ARC Raiders will test PvE matchmaking from October 13 through 20, 2026. Embark’s September 24 PvE test announcement confirms that players cannot damage one another in those sessions, while solo Raiders, duos and trios share the same queue.

You can switch between PvE and the usual PvPvE option. Playing PvE will not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating.

A Raider looks down over buildings during an aerial descent
Official ARC Raiders gameplay imagery. The PvE toggle test is scheduled for October 13–20.Embark Studios

Lower loot and four excluded conditions

The test has several limits:

  • Overall loot value is lower in PvE, with slightly higher baseline loot in PvPvE to account for its added risk.
  • Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate are excluded from the PvE test.
  • ARC can target you again if you crawl while downed. Staying still avoids that attention.

Embark will remove the toggle when testing ends. It explicitly says this is not a promise of a permanent PvE mode, and any later version could work differently.

If fighting other Raiders has kept you away, October 13–20 is the announced window to try the alternative and give feedback on its actual rules.