Embark discards instant death weapons in Arc Raiders

Embark Studios is willing to expand the arsenal of its extraction shooter, but imposes clear limits to maintain competitive integrity. In an interview, the chief designer of Arc Raiders, Virgil Watkins, commented on the possibility of introducing Legendary weapons focused on PvP. Although the studio does not rule out the idea, the golden rule is to avoid any "one-shot" mechanic — death with a single shot — to not compromise the pace of the matches.

For developers, being instantly "deleted" in a game of this genre is considered a monotonous and frustrating experience. Watkins emphasizes that, if the player has full health and active shield, they should never be taken down by a single projectile. Embark Studios' philosophy focuses on maintaining a balance where combat skill and positioning prevail over luck or the brute power of a specific item, avoiding situations like the heavy shield in the second technical test, which made the Raiders almost unstoppable.

The approach demonstrates a necessary care with progression. If substantially stronger weapons are added to PvP, they should come with a high maintenance cost, high risk of loss, or usage restrictions. The idea is to allow the player to feel powerful in specific moments, without it meaning an automatic victory just for possessing the equipment. It is a direct contrast with other titles in the market where extremely low "time to kill" ends up punishing those who do not have the meta of the season.

With the 2026 roadmap already underway and bringing news like bird invasions and new Epic upgrades, Embark Studios seems more interested in refining the experience than inflating the game with items that disrupt the balance. For those who appreciate the tension of a tactical confrontation, knowing that the studio prioritizes survival over arbitrary lethality is a positive point for the longevity of Arc Raiders.