ARC Raiders Hurricane Map Condition: Location, Loot, and Mechanics Explained

What to know

• The Hurricane is a new major map condition launching on February 24, 2026, as part of the Shrouded Sky update developed by Embark Studios.
• A persistent tailwind affects player movement speed, stamina, throwable trajectories, smoke grenades, and even jump distance across the map.
• Debris kicked up by the storm damages shields and causes them to spark, making shielded players visible even in low-visibility conditions.
• First Wave Raider Caches containing rare relics and valuable loot are uncovered by the storm, giving Raiders a strong reason to brave the weather.

The Rust Belt in ARC Raiders is about to face its most punishing weather event yet. Set in the year 2181, the lore behind this map condition revolves around Shani planning to lock down Speranza as a massive hurricane approaches the surface. But Raiders never follow orders, and the promise of rare loot scattered by violent winds is more than enough motivation to head topside. Here is everything you need to know about the Hurricane map condition, how it works, and what rewards await you in the storm.

The most impactful new mechanic introduced by the Hurricane is a persistent, map-wide tailwind. This is not a static effect. The wind actively changes how you move, fight, and navigate the Rust Belt.

Step 1

Check the wind direction when you load into the map. This determines which way the tailwind is blowing and will affect your entire raid.

Step 2

Move with the tailwind to gain a noticeable boost to your movement speed. This lets you cover ground faster and rotate between points of interest more efficiently.

Step 3

Avoid moving directly against the tailwind whenever possible. Walking into the wind slows you down significantly and drains your stamina at an accelerated rate.

Step 4

Adjust your throwable usage. Grenades, smoke grenades, and other throwable gadgets are all affected by the wind. Throwing with the wind extends their range, while throwing against it shortens it and alters the trajectory.

Step 5

Account for the wind when jumping. Even your jump distance and direction are influenced by the tailwind. Jumping with the wind pushes you further, while jumping against it reduces your distance.

Smoke grenades are particularly interesting here. The smoke cloud drifts in the direction of the wind, which means you need to plan your positioning carefully if you are using smoke for cover.

How debris and shields interact during the Hurricane

The hurricane does not just bring wind. It also kicks up dirt and debris from the surface, and this has a direct impact on how shields work during the event.

Step 1

Understand that your shield will constantly take minor damage from airborne debris during the Hurricane. This slowly chips away at your shield health over time.

Step 2

Watch for the sparking visual effect. Every time debris hits your shield, it causes the shield to glitch and sparkle. This visual cue is visible to other players, even in low-visibility conditions.

Step 3

Decide whether to keep your shield equipped or remove it. This is the core risk-reward decision of the Hurricane. A shield protects you from damage but makes you a glowing target. Going shieldless keeps you hidden in the storm chaos but leaves you vulnerable to both environmental and combat damage.

Step 4

If you are playing aggressively in PvP, use the sparking shields of other players to locate and track them through the storm. The reduced visibility makes it hard to spot Raiders, but a sparking shield gives away their position.

This mechanic adds a strategic layer that no other map condition currently offers. You are essentially choosing between defense and stealth every time you load into a Hurricane raid.

How visibility drops during the storm

Reduced visibility is a hallmark of major map conditions in ARC Raiders, and the Hurricane takes it a step further. Dust, debris, and low-hanging storm clouds combine to limit your line of sight across the entire map.

The reduced visibility works in both directions. You cannot see enemies easily, but they cannot see you either. This makes the Hurricane a favorable condition for players who prefer stealth-based gameplay or ambush tactics. You can use the storm as natural cover to reposition, loot, and extract without being spotted.

However, if you are running a shield, the sparking effect essentially negates the stealth advantage. This is why the shield decision is so crucial during this event. When shieldless, other Raiders will find it much harder to spot you amidst the chaos of the storm.

Like the Electromagnetic Storm event, the Hurricane is restricted to night raids. This means the darkness of nighttime stacks on top of the storm’s visibility reduction, creating some of the most limited sightlines the game has seen.

First Wave Raider Caches and loot rewards

The violent tailwinds of the Hurricane are not just an obstacle. They have also uncovered something valuable buried beneath the surface. First Wave Raider Caches are a new loot source tied exclusively to this map condition.

Reward type	Details
First Wave Raider Caches	Rare caches unearthed by the storm containing relics from the First Wave
Cache contents	Valuable relics, rare resources, and collectibles
Availability	Limited quantity per map instance
Competition	High, as multiple Raiders may target the same caches

 

These caches are rumored to contain relics from the original First Wave of Raiders, making them some of the most desirable loot in the game. Embark Studios has not revealed the full loot table yet, but the emphasis on rare and valuable items suggests that these caches could include exclusive resources or collectibles that are not available during other map conditions.

 

Because these caches spawn in limited quantities, you should expect heavy competition from both other players and ARC enemies. Plan your route carefully and be ready for PvP encounters near cache locations.

How the Hurricane compares to other major map conditions

ARC Raiders currently features several major map conditions, each with its own mechanics and loot pools. Here is how the Hurricane stacks up.

Tips for surviving the Hurricane

• Move with the tailwind whenever possible to conserve stamina and maintain speed.
• Consider going shieldless if you want to stay hidden, especially during PvP-heavy raids.
• Adjust your grenade and smoke throws to account for wind drift.
• Use the sparking shields of other players as a tracking tool in low visibility.
• Prioritize looting First Wave Raider Caches early in the raid before other players reach them.
• Stick to covered areas and structures when you need a break from the debris damage to your shield.
• Plan extraction routes that align with the tailwind direction for faster movement toward extraction points.

The storm is coming to the Rust Belt

The Hurricane map condition represents Embark Studios pushing the boundaries of environmental gameplay in ARC Raiders. With its tailwind mechanic, shield-debris interaction, reduced visibility, and exclusive First Wave Raider Caches, this event introduces several new strategic layers that no previous map condition has offered. Whether you are a loot-focused Raider or a PvP hunter, the Hurricane gives you meaningful decisions to make on every run. Mark February 24, 2026 on your calendar and prepare to face the most violent weather the Rust Belt has ever seen.