will work, making it an important detail to test during the experiment.
PvE Loot Will Be Reduced
Embark is also adjusting the reward structure between PvE and the standard PvPvE experience.
The experimental PvE mode will feature lower overall loot value to reflect the reduced risk of being attacked by other Raiders. At the same time, the baseline loot available in normal PvPvE sessions will increase slightly.
The developer has not fully explained how much loot value will be reduced or how the changes will affect extraction rewards. Comparing the two modes after launch should help establish whether the reduced danger comes with a proportionate reduction in progression efficiency.
The experiment will also help Embark evaluate how players moving into PvE affect queue times, regional matchmaking populations, and the overall balance of normal raids.
Trials Season 6 Introduces New Rewards
Alongside the PvE announcement, Embark has launched a new Trials season featuring several rewards.
Highlights include the Myestro outfit as the grand prize, a yellow Hot Shot variant, a red Kina Legend variant, a sheriff badge charm, an infrared transmitter attachment, the Pumped dance, and the Scrappy Pop helmet.
However, the season's end date has raised questions. Earlier versions of the announcement reportedly displayed November 16, while the current official page lists January 12. Players should treat the latest official listing as the current reference until Embark clarifies the discrepancy.
It is also unclear whether PvE activities contribute toward Trials progression, leaderboard rankings, or relevant ARC objectives.
What Happens After October 20?
The future of ARC Raiders PvE will depend on the results of this limited-time test. Embark plans to assess player participation, loot and economy changes, matchmaking health, queue times, and feedback collected through a post-test survey. Players looking to support their in-game progression can also explore cheap ARC Raiders Coins while preparing for future challenges and updates.
Previous player preference data cited in the discussion indicated that 51% of surveyed players expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. That figure demonstrates interest in the feature, but it does not mean that all those players want PvP removed entirely.
Ultimately, the October 13–20 experiment will help determine whether PvE can coexist with the standard PvPvE experience without negatively affecting matchmaking or progression. Until Embark publishes its findings, a permanent PvE mode remains uncertain.
