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Three-player lobbies are notoriously more aggressive in PvP, and the competition for loot is significantly fiercer. By entering the squad queue alone, you’re essentially inviting a firefight you are ill-equipped to win. Many teams will likely adopt a “shoot first” policy just to clear out potential threats, and with solo players already struggling against accidental matchmaking imbalances, volunteering for a deficit seems like a hard sell.
Unless the XP payout is truly astronomical, it’s unlikely this mode will see widespread adoption. Arc Raiders is ultimately a game about loot progression, not just leveling, and the “Solos vs Squads” mode actively hinders your ability to extract valuable items. It may appeal to high-tier streamers looking for content, stealth enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of being hunted, or the most elite PvP players, but for the general population, the risk-to-reward ratio seems skewed.
While there is some novelty in seeing Embark experiment with niche features, there is a sense that this first matchmaking expansion misses the mark for the broader community. Since the announcement, player discussions have been filled with hopes for different gameplay modes, making this reveal feel somewhat underwhelming.
Fortunately, the rest of the Headwinds update looks promising. A new map event called “Bird City” will see the Buried City swarmed by treasure-carrying birds, while a fresh project system allows players to exchange Arc components for blueprints and cosmetic rewards. Quality-of-life updates are also coming to matchmaking, giving all party members the ability to invite friends and enabling “open party” settings for smoother lobby formation.
Check out our full breakdown of the Arc Raiders Escalation roadmap for more details.
Source: gamesradar.com
