ARC Raiders 1.29 Adds Trader Ermal, Rascal Launcher, AI Fixes

Developer Embark Studios released ARC Raiders Update 1.29.0, adding a new Level‑25+ trader, a grenade launcher and a suite of AI, combat and quality‑of‑life fixes. The update is available across supported platforms.

The new trader, Ermal, is aligned with the Nomadic Envoys faction and appears once players reach Level 25. Ermal offers rare ARC materials and weapons and trades for rewards that include expanded stash space, access to the Expedition Vault and weekly rotating cosmetics and blueprints. The update also adds new cosmetic sets, including Sandveil and an upcoming Sheath set, plus a new facial customization option: sideburns.

The Rascal grenade launcher is introduced as an explosive weapon option in player loadouts. The patch applies multiple weapon durability buffs and updates the Extended Barrel modification so it now improves bullet velocity and reduces damage falloff. Specific weapon tuning raises the Bettina’s fire rate from 235 to 250 and reduces the Photoelectric Cloak’s power drain from 10 per second to 5 per second.

AI and combat systems were adjusted to improve enemy detection and reactions. ARC enemies detect players more reliably in smoke and bushes and now respond more accurately to indoor and outdoor sound positioning. Pathfinding fixes help large enemies such as the Queen and Matriarch move around obstacles, and flying ARC enemies are less likely to become stuck. The update aligns Firefly flame mechanics with its visuals and tightens the Rocketeer’s missile spread to reduce instances of unexpected damage.

Support and healing changes include an area‑of‑effect function for the Tactical Mk.3 Healing Augment and an increase to Cloud of Renewal healing from 20 to 45. These changes affect how teams manage survivability during expeditions.

The patch fixes a range of bugs and improves stability. Resolved issues include a teleportation bug on destroyed ARC parts, problems with grenade canceling and deployment, multiple animation and clipping errors, voice chat problems on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, and several map collision and texture defects. UI updates improve tooltips and deployable previews. Audio and performance work includes enhanced binaural audio and directional footsteps, a fix for a loading screen freeze and general stability improvements.

Social and interface updates add an option to block players after reporting, show squad members on end‑of‑round screens and include additional squad interaction options.

The update introduces Denuvo Anti‑Cheat on a gradual rollout. Embark Studios confirmed the update will not add a DRM system and said the patch reflects player feedback on AI behavior and weapon durability.