Embark Studios will run an ARC Raiders PvE toggle beta test from October 13 to October 20, 2026. During that week, players can set matchmaking to a PvE mode where Raiders cannot damage each other. The studio announced the test on September 24 in a blog post signed by Aleks, the game’s executive producer.
The test is limited. When it ends, the toggle goes away and matchmaking returns to normal. Below are the dates, how to join, the rules, and what Embark has not confirmed yet.
ARC Raiders PvE toggle beta test start date and end date
The ARC Raiders PvE toggle beta test starts on October 13, 2026, and ends on October 20, 2026. Embark has only given dates. It has not shared start or end times or a time zone.
The test begins five days after the Frozen Trail update goes live on October 8. That update adds the Pendola Pass map, the Frigate, and new ARC enemies.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | PvE Matchmaking Toggle Beta test |
| Start date | October 13, 2026 |
| End date | October 20, 2026 |
| Start and end time | Not announced |
| Game platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (Embark has not listed platforms for the test) |
| Permanent mode | No. The toggle is removed after the test |
| Announced by | Aleks, Executive Producer, on September 24, 2026 |
How to join the ARC Raiders PvE beta
Embark describes the test as a matchmaking toggle inside the game. It has not announced a sign-up page, a separate download, or an invite system. Based on the announcement, anyone who owns ARC Raiders should be able to pick the PvE option when they queue during the test window.
- Update ARC Raiders to the latest version once the Frozen Trail patch is live.
- Launch the game on or after October 13, 2026.
- Set the matchmaking toggle to PvE before you queue for a raid.
- Switch back to classic PvPvE whenever you want a normal match.
Embark has not shown where the toggle sits in the menu. The exact steps may change once the test goes live.
How PvE matchmaking works during the test
In PvE sessions, Raiders cannot damage each other. The session is focused on the ARC and on playing with other Raiders.
Solos, Duos, and Trios are matched into the same PvE session. Embark says it built the system so players can move between modes easily, for example running a quiet solo PvE raid and then queuing into a PvPvE match straight after.
Playing PvE will not change your PvPvE matchmaking rating.
| Feature | PvE sessions | PvPvE sessions (during test) |
|---|---|---|
| Damage between players | Off | On |
| Squad sizes in one session | Solos, Duos, and Trios together | Standard matchmaking |
| Loot value | Lowered | Slightly higher baseline |
| Major conditions | Four excluded (see below) | All available |
| PvPvE matchmaking rating | Not affected | Works as normal |
| When downed by ARC | ARC can target you again if you crawl. Stay still and they ignore you | Standard behavior |
Map conditions excluded from PvE
Four major conditions will not appear in PvE matchmaking during the test:
- Night Raids
- Hidden Bunker
- Locked Gate
- Frigate
Embark says these conditions were designed for high tension and depend on the chance of running into other players. The Frigate is new content from the Frozen Trail update, so players who want to board it during the test week will need to queue in PvPvE.
Loot and downed state changes in PvE
Embark lists two differences in PvE sessions.
First, overall loot value is lower. The studio says this balances the relative safety of PvE. To keep the economy steady, PvPvE sessions get slightly higher baseline loot during the test.
Second, being downed works differently. If ARC down you and you crawl, they may pick you back up as a target. If you stay still, they ignore you. Embark added this to keep some tension without a PvP threat.
Players can still scavenge, complete quests, and explore in PvE. Embark says the test is not about making PvE harder or adding new PvE progression. The goal is to give players another option besides PvP encounters.
Why Embark is testing a PvE mode in ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders started out as a PvE game. When development began seven years ago, Embark planned a raid-based co-op game with looting. The team later reset the project and built the PvPvE extraction shooter that launched in October 2025. Embark covers that history in its Evolution of ARC Raiders documentary episode.
The studio shared player data to explain the decision:
| Player group | Share of players | Trend since launch |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly co-op players | 37% | Growing |
| Mixed players | 27% | Not stated |
| Pure PvP players | 34% | Stable |
Embark also shared these survey results:
- Over 70% of friendly players want fewer hostile encounters.
- 40% of PvP players want the same.
- 51% of surveyed players are interested in a dedicated PvE option.
The studio also pointed to friction in current matches. Friendly players often try to avoid PvP completely, and some players are frustrated by ratting and camping.
This is not the first sign of PvE in the game. In May, ARC Raiders was reported to be testing a PvE mode called “Rebellion” in its Chinese client. That version appeared as a map condition. The October test instead uses a matchmaking toggle that works across the game. The move also comes as the player base keeps growing: ARC Raiders passed 16 million sales earlier this year.
Is the ARC Raiders PvE mode permanent?
No. Embark calls this a limited test and says it is not a promise of a future PvE mode. The studio also says it is seriously considering the idea, and that any future version could look very different from the beta.
Embark will watch two areas during the test:
| Area | What Embark is tracking |
|---|---|
| Player economy | PvE players extract more often and earn more value, so PvPvE loot is raised slightly |
| Queue times | Low population regions and off hours may see longer matchmaking. PvPvE match quality may also shift depending on how many players pick PvE |
After the test, Embark will review player feedback and data and then share its findings and future plans. No date has been given for that update. Players can follow announcements through the official ARC Raiders Discord server and the full Embark announcement.
ARC Raiders PvE beta FAQ
When does the ARC Raiders PvE toggle beta test start?
It starts on October 13, 2026, and ends on October 20, 2026. Start times have not been announced.
Do I need to sign up for the ARC Raiders PvE beta?
Embark has not mentioned a sign-up. The test is a matchmaking toggle in the game.
Does PvE affect my matchmaking rating?
No. Your PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected by PvE sessions.
Are all maps and conditions available in PvE?
No. Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate are excluded from PvE during the test.
Can solo players get matched with squads in PvE?
Yes. Solos, Duos, and Trios share the same PvE sessions.
