Embark Studios launched the highly anticipated Shrouded Sky content update for its multiplayer extraction shooter *ARC Raiders* on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, bringing a storm of new features including a chaotic Hurricane map condition, two deadly ARC enemies and a free Raider Deck to the free-to-play title on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.

Shrouded Sky
Shrouded Sky

The update, version 1.17.0, went live early Tuesday in North America — around 1:30 a.m. PST (4:30 a.m. EST) — with servers rolling out progressively worldwide, including 9:30 a.m. GMT in the UK. Patch notes and a cinematic trailer dropped hours earlier, hyping the "hurricane strikes" theme that transforms the Rust Belt surface into a wind-lashed nightmare.

*ARC Raiders*, a PvPvE extraction adventure set on a machine-ravaged future Earth, tasks players as Raiders scavenging for loot amid ARC threats and rival squads. Since its preview launch, Embark has delivered regular updates to refine gameplay, combat balance and content, with Shrouded Sky marking a major seasonal push.

At the core is the Hurricane map condition, which blankets the Rust Belt in ferocious winds, slashing visibility and battering shields with debris. Tube systems become treacherous, blocking safe extractions and forcing topside risks for First Wave Raider Caches packed with high-value loot. A new Weather Monitoring System project lets players gather materials to predict storms, unlocking rewards and strategic depth.

Two new ARC threats amp up the danger: the Firefly, a floating armored drone spewing flames to incinerate Raiders, and the Comet, a spherical patroller that locks on and detonates explosively upon spotting prey. These join existing machines in the Dam Battlegrounds, now expanded with a high-security Controlled Access Zone — spotted by a distinctive Rocketeer chandelier — brimming with premium loot.

Cosmetics steal the spotlight too. A free Surgeon Raider Deck unlocks progressively via topside Feats, offering the dual-style Surgeon set (Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde) and Cred rewards. Facial hair debuts with free Stubble for all, a Full Beard in the Surgeon Deck, and store-exclusive Stubble Beard and Thick Moustache. The Volare Set (wind-resistant gear) hit the store on launch day, with the Devotee Set (identity-shrouding) and new Backpack/Raider Tool sets incoming.

Patch 1.17.0 overflows with tweaks. Weapon balancing targets meta staples: nerfs to Stitcher (headshot multiplier down to 1.75, damage to 6.5), Kettle (damage to 8.5) and Venator (headshot to 2, damage to 8); buffs to Jupiter (better ADS, equip times) and Aphelion (faster reload, recoil). Semi-auto weapons got responsiveness boosts, while low/high-tier TTK and maneuverability evened out.

Quality-of-life shines: Free thrice-daily Feat rerolls (PvP Feats axed, new ones added), an Expedition catch-up for missed Skill Points, a playable piano, and deployable restrictions (no ziplines on carryables, mines on others). Utility updates include Pop Triggers rolling forward, Spotter Relays as ARC-luring traps, and Vita Spray continuous healing.

Bug squashes abound: Fixed animations, ARC behaviors (e.g., Rocketeer targeting), audio stutters, crashes, map exploits and UI glitches like squad colors or negative timers. Anti-cheat ramps up with ML detection, stricter bans and Family Sharing enforcement.

Community buzz exploded on launch. X (formerly Twitter) lit up with showcases of the Surgeon Set and reactions to new Arcs, while Reddit threads dissected patch impacts. Streamers hosted live sessions, praising Hurricane's chaos and balances. Known issues persist, like UI overlaps and achievement glitches, but Embark pledged fixes.

Shrouded Sky arrives amid *ARC Raiders*' post-launch evolution. Preview since October 2024, it's drawn praise for Unreal Engine 5 visuals, tense extractions and cross-play. Embark, creators of *The Finals*, uses player feedback for rapid iterations, with this update addressing exploits from prior patches.

Players dove in immediately, with Steam charts spiking and social media flooded by Hurricane clips and Firefly kills. "Bigger than you think," one YouTuber noted, highlighting freebies and map evolutions.

As Raiders brace for storms, Shrouded Sky cements *ARC Raiders*' trajectory toward full release, blending survival tension with fresh threats in a post-apocalyptic saga.