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ARC Raiders’ limited PvE matchmaking test runs from October 13 at 11:00 CEST to October 20, 2026, at 11:00 CEST (09:00 UTC on both dates). It adds a matchmaking toggle between the usual PvPvE raids and PvE sessions focused on fighting ARC enemies. Embark has not promised that PvE will become a permanent mode.
When does the ARC Raiders PvE test start and end?
Embark Studios’ October 12 reminder sets the test window at October 13, 2026, at 11:00 CEST through October 20, 2026, at 11:00 CEST. CEST is UTC+2, so both start and end times are 09:00 UTC. The schedule is the same for all regions; convert from CEST or UTC to your local time.
Embark’s test-day schedule and rules
How to play the PvE test
During the test, the PvE option is a matchmaking toggle between standard PvPvE and PvE sessions. Embark says players can switch between the experiences during the test, and PvPvE matchmaking rating is not affected by playing PvE sessions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe official announcements do not provide button-by-button menu instructions, so the exact location of the toggle cannot be confirmed here. Look for the PvE matchmaking option in-game while the test is active rather than relying on an unverified menu path.
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![ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I3Aj2PM0L._SL160_.jpg)
- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
Embark describes the system as designed for seamless switching. This is a change to matchmaking and raid rules, not a new PvE progression system.
What changes in PvE matchmaking?
PvE removes damage between players, but it does not remove the threat from ARC enemies or make every raid condition available. Here are the test rules alongside the standard PvPvE experience.
| Feature | PvE test | Standard PvPvE |
|---|---|---|
| Player-to-player damage | Disabled. Embark summarizes the rule as “Zero player-to-player damage.” | Player combat remains part of the experience. |
| Throwables and physical items | Stun and fire throwables do not affect other players. Other physical interaction items, including barricades and ziplines, are unaffected. | The PvE-specific protection does not apply. |
| Loot value | Overall loot value is lower to account for the relative safety of PvE sessions. | Baseline loot values are slightly higher during the test while Embark monitors the economy. |
| Squad-size matchmaking | Solos, Duos, and Trios share the PvE pool. Squad separation is not prioritized, so groups of different sizes may meet more often. | The PvE pool’s shared-group rule does not apply. |
| Raid conditions | Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection do not offer PvE matchmaking. | These five conditions are not excluded by the PvE test rule. |
| Downed by ARC enemies | ARC enemies may reacquire a downed player if they move after an eight-second grace period. Do not assume crawling is safe. | The PvE-specific grace-period behavior is not stated for standard PvPvE. |
| Matchmaking rating | Playing PvE sessions does not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating. | Rating is not covered by this PvE protection when playing standard sessions. |
| Queue times | May be affected in low-population regions or quiet hours; Embark has not quantified the effect or named specific regions. | Embark says it will also monitor the quality of PvPvE sessions during the test. |
Embark’s September announcement explains that the PvE pool combines Solos, Duos, and Trios, while the October reminder supplies the latest list of excluded conditions. The five exclusions are the specific conditions named in the current reminder, not a claim that all other raid details are unchanged.
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See Embark’s October 12 test reminder and its September 24 announcement explaining the toggle.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Why is Embark testing a PvE option?
Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal says ARC Raiders was originally envisioned as a cooperative, raid-based PvE game with looting before development shifted toward the current PvPvE extraction format. Embark says the test is intended to explore different playstyles and use player feedback and data to decide what comes next.
In its September 2026 announcement, Embark reported that 37% of its players were friendly co-op players, 27% were mixed players, and 34% were pure PvP players. The company also said 51% of the surveyed player base expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option, while over 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters. Embark did not publish the survey sample size or field dates in that announcement, so these are company-reported figures, not an independently audited survey.
Rank #4
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Is ARC Raiders PvE permanent?
No permanent mode has been announced. Embark says it will review test feedback and data, and send players a survey after the test. The studio says it will share findings and future plans sometime afterward, but has not given a date. Any future PvE version could differ from this test.
“This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it.”
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ARC Raiders Video Game Stickers Ideal for Cars Laptop Skateboard Wall Décor Flask UV and Weather Resistant (A 3-Pack, 3" in)
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- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
— Aleksander Grøndal, Executive Producer of ARC Raiders, in Embark’s September 24 announcement
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