ARC Raiders Dev Teases a Major Change for the Shredder

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So, the lead designer over at Embark, Virgil Watkins, just dropped some hints about what’s coming for the ARC enemies in ARC Raiders. Apparently, we’re going to see some changes, including a special version of the Shredder that’s exclusive to Stella Montis. It’s cool to see they’re still supporting the game – ARC Raiders had a huge launch back in October 2025, and they’ve kept things fresh with updates and events all through 2026. Looks like Embark has a lot more planned to keep us players hooked!

Embark Studios has revealed its content plan for ARC Raiders throughout 2026, starting with the “Headwinds” update on January 23rd, which introduced a new matchmaking system and map challenge. February’s “Shrouded Sky” update is even bigger, adding a new enemy type, Raider Deck progression, and map improvements. In March, the “Flashpoint” update will update the popular character Scrappy, along with another map condition and enemy. Finally, “Riven Tides” in April will introduce a completely new map and challenge, plus a significant new threat – potentially the long-anticipated Emperor. Beyond these major updates, Embark plans to consistently release smaller updates, cosmetic items, and other surprises to keep the game fresh and engaging.

ARC Raiders Shredder Likely Escaping Stella Montis

During a recent interview, Virgil Watkins from Embark Studios talked about the challenge of keeping ARC Raiders engaging for players. Players are quickly learning how to defeat endgame bosses by understanding and countering their attack patterns, which is making the battles too easy. While the design lead noted they’re currently satisfied with how players prepare for these fights – crafting specific gear to take on bosses like Queens and Matriarchs – Watkins believes this won’t hold players’ interest indefinitely and that adjustments will be necessary.

To keep the game fresh, the developers are looking at ways to remix familiar elements and increase the challenge for players in player-versus-environment (PvE) scenarios. For instance, the powerful Shredder enemy, currently only found in Stella Montis, might soon appear on other maps. The developers hinted that players will eventually find a way to make that happen, potentially allowing the Shredder to roam areas like the tight streets of Buried City or the underground tunnels of Blue Gate. This could create a much more difficult experience for players trying to complete extractions, as these enemies could even stalk subway tunnels.

Image via Embark Studios

Relocating the Shredders outside of Stella Montis seems like a simpler fix than some other changes the developers are considering. The team is being cautious about making big alterations that could disrupt gameplay, but players may soon encounter different versions of familiar enemies throughout the world. Embark is also exploring ways to modify enemy behavior – for example, with the Wasp – ensuring these changes are meaningful and integrate well into the game. They want to go beyond just changing an enemy’s appearance and instead create unique variations with a clear role in the game’s environment.

Watkins was careful not to reveal too much, particularly about the possibility of adding a huge, six-legged robotic spider to the game. Players may have noticed massive ARC machines in the backgrounds of maps, appearing much larger than the current enemies. These machines, known as Emperors within the ARC Raiders community, could soon become a threat to players themselves, hinted at in April’s Riven Tides update which suggests a powerful new ARC enemy is coming. While we’ll need official confirmation from Embark Studios, it’s clear they want to keep players guessing and encourage them to adapt their tactics with each update.

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2026-02-01 18:38