The battlefield in ARC Raiders has transformed with the Headwinds update — the first major 2026 content release — introducing a high‑risk PvP option, fresh progression systems, new map conditions, and meta‑shaping augments. Whether you’re hunting squads as a lone wolf, coordinating with a team, or farming ARC machines for loot, this guide breaks down optimized builds and strategies for the current meta.
🔔 What’s New in 2026 (Patch 1.13.0 — Headwinds)
🎖 Solo vs Squads
Level 40+ Raiders can now opt into Solo vs Squads matchmaking, placing them into squad lobbies against three‑player teams. In return for the tougher odds, solo players gain a +20% XP bonus at the end of the round — whether they extract or not.
This high‑risk mode appeals to elite PvP players and those seeking faster leveling, but community reception is mixed due to inherent imbalance.
🏆 Trophy Display – Long‑Term Progression
Headwinds adds a Trophy Display project as a long‑term PvE goal. Players collect specific ARC trophies from machine enemies and turn them in across five steps to unlock blueprints, Raider Tokens, blueprints, a Howl emote, a guitar, and 300,000 coins at full completion.
Progress is not impacted by Expedition resets, allowing veterans to plan efficient farming routes for max rewards.
🐦 Bird City Map Condition
The Bird City condition now appears on the Buried City map, transforming chimneys and rooftops into dynamic combat zones. Flocks of birds nest there and often hide valuable loot too.
This condition increases vertical play and forces rapid positioning changes — making mobility and ranged options more valuable.
🧬 Epic Augments That Shape the Meta
Two new Epic Augments arrived in this patch:
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Looting Mk.3 (Safekeeper): Lets you place any item (including weapons) into your Safe Pocket, and allows heavy shields while maintaining loot safety.
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Tactical Mk.3 (Revival): Provides passive health regeneration and a reusable defibrillator with cooldown — good for both solo survival and squad support.
These augments significantly influence build planning, especially for harder PvE runs and risky solo engagements.
📊 2026 Weapon Tier List (Meta Ranking)
Multiple tier lists from community and editorial sources agree on core weapon strength in the current meta.
🔥 Meta‑Defining S‑Tier Weapons
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Ferro: High damage and armor penetration, cheap and effective.
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Kettle: Strong tap‑fire reliability at mid/close.
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Anvil: High‑impact pistol that shreds armor and excels at mid‑range.
These weapons form the backbone of many competitive loadouts.
💪 A‑Tier Strong Choices
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Stitcher
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Burletta
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Renegade
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Tempest
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Equalizer
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Aphelion
Balanced options with good range, versatility, or ease of use.
🧨 B‑Tier Situational
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Bobcat
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Venator
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Arpeggio
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Torrente
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Vulcano
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Jupiter
These work well in specific roles or paired with friends.
📉 Lower‑Tier (Utility/Niche)
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Rattler
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Osprey
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Hullcracker
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Hairpin
Good for specific PvE tasks or early progression, but less meta‑dominant.
🎯 Meta Loadouts by Playstyle
1. Solo vs Squads (High‑Risk XP)
| Weapon | Role |
|---|---|
| Anvil | Mid‑range shield pop |
| Stitcher | Close‑range finishing |
| Shield: Medium/Light | Mobility |
| Augments: Tactical Mk.3, Looting Mk.3 | Survival + loot safety |
| Utility: Smoke, Jolt Mines, Snap Hook | Evasion & area control |
Playstyle:
Use high ground and stealthy rotations. Ranged precision, rapid disengage, and utility timing matter more than brute force.
2. Aggressive Squad PvP
| Weapon | Role |
|---|---|
| Tempest / Renegade | Core DPS |
| Burletta / Bobcat | Support fire |
| Shield: Light/Medium | Adaptive movement |
| Augments: Combat Mk.2 or Tactical Mk.3 | Combat boost |
| Utility: Smokes, Scan Mines | Team synergy |
Playstyle:
Coordinate flanks, suppress fire, and split targets. Smokes for revives are excellent.
3. PvE Farming & Trophy Display Progress
| Weapon | Role |
|---|---|
| Ferro | ARC weak‑point targeting |
| Kettle / Renegade | Sustained DPS |
| Hullcracker | Crowd damage |
| Augments: Looting Mk.3 | Carry more loot safely |
| Shield: Medium/Heavy | Endurance |
Playstyle:
Focus on efficient ARC kills for parts, especially for Trophy Display progression. Heavy weapon preservation pays off.
4. Budget / Early Progression Loadout
| Weapon | Role |
|---|---|
| Ferro | Reliable early marks |
| Stitcher | Fast spray support |
| Augments: Looting Mk.1/2 | Extra pocket space |
| Shield: Light | Quick movement |
Playstyle:
Survive and farm materials to unlock better blueprints. Efficiency speeds progression.
🧠 Advanced Meta Tips
📍 Augment Priority
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Looting Mk.3 should be a priority if you want to preserve valuable weapons.
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Tactical Mk.3 allows solo players or squad supporters to survive longer in engagements.
📍 Bird City Adjustments
Bird City’s vertical focus rewards builds with mobility perks and ranged flexibility. Use rooftops for vantage and quick cover.
📍 Weapon & Balance Notes
Some weapons, like Trigger Nade and Kettle, received balance tweaks in recent patches to rebalance PvP dynamics — nerfs specifically targeted exploitative performance without compromising fun.
Community feedback continues to shape future balance discussions.
📌 Final Thoughts
The 2026 meta in ARC Raiders blends high‑risk PvP, strategic PvE progression, and nuanced weapon choices. Whether you’re grinding XP against squads, clearing ARC machines for Trophy Display progress, or coordinating with a squad for map control, this guide reflects the current meta state post‑Headwinds patch and gives you clear paths to optimize your build and playstyle.
Equip smart, adapt quickly, and raid harder than ever.
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