ARC Raiders Replaces Raider Decks With Reward Passes in Frozen Trail Update

Embark Studio has announced that ARC Raiders will replace Raider Decks with Reward Passes in the upcoming Frozen Trail update, arriving October 8, 2026. The shift marks a departure from the existing progression mechanic after the developers identified issues that diminished player engagement with the original system.

According to a blog post from Embark Studios, Raider Decks became problematic as players accumulated Cred at unsustainable rates. Many players could complete new Raider Decks immediately upon release using saved currency, eliminating the incentive to work toward rewards. The Reward Passes system represents what the studio calls the "natural evolution" of Raider Decks, designed to address these concerns.

The Frozen Trail update introduces two Reward Pass tracks. The Frozen Trail Reward Pass includes both free and premium options, with 60 levels of progression. Players unlock rewards by completing Feats, which grant cosmetics, gadgets, weapons, items, and Raider Tokens. The free track provides new base outfits, cosmetic items, weapons, gadgets, and up to 200 Raider Tokens. The premium track adds premium toggles, modifications, outfit colorways, legendary weapon stencils, hairstyles, and up to 1,150 Raider Tokens.

Embark clarified that all rewards are cosmetic and do not affect gameplay balance. Players can purchase the premium pass for 1,150 Raider Tokens, meaning completion of a premium pass requires no additional monetary investment for future passes. A Legacy Pass will consolidate all cosmetic rewards and Raider Tokens from previous Raider Decks into a single free pass.