Embark Studios has officially rolled out the highly anticipated Arc Raiders: North Line update, marking the game’s first major expansion since launch. The update introduces a brand-new map called Stella Montis, two challenging ARC enemies, new weapons, and a cooperative global event that will decide how fast the community uncovers the next frontier.
Stella Montis lies north of the Rust Belt, described by developers as a cold and pristine landscape filled with remnants of humanity’s lost ambitions. However, players cannot simply access it immediately. The tunnels to the new region will only open once the entire player community completes Breaking New Ground, a large-scale event where participants must gather and contribute materials to rebuild the routes to Stella Montis. Completing objectives grants event currency known as Merits, which can be exchanged for exclusive rewards.
The North Line update also adds two powerful new ARC enemies. The Matriarch—a massive mechanical force that appears under special map conditions—will be available from the start of the event. Meanwhile, the Shredder can only be encountered within Stella Montis, bringing intense close-quarters combat to the frozen new terrain.
To counter these threats, Raiders will gain access to new weapons and tactical tools, including the Aphelion Rifle, Trailblazer and Seeker Grenades, and new mine types such as the Pulse Mine, Deadline Mine, and Gas Mine. Each addition expands the range of strategies players can use in the field while unlocking new questlines centered on Stella Montis.
In addition to gameplay changes, Embark has listened to community feedback and lowered the prices of in-game cosmetics, a move welcomed by players. Duo matchmaking has also been quietly enabled, allowing pairs to take on missions together with improved balance.
The North Line update arrives alongside Embark’s December roadmap, which teases another major update titled Cold Snap. That upcoming release will include a fresh snowfall map condition, new seasonal events, and the long-awaited Expedition Project Raider reset.
Since its debut, Arc Raiders has quickly established itself as a standout in the extraction shooter genre, blending atmospheric exploration with intense cooperative battles. With over four million copies sold and a peak of 700,000 concurrent players, Embark’s vision continues to expand as the studio builds an active, evolving world that thrives on teamwork and discovery.
