ARC Raiders PvE Mode: Is It Available and Will It Return?

The ARC Raiders PvE mode was introduced as a limited-time matchmaking test that allowed players to fight ARC machines without taking damage from other Raiders. The test ran from 13 to 20 October 2026 and has now ended. Therefore, PvE-only matchmaking is no longer available as a regular option. However, developer Embark Studios is reviewing player feedback and gameplay data before deciding whether to bring it back.

During the test, players could explore, collect resources, complete quests, and extract without worrying about hostile players. The experience still included dangerous machines, shared online environments, and reduced loot rewards.

For anyone wondering whether ARC Raiders will receive a permanent PvE mode, the answer remains uncertain. Here is everything you need to know about the feature, its restrictions, and what could happen next.arc raiders pve mode

Does ARC Raiders Have a PvE Mode?

ARC Raiders currently focuses on its standard PvE experience. This combines player-versus-player combat with battles against computer-controlled ARC machines.

However, Embark Studios recently experimented with dedicated PvE matchmaking. During the test, players could choose a different experience without direct combat against other Raiders.

The experimental mode removed player-to-player damage while keeping the core extraction gameplay intact. Players could still encounter strangers, cooperate with teammates, search for equipment, and fight mechanical enemies.

The biggest difference was that other players could no longer kill them.

Although the test has finished, its introduction marked an important change in how Embark approaches different playstyles.

What Happened to the ARC Raiders PvE Mode?

The ARC Raiders PvE toggle was available for one week before being removed as planned.

Embark Studios confirmed that the experiment had ended and that the development team would study its results.

Interestingly, more than 30 million PvE rounds were played during the testing period. This provided the developers with substantial information about player behaviour, matchmaking, and the overall experience.

The studio also acknowledged that the feature received mixed reactions.

Some players welcomed the opportunity to explore without constant PvP encounters. Others preferred the unpredictable nature of the original extraction gameplay.

As a result, Embark has not confirmed a permanent PvE release. The team expects to share further information in November 2026.

How Did the ARC Raiders PvE Mode Work?

The experimental mode used a matchmaking toggle rather than introducing an entirely separate game.

Players could switch between traditional PvPvE matchmaking and PvE-only sessions before starting a raid.

PvE Matchmaking Without Player Damage

The main feature was the removal of damage between players.

This meant other Raiders could no longer defeat you through direct weapon attacks. Instead, the primary danger came from ARC machines scattered across the environment.

However, the mode was not completely safe.

Players still needed to avoid enemy attacks, manage supplies, and reach extraction points successfully.

Solo and Co-op Gameplay

The PvE test supported solo players, duos, and trios.

All three group sizes could appear in the same matchmaking sessions. This allowed players to encounter other Raiders without the usual threat of player-versus-player combat.

For cooperative groups, the system encouraged teamwork against powerful machines.

Meanwhile, solo players could focus on exploration and survival without worrying about being outnumbered by hostile squads.

Lower Loot Rewards

Embark Studios adjusted loot values during the PvE experiment.

Because players faced less danger from other Raiders, the overall value of available loot was reduced.

This helped balance the difference between PvE and traditional PvPvE matchmaking.

Consequently, players seeking higher-value rewards still had reasons to enter the more dangerous standard mode.

How to Enable PvE Mode in ARC Raiders

During the beta test, enabling PvE matchmaking was straightforward.

Players opened the destination selection screen before deploying and located the limited-time PvE-only toggle.

Switching it on allowed them to enter supported PvE matchmaking sessions.

They could then select an available destination and begin searching for a match.

Importantly, the setting could be changed between raids. Players were free to enjoy a relaxed PvE session before returning to traditional PvPvE gameplay.

However, the toggle is no longer available following the end of the test.

If you cannot find the PvE setting, this does not necessarily indicate a bug or installation problem. The experimental feature has simply reached the end of its scheduled availability.

ARC Raiders PvE vs PvPvE: What Is the Difference?

Understanding the difference between PvE and PvPvE helps explain why the experimental feature attracted attention.

In standard PvPvE gameplay, players must survive both ARC machines and potentially hostile Raiders.

A routine scavenging trip can quickly become dangerous when another squad appears.

This unpredictability creates tension because players never know whether a stranger will cooperate or attack.

By contrast, the PvE matchmaking test removed direct player combat.

Players could concentrate on machines, resource gathering, exploration, and quest objectives.

However, the reduced PvP threat came with lower loot values and restrictions on certain activities.

Neither format is automatically better. PvE offers a more cooperative experience, while PvPvE creates greater uncertainty and competitive pressure.

Which Content Was Unavailable in PvE Mode?

Not every activity was supported during the ARC Raiders PvE test.

Several special map conditions were excluded, including Night Raid, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, Frigate, and Redirection.

These activities involve additional challenges and mechanics designed around more unpredictable encounters.

Therefore, players who wanted to experience all available content still needed to use normal matchmaking.

The exclusions also showed that the experiment was not intended to replace the entire game.

Instead, it offered an alternative way to enjoy selected parts of the existing extraction experience.

Was ARC Raiders PvE Mode Completely Safe?

Although PvE matchmaking removed damage from other players, it did not eliminate environmental dangers.

ARC machines remained aggressive and could still defeat unprepared Raiders.

Players needed to monitor enemy movement, manage ammunition, and choose safe extraction routes.

The developers also introduced adjustments to how ARC machines reacted to downed players.

For example, crawling after being downed could cause nearby machines to target a player again. Remaining still offered a way to avoid that immediate attention.

This helped preserve some danger despite the removal of hostile player encounters.

Therefore, successful PvE runs still required planning, awareness, and sensible equipment management.

Why Did Embark Studios Introduce PvE Matchmaking?

ARC Raiders was originally conceived as a cooperative PvE experience before its development direction changed.

The final game placed greater emphasis on extraction mechanics and unpredictable player encounters.

However, the community developed several different approaches to gameplay.

Some enjoyed fighting other Raiders, while others preferred exploration, teamwork, and battles against ARC machines.

Embark’s player research showed significant interest in a dedicated PvE option.

The developers therefore introduced the temporary matchmaking toggle to explore whether it could support those preferences without harming the original experience.

The experiment also allowed the studio to examine the effect on matchmaking, player progression, and the in-game economy.

Will ARC Raiders Get a Permanent PvE Mode?

A permanent ARC Raiders PvE mode remains possible, but it has not been officially confirmed.

Embark Studios is reviewing the results of its matchmaking experiment.

The development team must consider several important factors before making a decision.

One concern is whether separate PvE matchmaking could reduce the number of players entering traditional PvPvE sessions.

Another involves balancing loot rewards and progression across different levels of risk.

Queue times also matter, particularly in regions with smaller player populations.

Nevertheless, the large number of PvE rounds played during the test demonstrates considerable participation.

Embark has indicated that it expects to provide another update in November.

Until a further announcement arrives, players should treat any claimed permanent release date as speculation.

Is ARC Raiders PvE Good for Solo Players?

PvE matchmaking can be particularly appealing to solo players who enjoy exploring without facing coordinated enemy squads.

During the test, solo Raiders could gather resources and approach objectives without worrying about direct damage from other players.

However, fighting ARC machines alone remained challenging.

Large enemies could still overwhelm players who entered combat without sufficient equipment or preparation.

The absence of PvP also made it easier to approach other Raiders peacefully.

Still, solo players needed to manage their inventory carefully and understand the extraction mechanics.

For beginners, a future PvE option could provide a more forgiving environment for learning maps and enemy behaviour.

Could PvE Mode Change the Future of ARC Raiders?

The experiment could influence how ARC Raiders develops over time.

Extraction shooters traditionally rely on the tension created by hostile players and valuable equipment.

However, ARC Raiders also offers atmospheric exploration, mechanical enemies, and cooperative encounters.

A permanent PvE option could make these features more accessible to people who dislike competitive combat.

At the same time, the developers must protect the identity of the original PvPvE experience.

One possible approach would be to maintain separate matchmaking options with different reward structures.

Another would involve introducing limited PvE events rather than permanent access.

These are possibilities rather than confirmed plans.

Ultimately, the future of the feature depends on the developers’ assessment of player feedback and gameplay data.

Conclusion

The ARC Raiders PvE mode gave players a different way to enjoy the game’s world without fighting other Raiders. During the limited test, players could explore maps, battle ARC machines, complete quests, and extract through dedicated PvE matchmaking.

However, the experiment has ended, and the toggle is no longer available as a standard feature.

Embark Studios is now analysing the results, including more than 30 million PvE rounds played during the test.

Although a permanent PvE mode has not been confirmed, the experiment shows that the developers are seriously considering different approaches to the game’s future.

For now, players must use traditional PvPvE matchmaking while waiting for further official information.

Frequently Asked Questions About ARC Raiders PvE Mode

1. Is There a PvE-Only Mode in ARC Raiders?

ARC Raiders introduced a temporary PvE-only matchmaking option that prevented players from damaging each other. However, the test has ended, and the feature is no longer available through regular matchmaking. A permanent replacement has not yet been confirmed.

2. Can You Play ARC Raiders Without PvP?

During the PvE matchmaking test, players could enjoy raids without taking damage from other Raiders. Following the end of the experiment, standard PvPvE matchmaking remains the main experience. Players can avoid confrontations, but hostile encounters are still possible.

3. When Will ARC Raiders PvE Mode Return?

Embark Studios has not announced a confirmed return date. The developer is reviewing player feedback and gameplay data from the completed test. Further information is expected in November 2026, although this does not guarantee that the mode will return immediately.

4. Can You Play ARC Raiders PvE Solo?

Yes, solo players could participate during the limited PvE test. The matchmaking system supported solo, duo, and trio players within shared sessions. However, dedicated PvE matchmaking is currently unavailable following the test’s conclusion.

5. Does ARC Raiders PvE Have the Same Loot?

No. The experimental PvE mode featured lower overall loot values than traditional PvPvE matchmaking. Embark introduced this adjustment to balance the reduced danger from other players while preserving the value of higher-risk raids.

6. Is ARC Raiders PvE Mode Free?

The experimental PvE matchmaking toggle did not require a separate purchase beyond access to ARC Raiders. Eligible players could activate it during the testing period. Any future pricing or access conditions would depend on the developers’ decisions.

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