Embark Studios is pulling players back into Arc Raiders with the "Shrouded Sky" update on February 24, and it doesn't feel like filler content. The new threats change how you move, where you take fights, and what you loot on the way out, especially if you're the type who plans runs around gear and crafting. If you're already thinking about what to bring and what to stash, it's worth keeping an eye on ARC Raiders Items so your loadout choices match the new risks you're about to meet in the wild.

New Arc Threats That Punish Bad Positioning

The Firefly is the one you'll remember after the first ugly encounter. It's a hovering drone with a flamethrower, and it doesn't give you that generous "oh no" window. You peek too long, you hesitate in the open, and you're cooked. You'll end up playing tighter angles, using hard cover more, and moving in short bursts instead of long sprints. The Comet is different, but it's just as stressful. It stays on the ground, rolls around like a patrol sphere, and once you drift into its range it turns into a roaming bomb problem. You don't just fight it—you manage space around it, because it forces you to keep checking behind you and adjusting your route.

The Surgeon Deck And A Bit Of Controlled Chaos

Alongside the enemies, there's a new free Raider Deck called The Surgeon. It's cosmetic, sure, but it's also a nice little role-play hook while you grind it out. The vibe is very "am I here to patch people up or make a mess," and you can lean either way depending on how you play your squad runs. It's the kind of deck you knock out naturally while doing regular scav trips, and it gives you something to chase that isn't just another number going up on a stat screen.

Beards, Storms, And Why The Map Feels Meaner

Character customisation finally gets facial hair, and it's honestly a bigger deal than it sounds. Everyone gets Stubble right away, and a Full Beard sits inside The Surgeon Deck as an unlock. If you've got currency to burn, there are extra options in the store too, like a Stubble Beard and a Thick Moustache, with the devs tossing in the kind of groan-worthy joke that still somehow works. On the gameplay side, the new "hurricane" map condition is the real twist. Visibility drops, movement gets awkward, and the usual "I'll just rotate wide" plan can fall apart fast. There's also a new Shani project focused on collecting parts to improve weather monitoring, which fits the new storms and gives your scav runs a clearer purpose.

Getting Ready For The New Meta

If Shrouded Sky does anything, it makes Arc Raiders feel less forgiving about sloppy movement and lazy routing, and that's going to push players into more deliberate choices. You'll see people running safer lines, taking shorter engagements, and being pickier about when they commit to a fight, because these threats don't care if you're mid-reload. If you're the sort who likes to tune your setup before the patch mood settles, you can also look at marketplaces like U4GM for buying game currency or items so you're not stuck improvising with a half-finished kit when the storms hit.