What's in the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update and when does it release

The Arc Raiders Flashpoint update is nearly here and is expected to release on March 31, with recent patch notes confirming its arrival in the next week. It's the third of four updates scheduled as part of the Escalation expansion, bringing a range of new content. That includes a new map condition to change things up, a new Arc threat (as well as an old one spreading out to a new location) and an all new project to send you off looking for stuff you just scrapped a ton of yesterday.

When does the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update release?

Currently the timings we have for the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update release come from this post, teasing a 31.03.26 date, and a 'next week' in the March 24 Patch Notes 1.21.0. Both the previous Arc Raiders Escalation updates, Headwinds and Shrouded Sky, also arrived on a Tuesday, so that ties into a Tuesday March 31 date for Flashpoint.

As for a Flashpoint release time, again previous updates have arrived at similar times which would suggest this:

• West Coast US (PDT): 1:30AM
• East Coast US (EDT): 4:30AM
• UK (BST): 9:30AM
• Central Europe (CEST): 10:30AM

When Flashpoint arrives it'll be a free update with the usual condition that, like the regular patches, you'll need to exit the game to let it download.

What's in the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update?

Currently the Flashpoint update confirms we'll be getting the following added to Arc Raiders:

• A new map condition
• A new Arc threat
• A new Player Project
• A Scrappy update

The current post teasing the Flashpoint date, includes the messages 'Arc adapt and so do we' with three emojis: 🛠️💥⚡, and a cryptic video of what seems to be a rhythmic mechanical pounding behind a metal door with a viewing hole. There's a shadow of a fan as well, which could suggest some sort of link to Stella Montis.

There are other links to Stella Montis, as it's been confirmed that Shredders will escape the area and start causing trouble in the Blue Gate. The tease suggests they'll be a new indoor threat on that map, with shots of the tunnels and Pilgrims Peak. No other Arc Raiders locations are visible so, fortunately, it doesn't look like they'll be appearing anywhere else just yet.

Given that we had Hurricanes in Arc Raiders last time, it hopefully won't be more bad weather as a new map condition this time. When Shrouded Skies teased its date it featured a weathervane as a cryptic clue for what was to come, and a wind like icon. The equivalent Flashpoint image features ⚡as part of its 'New Map Condition' bullet point but, seeing as we've already have electrical storms, that rules out the obvious there. Something to do with power maybe? Fixing it in some way to access new areas or make life easier?

The release date video with the pounding door could be teasing the 'new Arc threat' being promised. Last time we got fresh enemies in the shape of Fireflies and Comets across all maps, so that suggests we're getting at least one all new machine to worry about. With Shredders appearing on a new map, is that because something pushed them out of Stella Montis?

We'll get an all new project to collect for. That could be connected to the new map condition, like the Arc Raiders Weather Monitor was, or something else entirely. Whatever it ends up being, maybe don't throw anything away just yet until we know what it needs.

Perhaps the most curious thing on the list is the Scrappy update. How they change up a chicken that ambiently collects basic loot is going to be interesting. It might just be the ability to further upgrade him to collect better levels of resources, or something like a system to specify items to collect in some way?

Whatever happens, we should know for sure when the Flashpoint updates arrives in Arc Raiders on March 31.

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