Arc Raiders is testing optional PvE matchmaking from October 13 to October 20, 2026, with player-to-player damage disabled, but the trial does not confirm a permanent mode. You can switch between PvE and standard PvPvE, which combines ARC combat with the possibility of hostile Raiders. When considering ARC Raiders Items, the relevant test restrictions still apply. The trial ends at 11:00 CEST on October 20, equivalent to 5:00 a.m. EDT or 2:00 a.m. PDT.

What changes when you select PvE

PvE removes damage between players, including the effects of stun and fire throwables on other Raiders. Barricades and ziplines remain functional, while matchmaking gives less priority to separating different squad sizes. Choosing PvE therefore removes the threat of another player shooting you, not every interaction with strangers.

ARC remains dangerous after you are downed. There is an eight-second grace period before enemies can target you again if they detect you moving. Treat crawling as a decision with consequences, especially when a teammate is trying to reach you for assistance.

Lower loot and restricted activities change the choice

PvE has lower overall loot value during the test. Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate, and Redirection do not offer the PvE option. These limits make the trial narrower than the standard experience: you are choosing reduced exposure to hostile players alongside different rewards and activity access.

Before selecting matchmaking, decide what you want from that session. A raid focused on exploring and fighting ARC is a different task from entering a particular excluded activity. Comparing the modes is more useful when you keep that goal consistent; otherwise, a missing activity can become confused with dissatisfaction about PvE itself.

Why removing player damage divides opinion

The test responds to players who value cooperation more than fighting other Raiders. In the September 24 announcement, 51% of surveyed players expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. The developers also identified risks involving tension, the player economy, and longer matchmaking times in quieter regions or hours. Interest in an option is not the same as agreement about its design.

The central trade-off is uncertainty. For a player who wants predictable cooperation, removing hostile gunfire can make encounters more enjoyable. For someone who values deciding whether a stranger is trustworthy, that same certainty removes an important decision. Neither preference answers the separate question of whether the available ARC encounters provide enough lasting challenge.

What would make the test useful

Specific feedback can distinguish satisfaction with peaceful encounters from concerns about rewards, difficulty, or missing activities. Record which condition changed your decision to play another raid, and explain what happened rather than simply calling for the option to stay or disappear.

A permanent version is not guaranteed, and a future implementation could differ from this trial. The announced plan removes the toggle after the test, with a more detailed feedback survey planned afterward.

Before your next deployment, choose the experience that matches your intended activity and note one concrete result to include in your feedback. Apply the same precision when reviewing ARC Raiders Bp for sale: assess the exact listing details without treating them as evidence of future mode access.