The ARC Raiders update 1.11.0 arrived just as players were settling into the 2026 meta, bringing a mix of celebration and much-needed balance tweaks to the Rust Belt.
Following a massive holiday season that saw the game surpass 12 million copies sold, Embark Studios wasted no time addressing community feedback regarding certain dominant strategies.
This patch isn't just about numbers, it is about shifting how we approach PvP encounters and environmental awareness in the world of Speranza.
What happened to the Kettle rifle in this update?
The Kettle has received a significant nerf to its fire rate, dropping from 600 RPM down to 450 RPM.
This change was implemented specifically to combat the prevalence of third-party macros that allowed players to reach inhuman firing speeds.
According to the developers, the previous 600 RPM cap was realistically only achievable through automated software, creating an unfair advantage in mid-range duels.
By capping it at 450 RPM, the weapon now feels more like a heavy-duty semi-auto rifle rather than a simulated automatic beast.
You will notice a distinct rhythm change when using it, requiring more precise timing on your clicks rather than just spamming the trigger.
Also read: What Kind of Game is ARC Raiders? Genre, PvP/PvE and More
Why was the Trigger 'Nade nerfed so heavily?
The Trigger 'Nade has been reworked to focus more on its intended role as a sticky explosive rather than a dominant air-burst weapon.
Previously, the 0.7-second detonation delay made it too easy for Raiders to "cook" or time explosions in mid-air, leaving opponents with almost zero time to react.
In update 1.11.0, that delay has been increased to 1.5 seconds. This change provides a much larger window for players to dodge or find cover.
Additionally, the damage falloff has been tightened. While the explosion is still lethal at its center, the damage drops off much faster as you move away from the blast radius.
This ensures that a poorly placed grenade won't accidentally net a kill.
How does the Stella Montis update change the night raids?
Lighting has been significantly lowered in certain sectors of the Stella Montis map during Night Raid cycles, making the environment much darker and more atmospheric.
This isn't just a visual tweak, it is a gameplay overhaul that forces Raiders to rely on flashlights and directional audio.
Before this update, the "night" was often bright enough that stealth was difficult. Now, navigating the industrial ruins feels genuinely dangerous.
You will need to manage your light sources carefully, as turning on a flashlight might give away your position to a lurking squad or a high-level ARC machine.
It rewards players who move slowly and use their ears to track movement rather than just scanning the horizon.
Also read: Hytale Release Date: All You Need to Know
What free rewards can players claim right now?
To celebrate the incredible milestone of 12 million players, Embark is giving away the Gilded Pickaxe Raider Tool to everyone who logs in between now and the end of the current event window.
This item is a gold-plated version of the standard harvesting tool and serves as a badge of honor for those who were part of the game's explosive growth in early 2026.
Along with this freebie, the shop has been updated with the Abyss cosmetic set. This new outfit features dark, matte textures and tactical gear designed to blend into the newly darkened corners of Stella Montis, making it a perfect match for the lighting changes in this patch.
Which exploits and bugs were fixed in update 1.11.0?
The most notable fix addresses the keycard exploit that allowed some players to retain high-tier room keys after opening locked doors.
This bug was causing an imbalance in the economy, as certain squads could repeatedly loot high-value areas without the risk of losing their entry tokens. With version 1.11.0, keycards are now correctly consumed upon use.
There were also several minor stability improvements for PC and console players, aimed at reducing crashes during the transition from the extraction zone back to the Speranza hub.
Why is connection stability more important than ever after these changes?
In an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders, where the meta is shifting toward precise timing and stealth, having a stable connection is the difference between a successful extract and losing all your gear.
With the Trigger 'Nade now having a 1.5-second fuse, your ability to react to that timer is entirely dependent on your latency.
If you are lagging, that 1.5 seconds feels more like half a second on your screen. This is where NoPing becomes an essential tool for competitive Raiders.
By optimizing the route between your computer and the game servers, NoPing reduces ping and eliminates packet loss.
In a game where the developers are actively nerfing "unfair" advantages like macros, you need to ensure your own hardware and connection are performing at their peak to stay ahead.
Here’s how to use NoPing to fix high ping in online games:
- Sign-up through the website and download NoPing (you can test it for free).
- Open NoPing and search for your game inside the software
- Once you find it, click on it and, on the next screen, select “Choose automatic” or “Choose manual” and click “Continue”. We recommend choosing automatic, as NoPing’s technology analyzes all routes on a global scale and automatically selects the best option for you.
- On the next screen, click on “Optimize Game”.
- And that’s it, you can start playing with optimized ping!
You can test different servers within NoPing to see which gives you the lowest latency.
What should you do to adapt to the new meta?
Since the Kettle and Trigger 'Nade are no longer the undisputed kings of the Rust Belt, you should start experimenting with alternative loadouts.
The 1.11.0 patch encourages a more methodical approach to combat. You might find that the Venator or the Stitcher rifles are now more competitive in mid-range encounters.
Furthermore, since Stella Montis is darker, consider bringing tools that enhance situational awareness, like motion sensors or improved audio headsets for your Raider.
Play ARC Raiders without lag! Download NoPing now and start your free trial!
