iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Switching between ARC Raiders’ temporary PvE matchmaking and its standard PvPvE matchmaking is designed to be seamless within the same game. Embark says the test is not introducing a separate PvE progression system, and PvE play does not change your PvPvE matchmaking rating. However, the announcements do not provide an item-by-item guarantee for every stash item, unlock, or quest flag. PvE also changes the risk and economy: Raiders cannot damage one another, overall loot value is lower, some map conditions are unavailable, and Solo, Duo, and Trio players can be mixed together.
What the October 2026 PvE test actually is
As of October 16, 2026, ARC Raiders is running a limited PvE matchmaking test from October 13 at 11:00 CEST through October 20 at 11:00 CEST. Embark’s October 12 reminder describes the toggle as a way to switch between the standard PvPvE experience and new PvE servers. It is a matchmaking choice inside ARC Raiders, not a separately announced game mode with its own progression track.
The test is temporary. Embark says matchmaking returns to normal when the test ends, and future PvE availability is undecided. Executive Producer Aleks wrote on September 24, 2026: “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.” Treat the current rules as test rules rather than a permanent design specification.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePvE and PvPvE compared
| Gameplay or progression point | PvE matchmaking during the test | Standard PvPvE matchmaking |
|---|---|---|
| Damage from other Raiders | Zero player-to-player damage. Stun and fire throwables do not work on other players. | Other Raiders can attack and damage you. |
| Physical interactions | Barricades, ziplines, and other physical interactions remain unaffected. | Normal interactions apply. |
| ARC enemies | Still hostile. A downed player can be reacquired after the grace period if ARC detects movement. | Still hostile, in addition to the Raider threat. |
| Loot value | Overall loot value is reduced. | Slightly higher baseline loot values during the test. |
| Map conditions | Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection are unavailable during the active test. | Those conditions are not removed by the PvE toggle. |
| Squad-size matching | Squad sizes are not prioritized for separation; Solos, Duos, and Trios may share a session. | Uses the normal matchmaking rules. |
| PvPvE matchmaking rating | Playing PvE does not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating, according to Embark’s September explanation. | Your ordinary PvPvE matchmaking profile continues to apply. |
| Separate progression system | None announced for this test. | Uses the game’s standard progression context. |
What carries over when you switch matchmaking
The same character and game context
Embark describes switching as seamless and says the test is not intended to test new PvE progression. That supports treating PvE and PvPvE as two matchmaking experiences in the same game context. You are not being asked to create a second PvE character or enter a separately announced progression ladder.
#1 Best Overall
![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.
There is an important limit to that statement: the published announcements do not spell out a rule for every individual inventory object, stash item, unlock, quest reward, or quest flag. Do not read “seamless” as a blanket, item-by-item persistence guarantee. The defensible conclusion is that there is no announced separate PvE progression system, while the exact treatment of every specific object is not stated.
Your PvPvE matchmaking rating
Embark specifically says that PvE play does not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating. You can therefore use the test without treating a PvE session as a hidden reset of your PvPvE rating. This protection concerns the matchmaking rating itself; it is not evidence that every other account statistic or progression field follows an identical rule.
Your matchmaking history and playstyle tendencies
In a May 20, 2026 explanation, Embark said ordinary PvPvE matchmaking considers behavior across previous rounds, especially how players engage other Raiders. That history carries across patches, and similar playstyles become more likely to meet. The system is probabilistic, not a promise of a particular lobby. This matchmaking tendency should not be confused with inventory carryover or character progression.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What changes inside a PvE session
Raiders cannot damage one another
PvE matchmaking sets player-to-player damage to zero. Stun and fire throwables also do not work on other players. Physical systems such as barricades and ziplines remain functional, so “no PvP damage” does not mean every interaction between players disappears. You can still encounter other Raiders, see their movement, and use the environment; you simply do not have the normal damage-based threat from them.
ARC remains a real danger
PvE is not an invulnerability setting. ARC enemies continue to threaten the squad. The October 12 reminder says a downed player may be reacquired if ARC detects movement after an eight-second grace period. The September overview explains the opposite behavior: ARC ignores a downed player who stays still during that window. In practice, the PvE toggle removes hostile Raider damage, not enemy detection, finishing behavior, or the need to manage a downed state.
Loot is worth less overall
Embark says overall loot value is reduced in PvE. Its September explanation gives the economic reason for keeping slightly higher baseline loot values in PvPvE: friendly players and PvE sessions have higher extraction and earnings rates. The adjustment is therefore an economy and risk-balancing measure, not a claim that PvE has no useful rewards.
Rank #3
- 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
Squad sizes can be mixed
PvE does not prioritize separating squad sizes. A Solo, Duo, and Trio can appear in the same session. If you select PvE expecting only solo opponents or only similarly sized groups, the test rules do not support that expectation. The absence of player damage may reduce the importance of an uneven fight, but it does not make squad composition uniform.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Several conditions are excluded
For the active October test, Embark’s newer October 12 notice excludes these major conditions:
- Night Raid
- Locked Gate
- Hidden Bunker
- Frigate
- Redirection
An earlier September 24 overview listed Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate but did not mention Redirection. Use the October 12 list for the active test because it is the newer rule notice.
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
Why ordinary PvPvE matchmaking is not a PvE substitute
ARC Raiders’ normal matchmaking can make encounters with similar playstyles more likely. Embark reported that 37% of players were friendly cooperative players, 27% were mixed, and 34% were pure PvP players. It also reported that more than 70% of friendly players and 40% of PvP players wanted fewer hostile encounters, while 51% of the surveyed player base expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. Embark did not provide a sample size or methodology with those figures, so they should be read as the studio’s reported player-group and survey results.
Those probabilities do not create a safe lobby. A cooperative player can still meet a hostile Raider, and a player who chooses non-aggressive behavior can still be attacked in standard PvPvE. If your requirement is zero Raider damage during the announced test, select the dedicated PvE matchmaking option. Do not assume that friendly behavior, a favorable playstyle profile, or a cooperative squad removes the PvP risk from ordinary matchmaking.
How to choose the right option during the test
- Choose PvE when avoiding Raider damage is the priority. You will still face ARC, mixed squad sizes, lower overall loot value, and the listed unavailable conditions.
- Choose standard PvPvE when you want the normal risk-and-reward balance. Other Raiders can attack, but the test’s PvE loot reduction and condition exclusions do not apply in the same way.
- Check the current test notice before planning a specific condition. The October 12 rules, rather than the older September summary, are the active reference for Redirection’s exclusion.
- Switch back after comparing your goals. Embark presents the toggle as seamless, but remember that the test ends at October 20, 11:00 CEST and matchmaking then returns to normal.
Do not confuse mode switching with an Expedition
An Expedition is a separate, voluntary character-reset system. It is not the same action as changing the PvE/PvPvE matchmaking toggle.
Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
- Durable Premium Vinyl: Made from thick, high-grade vinyl for long-lasting use on cars, laptops, skateboards, walls, and flasks.
- UV & Weather Resistant: Fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Easy Application & Removal: Applies smoothly without bubbles and removes cleanly with no sticky residue left behind.
- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
Embark’s October 9, 2025 Expedition design article says an Expedition reset removes character-level progress and skills, inventory, workshop progress, and crafting capabilities. Cosmetics, awards, and achievements are retained. Those rules describe an intentional reset, not movement between PvE and PvPvE sessions. The article is dated 2025, so any later Expedition changes should be checked against the current in-game or official rules before committing to a reset.
For the PvE test, do not select or start an Expedition merely because you want to try a different matchmaking environment. The two systems have different purposes and different consequences.
What happens when the test ends?
Embark says matchmaking returns to normal when the limited test ends. It has not promised that a permanent PvE mode will follow, nor has it committed to keeping the exact October rules. A future version could change loot values, condition availability, squad matching, or progression handling. The only firm conclusion from the current announcement is that this test is temporary and its future form is undecided.
Practical expectations for players
- Expect safety from Raider damage, not safety from the world. ARC can still down and reacquire players.
- Expect a less lucrative economy. Overall PvE loot value is reduced during the test.
- Expect other player groups. Solo, Duo, and Trio squads may be mixed.
- Expect a narrower map-condition selection. Five named conditions are excluded by the current notice.
- Expect your PvPvE rating to remain protected. This is the specific rating rule Embark has stated.
- Do not assume every item or quest flag has a published carryover guarantee. The announcements do not provide that level of detail.
Bottom line on what carries over
ARC Raiders’ October 2026 PvE option is a temporary matchmaking toggle, not a separately announced progression track. Embark says switching is seamless, PvE does not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating, and the test does not introduce new PvE progression. The exact persistence of every stash item, unlock, and quest state is not itemized in the official notices, so avoid treating the toggle as a guarantee about each individual object. The major differences are gameplay and economy: no Raider damage, lower overall loot value, mixed squad sizes, excluded conditions, and continued ARC danger.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
