I Wasn’t a Fan at First, but PvP Is Vital to Arc Raiders

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Look, I know a lot of other players feel this way, especially with all the talk around Arc Raiders, but I’ve just never really clicked with player-versus-player combat. I’ve honestly tried to get into it, but I can’t seem to find it fun. And I’m happy to admit I’m not very good! The thought of spending tons of hours getting repeatedly beaten just to slightly improve isn’t appealing at all. That being said, I actually think PvP does have a place in Arc Raiders, even though a lot of us are asking for a purely player-versus-environment mode.

Look, I’ve been thinking about it, and taking the player-versus-player (PvP) action out of Arc Raiders just wouldn’t feel right. A mode where you only fight the environment sounds good at first, and honestly, it’d probably be a blast for a while. But it’d be missing something key to what makes Arc Raiders what it is. And believe me, that’s saying something, because I usually hate PvP – but even I can see how important it is for this game.

Why Arc Raiders Needs PvP

Soon after Arc Raiders launched, I started noticing discussions – like a Reddit post from user Disastrous_Mud_8040 – suggesting the game needs a player-versus-environment (PvE) only mode. As someone who enjoys PvE gameplay, and recognizes that Arc Raiders lends itself well to it, I understand the appeal. However, adding a dedicated PvE mode wouldn’t be a good fit for the game, and that’s largely due to how Arc Raiders is designed.

Adding a player-versus-environment (PvE) mode to Arc Raiders isn’t as straightforward as just taking out the other players. Since it’s an online game, any progress earned in PvE would have to be separate from the player-versus-player (PvP) mode to maintain fairness. Essentially, it would function as a distinct experience within the game, requiring a clear separation between the two. This means Embark couldn’t simply flip a switch; they’d need to significantly redesign the gameplay and progression systems to support PvE players.

I admit a mode focused solely on playing against the environment in Arc Raiders sounds appealing, and I get why people want it. However, I believe it wouldn’t stay enjoyable for long. Arc Raiders, like other extraction shooters, relies on a constant sense of danger, and that feeling would be significantly diminished when facing predictable AI enemies. I suspect players in a purely PvE mode would quickly find the game boring, and that’s what I want to emphasize.

Player versus player combat (PvP) can be tough for players who mainly enjoy playing against computer-controlled enemies (PvE) because other players are much less predictable. But that unpredictability is actually a key part of what makes Arc Raiders so engaging. While Arc Raiders features impressively smart enemy AI that can challenge even veteran players, it’s still easier to handle than a human opponent who doesn’t follow set patterns. Removing PvP would significantly reduce the game’s tension, and those hoping for a purely PvE experience might not realize how much Arc Raiders relies on that constant sense of pressure.

What Arc Raiders PvP adds that its PvE can’t:

  • Unpredictable encounters that shape every raid.
  • Higher stakes that drive careful decision-making.
  • Dynamic pacing that AI alone can’t sustain.
  • Memorable moments created by real player behavior.

Arc Raiders has been receiving excellent reviews, including a perfect 10/10 score from me at Game Rant, and there’s a good reason why. Every part of the game works together to create a great experience, and the player-versus-player (PvP) combat is more important than you might expect. If you’re hoping to play Arc Raiders without PvP, I don’t think you’ll enjoy it for very long. If you’re finding the game too hard with PvP, use the risk-free Loadout system to experiment. Do whatever you can to embrace the PvP element, because it’s truly a key and essential part of what makes Arc Raiders special.

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2025-11-09 23:34