ARC Raiders, the intense multiplayer extraction shooter from Embark Studios, is charging into 2026 with its "Escalation" phase of monthly content drops. Kicking things off is the Headwinds update, set to launch tomorrow, January 27, 2026. This marks the first major content push of the year, building on recent successes like the Cold Snap event and North Line expansion.
Release Date and What to Expect
The Headwinds update drops on January 27, 2026. Embark Studios confirmed this via an official teaser on X (formerly Twitter), simply stating "Headwinds. 27.01.26" alongside a gritty promotional image. Exact rollout times have not been announced, but past updates like Cold Snap went live around 1:30 AM PT / 4:30 AM ET. Players should check Steam, the official ARC Raiders site, or in-game news for maintenance windows and regional timings.
Patch notes are not yet available as of January 26, but they typically drop close to launch on arcraiders.com and Steam. Recent patches, like January Update 1.12.0, focused on exploits, geometry fixes, and balance tweaks, so expect similar polish alongside the new content.
Core Features of Headwinds
While full details await the patch notes, the roadmap and teasers reveal three headline additions tailored for veterans and fresh environmental challenges:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Level 40+ Matchmaking Queue | A dedicated queue for high-level players (level 40 and above), creating a "high-level league" separate from casual or lower-level lobbies. This aims to deliver more competitive matches for endgame raiders while keeping Topside accessible for newcomers. |
| New Minor Map Condition | A desert/sandstorm-themed weather event, likely impacting visibility and gameplay on maps like Buried City and Spaceport. Community speculation points to reduced sightlines, dust clouds, and dynamic hazards, similar to Cold Snap's frostbite effects. |
| New Player Project | A community event requiring scavenging specific loot or tasks for big rewards, akin to Flickering Flames or Expeditions. Expect map-specific objectives with exclusive cosmetics or gear. |
Additional perks may include new cosmetics, as hinted in previews.
The official teaser image sets a dusty, orange-hued tone: silhouetted raiders trek through a hazy wasteland at sunset, evoking sand-swept peril and tying into the Headwinds theme.
Headwinds in the Bigger Picture: The Escalation Roadmap
Headwinds launches the four-month Escalation phase, promising escalating threats across the Rustbelt. Here's the lineup:
- February: Shrouded Sky — Stormy map condition, new ARC enemy, player project, new Ryder Deck, map refresh, and Expedition window.
- March: Flashpoint — New map condition, ARC threat, player project, and Scrappy mode update.
- April: Riven Tides — Brand-new coastal map, massive new ARC boss, map condition, and Expedition window.
This roadmap, revealed January 23 on arcraiders.com, signals Embark's commitment to steady content, with more maps and ARCs planned beyond April.
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