ARC Raiders runs a PvE matchmaking toggle test from October 13 to October 20, 2026, letting you choose between the classic PvPvE experience and a PvE session focused on co-op against the ARC threat. In the PvE experience there is zero player-to-player damage, and Solos, Duos and Trios share the same session. The trade-off is loot: overall loot value is lowered in PvE to compensate for the relative safety, while PvPvE sessions get slightly higher baseline loot values during the test.
How the PvE toggle works
During the test you can toggle between the classic PvPvE experience and the PvE experience, and the system is designed for seamless switching — play a relaxed PvE session, then switch back to PvPvE for a high-tension match.
PvE sessions are shared, not private: choosing solo still puts you in a session with other solos, duos and trios. Other Raiders are still present, but they cannot damage you.
Your PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected while playing in PvE sessions. The toggle is temporary — when the test ends it will be removed and matchmaking returns to normal.
PvE vs PvPvE during the test
| Feature | PvE sessions | PvPvE sessions |
| Player damage | Disabled | Remains part of the game |
| Squad sizes | Solos, duos and trios together | Existing matchmaking |
| Loot value | Lower overall value | Slightly higher baseline values |
| PvPvE rating | Unchanged by PvE play | Regular matchmaking applies |
Loot value in PvE
PvE has reduced loot value because hostile player encounters are removed from the risk calculation, while standard PvPvE matchmaking receives slightly higher baseline loot during the test. That keeps a clear economic reason to take the queue where every Raider can be an enemy.
No percentage for the PvE loot reduction, item-by-item multiplier or fixed value difference between the two queues has been published. No XP multiplier or specific XP penalty is confirmed either, so do not treat PvE as confirmed reduced-XP matchmaking.
Excluded conditions
Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate are excluded from the PvE matchmaking test. These are designed with higher tension in mind and rely on the uncertainty of encountering a variety of players.
- Night Raids: available only through PvPvE during the trial.
- Hidden Bunker: excluded from PvE matchmaking.
- Locked Gate: excluded from PvE matchmaking.
- Frigate: excluded from PvE matchmaking.
If a target requires one of these conditions or locations, PvE cannot replace PvPvE.
ARC enemies in PvE
PvE removes hostile player damage, not the ARC threat — machines can still attack and down Raiders. Positioning, ammunition use, aggro management, revives and deciding when to leave remain relevant because the machines can still end a run.
If ARC downs you, be careful when crawling: they might re-acquire you as a target even while you are moving when downed, and they will ignore you if you stay still. In a duo or trio, clear or pull aggro first, then revive — crawling toward a teammate can keep the machine focused on the downed player.
Who should pick PvE
- Quest completion and map learning: other Raiders cannot interrupt an objective, camp an extraction route or kill a squad during exploration.
- Stable co-op with friends: duos and trios can fight ARC machines without friendly-fire risk.
- Safer solo scavenging: solo players share sessions with groups but cannot be attacked by them.
- Highest available loot value: PvPvE has slightly higher baseline loot and retains the full player-driven risk.
- Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate or Frigate: those activities are excluded from the PvE test.
- Testing combat against ARC units without affecting PvPvE rating: PvE sessions do not alter PvPvE matchmaking rating.
What happens after October 20
Embark says this is a test—not a promise of a permanent PvE mode—and will use player data and feedback to decide what happens next. When the test ends, the toggle will be removed and normal matchmaking will return while the studio reviews data and feedback.
It is possible the test will not work, and any future version could look substantially different from what you experience in the beta. Embark will review feedback and data collected during and after the test to help determine how it moves forward.
See also: Arc Raiders Enemy Guide: All ARC Types, Weaknesses & Loot
Frequently Asked Questions
Can players damage each other in PvE?
No. Player-to-player damage is set to zero in the PvE test, so other Raiders in your session cannot down or kill you.
Can ARC enemies still kill you in PvE?
Yes. ARC machines remain dangerous and can down players; PvE removes hostile player damage, not the ARC threat.
Does PvE affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating?
No. PvE sessions will not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating, so you can experiment without changing how your normal matchmaking is evaluated.
