The ARC Raiders PvE toggle is a limited beta test that went live on October 13, 2026 with Store Update 2.1.0 and runs until October 20, 2026. It lets you switch between the standard PvPvE matchmaking and PvE servers, where other Raiders cannot damage you. For US players, the test started at 2:00 AM PT (5:00 AM ET) on October 13 and ends at the same time on October 20. Embark Studios says the test is not a promise that PvE will become permanent.
Summary: ARC Raiders PvE Toggle
- Dates: October 13 to October 20, 2026. That is 2:00 AM PT to 2:00 AM PT, or 5:00 AM ET to 5:00 AM ET.
- PvE rules: zero player-to-player damage, and stun and fire throwables do not work on other players.
- Loot: overall loot value is lower in PvE servers, and PvPvE sessions get slightly higher baseline loot during the test.
- Excluded conditions: Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate and Redirection have no PvE option.
- Rating: your PvPvE matchmaking rating does not change while you play PvE.
- Patch: Store Update 2.1.0 launched the beta and added the Carrion Set plus many fixes.
- Future: Embark has not promised a permanent PvE mode.
What Is the ARC Raiders PvE Toggle?
The PvE toggle is a matchmaking switch that sends you either to the classic PvPvE experience or to PvE servers. In the PvE version, you scavenge, finish quests and fight the ARC machines together with other Raiders, without worrying about being shot by them. You still see other players, and you can team up with them against ARC threats.
Embark explained the reason in a developer post on September 24, 2026. According to the studio, 37% of players are friendly co-op players, 27% are mixed and 34% are pure PvP players. Over 70% of the friendly group, and 40% of the PvP group, want fewer hostile encounters. In addition, 51% of surveyed players said they are interested in a dedicated PvE option.
The studio also set a narrow goal for the test. It says the intent is not to make PvE harder or to try new PvE progression, but to give players an alternative to PvP encounters. You can read the original announcement on the official ARC Raiders PvE toggle blog post.
ARC Raiders PvE Mode Test Duration and Schedule
Embark lists the test in European time, so here is the same window in US time zones. The test lasts exactly seven days.
| Event | Pacific | Mountain | Central | Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test starts, October 13 | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| Test ends, October 20 | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
The studio’s own times are 11:00 CEST on both days. Store Update 2.1.0 went live on October 13 and marks the start of the beta. After the test ends, the toggle disappears and matchmaking returns to normal. Embark will then send a survey, and the studio says it will share its findings and plans sometime after the test.
As of October 14, 2026, the test is on its second day. Because it ends early on a Tuesday morning in the US, plan your last PvE sessions for Monday night.
Zero Player Damage Rules in PvE Servers
The official rules are short, but a few of them change how you play. Embark lists these differences for PvE servers.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Zero player-to-player damage | Raiders cannot hurt each other |
| Throwables | Stun and fire items do not work on other players |
| Barricades and ziplines | Unaffected, so you can still use them normally |
| Loot value | Lower overall, to balance the relative safety |
| Squad separation | Not prioritized, so different group sizes meet more often |
| Session size | Solos, duos and trios share the same sessions |
| Matchmaking rating | Your PvPvE rating is not affected |
| Switching | Designed to be seamless between PvE and PvPvE |
There is one more rule that catches players out. ARC enemies may re-acquire downed players. An eight-second grace period follows when you go down, and ARC will not target you in that time. After that, they can attack if they catch you moving, while staying still keeps you off their radar. Embark added this to keep some tension without a PvP threat.
ARC Raiders PvE vs PvPvE Matchmaking Changes
PvPvE sessions keep their standard matchmaking during the test. Embark wants to measure how the toggle affects PvPvE sessions before making any sweeping changes. Here is how the two options compare.
| Feature | PvE servers | PvPvE servers |
|---|---|---|
| Player damage | None | Enabled |
| Loot value | Lowered | Slightly higher baseline during the test |
| Group sizes | Solo, duo and trio mix | Standard matchmaking |
| Major conditions | Several excluded | All available |
| Matchmaking rating | Not affected | Affected as usual |
Some conditions are not available in PvE. The September post excluded Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate and Frigate. The October 12 notice also lists Redirection. Embark says these conditions rely on the tension and uncertainty of meeting different players. If you want those conditions, you must queue for PvPvE.
The studio also warned about queue times. Matchmaking may take longer in low-population regions and during quiet hours, and heavy PvE use could affect the quality of some PvPvE sessions. Embark did not state where the toggle sits in the menu. Beebom places it under the matchmaking options, so check there first.
ARC Raiders Store Update 2.1.0 Patch Notes
Store Update 2.1.0 arrived on October 13, 2026, and Embark calls it the start of the PvE toggle beta. The Carrion Set is available in the store, and the notes list many fixes. You can read all of them in the official Store Update 2.1.0 patch notes. These are the changes that matter most.
- ARC and Frigate: Frigate hatches now burn players over time when they open, cargo collisions are smoother, and the cargo drop no longer causes unintended knockouts.
- Items: stamina-restoring consumables cannot be used during the Sprinting on Fumes cooldown. Embark says bypassing that penalty disrupted the intended risk.
- Grappling Hook: auto-vault triggers more reliably at the top of rope climbs, and the rope now wraps around geometry in flight.
- Audio: outdoor footsteps are quieter, and melee hits on weak points give clearer feedback.
- Pendola Pass: night lighting is darker with reduced visibility, plus collision and visual fixes.
- UI: Gondola markers now show from 175 meters instead of 120.
- Performance: reduced memory use on Spaceport, Buried City and Dam Battlegrounds, which helps Xbox Series S in particular.
- Skill fixes: Broad Shoulders, Field Repair and Field Salvaging now work correctly in the same session.
- Weapons: the Hairpin’s Semi-Auto Amplification now applies reduced headshot damage as intended.
Will the PvE Toggle Become Permanent?
No one knows yet. Embark states plainly that it’s possible the test will not work and that it is not a promise of a PvE mode. The studio adds that any future version could look very different from the beta.
The studio also admits the risk. A PvE option could reduce some of the tension the game was built around, and PvE players earn more extraction value, which affects the economy. That is why the test lowers PvE loot and slightly raises PvPvE baseline loot. Based on current information, the decision will depend on player data and survey feedback collected after October 20.
How to Make the Most of the PvE Test
These tips follow the official rules, so you can plan sessions that fit the test window.
- Play before October 20. The toggle disappears when the test ends.
- Expect smaller rewards. PvE loot is lower, so treat these sessions as a safer way to finish quests and learn maps.
- Stay still when downed. ARC may target you if you crawl after the eight-second grace period.
- Keep PvP-only conditions for PvPvE. Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate and Redirection are not offered in PvE.
- Fill in the survey. Embark says feedback from both PvE and PvPvE players guides its decision.
If you enjoy cooperative shooters against machines, our Helldivers 2 Update 7.2 guide covers another co-op game. For a different kind of multiplayer survival, see our Once Human Isles of Abyss guide.
Common Mistakes and Clarifications
- Assuming PvE is permanent. The toggle is a test and is removed on October 20.
- Expecting PvE rewards to match PvPvE. Embark lowered PvE loot on purpose.
- Thinking your rating changes. PvE sessions do not affect your PvPvE matchmaking rating.
- Expecting every condition in PvE. Five major conditions are excluded.
- Reading the end time in CEST. The test ends at 2:00 AM PT on October 20, not in the evening.
- Throwing stun items at players. Those items do not work on other players in PvE.
Conclusion
The ARC Raiders PvE toggle runs from October 13 to October 20, 2026 and removes player damage in PvE servers. Loot is lower, some conditions are excluded and your PvPvE rating stays untouched. Try it before the test ends, then give Embark feedback, because that survey will shape whether the option returns.
FAQs
When does the ARC Raiders PvE toggle test start and end?
It runs from October 13 to October 20, 2026. In US time, both the start and the end are at 2:00 AM PT, which is 5:00 AM ET.
Can other players hurt me in PvE servers?
No. PvE servers have zero player-to-player damage, and stun and fire throwables do not work on other players.
Does PvE affect my PvPvE matchmaking rating?
No. Embark says your PvPvE rating is not affected while you play PvE.
Which conditions are excluded from PvE?
Night Raid, Locked Gate, Hidden Bunker, Frigate and Redirection do not offer a PvE option.
Is the PvE toggle permanent?
Not yet. Embark calls it a limited test and says it is not a promise of a future PvE mode.
What does Store Update 2.1.0 add?
It starts the PvE beta, adds the Carrion Set and includes many fixes to Frigate, items, audio and maps.
