What to know
- Bettina is buffed overall with higher damage and reduced fire rate
- Riven Tides introduces a new map, loot mechanics, and ARC Turbine enemy
- “Last Resort” event adds merit-based rewards and collectibles
- Weapon economy and durability systems see major balance changes
ARC Raiders update 1.26.0, titled Riven Tides, is now live as of April 28, bringing a mix of new content and systemic balance changes that reshape how you approach combat, loot, and progression.
If you’re wondering whether Bettina was nerfed, the answer is no—but it’s not a simple buff either. The patch clearly positions Bettina as stronger per shot but slower overall, meaning you need more deliberate control when using it.
You now deal more damage per bullet, including significantly improved effectiveness against ARC armor. At the same time, the weapon fires more slowly, shifting its role toward controlled bursts rather than sustained spray. Accuracy behavior has also been improved, letting you maintain precision longer before recoil spreads too much.
This combination effectively rewards you for timing and accuracy instead of raw fire rate. So while some players may feel the slower firing as a drawback, the overall package is a net buff in skilled hands, not a nerf.
Beyond Bettina, the update’s biggest addition is the Riven Tides map, a coastal region in the Rust Belt featuring locations like the Exodus port and Panorama Azzurro hotel. You explore open shorelines with a new “Beachcombing” condition that lets you search for buried loot—if you bring the right tools and accept added risk.
Combat also changes with the introduction of a new enemy, the ARC Turbine, a floating machine that adds new encounter dynamics across the map.
You also get access to new items and gadgets, including the Powered Descender, Crash Mat, Dockmaster’s Detector, and White Flag. These expand mobility, survivability, and utility options during runs.
The limited-time “Last Resort” event runs alongside the update. You earn merits by collecting ship models and gaining XP, which you can then spend on rewards. Several collectible ship models, including “Leviathan’s Crown” and “Twilight Compass,” are tied to this event loop.
On the systems side, you’ll notice major changes to the weapon economy. Weapons now spawn less frequently in low-risk areas, with lower average durability, pushing you toward high-tier zones. At the same time, a new “repair on upgrade” system restores durability when upgrading weapons, giving you more flexibility in managing gear.
Durability loss has also been rebalanced across weapon tiers, making high-tier weapons more sustainable while increasing wear on lower-tier gear.
Additional balance tweaks affect grenades, cloaking equipment, and enemy spawn rates, particularly in beginner-friendly areas where difficulty has been adjusted downward.
You also get a wide range of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements, including better audio stability, improved UI clarity, movement fixes, and reduced server crashes.
Overall, this update focuses on expanding gameplay while tightening balance systems. Bettina’s changes fit into that philosophy: it is stronger, but only if you adapt to its slower, more deliberate playstyle.
ARC Raiders Update 1.26.0 – Riven Tides Patch Notes
Raiders,
Scout reports have been returning from Riven Tides. Fragments of observation logs, faded photographs, and footage of the coast have finally made their way back to Speranza.
It’s now time for you to check it out for yourself. Explore the abandoned shoreline, traverse the Exodus port, and experience the lost luxury of the Panorama Azzurro hotel.
This is the Rust Belt, and it’s not going to be easy. Other Raiders are already on the scent of fresh loot, and a new floating ARC machine has been seen patrolling the skies. What it’s doing, and how to counter it, is for you to find out.
What’s New?
Riven Tides Map
Beachcombing Map Condition — new minor condition exclusive to Riven Tides. Search for buried treasure on the beaches, but bring the right tools and be ready for unexpected discoveries.
New Enemy – ARC Turbine
New Items
Epic Gadget – Powered Descender
Uncommon Throwable – Crash Mat
Common Deployable – White Flag
Common Gadget – Dockmaster’s Detector
New Player Project – Avian Alarm
Last Resort Event: Earn merits by collecting ship models and gaining XP across maps to unlock rewards:
“Wind Sprite”
“Twilight Compass”
“Velocity”
“Sirena Dorata”
“Leviathan’s Crown”
Trials Season 4
The Solare Set
The Rachetta Set
New Augment: Tactical Mk.3 (Smoke)
Dev note: Some augments, especially combat ones, are underperforming. A broader balance pass is planned, with focus on improving weaker augments like Combat Mk.3 (Flanking) and expanding augment variety across categories.
Patch Highlights
Trigger ‘Nade balancing
Repairing changes
Bettina buff
Weapon Economy Adjustments
Weapon economy has been rebalanced to reduce over-accumulation for low-risk players and increase attrition for all playstyles.
New feature: Repair on upgrade
Upgrading a weapon now restores 25% of its max durability, reducing the need to repair beforehand.
Weapon drop & durability
Weapon spawns reduced on map outskirts to increase value of high-tier zones.
Average durability reduced from 50 → 30 outside locked rooms.
Higher durability weapons still found in locked areas.
Durability loss on shot
Common: +75%
Uncommon: +50%
Rare: +35%
Epic: -5%
Legendary: -10%
Durability loss on knockout
Reduced from -30% → -15% to support PvP playstyles.
ARC Changes
Removed Comets from Dam Battlegrounds standard sessions.
Reduced Firefly presence in Dam Battlegrounds.
Reduced Comet presence in Buried City.
Dev note: These enemies increased difficulty too much in beginner sessions, so their presence has been reduced.
Gameplay
Stella Montis: Exodus recyclables loot distribution is now more evenly spread.
Items
Vaporizer Regulator stack size increased from 1 → 3.
Trigger ‘Nade
Cannot throw and trigger grenades simultaneously anymore.
1s delay after throw, 1.3s after trigger added to reduce spam.
Photoelectric Cloak
Weight increased 1 → 3.
Power usage increased 2.5/s → 10/s.
Now requires more intentional use despite same effectiveness.
Weapons – Bettina
Base damage: 14 → 16
Fire rate: 285 → 235
Dispersion reduced (~40% slower bloom)
Recovery improved (~30%)
Damage vs ARC armor increased (~33%)
Heavy ammo stack size: 40 → 60
Dev note: Bettina now hits harder per shot with better sustained accuracy, rewarding controlled bursts.
Content and Bug Fixes
ARC
Fixed aim assist targeting weak spots.
Fixed patrol AI freezing.
Fixed lack of reaction to breaching sounds.
Animation & Emotes
Emotes can now be used while running.
Audio
Fixed crashes, voice line issues, footstep bugs, and improved voice chat with noise suppression.
Gameplay Fixes
Resolved deployable placement exploits, bullet spawn issues, and achievement bugs.
Expedition
Fixed departure issues and added late departure option.
Items
Fixed binocular zoom, zipline bugs, and Vita Spray exploit.
Maps
Multiple fixes across Blue Gate, Buried City, Spaceport, and Dam Battlegrounds (clipping, stuck spots, interactions).
Movement
Crouch speed capped while using items.
Performance
General improvements, XeSS upgraded, reduced rubber-banding.
Quests
Fixed grenade eliminations not counting.
Social
Improved reporting UI and voice chat handling.
Stability
Fixed multiple crashes and loading issues.
UI
Improved inventory, expedition tracking, crafting suggestions, and menu layouts.
VFX
Improved bullet visuals, clothing transitions, and ARC beam effects.
Known Issues
Store purchases may fail (reopen to fix).
Firefly may disappear unexpectedly.
Enemies may clip or behave incorrectly in rare cases.
Some UI and cosmetic inconsistencies remain.
Certain quests and visuals may not function as intended.
