February 11, 2026
ARC Raiders May Remove Duplicated Items After Major Exploit Fix
ARC Raiders has officially patched one of its most disruptive exploits, but the fallout from the duplication glitch may not be over just yet.
After weeks of community frustration, the developers have fixed the issue through a hotfix. However, players who took advantage of the exploit could soon see duplicated items removed — and in some cases, may even face penalties.
Let’s break down what happened and what it could mean for the future of ARC Raiders.
🛠️ Duplication Glitch Finally Patched
The duplication exploit became one of the most damaging issues in ARC Raiders, especially in PvP environments. Players were able to duplicate valuable loot, which:
- Disrupted match balance
- Flooded the in-game economy
- Created unfair advantages in combat
- Made certain PvP encounters feel one-sided
Surprisingly, the major February 10 update did not initially address the glitch, nor was it listed in the known issues section of the patch notes. This omission sparked immediate backlash across social platforms.
Shortly after the update went live, the studio rolled out an OTA hotfix specifically targeting the duplication issue.
⚖️ Potential Item Rollbacks and Penalties
While the exploit has now been resolved, Embark Studios has made it clear that further action may follow.
According to official statements:
- Accounts that duplicated excessive amounts of items may be reviewed
- Certain players could face penalties depending on severity
- Items gained through duplication may be removed
- Currency earned from selling duplicated loot could also be rolled back
Although no final decisions have been confirmed, many players expect some type of account correction system to restore competitive integrity.
This may also extend to ARC Raiders’ Trials leaderboard, where duplicated gear may have helped secure higher placements.
🎮 How This Impacts Trials and PvP Balance
The duplication glitch didn’t just affect individual inventories — it had broader gameplay consequences.
Players who exploited the glitch were able to:
- Stockpile powerful gear
- Gain inflated scores in Trials
- Dominate PvP encounters with minimal risk
- Accumulate massive amounts of in-game currency
For competitive players, this created frustration, especially for those who lost legitimately earned loot in uneven fights.
With a new Expedition window approaching, stabilizing the economy and restoring balance appears to be a top priority.
🤔 Community Reaction Remains Divided
The response from players has been mixed.
On one side:
- Some argue the exploit was widely known and not addressed quickly enough
- Others believe players should not be punished for a developer oversight
- A few point out that high-profile creators also used the glitch
On the other side:
- Many believe penalties are necessary to protect fairness
- Competitive players argue that unchecked exploits damage long-term trust
- Some worry that allowing abuse without consequence could encourage future exploitation
A major point of uncertainty is how “severity” will be defined. Reviewing accounts individually could be complex, and players are unclear about what level of duplication may trigger consequences.
🔍 What Happens Next?
At this stage, Embark Studios has confirmed only that investigations are ongoing. Possible next steps may include:
- Targeted removal of duplicated items
- Currency rollbacks
- Temporary or permanent account penalties
- Adjustments to Trials rankings
Until official details are released, much remains speculative. What’s clear is that the studio is attempting to restore competitive integrity while navigating a delicate community debate.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The duplication glitch was one of the most serious challenges ARC Raiders has faced so far. While the hotfix resolves the technical issue, the broader question now centers on fairness, accountability, and economic stability.
If handled carefully, this situation could strengthen the game’s competitive foundation ahead of future Expeditions. If mismanaged, it risks deepening divisions within the community.
The coming days will reveal how ARC Raiders balances enforcement with transparency — and whether player trust can be fully restored.