ARC Raiders Patch Notes Roundup: Headwinds 1.13.0 Ushers in High-Risk Thrills and Bird City Chaos
Hey, Raiders! If you’ve been grinding the Rust Belt in ARC Raiders, you know Embark Studios isn’t slacking on post-launch support. The game launched back in late 2025 and has racked up over 12 million players, with consistent updates keeping the extraction shooter fresh and punishing. The latest patches—especially the massive Headwinds Update (1.13.0) dropped on January 27, 2026—bring solo daredevils into squad lobbies, trophy-hunting projects, and a feathery new map condition that’s got everyone flocking to rooftops. Let’s break it all down, from the newest hotfix to what’s coming next.
The Latest Hotfix: Bird City Gets More Frequent Flights (Feb 3, 2026)
Just days ago, the devs pushed a server-side update boosting the rotation frequency of Bird City, the Buried City map condition introduced in Headwinds. No download needed—just restart your client. This tweak addresses player feedback about time-zone mismatches, making those loot-filled bird nests (stuffed with shiny trinkets) accessible to more squads. Expect intensified rooftop brawls with extra ziplines, bird traps, flying ARC threats, and player pile-ups.
Headwinds 1.13.0: Against the Odds (Jan 27, 2026)
This is the big one—a content-packed patch emphasizing high-risk, high-reward PvP and long-term progression. Here’s the meat:
What’s New?
- Solo vs Squads Matchmaking: Level 40+ solos can toggle into squad queues for 1v3 glory. Earn +20% bonus XP on extract or defeat. Perfect for PvP sweats plotting ambushes.
- Trophy Display Project: Hunt escalating ARC groups (Roaming Threats) for parts to build a 5-tier display case. Rewards include blueprints, Raider Tokens, a Howl emote, guitar, and 300k Coins. No reset with expeditions—pure grind fuel.
- Bird City Map Condition: Permanent rotation on Buried City. Nests in chimneys hide loot, but brace for aerial chaos.
- New Items & Quests: 2 Epic Augments (Safekeeper for secure gun stashing; Revival with infinite defibrillator uses) + 7 quests.
Patch Highlights & QoL Wins
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Open Parties | Embark/platform friends join seamlessly—even mid-round (lobby wait). |
| Squad Invites | Anyone in squad can invite. Discord integration too. |
| Controls | Full gamepad rebinding (PC), mouse smoothing, consistent aim assist. |
| Matchmaking | Delay option vs. stream snipers. |
Key Fixes
- ARC AI Tweaks: Leapers walk better legless; Shredders pingable; Snitches quieter post-death; Ticks dodge-rollable.
- Maps: 40+ stuck spots fixed on Stella Montis; Seed Vault extract glitch gone; loot redistribution.
- Bugs: Achievement tracking, crashes, UI glitches, voice chat.
- Anti-Cheat: Progressive bans (30/60 days → permaban).
Quick Hits: January Patches 1.12.0 & 1.11.0
- 1.12.0 (Jan 20): Hotfix squashing item/ammo dupes, wallbangs, OOB spots.
- 1.11.0 (Jan 13): Abyss cosmetics, Kettle fire rate nerf (600→450 vs. macros), Trigger ‘Nade tweaks, keycard exploit fix. Free Gilded Pickaxe for all.
Player Reactions: Hype Meets Hot Takes
The community is buzzing—Solo vs Squads and Trophy Display are fan favorites for adding solo agency and progression depth. Bird City’s rooftop frenzy has sparked “duck hunting” memes, but some gripe about slower looting post-patch (devs monitoring). Overall sentiment? Positive, with QoL like gamepad binds earning praise.
Also Read: Arc Raiders Wiki 2026: Ultimate Guide to Maps, Loot, Quests & Resources
What’s Next? Shrouded Sky & Roadmap
February’s Shrouded Sky teases a new map condition, ARC threat, Player Project, Raider Deck, map updates, and Expedition Window. Check the full Jan-Apr roadmap on the site.
ARC Raiders is proving extraction shooters thrive on iteration. Restart that client, squad up (or go lone wolf), and see you topside. What’re you grinding first?
