Discover everything you need to know about the Shrouded Sky Update in Arc Raiders, including the new map condition and weather monitor system.
Arc Raiders brings a Shrouded Sky update for all the raiders in Arc Raiders. It offers a significant batch of new systems, mechanics, and content designed to refresh gameplay. This is the second major update of the 2026 Escalation season and can change most of the game’s mechanics.
Existing maps receive tweaks or expansions, which can include new routes and loot areas. The update is free for all players who already own and play Arc Raiders, meaning you don’t have to pay anything. Each feature Shrouded Sky brings directly affects how you play the game, from environmental tactics to enemy encounters.
Table of contents
Shrouded Sky Update Overview
Shrouded Sky is the latest major update in Arc Raiders, launched on February 24, 2026, across all platforms. This is basically a part of the game’s 2026 Escalation roadmap following the January Headwinds update. The update brings new and expanded systems for all the raiders out there, giving them a refreshing gameplay, challenges, and rewards.
We get a new map condition (Hurricane), new Arc threat (Firefly and Comet), and a weather monitor system: project in the Shrouded Sky update. Aside from this new content, raiders also ger new raider deck and expedition window. The update opens a new Expedition window, letting players engage in timed challenges or deeper missions.
Hurricane Map Condition
Hurricane is a new map condition for all the raiders in the Shrouded Sky update. It brings new gameplay effects like strong winds, flying debris, and limited visibility. The strong wind cannot only push or pull the raiders, but also slows them down and rapidly drains their stamina. Throwable items like grenades behave unpredictably, and this affects other mobility mechanics like jumping.
The storm kicks up dust and debris that can cause damage and degrade shields. This means your shield loses effectiveness and may flicker. This urged the raiders to go without a shield during a hurricane for stealth advantages. The limited visibility mitigates the sight distance on affected maps. Your hearing capability is also compromised, making it easier for enemies to kill you.
Weather Monitor System Project
The Weather Monitor System is a seasonal player Project in the Shrouded Sky update. This is a five-step objective where players must collect materials to build a weather-tracking system for Speranza. Completing stages of this project rewards your Raider with new cosmetics. This system appears as a multi-stage community quest and runs from Feb 24 to Mar 31, 2026.
You must work together in a team to progress the project by collecting specific materials from the affected map. Make sure to loot containers and enemy raiders to acquire the required items. You obtain gameplay items, Raider Tokens, and special cosmetics like an Anemometer Backpack Charm for completing each stage. This project runs separately from regular expeditions or missions and is only tied to the Shrouded Sky season.
Firefly & Comet Arc
Shrouded Sky update brings Firefly and Comet as new Arc enemies in Arc Raiders. These enemies patrol the skies or elevated zones and can attack you when you least expect. This makes defensive positions like rooftops, towers, or vantage points less safe. The Firefly emits flame to quickly take your health, and the Comet releases a shockwave to deal damage to you.
The Firefly is essentially a fireball, but on a drone platform. The Comet is just a version of the Pop that resides outside, as compared to the Pop that resides inside. The seismic boom can knock down the players, remove all of their stamina, and slow them.
These new Arc enemies can become even more dangerous with low visibility and chaotic winds in Hurricane conditions. There’s speculation it could resemble existing machines like Shredders in movement or sound cues.
Surgeon Raider Deck
The Surgeon Raider Deck is a free progression deck in Arc Raiders that gives players additional rewards like cosmetics and Raider Tokens. These rewards can only be obtained by completing deck levels by earning Cred during the raids. This one is available permanently to all players who own the game and doesn’t require any purchase.
Cred in Arc Raiders is obtained by completing Feats and objectives topside during raids. As each level is completed, you receive the reward tied to it. This Surgeon Raider Deck is not limited to the Shrouded Sky time window.
Once added, it remains accessible for all the players who own the game. The rewards that you can earn from here are Surgeon-inspired cosmetics, Beard and facial hair customization, backpack, raider tokens, and other unlockable rewards.
Previously, the Raiders could not have beards or mustaches. Shrouded Sky changes everything, as players can now have stubble facial hair and a full beard option. The facial hair is immediately unlocked for every raider, but the full beard must be unlocked by progressing the Free Raider Deck: Surgeon. Stubble Beard and a Thick Moustache are also available to purchase from the in-game store.
Dam Battlegrounds: Controlled Access Zone
Shrouded Sky in Arc Raiders brings a new update for the map, like Dam Battlegrounds. Developers have expanded and modified the layout to introduce new areas and loot. We got a new controlled access zone and expanded interior spaces in this map. A new high-security area called the Controlled Access Zone has been uncovered and features high-value loot and better gear opportunities.
This area is indicated by the Rocketeer chandelier hanging in the environment. The map’s layout has been expanded with new interior sections, granting you new cover positions and routes. We also get a flooded turbine interior that acts as a shortcut between the tower and the riverbed.
This can heavily affect the approach of each player during combat and navigation. The new interior pathways promote more vertical and tactical play rather than fighting in an open space. The Controlled Access Zone draws more player attention, so expect more PvP encounters here.
Sign Up for Expedition 2
ARC Raiders also opens the window to sign up for Expedition 2 with the Shrouded Sky update going live on February 24, 2026. This is the game’s second Expedition cycle in its recurring Expedition system. Sign-ups for Expedition 2 begin on February 25, 2026, and the Expedition itself will start on March 1, 2026. Donate specific materials and items to your Expedition caravan during the sign-up window.
Weapon Buffs & Nerfs
The Shrouded Sky update (Patch 1.17.0) includes a major weapon balance pass designed to address community concerns about dominating weapons and to make under-used weapons more viable. These changes affect both PvE and PvP combat, rebalancing time-to-kill and weapon responsiveness across several popular guns.
Stitcher (SMG) Nerfs
- Headshot multiplier reduced: 2.5 → 1.75
- Base damage lowered: 7 → 6.5
- Per-shot dispersion increased by ≈50%, making it bloom faster and harder to control
→ These changes reduce close-quarters burst potential and make the Stitcher less dominating in short ranges.
Kettle Nerfs
- Base damage reduced: 10 → 8.5
→ Kettle’s overall damage output is toned down, shifting its role away from being a near-SMG-level weapon toward a more medium-range role.
Venator Nerfs
- Headshot multiplier reduced: 2.5 → 2
- Base damage reduced: 9 → 8
→ Despite earlier patches already reducing its power, Venator still dominated PvP. These changes further curb its burst capabilities and time-to-kill.
Jupiter (Sniper Rifle) Buffs
- ADS magnification increased: ~1.9x → ~2.2x
- Equip time improved: 1.2 s → 1.05 s
- Unequip time improved: 0.9 s → 0.75 s
→ These quality-of-life changes make Jupiter more usable in both PvP and PvE, especially with faster swaps and better zoom for long-range engagements.
Aphelion (Legendary Rifle) Buffs
- Reload time reduced: 4.5 s → 3.5 s
- Time between shots reduced: 0.9 s → 0.7 s
- Vertical recoil reduced by ~50%
- ADS settle speed improved by ~35%
→ These buffs significantly improve Aphelion’s overall performance — faster firing, easier control, and quicker responsiveness make it much more competitive.
New Beard Raider Customization
The Shrouded Sky update also introduces facial hair customization — one of the most requested cosmetic features by the community.
- Stubble Beard: Available to all players immediately after the update goes live.
- Full Beard: Unlockable through completing the Surgeon Raider Deck progression track.
- Additional Styles: Cosmetic beards like Stubble Beard and Thick Moustache are available in the in-game store as purchasable items.
This customization expansion allows players to add a new layer of personality and flair to their Raiders, addressing a long-standing community request for more expressive character personalization.
