Arc Raiders Community Urges Developers to Preserve Solo Matchmaking Integrity Amid Trio PvP Concerns

There’s a stark contrast between the solitary experience of diving into Arc Raiders alone, where you feel exposed and vulnerable, and the adrenaline-fueled chaos of teaming up for a trio raid. With your friends by your side, you’re more inclined to make a tempting offer to fellow players: “I’ll clear out your stash space for just a few bullets from my gun.”

Playing in trios feels like a whole new game. You’re bound to encounter more aggressive players when grouped up. Thanks to Arc Raiders’ “aggression-based” matchmaking system, which pairs PvP enthusiasts together while keeping the more laid-back looters in a calmer environment, some players are suggesting that your matchmaking reputation should be distinct for solo and group play.

In a heated discussion on Reddit, one user, MishRift, argues that “Aggression in Trio Should Not Affect your Solo” experience. Essentially, your friends’ thirst for PvP shouldn’t drag you into a frenzy when you return to your usual solo runs.

While the evidence is mostly anecdotal—like one player noting that after teaming up with aggressive friends, their solo matches felt much more intense—the point raises an interesting issue. It highlights how players are trying to navigate the matchmaking system, even with limited knowledge of its mechanics.

The top response to this post reinforces the idea of separate aggression reputations. One user shares a strategy: “After going on a murder spree in trios, just jump into solos unarmed and surrender a few times. Then do a free loadout to test it out, start spamming ‘no shoot,’ and you’ll find yourself back in the friendly pool. It’s not even subtle.”

Another player agrees, stating they usually play passively in solos but enjoy the PvP action in trios, which helps improve their skills. However, not everyone is on board with the idea of separating reputations, with one user pointing out the absurdity of wanting an easy experience without the company of aggressive friends.

Some argue that the current system is beneficial, preventing aggressive trios from exploiting solo matches to farm gear for even more chaos in group play.

At the heart of this debate is a common human tendency: the desire to enjoy the spoils of PvP without facing the risks. While some players thrive in the chaos of trios, others prefer the stealthy approach of solo play, leading to frustrations when their reputation is affected by teammates.

The concern about random players in auto-filled teams impacting your reputation is valid. Sure, you could opt out of auto-fill or communicate your preferences to friends, but the annoyance of being dragged into a more aggressive environment because of someone else’s choices is understandable. Still, if you choose to play with them, you should be aware of the higher PvP rates in trio raids.

The silver lining of this matchmaking system is its self-correcting nature. If you want to avoid PvP, you can do so, and over time, you’ll encounter less of it—though not completely. This system aligns with player preferences, but it can become problematic when players manipulate their experience to fit a specific mold. At that point, it’s less about enjoying the game and more about trying to play a version of it that doesn’t exist. It’s a recipe for frustration: “I avoided PvP at all costs, so why am I still getting shot at?” asks the player who’s clearly missed the point. Remember, this is always a PvP game.

As one Reddit user wisely puts it, “After thinking about this for a minute, I’m not going to adjust my play style. It is what it is. If I feel someone is aggressive, I’ll shoot. If not, I won’t. I don’t care about this auto-balancing script.” One thing is certain: as the PvP enthusiast in my friend group, I won’t be apologizing for the chaos.

In other news, Arc Raiders has just hit 12 million copies sold, setting a new record for active players just two months post-launch. What a ride!