ARC Raiders’ New Matchmaking Option Has Left Fans Disappointed

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Players of ARC Raiders are confused by a new matchmaking feature added in the January 27th Headwinds update. Many are wondering what the purpose of this change is. While the developers at Embark have heard requests for more varied matchmaking options – like one that requires players to have a certain level of equipment for raids – they’ve surprised fans by introducing a system that lets players choose between playing solo or with squads.

A significant update, nicknamed ‘Headwinds’ (patch 1.13.0), just launched for ARC Raiders. This is the first major content addition of the year, bringing a new matchmaking system, a player project, and unique conditions to the Buried City map. The update also includes numerous bug fixes, improvements, and new features. However, the biggest discussion revolves around the 1v3 matchmaking option, which pits a single player against a full team. While Embark is offering solo players a 20% XP bonus whether they succeed or fail, many feel this reward isn’t enough to justify the increased difficulty and risk of facing a coordinated team.

ARC Raiders Players Are Baffled By New 1v3 Matchmaking Option

I’m a little confused about this new matchmaking feature, to be honest. It’s totally optional, which is cool, but you have to be level 40 to even use it. And with most of us already around level 75, it just feels… unnecessary. One Redditor, GoSwords, pretty much summed it up: they’re glad it’s there for those who want it, but aren’t sure who those people are! Someone else pointed out that anyone who could actually win a solo battle against squads in ARC Raiders is already max level anyway. It could have been awesome if it offered really good loot, but just getting a little extra XP doesn’t seem like enough to risk taking on a whole squad by yourself. I’m not sure it’ll get many people to try it.

Many players feel this matchmaking system is designed for popular ARC Raiders streamers, rather than regular players. One player joked that it felt like a lobby created specifically for Tfue. Others pointed out that Embark seems to prioritize feedback from streamers, suggesting the mode will only appeal to content creators. While professional players like Shroud, Ninja, and Tfue might be the intended audience, even they may not want to face such a difficult challenge for little benefit.

Recently, the developers of ARC Raiders responded to player feedback asking for challenging, high-level raids. While they’re hesitant to split the player base, Embark has considered adding them. Players also want a system that requires everyone to use their own, fully equipped gear – rather than starting with basic items – to make raids more difficult and rewarding. Embark hasn’t ruled out this possibility, suggesting it could be included in a future update.

The team behind ARC Raiders recently shared their plans for the coming months, including an official roadmap extending into 2026. The recent ‘Headwinds’ update was just the beginning, with more content on the way. Next month, in February, players can expect ‘Shrouded Sky,’ bringing a new map condition, a challenging ARC enemy type, a player project, a raider deck, and updates to existing maps. March will see another update, and in April, a major patch will arrive with a brand-new map and a third powerful ARC enemy to battle.

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2026-01-27 16:04