Skip to content
Patch NotesARC Raiders1.39.0

ARC Raiders Live Update 1.39.0 Patch Notes (28th July 2026)

The matchmaking system now ignores how often you defend yourself in fights, counting only the encounters you initiate. Grenades get a consistency pass and cosmetics receive long-overdue fixes.

Nathan Lees9 min read
ARC Raiders squad defending position in Topside environment with PvP combat in background.
Share:

Live Update 1.39.0 represents a significant shift in how ARC Raiders calculates your playstyle for matchmaking purposes. The headline change removes defensive PvP from the equation entirely during a new test period. Previously, the system weighted self-defence less heavily than starting fights, but still counted it. Now, only the encounters you initiate will influence your matchmaking bracket. This is a direct response to community feedback following earlier adjustments, and it changes how the system interprets squad behaviour.

The mechanics matter here because the game defines "starting a fight" narrowly: if the other squad damages, downs, or knocks out any of your squadmates first, your entire squad is defending. Third-partying counts as starting a fight. Accidental hits and brief exchanges where the other squad flees still register as fights you started, but they carry minimal weight compared to prolonged engagements with multiple downs. The system is designed to distinguish between deliberate aggression and reactive combat, and this test will reveal whether removing defensive actions entirely improves matchmaking quality or creates new problems. Mighty Coconut will monitor telemetry over the coming weeks, but the team is explicitly asking players to complete the matchmaking survey to provide qualitative feedback, since data alone cannot capture how matches actually feel.

Two earlier matchmaking changes remain in effect: the Solo, Duo, and Trio tracking from 1.36.0 and the optimisation adjustments from 1.38.0. This is the third iteration of matchmaking refinement in recent patches, suggesting the team is still searching for the right balance. Players should expect their queue times and opponent skill distribution to shift as the test progresses.

Outside matchmaking, the patch addresses a long-standing complaint: trinkets introduced in 1.33.0 alongside the Converging Paths project can now stack like other trinkets, with adjusted drop rates for consistency across maps. The Seeker Grenade and Wolfpack Grenade also receive a fix for inconsistent damage, though the notes do not specify whether this was a bug or an undocumented balance change. These grenades have been sources of frustration for raiders relying on them, so consistency should improve reliability in firefights.

Cosmetics receive substantial attention. The Blindspot Set's "No Headset" toggle now correctly controls the headset, the Triumph Set switched to Helmet Only mode, and the Scorta Set's colour names were updated to match their actual appearance in-game. These are corrections rather than additions, reflecting the team's focus on fixing long-standing visual and UI inconsistencies.

The patch also closes a significant exploit on Buried City where players could use the Snap Hook to escape the playable area entirely, and resolves multiple clipping and collision issues across Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City. However, the known issues list reveals several problems remain unresolved: Xbox Series S crashes persist, the Quick Wheel item selection can swap unexpectedly, and weapon swap animations still break after vaulting. The Dolabra, Hullcracker, and Rascal weapons do not register damage against training dummies, which will frustrate raiders trying to practice loadouts. These gaps suggest the next patch will need to address stability and animation reliability before matchmaking improvements can fully take effect.

Full Patch Notes

Buff Fix Tweak

Greetings Raiders!

Live Update 1.39.0 is going out right now, bringing various game fixes, changes & additional updates to the Matchmaking System. The Seeker & Wolfpack should no longer deal inconsistent damage and trinkets previously added in 1.33.0 can now stack! Additionally, you can find the new Dweller Outfit in the store.

Matchmaking Update: Testing Defensive PvP

Over the past months, improving matchmaking has been one of our top priorities. We’ve introduced various adjustments and improvements based on your feedback & requests.

Since ourNotes on The Matchmaking System, one change has stood out with the community: defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight. It meant self-defense still counted toward your playstyle estimate, but with much less weight than starting a fight. Your feedback was positive, and many of you have asked us to take it further.

The most common follow-up request we've seen is to remove the impact of Defensive PvP entirely - going from reduced weight to none at all. Starting now, we're testing exactly that. During the test, only the fights you choose to start will influence your playstyle estimate, and defending yourself won't affect it at all.

So what counts as starting a fight, and what counts as defending yourself? Here's how the system reads an encounter:

  • Who's defending: If the other squad damages, downs, or knocks out any of your squadmates first, your whole squad counts as defending - the squad that strikes first is the one that started the fight.
  • How it's weighed: The more serious the encounter, the more it counts. A drawn-out firefight - with more damage dealt and raiders downed - weighs heavily, while a stray accidental hit or a brief exchange where the other squad flees after minimal damage still counts as starting a fight but weighs far less.
  • Third-partying: Jumping into a fight between other squads that's already underway counts as starting a fight, too.

Over the coming weeks we'll monitor our matchmaking metrics, watch how PvP develops Topside, and gather your feedback.

Matchmaking Changes: Follow-up

Two earlier changes are also still live: theSolo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking tracking from 1.36.0 and thematchmaking optimization adjustments from 1.38.0. We're keeping a close watch on how both perform, but telemetry only tells us half the story - to get the full picture, we need to hear how your matches actually feel.

The latest matchmaking survey covers all of this, so take a minute to fill it out - your input is the other half, and it's what turns our data into better decisions. Thank you, Raiders!

Reminder - ARC Raiders & THE FINALS Crossover

Raiders & Contestants, don’t forget! You’ve got until July 30th at 3PM CEST to complete the required Contracts in THE FINALS and earn the Azimuth outfit & the Archaeologist Backpack bundle in ARC Raiders.

Afterwards, we’re back to the Rust Belt! You’ll be able to earn the Azimuth bundle in THE FINALS by heading Topside and playing ARC Raiders.

Bug Fixes & Content Updates

Audio

  • Improved footstep audio in water.
  • Added more distinct Dodge Roll sounds and variations.
  • Adjusted ambient audio for certain cinematics.

Cosmetics

  • Fixed mislabeled customization toggles for the Blindspot Set. “No Headset” now controls the headset on Blindspot.
  • Updated customization toggles: The Triumph Set now uses Helmet Only; The Scorta Set now uses Gauntlet Off.
  • Updated Scorta outfit color names in the UI to better match the actual colors.
  • Fixed a missing UI string for a blue backpack cosmetic.

Gameplay

  • Fixed inconsistent damage for Seeker Grenade and Wolfpack Grenade.

Items

  • Fixed an issue where the Train model could appear in two places in the Raider Den when only one was owned.
  • Trinkets introduced alongside the Converging Paths project now stack similarly to other trinkets, and their drops have been adjusted for more consistent looting across maps.

Map

  • Fixed multiple clipping issues, floating props, landscape holes, and spots where players could get stuck on Dam Battlegrounds.
  • Fixed multiple collision and clipping issues on Buried City (including invisible obstacles), corrected materials, and resolved a spot where downed players could get stuck near an overpass.
  • Closed a hole in Buried City that allowed using the Snap Hook to go out of bounds.

Stability

  • Fixed an issue that could cause players to get stuck in the End of Round tunnel after leaving a map.
  • Fixed a startup crash that could occur after the photosensitive warning screen.

UI

  • Polished UI text and updated localization across supported languages.
  • Fixed an issue where item prices over 10,000 were shown with incorrect shorthand in the Trader tab when using Japanese or Simplified Chinese.
  • Updated localization for Trinket names and ARC terminology across menus.
  • Updated the start screen with a new looping background video.
  • Fixed an issue where pressing L3 on gamepad wouldn’t toggle the item tooltip on Ermal’s Select Items screen, and added a background blur to improve readability.
  • Updated Projects list and screens to group related Projects for easier browsing.
  • Updated Project UI: corrected text, improved previews for multi‑phase projects, and projects now unlock after playing 5 rounds.
  • Fixed an issue with background visuals updating incorrectly
  • Fixed an issue where Projects could fail to advance to the next step after completing a goal, even after contributing the required items.
  • The Projects Tab has been improved with added quest & step descriptions, more consistent text and reward tiles and restored navigation so completed stages can be reviewed after finishing a project.
  • Fixed an issue where the Trophy Display Raider Project rewards preview showed a duplicate "Howl" Emote.
  • Improved Expedition and Project UI: grouped projects only appear when at least one is active, fixed top bar navigation, and corrected Expedition step display.
  • Standardized the timer display across Project and Expedition screens for clearer countdowns.

Known Issues

  • We are investigating an ongoing issue where some XBOX players (particularly on Series S) are experiencing crashes.
  • The Quick Wheel item selection may suddenly swap to another item on the Wheel when closing the Quick Wheel and re-opening it quickly.
  • The Dolabra, Hullcracker and Rascal do not deal damage to training dummies on Practice Range.
  • The throw animation may sometimes fail to play when attempting to detonate a Trigger ‘Nade immediately after throwing it.
  • Some gadgets and throwables lack a “Cancel” button when preparing to throw them.
  • The weapon swap animation may appear broken if weapon swapping right after vaulting.
  • Player animations may appear broken when interrupting a search of the Baron Husk.
  • Shredders float to the ceiling in some rooms of the Hidden Bunker.
  • Leapers can jump through the ARC Turbine.
  • When picking up items, the pickup sound may not be the correct one.
  • When bringing items that give Merits with you into a Raid, the items will wrongfully display a Merits icon.
  • Shots taken while riding ARC may not register correctly.
  • Some doors may allow player flashlights’ beams to pass through instead of blocking the emitted light.
  • Some hairstyles may clip through the Reaver Outfit helmet.
  • We are aware of some clipping issues with the Triumph and Azimuth outfits.
  • Old Ermal offers may appear to be available in the 'Acquire and Craft' menu (visual only).

See you Topside,

//Raz

and The ARC Raiders Team

Sources

Share:

Stay on top of every update — find all the latest patch notes and gaming news at XP Gained. Join our Discord for live patch note alerts and discussion.

Written by

Nathan Lees

Gaming journalist and founder of XP Gained. Covering patch notes, breaking news, and updates across 160+ games.

Related Posts