Embark Makes Long-Awaited Free Loadout Change to ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders players have long complained about the free loadout mechanic, which allows raiders to enter missions with randomized equipment kits at no risk. While convenient for casual players, this feature has created tension within the community—particularly among players who invest in premium gear, since encountering opponents with nothing to lose undermines the game’s loot economy and discourages meaningful risk-taking.
After months of requests since launch, Embark Studios has finally taken action. Update 1.33 introduces an experiment that removes free loadouts from the two hardest map conditions: Night Raid and Close Scrutiny. According to the patch notes, this change aims to “increase the barrier of entry” for these challenging difficulty tiers, forcing players who want to tackle the most demanding content to commit actual resources.
The update also introduces new content, including the Forgotten Relics event and the Converging Paths project, alongside the loadout restrictions.
The free loadout controversy reflects a broader live-service balancing challenge: protecting the value of player progression and investment while maintaining accessibility for casual players. By restricting free loadouts only to easier difficulties, Embark appears to be pursuing a middle ground—players can still enjoy no-risk gameplay on standard map conditions, but the highest-difficulty raids now require genuine commitment.