Live Update 1.39.0

Greetings Raiders!

Live Update 1.39.0 is going out right now, bringing various game fixes, changes & additional updates to the Matchmaking System. The Seeker & Wolfpack should no longer deal inconsistent damage and trinkets previously added in 1.33.0 can now stack! Additionally, you can find the new Dweller Outfit in the store.

Matchmaking Update: Testing Defensive PvP

Over the past months, improving matchmaking has been one of our top priorities. We’ve introduced various adjustments and improvements based on your feedback & requests.

Since our Notes on The Matchmaking System, one change has stood out with the community: defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight. It meant self-defense still counted toward your playstyle estimate, but with much less weight than starting a fight. Your feedback was positive, and many of you have asked us to take it further.

The most common follow-up request we've seen is to remove the impact of Defensive PvP entirely - going from reduced weight to none at all. Starting now, we're testing exactly that. During the test, only the fights you choose to start will influence your playstyle estimate, and defending yourself won't affect it at all. This includes knocking out enemies who attacked you first.

So what counts as starting a fight, and what counts as defending yourself? Here's how the system reads an encounter:

• Who's defending: If the other squad damages, downs, or knocks out any of your squadmates first, your whole squad counts as defending - the squad that strikes first is the one that started the fight.
• How it's weighed: The more serious the encounter, the more it counts. A drawn-out firefight - with more damage dealt and raiders downed - weighs heavily, while a stray accidental hit or a brief exchange where the other squad flees after minimal damage still counts as starting a fight but weighs far less.
• Third-partying: Jumping into a fight between other squads that's already underway counts as starting a fight, too.

Over the coming weeks we'll monitor our matchmaking metrics, watch how PvP develops Topside, and gather your feedback.

Matchmaking Changes: Follow-up

Two earlier changes are also still live: the Solo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking tracking from 1.36.0 and the matchmaking optimization adjustments from 1.38.0. We're keeping a close watch on how both perform, but telemetry only tells us half the story - to get the full picture, we need to hear how your matches actually feel. 

The matchmaking survey covers all of this, so take a minute to fill it out - your input is the other half, and it's what turns our data into better decisions. Thank you, Raiders!

Reminder - ARC Raiders & THE FINALS Crossover

Raiders & Contestants, don’t forget! You’ve got until July 30th at 3PM CEST to complete the required Contracts in THE FINALS and earn the Azimuth outfit & the Archaeologist Backpack bundle in ARC Raiders.

Afterwards, we’re back to the Rust Belt! You’ll be able to earn the Azimuth bundle in THE FINALS by heading Topside and playing ARC Raiders.

Bug Fixes & Content Updates

Audio

• Improved footstep audio in water.
• Added more distinct Dodge Roll sounds and variations.
• Adjusted ambient audio for certain cinematics.

Cosmetics

• Fixed mislabeled customization toggles for the Blindspot Set. “No Headset” now controls the headset on Blindspot.
• Updated customization toggles: The Triumph Set now uses Helmet Only; The Scorta Set now uses Gauntlet Off.
• Updated Scorta outfit color names in the UI to better match the actual skin colors.
• Fixed a missing UI string for a blue backpack cosmetic.

Gameplay

• Fixed inconsistent damage for Seeker Grenade and Wolfpack Grenade.

Items

• Fixed an issue where the Train model could appear in two places in the Raider Den when only one was owned.
• Trinkets introduced alongside the Converging Paths project now stack similarly to other trinkets, and their drops have been adjusted for more consistent looting across maps.

Map

• Fixed multiple clipping issues, floating props, landscape holes, and spots where players could get stuck on Dam Battlegrounds.
• Fixed multiple collision and clipping issues on Buried City (including invisible obstacles), corrected materials, and resolved a spot where downed players could get stuck near an overpass.
• Closed a hole in Buried City that allowed using the Snap Hook to go out of bounds.

Stability

• Fixed an issue that could cause players to get stuck in the End of Round tunnel after leaving a map.
• Fixed a startup crash that could occur after the photosensitive warning screen.

UI

• Polished UI text and updated localization across supported languages.
• Fixed an issue where item prices over 10,000 were shown with incorrect shorthand in the Trader tab when using Japanese or Simplified Chinese.
• Updated localization for Trinket names and ARC terminology across menus.
• Updated the start screen with a new looping background video.
• Fixed an issue where pressing L3 on gamepad wouldn’t toggle the item tooltip on Ermal’s Select Items screen, and added a background blur to improve readability.
• Updated Projects list and screens to group related Projects for easier browsing.
• Updated Project UI: corrected text, improved previews for multi‑phase projects, and projects now unlock after playing 5 rounds. 
• Fixed an issue with background visuals updating incorrectly
• Fixed an issue where Projects could fail to advance to the next step after completing a goal, even after contributing the required items.
• The Projects Tab has been improved with added quest & step descriptions, more consistent text and reward tiles and restored navigation so completed stages can be reviewed after finishing a project.
• Fixed an issue where the Trophy Display Raider Project rewards preview showed a duplicate "Howl" Emote.
• Improved Expedition and Project UI: grouped projects only appear when at least one is active, fixed top bar navigation, and corrected Expedition step display.
• Standardized the timer display across Project and Expedition screens for clearer countdowns.

Known Issues

• We are investigating an ongoing issue where some XBOX players (particularly on Series S) are experiencing crashes.
• The Quick Wheel item selection may suddenly swap to another item on the Wheel when closing the Quick Wheel and re-opening it quickly.
• The Dolabra, Hullcracker and Rascal do not deal damage to training dummies on Practice Range.
• The throw animation may sometimes fail to play when attempting to detonate a Trigger ‘Nade immediately after throwing it.
• Some gadgets and throwables lack a “Cancel” button when preparing to throw them.
• The weapon swap animation may appear broken if weapon swapping right after vaulting.
• Player animations may appear broken when interrupting a search of the Baron Husk.
• Shredders float to the ceiling in some rooms of the Hidden Bunker.
• Leapers can jump through the ARC Turbine.
• When picking up items, the pickup sound may not be the correct one.
• When bringing items that give Merits with you into a Raid, the items will wrongfully display a Merits icon.
• Shots taken while riding ARC may not register correctly.
• Some doors may allow player flashlights’ beams to pass through instead of blocking the emitted light.
• Some hairstyles may clip through the Reaver Outfit helmet.
• We are aware of some clipping issues with the Triumph and Azimuth outfits.
• Old Ermal offers may appear to be available in the 'Acquire and Craft' menu (visual only).

See you Topside,
//Raz
and The ARC Raiders Team