ARC Raiders is entering an important transition period. Embark Studios has released Live Update 1.45.0 on September 8, bringing the fifth Expedition, a new Raider Project, gameplay adjustments, the Hornet Hunter Set, and several quality-of-life improvements. More importantly, the update is setting the stage for Frozen Trail, the game's next major content update arriving on October 8.

Rather than being just another collection of fixes, the September update gives players a clearer idea of where ARC Raiders is heading next. With Cred being retired, Expeditions entering a temporary pause, and Frozen Trail introducing a new map and deeper progression systems, the game's next phase is beginning to take shape.

Live Update 1.45.0 Begins the Next Chapter

The September 8 update introduces the new Raider Project, "Ascending the Mountain." The project follows mysterious phantom ARC signals that lead toward a mountain range beyond the current reach of the Tube system.

According to Embark, Apollo is working on an experimental solution to reach the area, while Raiders with the right knowledge of schematics are being called upon to help. The storyline appears to connect naturally with Frozen Trail's focus on an unexplored region beyond the mountains.

The update also adds the Hornet Hunter Set and brings community-designed Rubber Ducks into the game. Players can display the selected duck designs in Bird City and their Raider Den.

There are several practical gameplay improvements as well. Aphelion receives reduced weapon sway for better aiming stability, quick-item cycling can now be rebound separately from the quick-use wheel, and Expedition departures no longer automatically reset quests. Players can now choose whether they want to reset their quests when departing.

Cred Is Going Away Before Frozen Trail

One of the biggest changes hidden inside the September update is the retirement of Cred.

Players can continue using their existing Cred until October 8, but any remaining balance will expire when Frozen Trail launches. Embark is replacing Cred with a more expansive reward system as part of its Raider Deck rework.

Previously claimed Raider Deck rewards will remain with players, while future rewards will move into the new system. For anyone currently sitting on unused Cred, the message is straightforward: spend it before Frozen Trail arrives.

This change is important because it signals that Embark is not simply adding another layer of content. The developer is also reworking some of the progression systems that sit underneath the extraction loop.

The Fifth Expedition Is More Than Another Seasonal Grind

The fifth Expedition officially opened on September 8 and will run until September 29. One of the most noticeable changes is that players can now opt out of resetting their quest progress when departing.

That adjustment comes directly from player feedback about repeating quest lines after previous Expeditions. The fifth Expedition will also be the last Expedition for a while. Embark plans to pause the system and make larger changes before Expeditions return in early 2027.

That makes the current Expedition particularly interesting for long-term players. It is not simply another temporary progression event; it is effectively the final version of the current Expedition structure before the system receives a broader redesign.

For players who have been undecided about participating, this fifth window is therefore an important milestone.

Frozen Trail Arrives October 8

The real headline, however, is Frozen Trail.

Embark has confirmed that Frozen Trail launches on October 8 and will introduce the game's newest map, a new ARC Operation, new ARC enemies, the Outpost, and additional progression changes. The developer describes it as its biggest update since launch.

The new map takes players into a frozen settlement beneath towering mountains on the edge of the Rust Belt. The area once contained villages, factories, research facilities, and an observatory, but those locations have long since been abandoned.

What makes the new environment particularly interesting is its emphasis on verticality and exploration. Embark says players will encounter threats both above and below ground, creating opportunities for different approaches to movement, combat, and extraction.

For an extraction game where positioning and information are often as important as raw firepower, a map built around greater verticality could have a meaningful impact on how squads approach raids.

A New High-Level ARC Operation

Frozen Trail will also introduce a large new ARC Operation aimed at experienced Raiders.

Details remain limited for now, but Embark says the activity will focus on meaningful decisions, dynamic encounters, cooperation, risk, and survival. That description suggests the studio is looking beyond simply adding a stronger enemy or a larger combat arena.

The goal appears to be creating an encounter where player judgment matters as much as mechanical skill. That could be particularly valuable for veteran players who have already become comfortable with the existing raid loop.

New ARC Enemies Could Change Combat Priorities

New threats are also coming with Frozen Trail.

Embark has confirmed that the update will add multiple new ARC enemies, ranging from smaller machines to a much larger machine capable of stopping Raiders in their tracks.

The developer has not yet revealed every detail about their abilities, so it is too early to predict exactly how the new enemies will affect the meta. What is clear is that players will need to adapt to new movement patterns and combat situations rather than simply applying existing strategies to a new location.

The Outpost Gives Raiders a New Long-Term Goal

Perhaps the most interesting system addition is the Outpost.

Until now, the Raider Den has been the primary personal space for players. Frozen Trail will expand that concept by giving Raiders an Outpost that can be decorated and used to research new elements of the world.

Thematically, it also represents a change in the game's direction. Raiders have spent much of the story hiding underground and surviving the ARC threat. The Outpost is designed around the idea of gradually taking the fight back to the surface.

Frozen Trail will also modify the Skill Tree to give players more control over their character development. Raider Decks are being revisited as well, with Embark aiming to make them more engaging and rewarding.

More Weapons, Gadgets and Customization Are Coming

The Frozen Trail preview is not limited to the major systems.

Embark has also confirmed additional weapons, new ways to personalize weapons, gadgets, cosmetics, instruments, and other content. At the same time, the studio says it will continue working on matchmaking, anti-cheat, stability, and quality-of-life improvements.

That combination is important. New content may bring players back, but the long-term health of an extraction shooter also depends on the underlying systems working reliably. Matchmaking quality, cheating prevention, stability, and progression all influence whether players continue returning after the initial excitement of a new map fades.

What ARC Raiders Players Should Watch Next

The September update feels less like an endpoint and more like a bridge.

Live Update 1.45.0 starts the fifth Expedition, advances the mountain storyline, retires Cred, and makes several gameplay improvements. Meanwhile, the Expedition system itself is heading toward a longer redesign period after September 29.

Then comes Frozen Trail on October 8.

The combination of a new frozen map, a high-level ARC Operation, new enemies, the Outpost, revised progression, Skill Tree changes, and the Raider Deck rework could make this one of the most consequential updates ARC Raiders has received so far.

For current players, the immediate priorities are fairly simple: use remaining Cred before October 8, take advantage of the fifth Expedition while it is available, and keep an eye on Embark's September reveals for additional Frozen Trail details.

The bigger question is what happens after the update lands. ARC Raiders has already established a strong extraction foundation, but Frozen Trail looks like an attempt to expand the game beyond that foundation rather than simply adding another destination.

October 8 should provide the clearest indication yet of where Embark wants ARC Raiders to go next.