Embark Studios has officially deployed Update 1.17.0 for ARC Raiders today, 24 February 2026. Titled “Shrouded Sky,” this major content drop introduces the game’s first dynamic weather catastrophe alongside significant weapon rebalancing and new robotic threats.
The update is now live across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Below are the comprehensive patch notes and system requirements for the Shrouded Sky expansion.
Major New Content: The Hurricane
The headline feature of Update 1.17.0 is the Hurricane map condition. This dynamic weather event fundamentally alters the gameplay loop in the Rust Belt:
- Environmental Hazards: High-velocity winds and debris now impact movement and projectile physics.
- Tactical Stealth: The roar of the storm masks raider footsteps, allowing for closer extractions and stealthy rotations.
- New Enemies: Two new ARC threats have been detected within the storm, including a flying flamethrower drone designed to flush raiders out of cover.
- The Weather Monitoring System: A new progression project that rewards players for gathering data during active storms.
Weapon & Gear Balancing
The Shrouded Sky update introduces a “meta shift” by nerfing several dominant weapons while adjusting crafting requirements for explosives.
| Item | Change Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stitcher | Nerf | Reduced effective range and increased recoil. |
| Kettle | Nerf | Slight reduction in fire rate to balance close-quarters dominance. |
| Venator | Nerf | Damage fall-off increased at long ranges. |
| Wolfpack Grenade | Adjustment | Crafting costs increased; explosion radius slightly tightened. |
Quality of Life & Progression
- Beards & Customization: Long-requested facial hair options have been added to the character creator.
- Stash Requirements: Following player feedback, the maximum stash value requirement has been capped at 3 million coins.
- Raider Deck: A new set of challenges and rewards specifically tied to the Shrouded Sky event.
- Pianos: Interactive pianos have been added to certain social areas and map locations for player interaction.
PC System Requirements (Updated Feb 2026)
With the addition of complex weather physics, players are encouraged to verify their hardware against the updated specifications:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest update)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- RAM: 12 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 580
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
ARC Raiders: Shrouded Sky is a free update for all owners of the game. Crossplay is fully supported between PC and consoles.