What to know
- The Kettle’s maximum fire rate has been reduced from 600 RPM to 450 RPM, mainly to counter macro/automation abuse on PC.
- Trigger ‘Nade now has a longer detonation delay (1.5 seconds instead of 0.7 seconds), giving enemies more time to react.
- Its damage falloff has been rebalanced so that damage is concentrated near the center, making edge hits much weaker.
- These changes aim to keep Trigger ‘Nade useful as a sticky bomb while reducing its effectiveness as an “in‑air” timed grenade.
Arc Raiders’ latest update patch 1.11.0 introduces targeted nerfs to the Kettle Assault Rifle & Trigger ’Nade, aimed at improving PvP balance and reducing unfair advantages from macros and instant-kill setups. While both items are still viable, these changes push combat toward more skill-based gunfights and tactical grenade use rather than raw automation or quick, unavoidable kills.
Why the Kettle was nerfed
The Kettle Assault Rifle was already strong in multiplayer, but its previous 600 RPM fire rate created balance issues on PC, where some players exploited macros to reach speeds not realistically achievable by normal play. Embark Studios acknowledged this unfair advantage and reduced the max fire rate to 450 RPM to curb automation abuse. The weapon’s handling, reload speed, and magazine size remain unchanged, keeping the Kettle effective in close-quarters combat, just without the macro-driven edge.
How Trigger ‘Nade was changed
Trigger ‘Nade had become the dominant grenade in PvP, to the point where many players preferred it over all other grenades. In tight, indoor maps like Stella Montis, a well‑timed Trigger ‘Nade could instantly eliminate or heavily damage an opponent with almost no reaction time, especially when detonated mid‑air.
The new patch makes three key changes:
- Longer detonation delay: The time between pressing the trigger and the grenade exploding is now 1.5 seconds instead of 0.7 seconds, giving enemies more time to react and move away.
- Tighter damage falloff: Damage is now concentrated closer to the center of the explosion, so players on the edge of the blast radius take significantly less damage.
- Shift in role: Embark wants Trigger ‘Nade to remain useful as a sticky bomb (e.g., on walls or enemies) but less effective as a “throw and instantly detonate in air” grenade.
What this means for your loadout
- Kettle Assault Rifle: Still strong at close range, but the lower max fire rate means better aim and burst control are needed. Handling, reload, mag size, and recoil are unchanged.
- Trigger ’Nade: Longer fuse shifts it from instant kills to a more tactical tool—best for stick-and-delay plays or area denial. Still lethal when used correctly.
- Overall impact: No other weapons or grenades were affected, so non-Kettle/Trigger ’Nade loadouts play the same as before.
Kettle & Trigger ’Nade nerfs
These changes aim to push Arc Raiders’ PvP toward a more balanced, skill-driven experience by dialing back macro-dependent fire rates and reducing instant-kill grenade pressure. The Kettle and Trigger ’Nade are still useful, but they’re no longer automatic picks. With the meta opening up, this is a good moment to test alternative guns and grenades and settle on a loadout that fits the new pacing of combat.
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