The 2026 content map for Arc Raiders has already introduced major shifts, featuring an influx of aerial threats, expanded game modes, and a pair of new Epic-tier augments. During a discussion with Embark Studios, the topic of introducing a Legendary weapon tier surfaced as a way to further evolve the extraction shooter experience—and it appears the studio is open to the idea.
“I believe that is entirely within the realm of possibility,” Virgil Watkins, the design lead for Arc Raiders, told GamesRadar+. However, he noted that the implementation of high-tier gear requires a delicate touch. “We have to be exceptionally careful about weapon hierarchy; it’s the reason we were so intentional with the balancing of the Hullcracker and the Equalizer.”
While Watkins acknowledges the community’s desire to spice up player-versus-player encounters, he remains committed to a non-negotiable design philosophy: “I am firmly against ‘one-shot’ mechanics. If a player has full health and their shield is active, they should never be instantly eliminated. In a game like ours, I find that style of gameplay incredibly tedious—just being deleted without a chance to react isn’t fun.”
The logic is sound: instant deaths often lead to frustration and can create an unfair gap between seasoned players and newcomers if not managed correctly. “If we were to introduce something significantly more powerful for PvP, it would need to come with a matching price tag, high operational costs, and significant risk,” Watkins added. “I’m not opposed to players feeling a temporary surge of power, but it shouldn’t be a scenario where unlocking a specific item guarantees a win in every fight.”
He referenced the heavy shield from the second Tech Test as an example of power that felt too dominant, allowing players to remain nearly invincible for extended periods. If Legendary power is introduced, it will likely be highly regulated. While the current Arc Raiders community isn’t yet demanding these shifts, the game’s landscape is sure to evolve as the year continues.
In a curious turn of events, Arc Raiders fans have identified a real-world Stella Montis in Italy, leading to a wave of satirical reviews claiming the “Shredders are getting out of hand.”
Source: gamesradar.com
