Arc Raiders Could Introduce Legendary PvP Weapons, But One-Shot Kills Are Off the Table: “That Gameplay Is Just Boring”
The 2026 roadmap has already introduced significant changes to Arc Raiders, including an influx of avian invaders, new gameplay modes, and two fresh Epic augments. In a recent chat with the team at Embark Studios, we explored the potential for adding a new arsenal of weapons to elevate the extraction shooter experience, and it seems this idea is very much on the table.
Virgil Watkins, the design lead for Arc Raiders, expressed optimism about the possibility of legendary firearms. “I think that’s completely possible,” he noted, emphasizing the need for careful balance among weapons. “That’s why we intentionally designed elements like the Hullcracker and the Equalizer.”
Watkins acknowledges the community’s interest in intensifying player-versus-player encounters but firmly believes in one guiding principle: “There should never be a one-shot situation if you’re wearing a shield and have full health. I find that kind of gameplay deeply boring; being eliminated in an instant doesn’t fit our game.”
He makes a valid point. One-shot kills can quickly become tiresome, and if the balance isn’t right, it can inadvertently penalize less frequent players.
“If we were to introduce something significantly more powerful in PvP, it would need to come with appropriate costs and risks,” he explained. “I’m not against players experiencing a surge in power and feeling awesome for a moment, but it can’t turn into a situation where unlocking a weapon guarantees victory.”
He referenced the heavy shield from Tech Test 2, which made players nearly invincible for extended periods. If such power is introduced, it must be carefully controlled. Currently, the Arc Raiders community isn’t clamoring for these changes, but the landscape could shift as the year progresses.
In a fun twist, Arc Raiders players have discovered a real-life Stella Montis in Italy, leading to some amusing reviews: “The Shredders are a bit of a nuisance.”
