Numbers like 12 million copies sold don't happen by accident, and you can feel it in ARC Raiders right now. People are back in squads, Discords are loud again, and even casual runs turn into stories. If you're new and already looking into arc raiders trading to speed up your loadout, you're not alone—lots of players would rather spend time learning routes than farming the same scraps for hours.

Freebie for logging in

The devs also tied a little celebration to the player milestone: log in before late January 13 and you'll get a Gilded Pickaxe Raider Tool from your inbox. It's basically a gold flex, sure, but it's also a nice reminder to check your messages because plenty of folks miss these handouts. If you're the kind of player who cares about limited cosmetics, don't "do it later." Later turns into never.

Update 1.11.0 takes aim at sweaty problems

The biggest talking point is the Kettle. It wasn't just strong, it was getting abused. Macro clickers were turning it into something you couldn't realistically outplay, and that's the sort of thing that makes PvP feel pointless. With 1.11.0, the fire rate drops from 600 to 450, so the weapon's still around but it's not an instant delete button anymore. It should sit closer to other high-pressure options like the RPG-4, where positioning and timing actually matter.

Triggerade and event timing changes

Triggerade got hit too, and honestly it needed it. The detonation delay jumps from 0.7 seconds to 1.5, which is huge in a fight. You can't just toss it and expect a free air-burst; you've got to set it up, predict movement, or use it to deny space. Damage falloff near the edges is steeper now as well, so sloppy throws won't bail you out. Outside of combat, the Cold Snap event is done, and the schedule shuffle means things like Locked Gate are showing up earlier in the day. That can be a big deal if you're chasing the Bobcat Blueprint and you've only got a short window to play.

Cosmetics, darker routes, and matchmaking reality

The new Abyss set is peak "deep-sea raider" energy—diver vibe, Kraken tattoo, and a visor you can toggle. It's also modular, which players always ask for: ditch the life vest or flippers if you want a cleaner silhouette. Meanwhile, Stella Montter Night Road is darker in spots, so expect more ambushes and more value from flashlights and sound cues. The matchmaking note was the real eye-opener, though: it's not skill-based, it's aggression-based, tracking who initiates PvP and placing you on that spectrum. If you don't want constant hot drops, you may need to change how you pick fights—or, if you're trying to keep up on gear without endless grinding, marketplaces like eznpc can help you buy currency or items so you can spend your sessions actually playing.