Embark Studios has released a new hotfix (version 1.13.1) for ARC Raiders, cleaning up several unintended problems that slipped into the major “Headwinds” update on January 27, 2026. This patch, launched just one day later, reverses accidental balance changes, corrects loot flow disruptions, and fixes cosmetic and user‑interface issues, returning the game closer to its intended state. For players who are aiming for the Arc Raiders second expedition items, U4GM is a trusted site where you can easily find and purchase the items needed to complete your second expedition.

What Went Wrong After Headwinds
The Headwinds update served as ARC Raiders’ first major patch of 2026, introducing a rotating Buried City map condition, a new Player Project revolving around hunting high‑tier ARC enemies, and a wide array of progression and quality‑of‑life improvements. But while the content impressed, several unlisted changes to weapons and loot timing slipped into the build. These silent tweaks sparked player confusion and frustration, prompting Embark to act quickly.

Hotfix Overview
The January 28 hotfix targets three critical areas:

- Restoring weapon values to their correct settings.

- Fixing loot reveal speed and Looter’s Instinct behavior.

- Correcting cosmetic visibility and menu UI issues.

By tightening these systems, patch 1.13.1 stabilizes gameplay without undoing the new features from Headwinds.

Weapon Adjustments
The biggest complaints following Headwinds were tied to inconsistent weapon performance. Some guns behaved differently than the developer’s documented patch notes, leading players to suspect hidden nerfs or buffs.

The Kettle, a popular firearm, retains its previously communicated rate‑of‑fire reduction—from 650 to 400 rounds per minute— implemented earlier this month to counter macro abuse. However, all other unintended statistical deviations have been reverted to their proper numbers.

Additionally, the Trigger Nade’s planned balance changes—longer fuse time and smaller damage radius—now apply reliably in PvP matches after being partially broken in the initial release.

Loot Flow and Looter’s Instinct
A second issue involved the timing of loot reveals at the end of encounters. Headwinds inadvertently slowed down reward pop‑ups, breaking the pacing that players valued in earlier builds. The hotfix restores loot appearance speed closer to pre‑update behavior, while re‑enabling the Looter’s Instinct perk advantage that causes loot to surface faster for those who have it equipped.

This correction restores the rhythm of reward collection, making extractions feel satisfying once again without compromising the new Headwinds features.

Cosmetics and UI Fixes
Beyond combat adjustments, patch 1.13.1 delivers smaller but noticeable cosmetic and interface repairs. Certain unlockable cosmetic items earned through Raider Tokens were missing from the customization menu; they now display properly. The update also introduces stability improvements and smoother menu navigation, fixing rare UI bugs that emerged during the Headwinds rollout.

What It Means for Players
For the community, this hotfix represents Embark’s rapid course correction after a major content release. The signature Headwinds features—the rotating environmental events, enhanced AI behavior, and new player projects—remain intact, but gameplay now feels aligned with the developer’s actual design goals.

Players who stepped away after January 27 due to awkward gun handling or sluggish looting are encouraged to give it another shot. With the unintended mechanics removed, ARC Raiders finally plays as the team envisioned—faster, cleaner, and ready for the year ahead.