Embark Studios' next major ARC Raiders update, Flashpoint, launches on March 31, 2026. The studio has been rolling out teasers all week, and the headline addition is already confirmed: Shredders are breaking out of Stella Montis.
Release Date and Global Launch Times
Flashpoint goes live on March 31, 2026. Embark hasn't published an official launch time, but past patches rolled out on a consistent schedule. Based on that history, players can expect the update to go live at the following times:
- PDT: March 31 at 2:30 AM
- CDT: March 31 at 4:30 AM
- EDT: March 31 at 5:30 AM
- BST: March 31 at 10:30 AM
- JST: March 31 at 6:30 PM
- AEST: March 31 at 8:30 PM
Shredders Are Escaping Stella Montis
Embark confirmed the breakout through a teaser posted to the official ARC Raiders X account, captioned: "Someone forgot to close the Stella Montis doors on their way out..." Shredders are currently the only enemy exclusive to a single map, and a vocal portion of the community had been dreading exactly this scenario.
The studio had also posted a brief clip with the caption "ARC adapt, so do we" featuring two loud bangs. Players debated whether it was teasing a new weapon or the Shredder expansion. The second teaser settled the debate.
Blue Gate Is the First Stop
Shredders are heading to Blue Gate, specifically the underground tunnels beneath the Checkpoint area. This lines up with a longstanding fan theory that Stella Montis and Blue Gate are connected via those tunnels.
Embark has only confirmed Blue Gate so far. Expansion to Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, or other maps hasn't been mentioned as part of Flashpoint.
What This Means on the Ground
Embark recently confirmed that Shredders are the most lethal ARC in the game, and they're brutal for players who don't know their weaknesses. Blue Gate will be a tougher map to farm once they arrive.
Players grinding for Shredder components won't need to go to Stella Montis anymore. That map has a reputation as a PvP hotspot, so Blue Gate becomes a legitimate alternative for anyone who'd rather avoid that friction.
The Community Isn't Thrilled
Reception to the teaser has been largely negative. The replies on Embark's X post were full of requests for new ARC enemies rather than an existing one spreading to another map. This despite the fact that the Shrouded Sky update, just last month, introduced two entirely new enemies: the Comet and the Firefly.
Everything Else Confirmed for Flashpoint
The Shredder expansion has dominated the conversation, but Flashpoint is bringing a full slate of content alongside it.
New Map Condition
A new map condition is coming, marked with a lightning bolt on the official 2026 roadmap. The previous condition was Hurricane, which brought intense winds to raids. Embark hasn't described the new one yet, though the lightning icon points toward some kind of electrical storm mechanic.
New ARC Threat
The roadmap also lists a new ARC Threat for Flashpoint. No details on what it is or how it behaves have been shared.
New Player Project
A new Player Project is confirmed as part of the update. Embark hasn't outlined its contents.
Scrappy Gets an Update
Scrappy, the game's beloved pet rooster, is getting an update with Flashpoint. No specifics on what's changing.
Quests, Items, Feats, Trials, and Events
Flashpoint will include new quests, gameplay items, feats, trials, and events. Par for the course with Embark updates, though no individual details have been announced.
New Skins
The first Flashpoint teaser pointed toward new cosmetics. These skins are expected to roll out over time rather than all dropping on patch day.
Up Next: Riven Tides in April
After Flashpoint, the next update is Riven Tides, planned for April 2026. Confirmed additions include a new map (the largest the game has seen since Stella Montis launched in late 2025), a new large ARC, a new map condition, and a new expedition window.
Embark has flagged that schedules can shift, so the April date isn't guaranteed.
Flashpoint Confirmed Content at a Glance
| Content | Status |
|---|---|
| Shredders added to Blue Gate | Confirmed |
| New Map Condition (lightning icon) | Confirmed on roadmap (details TBA) |
| New ARC Threat | Confirmed on roadmap (details TBA) |
| New Player Project | Confirmed |
| Scrappy Update | Confirmed |
| Quests, Items, Feats, Trials, Events | Confirmed |
| New Skins | Confirmed, rolling release |
| Release Date (March 31, 2026) | Confirmed |
| Exact launch times | Estimated, not officially confirmed |
