The Arc Raiders Flashpoint update is here and adds a new Arc, new weapons, a new map condition and some fresh missions. It's also making some changes to Shredders, Scrappy and crafting. This is the third of four updates scheduled as part of the Escalation expansion, and brings an interesting mix of new content, things to do and some tweaks to existing systems. That's the good news, in terms of the less good the Shredders are now loose on all the maps and that new map condition seems to be encouraging PvP.
What's in the Arc Raiders Flashpoint update?
Here's a quick round up of everything in the Flashpoint update:
- New map condition - ARC Operations
- A new Arc threat - The Vaporizer
- A new Player Project - High Gain Antenna
- New weapons - Canto SMG, Dolabra energy shotgun, Surge Coil deployable
- Shredders can now appear on every map
- A Scrappy update - Feeding Boost
Now let's take a look at all that in more details.
Arc Raiders Flashpoint Close Scrutiny map condition
ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny is a new map condition in Flashpoint where a large Arc object appears called the ARC Assessor. Not only are there more arc patrols when this is live, but there's less loot to be found overall on the affected map. Instead the focus is on the "riches" inside the Assessor, pushing a more PvP focus as players compete to get what's available. At least one of these rewards seems to be a blueprint for one of the new weapons.
New Vaporizer Arc in Arc Raiders
The Vaporizer is a new flying Arc that lives up to that name with a laser weapon. It definitely appears as part of the Close Scrutiny map condition, protecting the Assessor, but it's not clear yet if it appears outside of that. As well as the laser attacks it also has "idiosyncratic attack patterns" to add to the fun.
Arc Raiders High Gain Antenna player project
The High Gain Antenna is a new player project to track aerial threats, as "Celeste and Shani need to get an eye in the sky". This seems to be teasing the new large Arc promised for the final Flashpoint update, Riven Tides, given the Vaporizer is here and no longer a secret. Expect to be collecting a whole lot of crap to get it all built and collect the rewards involved.
New Arc Raiders weapons
There a three new Arc Raider weapons, and blueprints added in the Flashpoint update: an Arc focused SMG, energy shotgun, and Surge Coil deployable:
- Canto SMG - A submachine gun designed to fight Arc at close quarters, using medium ammo.
- Dolabra energy shotgun - Another Arc focused weapon that can fire in wide bursts or focused electrical beams. The blueprint for this can be found via the Close Scrutiny map condition.
- Surge Coil - This is basically a sort of land mine that electrifies everything around it, giving you some general area of effect protection.
Shredders are now on every map in Arc Raiders
In what is probably the least fun part of the Flashpoint update, Stella Montis' shotgun dustbin boogymen, Shredders, now appear on all maps. Even Dam Battlegrounds for certain map conditions. This immediately changes the threat level across the game in a potentially not fun way, as they are very lethal and very hard to kill, taking two hits with a Hullcracker to take down.
Arc Raiders Scrappy update
You can now increase Scrappy's production rate for finding certain loot by feeding him specific items. It means you can effectively buff him to get more stuff, and he will now also drop more valuable stuff if you keep the feeding up.
Arc Raiders crafting changes
When you need certain materials you'll now be able to see a list of things you can recycle, refine or purchase easily. That is certain to save the average raider hours flicking around the inventory and traders to to work out if you have what you need, can buy it, or need to head out to loot some fresh resources.
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