Shrouded Sky Update (Patch 1.17.0) for Arc Raiders: What Actually Changed

On February 24, 2026, Embark Studios released a major update called Shrouded Sky for Arc Raiders — version 1.17.0. This isn’t just a minor tweak patch. It changes how the game feels on a fundamental level, adding dynamic weather, new enemies, weapon balance adjustments, and several quality-of-life improvements.

Here’s a grounded breakdown of what was added and how it affects actual gameplay.

Dynamic Weather: Hurricane Condition

One of the biggest additions is the new Hurricane map condition, which can appear during raids.

In practice, this means: Strong winds, flying debris, and significantly reduced visibility. Running with the wind increases your movement speed. Running against it slows you down and drains stamina faster. Debris can damage your shield and make your position more noticeable. Limited visibility makes sound cues and positioning much more important.

Gameplay becomes more chaotic. You’re not just watching for enemies anymore — you’re also dealing with the environment. Hidden First Wave stashes can appear inside the storm, but reaching them is risky.

For a detailed breakdown of the event’s structure, start date, and exact launch timing, see Arc Raiders New Map Event Shrouded Sky Overview: Start Date, Exact Time & Details, which focuses specifically on those technical aspects rather than gameplay changes.

New ARC Enemies

Two new ARC enemy types have been added, making PvE encounters more demanding.

The first is a flying unit that attacks with fire, forcing players to reposition constantly and use cover properly.

The second is a spherical drone that detects players, applies a slowing effect, and then explodes, dealing area damage. In tight spaces, this can be especially dangerous.

Overall, fights feel less routine. You can’t clear areas on autopilot anymore — you need to stay alert.

Dam Battlegrounds Map Update

The Dam Battlegrounds map now includes a new interior zone — a flooded turbine area that connects the tower and the riverbed.

On paper, it’s a small addition. In reality, it changes movement routes and creates new choke points. Players cross paths more often, and previously safe rotations don’t feel as safe anymore.

Seasonal Project: Weather Monitoring System

A new five-stage seasonal project called Weather Monitoring System has been introduced.

Players collect materials during raids to build a weather monitoring system. Completing each stage grants rewards, including Raider Tokens.

It’s not a separate mode — just an additional objective layered into normal gameplay.

Free Raider Deck

The update also includes a Free Raider Deck, essentially a free progression track similar to a battle pass.

Players unlock cosmetic items by completing challenges and achievements. New outfits and customization options become available as you progress.

It’s a solid addition for players who want extra rewards without paying for premium content.

Character Customization

Facial hair and additional facial customization options have been added.

It’s a small feature, but one that many players have been waiting for. In a game where you spend dozens of hours with the same character, personalization matters.

Weapon Balance Changes

Patch 1.17.0 also adjusts the weapon meta.

• Stitcher — headshot power and base damage reduced. It’s no longer as dominant in high-precision fights.
• Kettle — base damage lowered to reduce its dominance in close-range combat.
• Venator — damage multipliers and base damage reduced to make it less overwhelming at mid-range.

There are also buffs:

• Jupiter — improved aim-down-sights handling and faster weapon swap speed, making it smoother to use.
• Aphelion — reduced reload time and recoil, improving mobility and PvP performance.

Overall, the goal seems clear: reduce “must-pick” weapons and make loadout choices more situational.

Quality of Life Improvements

The patch includes a range of smaller but noticeable improvements:

• Feats can now be respected up to three times per day for free.
• Animation bugs (reloads, falls, interactions) have been fixed.
• Audio balance has been improved.
• Lighting and movement issues on maps have been addressed.
• UI elements like warnings, markers, and prompts have been refined.

Individually small, together they make the game feel more polished.

Stability and Bug Fixes

The update also delivers numerous technical fixes:

• Improved overall stability and reduced crashes.
• Fixed item interaction bugs.
• Addressed various NPC, UI, animation, and sound issues.

It’s not just a content update — it’s a technical cleanup as well.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Playing After the Patch?

Shrouded Sky meaningfully changes the pace of Arc Raiders. The Hurricane system adds unpredictability, new ARC enemies increase PvE pressure, and weapon balance tweaks slightly reshape the meta. At the same time, the game feels more stable and refined.

Success now depends even more on adaptation — how you move in storms, which routes you choose, and what gear you bring. The patch isn’t revolutionary, but it’s significant. If you were waiting for a reason to return, this is a good one.

For a complete breakdown of every adjustment, bug fix, and numerical change, you can check the official patch notes published on the Embark Studios website. In this article, we focused only on the most impactful and interesting gameplay changes.