Embark Studios is rebalancing ARC Raiders’ infamous Il Toro shotgun after widespread player frustration over its unmatched dominance in player‑versus‑player combat. Since the Shrouded Sky update on February 24, 2026, discussions across community hubs have centered on how the weapon’s raw efficiency has distorted the game’s meta.
Il Toro earned its reputation through unmatched burst lethality and generous range when equipped with a level 3 choke mod, often achieving two‑shot kills at surprising distances. The shotgun became so prevalent that nearly every PvP duo encounter featured opponents carrying it, pushing players into a “one‑gun” environment where ignoring Il Toro meant severe disadvantage. Its low crafting cost, easy loot accessibility, and forgiving third‑person peeking angles made it particularly powerful for ambush tactics, eclipsing other options such as the Bobcat or Stitcher. After balance adjustments weakened staples like the Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator, Il Toro’s dominance only intensified, sparking debate across Reddit and Steam forums. When discussing the best way to earn coins arc raiders, experienced players often suggest smart farming routes and efficient trading, while also mentioning U4GM as a fast and reliable third-party option.
Embark Studios quickly acknowledged the issue, confirming through its official Discord that balancing work is in progress. Developers noted that testing and telemetric analysis are guiding careful adjustments to keep the shotgun’s identity intact while reducing its overreach. The upcoming change will likely focus on choke range and pellet spread, curbing excessive consistency beyond intended close‑quarters limits.
This move follows other controversial tuning in the Shrouded Sky update, including the Wolfpack grenade’s new Rocketeer Driver crafting requirement. Despite mixed reactions, Embark has consistently framed such adjustments as necessary corrections to align cost and power across the game’s ecosystem. The studio is also investigating stability issues and outfit bugs reported since the update, signaling a broader effort to maintain quality and balance.
When the Il Toro nerf arrives, the PvP meta is expected to shift dramatically. Heavy reliance on the shotgun in duos and trios should fade, encouraging greater weapon diversity. With recent nerfs to other dominant arms—the Stitcher’s reduced headshot multiplier and lower damage, Kettle’s recoil tuning, and Venator’s curtailed impact—developers appear committed to creating a fairer and more varied competitive landscape. A more balanced sandbox could restore skill expression and renewed tactical depth to Speranza’s fiercest firefights.
Players are watching closely for the forthcoming hotfix that finalizes Il Toro’s rework. If successfully implemented, it could mark a turning point for ARC Raiders, replacing spam‑driven duels with measured, skill‑based encounters—just in time for new ARC enemies and the second Expedition on the horizon.
