Yes. ARC Raiders lets you enter alone or team up with friends in parties of up to three, across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The standard live experience is still PvPvE: ARC machines and other Raiders can both threaten a run. Embark’s limited PvE matchmaking test ended on October 20, 2026; as of its October 30 update, the studio had not announced a permanent PvE-only option.
What does playing ARC Raiders involve?
ARC Raiders is an online multiplayer extraction adventure, not a traditional solo campaign. The official game description places you in a lethal future Earth threatened by mechanized ARC machines. Players move between Speranza and the surface, scavenge supplies, complete quests, fight ARC enemies or rival Raiders, and try to extract with valuable loot.
What you bring home matters after a run. Loot can be sold or used to craft, repair, and upgrade gear, while quests and skills support longer-term progression. That means a successful session is not measured only by how many enemies you defeat. You are also deciding what to carry, which objectives are worth the exposure, when to disengage, and whether you can reach an extraction point safely.
The extraction structure shapes both solo and group play. An ARC machine can force you into cover, make noise, or consume supplies, while another Raider may be close enough to hear the fight and investigate. A run can therefore change from routine scavenging to a fight over information, position, and the timing of your exit. The normal live game is a shared PvPvE ecosystem rather than a guaranteed player-versus-environment-only activity.
How do you start a solo run?
Queue alone when you want full control over your route, pace, inventory, and risk tolerance. Solo entry is explicitly supported, but the official descriptions do not establish a separate solo campaign, a solo difficulty tier, or a permanent rule that solo players meet only other solo players.
- Enter without a party. You make the decisions from the beginning instead of coordinating with a duo or trio.
- Choose a route and priorities. A solo run can emphasize scavenging, quests, exploration, or avoiding unnecessary fights. The game description supports these activities, but it does not prescribe one correct route.
- Read every threat as a two-layer risk. ARC machines are the direct PvE danger. In the standard experience, rival Raiders can also be nearby, especially after combat creates noise or reveals your position.
- Manage your inventory deliberately. Valuable loot can improve progression, but carrying more creates a stronger reason to reach extraction. Continuing for one more objective is a risk decision, not an automatic upgrade to the run.
- Decide when to leave. Without a teammate to share information or cover a retreat, you alone weigh the value of more loot against the possibility of losing what you have collected.
Solo is best understood as entering the shared extraction ecosystem without a party, not as selecting a safe PvE setting. The official material confirms solo play, but it does not promise solo-only matchmaking or claim that every activity is balanced identically for one player.
Is ARC Raiders good for solo players?
It can suit players who prefer independence, experimentation, and a self-directed scavenging loop. You can set your own pace, choose whether a quest is worth the danger, and change plans without waiting for a group. That freedom is the main attraction of solo entry.
The trade-off is responsibility. A solo player handles route planning, combat decisions, loot selection, and extraction timing alone. There is no automatic party member to share information, divide scavenging, or cover a fight. Standard PvPvE also means that a successful battle against an ARC machine can attract a human opponent, so avoiding unnecessary exposure may be as important as winning a direct encounter.
Do not describe solo as an offline mode, a story campaign, or a confirmed solo-only lobby. ARC Raiders requires online play and an Embark ID account, and the available official descriptions do not establish a matchmaking promise that every opponent will also be alone.
How do you play ARC Raiders with friends?
You can form a party of up to three players. That makes solo, duo, and trio the relevant group sizes. The official Steam listing and Embark’s site also identify online co-op and cross-platform multiplayer, so friends on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox can use the game’s social-play support together.
- Form a party before deploying. A duo or trio gives you a shared plan rather than separate solo decisions.
- Agree on a broad objective. Your group might prioritize a quest, scavenging, or reaching extraction with valuable loot. The game does not require a fixed class or role arrangement.
- Share information. Teammates can report ARC activity, suspicious movement, useful loot, and extraction risk while the group decides whether to continue.
- Divide practical responsibilities. Friends can split scavenging tasks, watch different approaches, or cover one another during a fight. These are natural advantages of communication, not a separately documented class system.
- Keep the extraction decision collective. A group can carry more information and coordinate a retreat, but it can also expose more players to one bad fight. The party still faces the same extraction stakes.
Playing with friends changes the decision model rather than removing danger. A trio is not a guaranteed PvE lobby, and cross-platform support does not make the game offline. Every member still needs the online service and an Embark ID account.
Does ARC Raiders have crossplay?
Yes. Embark describes cross-platform social play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer. In practical terms, a mixed-platform group can use the supported party system rather than buying the game on one shared platform.
Crossplay should not be confused with local multiplayer. The game is an online multiplayer experience, so an internet connection and Embark ID account remain requirements. The official material does not provide a separate local split-screen mode.
What happened to the PvE matchmaking test?
Embark ran a limited PvE matchmaking-toggle beta from October 13 through October 20, 2026. During the test, players could choose between the classic PvPvE experience and a PvE-focused experience with zero player-to-player damage. The test has ended, so it should not be described as a currently available permanent mode.
The PvE test mixed solo, duo, and trio players in the same session. It was designed as an alternative to hostile Raider encounters, not as a complete rewrite of progression or a separate story campaign. Embark said overall PvE loot value would be lower because the relative safety created more opportunities to extract successfully. PvE play also did not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating.
The test did not include every high-tension condition. Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate were excluded because Embark said they were designed around greater tension and uncertainty. Their exclusion is important when interpreting what a future PvE option might look like: a return of the toggle would not automatically prove that every map condition or activity would be available.
What did “PvE” mean during the test?
In that specific beta, PvE meant zero player-to-player damage and matchmaking that placed mixed solos, duos, and trios into the same PvE session. It did not mean a full PvE-only progression system, a new solo campaign, or a guarantee that the same rules would continue after October 20.
Embark also described the feature as a way to switch between a relaxed PvE experience and higher-tension PvPvE. That language refers to choosing the matchmaking experience; it does not establish that players could change modes during an active run. The toggle itself is no longer active.
Why did Embark test PvE matchmaking?
In its September 24, 2026 announcement, Embark reported several player-preference figures. It identified 37% as “Friendly co-op players,” 27% as “Mixed players,” and 34% as “Pure PvP players.” Because those published categories do not total 100%, they should be treated as the studio’s reported survey figures rather than a complete accounting of every player.
Embark also said more than 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players expressed a desire for fewer hostile encounters. Across the surveyed playerbase, 51% expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. Those numbers explain why the studio explored a toggle, but they do not show that every player wants identical matchmaking or that PvE is guaranteed to become permanent.
The test saw substantial use. In its October 20 update, Embark said more than 30 million PvE rounds had been played during the testing period. That is evidence of demand and useful data for the studio, not an announcement that the beta has become a live mode.
Is a permanent PvE-only mode available now?
No permanent PvE-only mode had been announced as of Embark’s October 30, 2026 update. The studio said the test had ended, that more than 30 million PvE rounds had been played, and that it needed time to analyze the data and gather feedback. It expected to provide further information in November 2026, but that expectation was not a promise that PvE would return.
Executive Producer Aleks described the uncertainty when the test was announced: “It’s possible that this will not work. This test is not a promise that there will be a PvE mode in the future, but take this as an indication that we are seriously considering it.” The statement belongs to the limited-test context. It should not be rewritten as confirmation of a future release.
Solo versus friends: the practical differences
The better choice depends on the kind of decision-making you enjoy, not on a universal ranking of solo and group play.
| Consideration | Solo | Duo or trio |
|---|---|---|
| Hostile-player exposure | Standard PvPvE can include rival Raiders; solo entry is not confirmed to mean solo-only lobbies. | The same standard PvPvE risk applies to the party. |
| Coordination | You make every route, combat, loot, and extraction decision yourself. | Friends can share information and divide scavenging or combat responsibilities. |
| Pace | Independent and easy to adjust around your own priorities. | Built around communication and a shared plan. |
| Risk and reward | You personally weigh every extra objective against losing collected loot. | The group can coordinate a decision, but one risky encounter can affect everyone. |
| Social play | Suited to a self-directed scavenging and survival loop. | Suited to shared problem-solving and communication with friends. |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are supported platforms for online play. | Cross-platform social play supports mixed-platform parties. |
The temporary PvE test would have changed the first row by removing player-to-player damage, but it also lowered overall loot value and excluded four named conditions. Since that test ended, the normal comparison is still solo or group play inside PvPvE.
How should a casual group approach its first session?
Start by agreeing that extraction is the shared objective, not simply the number of fights won. Pick a manageable route, communicate when an ARC encounter is creating noise or exposure, and decide in advance how the group will respond when one player wants to continue and another wants to leave. Because there is no confirmed permanent PvE-only option, assume that rival Raiders can be part of the normal session.
Use the party’s advantage for information rather than treating it as a license to take every fight. One player can watch an approach while another searches, and teammates can compare the value of a quest or piece of loot before increasing the risk. If the group reaches a useful haul, extraction becomes a strategic choice: continuing may produce more progression, but losing the run can erase the immediate benefit.
What requirements and restrictions should players know?
- Online connection: The official site says an internet connection is required.
- Embark ID: An Embark ID account is required to play.
- Supported group size: Parties can contain up to three players.
- Cross-platform support: PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are covered by the game’s cross-platform social-play support.
- No established permanent PvE queue: The October 13–20 test ended, and the October 30 update left the long-term option undecided.
- Different PvE test rules: The beta used zero player-to-player damage, lower overall loot value, mixed solo/duo/trio sessions, no PvPvE matchmaking-rating impact, and exclusions for Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate.
Common pitfalls when explaining ARC Raiders
The most common mistake is calling ARC Raiders a game with a permanent PvE-only mode. That was not established after the October 20 test. Another is promising that a solo queue contains only solo opponents; the official descriptions support solo entry but do not make that matchmaking guarantee.
It is also misleading to present the beta as a full progression overhaul. Embark framed it as an alternative to PvP encounters, with lower loot value and specific exclusions. Finally, do not imply that cross-platform support removes account or internet requirements, or that a party of three eliminates extraction risk.
Optional gear and setup notes
ARC Raiders does not require a particular headset, controller, keyboard, or streaming device to access solo or group play. The game itself is presented through digital storefronts, and the available information does not establish a required accessory or a central hardware purchase for this decision.
Embark has announced an official ARC Raiders gear collection with CORSAIR, SCUF Gaming, and Elgato. The collection includes controllers for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, along with a keyboard, mouse, headset, mouse pads, and an Elgato Stream Deck MK.2. Embark says qualifying purchases unlock exclusive in-game rewards. Availability, pricing, retailer terms, and eligibility can vary, so treat these products as optional equipment rather than a requirement for cross-platform co-op.
Which way of playing should you choose?
Choose solo if you want to set your own pace and make route, loot, combat, and extraction decisions independently. Choose a duo or trio if you want to coordinate with friends, share information, and divide scavenging or combat responsibilities. Choose the standard experience only with the expectation that both ARC enemies and possible Raider encounters are part of the risk.
If your priority is avoiding other players, do not count on PvE-only matchmaking as a current solution. The limited test has ended, and Embark had not announced its permanent outcome by October 30, 2026. For a casual session with friends, a party provides social coordination and shared decision-making, but it does not remove extraction stakes or guarantee a safe run. Solo entry offers independence, not a separately confirmed safe or solo-only matchmaking pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play ARC Raiders without an Embark ID or an internet connection?
No. The official site says the game requires both an internet connection and an Embark ID account. Cross-platform play is still online multiplayer, not an offline option.
How many people can play ARC Raiders together?
A party can contain up to three players, so you can play solo, as a duo, or as a trio.
Does ARC Raiders support crossplay?
Yes. Embark supports cross-platform social play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer.
Can I play ARC Raiders solo?
Yes. The official game descriptions support solo entry. They do not, however, promise solo-only lobbies or a separate solo campaign.
Is ARC Raiders PvE-only right now?
No permanent PvE-only mode had been announced as of October 30, 2026. The limited PvE matchmaking-toggle test ran from October 13 through October 20 and then ended.
What happened in the PvE test?
The test offered a PvE-focused matchmaking choice with zero player-to-player damage. It mixed solos, duos, and trios, used lower overall loot value, did not affect PvPvE matchmaking rating, and excluded Night Raids, Hidden Bunker, Locked Gate, and Frigate.
Could the PvE test’s mode-switching feature mean I can change modes mid-run?
No such mid-run feature was established. Embark described switching between a relaxed PvE experience and higher-tension PvPvE as a matchmaking choice, and the test is no longer active.
Did the PvE test have the same loot and progression as PvPvE?
No. Embark said overall PvE loot value would be lower because the relative safety increased extraction opportunity. The test was not described as a complete progression overhaul.
Are solo players guaranteed to meet only solo opponents?
The official descriptions confirm that you can enter solo, but they do not establish a permanent solo-only matchmaking rule.
Can friends on different platforms play together?
Yes. PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are covered by the game’s cross-platform social-play support, subject to the online and Embark ID requirements.
Does playing with friends remove the PvPvE risk?
No. A duo or trio can coordinate routes, scouting, scavenging, and extraction decisions, but the standard live experience still includes ARC machines and possible rival Raiders.
Why did Embark consider a PvE option?
Embark reported that 51% of its surveyed playerbase expressed interest in a dedicated PvE option. It also reported 37% Friendly co-op players, 27% Mixed players, and 34% Pure PvP players, plus a desire for fewer hostile encounters among more than 70% of Friendly players and 40% of PvP players.
How much of the PvE test was played?
Embark said more than 30 million PvE rounds were played during the testing period. That figure reflects the beta’s usage and does not confirm that a permanent mode will launch.
The Bottom Line
ARC Raiders supports solo play, duos, and trios across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but the normal live game remains PvPvE. The October 13–20, 2026 PvE matchmaking test offered zero player-to-player damage under special rules, then ended. As of October 30, Embark was still evaluating whether a permanent PvE option should return.