January 12, 2026
ARC Raiders Dev Teases Major Weapon Balance Changes Coming in the Next Update
🔫 Upcoming Weapon Balance Changes in ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and Embark Studios has made it clear that weapon balance remains a top priority. With the next update arriving mid-January, players can expect impactful adjustments that directly affect how certain high-impact weapons perform in combat.
🎯 Kettle Rifle Adjustments Explained
One of the biggest focuses of the upcoming patch is the Kettle rifle. According to the development team, the weapon’s current fire-rate cap has allowed skilled players to push it to extreme limits.
Key changes coming to the Kettle include:
- A lowered fire-rate cap to reduce instant eliminations
- Less reliance on mechanical exploitation
- A greater emphasis on positioning and accuracy
These tweaks are designed to prevent situations where opponents can be taken down almost instantly, creating a more balanced and competitive experience across all skill levels.
💣 Trigger Nades Are Getting More Skill-Based
Trigger Nades are also receiving notable changes in the same update. The goal is to reward precision rather than allowing easy damage through broad explosive coverage.
Players should expect:
- A revised damage falloff curve
- More accuracy required to secure eliminations
- Adjustments to detonation timing so grenades don’t explode immediately after being thrown
These changes encourage smarter grenade usage and reduce frustration in close-quarters engagements.
🛠️ Why Embark Is Making These Changes
Embark Studios has been closely monitoring player behavior, community clips, and match data. Some weapon interactions were outperforming their intended roles, especially when pushed to their limits.
Beyond this patch, the team has also hinted that future updates may look at where certain weapons sit on the rarity spectrum. That suggests ARC Raiders’ balance philosophy will continue to evolve as the game grows.
🌍 ARC Raiders’ Rapid Rise Continues
Since launch, ARC Raiders has quickly become one of the standout shooters in the industry. Frequent updates, experimental map conditions like winter weather effects, and consistent balance passes have helped maintain momentum.
With awards recognition, strong player engagement, and even discussions around potential film or TV adaptations, the game shows no signs of slowing down as 2026 unfolds.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The upcoming balance changes to the Kettle rifle and Trigger Nades signal Embark Studios’ commitment to long-term competitive health. By reducing weapon exploitation and rewarding precision, ARC Raiders continues to move toward a more skill-driven experience.
Players should be ready to adapt their loadouts and strategies once the patch goes live.