The next big Arc Raiders update is almost here and some exciting new content is on the way for the denizens of Speranza. New guns for the first time in ages, a powerful new Arc enemy and some much-needed improvements to crafting are all making their way to the popular extraction shooter in the Flashpoint update.
What Time Does Flashpoint Go Live?
While Embark Studios has not announced an exact release time for the Flashpoint update, previous updates have fallen at 1:30 a.m. PST / 4:30 a.m. EST in the past. Here’s when the new update is likely going live in your timezone on Tuesday, March 31:
- 1:30 a.m. PST — North America (West Coast)
- 4:30 a.m. EST — North America (East Coast)
- 6:30 a.m. BRT — Brazil
- 9:30 a.m. GMT — United Kingdom
- 10:30 a.m. CET — Western Europe
- 6:30 p.m. JST — Japan
- 8:30 p.m. AEDT — Australia (East Coast)
The Flashpoint update is the third major content refresh Embark Studios has released in 2026, following February’s Shrouded Sky update, which brought hurricanes and two new Arc Enemies to the game, and January’s Headwinds update, which added the incredibly fun Bird City map condition and a bevy of rubber duck variants.
The final update of the “Escalation” releases is Riven Tides, which promises not only new Large Arc – likely as larger or larger than Queens and Matriarchs – but also a brand new map, which this game sorely needs.
What’s Coming To ‘Arc Raiders’ In The Flashpoint Update?
The Flashpoint update is bringing a bunch of new content to Arc Raiders. Let’s go through each piece one-by-one.
Two New Guns
Two new guns are being added to Arc Raiders in the Flashpoint update. The Canto is an SMG that uses Medium Ammo, making it very unique for its class. While we have Pistols that use Heavy and Medium ammo, other SMGs like the Bobcat and the Stitcher use Light Ammo. This should make it the best anti-Arc SMG in the game.
The second gun is the Dolabra, a new Shotgun that uses Energy Ammo, making it a powerful new anti-Arc option at close range. Another thing that makes this gun so unique is the variable focus, which allows you to fire off wide bursts or tight bands of electricity.
On top of these guns is one more piece of combat kit: The Surge Coil is a deplyable that periodically electrifies its surroundings, shocking anyone (or anything) that comes near. It’ll be interesting to see how this differs from a Jolt Mine.
A Dangerous New Arc Enemy
Along with new guns comes a dangerous new flying Arc known as the Vaporizer. We don’t know much about this one yet, but we do know that it shoots lasers and has “idiosyncratic attack patterns.” I am now imagning getting shot by a Vaporizer laser, flamed by a Firefly and shot at by an enemy squad all at the same time. I’ll be curious to see how larget his new flyer is, but the picture makes me think it’s going to be roughly the same size as other small flyers. It would be nice if it were another Rocketeer-sized bot, but I get the sense that it’s not. Then again, the laser attack sounds like one of the Queen’s attacks, so anything is possible.
Shredders Have Escaped Speranza
Vaporizers aren’t the only new Arc threat. The terrifying, tanky Shredders from Stella Montis have apparently escaped the confines of their underground containment facility, making their way not just to Blue Gate (as theorized) but to all maps. What fun! It sounds like this will only be a threat during certain map conditions, however.
A New Map Condition
The ‘Close Scrutiny’ map condition is actually called an ARC Operation, which is a new type of major map condition coming to Arc Raiders in the flashpoint update. During ‘Close Scrutiny’ less loot will be available across the map. However, if you make your way to the ARC Assessor you’ll be able to score some high-value loot – so long as you can get it without dying. These Accessors are definitely going to be hot PvP zones, though unlike the Harvester, at least you won’t have to navigate a nearby Queen.
A New Project
I still haven’t finished the Trophy Display Project, though I’m all caught up on everything else. The High Gain Antenna taks players with gathering resources for Celeste and Shani to build, well, a High Gain Antenna. These projects kind of, sort of continue the game’s “story” (which I scare quote because, well, there’s not much there). This one builds on the hurricane stuff and some kind of research these NPCs are doing in their spare time.
Feed The Bird
Sorry, no beards or mustaches for Scrappy. Speranza’s most loyal rooster is getting an update, however. The bird is hungry. Now you can increase the type of loot Scrappy gathers for you by feeding him specific food items. You have to keep feeding him for this effect to continue. I imagine this just means a steady supply of Apricots and Mushrooms and whatnot.
New Store Bundles
The new Wasp Hunter Set (pictured at the top of this post) is already available for actual money in the game. It comes with four unique colorways for the Raider skin plus the Diver Backpack, Scrappy Helmet, Thurster Hammer Raider Tool and 2400 Raider Tokens. The Flashpoint update will also add the Brigade Set, the Vanguard Set and the Nascosto Set, though these will be released periodically throughout April. They all look pretty good! I just hope Embark releases Handlebar Mustache as a new facial hair option.
What Kind Of Quality Of Life Changes Can We Expect?
While we won’t know all of the Quality of Life improvements and bug fixes until the Patch Notes come out, one huge change is coming to Arc Raiders that is, quite frankly, more exciting than anything I’ve listed above. The Crafting improvements you can see in the screenshot above give you streamlined crafting options. When crafting something that requires multiple components (basically everything) you often find yourself short on one and have to go recycle something or refine something in a totally different menu. It can take a bunch of steps and is just a cumbersome, tedious process. This update makes it much easier to do that from a single menu. We’ll see how it works in practice, but this is really great. The new menu will show you a list of available resources and allows you to recycle, refine or even purchase from the same window. Halleluja!
I’ll see you topside tomorrow once the Flashpoint update goes live, Raiders. Good luck out there.
