ARC Raiders Frozen Trail Update Adds New Map, Enemies and Weapons

Embark Studios has detailed the Frozen Trail update for ARC Raiders ahead of its October 8 release, revealing a new map, three ARC enemies, two weapons, expanded weapon upgrades, new traversal tools, and progression changes.

Embark describes Frozen Trail as the game's biggest update since launch. Its centerpiece is Pendola Pass, a frozen region beyond the Rust Belt built around an abandoned Italian settlement, an old Exodus transport hub, and a major new ARC activity centered on a fallen Emperor and the Frigate.

Pendola Pass takes Raiders beyond the mountains surrounding the Rust Belt after Celeste and Shani trace a mysterious signal to the region. The map includes an abandoned town square, supermarket, observatory, and buried train depot, with flash freezes creating an additional environmental threat while players explore the area.

The main reason Raiders are sent there is a fallen Emperor containing rare technology. ARC responds by deploying the Frigate, one of its largest vessels, which becomes a major high-level challenge for experienced players.

Raiders will be able to board the Frigate, navigate its internal passageways, unlock routes, and fight existing and newly introduced ARC enemies in close quarters. Other Raiders will also be pursuing the Frigate, leaving players to decide whether to cooperate or fight their way through.

Frozen Trail introduces the Bully, Skulker, and Hydra, with each enemy designed to pressure Raiders in a different way. The Bully aggressively pushes into a player's position and uses multiple attacks while closing distance, while the Skulker waits around the edge of a Raider's vision before striking and retreats when attention turns toward it.

The Hydra is a stationary enemy found aboard the Frigate. Its three autonomous sections can attack a squad at the same time, forcing players to divide its attention, use cover, and take advantage of short opportunities to deal damage.

Two new guns are also joining the arsenal. The Stiletto is a light-ammo battle rifle positioned as an early-game alternative to the Renegade, with a faster fire rate available at the cost of accuracy if players fire too aggressively. The Bantam is a heavy-ammo revolver effective against both ARC and other Raiders, with a dedicated hip-fire capability.

Frozen Trail also expands progression through the Outpost, a customizable surface space between the Rust Belt and the mountain range where players can add modules and furniture. Its Research Workstation unlocks higher levels of weapon customization and modding.

A fully upgraded Research Workstation gives access to Amplified Weapons, a fifth quality tier initially available for 15 weapons. The fifth tier uses branching enhancements that can change how a weapon behaves.

Embark's examples include turning the Burletta fully automatic, adding a scope to the Renegade, or giving the Rattler incendiary ammunition and a 64-round magazine. More weapons are planned to receive Amplified upgrade paths later.

Traversal is expanding at the same time through the Grapple Hook, which can be used to reach difficult positions, descend from buildings, and swing across large gaps. The Tether Launcher and Yank Grenade add more combat utility by restraining or moving enemies, including pulling Raiders out of cover or bringing flying ARC down to the ground.

The October update also introduces Reward Passes as an evolution of Raider Decks, giving players free and premium progression tracks tied to XP. The free pass includes Raider Tokens, outfits, gameplay items, and cosmetics, while the Premium Pass adds alternate outfit options, weapon stencils, hairstyles, and additional Raider Tokens.

Existing Raider Deck rewards are being moved into a free Legacy Pass so unfinished progression is not lost when the new system arrives. Cred is also being retired with Frozen Trail, and any remaining currency will expire on October 8, so players will need to spend it before the update arrives.

Frozen Trail will also include new questlines, a reworked Skill Tree with new and improved skills, and another Map Condition. Embark is holding a developer Q&A livestream on September 25 before the full update launches on October 8.