The Arc Raiders Frozen Trail update (version 2.0) came out on October 8, 2026, and it is live now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. If you were waiting for it, update your game: it adds the Pendola Pass map, three new ARC enemies, the Outpost base, a reworked skill tree and a free-to-play weekend running October 8 to 12.
Frozen Trail release date and time
Embark confirmed October 8 months in advance and posted "Frozen Trail is live!" on launch day. The studio did not publish a separate countdown time, but its major updates roll out at 09:00 UTC, and that is the time trackers listed for Frozen Trail.
| Region | Local launch time (October 8) |
|---|---|
| UTC | 09:00 |
| US Pacific (PT) | 2:00 AM |
| US Eastern (ET) | 5:00 AM |
| UK (BST) | 10:00 AM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 11:00 AM |
| India (IST) | 2:30 PM |
| Japan and Korea | 6:00 PM |
| Sydney (AEDT) | 8:00 PM |
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam and the Epic Games Store. On consoles the build is labeled 1.000.061.
How big is the download?
Embark did not publish a patch size. Coverage at launch described it as a large download on every platform, which fits a new map and a full progression rework. Clear extra space before updating, especially on PS5, where the base install is smaller than on PC or Xbox.
What's in the Frozen Trail update
Embark calls Frozen Trail the biggest update since launch. These are the headline additions from the official 2.0 patch notes and preview.
Pendola Pass map
Pendola Pass is a frozen mountain region beyond the Rust Belt: an Italian village and an old Exodus transport hub, with a supermarket, town square, observatory and a buried train depot. You reach it by Ballistic Gondola. The main draw is a fallen Emperor vessel holding rare technology.
Pendola Pass also tests Dynamic Loot Zones. A zone keeps its loot type, but its value can rise on one raid and drop on the next. New map conditions Frigate and Redirection arrive with it.
New ARC enemies
- Bully: an aggressive beast that charges your position and does not give ground.
- Skulker: an ambusher that waits at the edge of your vision.
- Hydra: a turret split into three stacked, independent sections, found on the Frigate.
Weapons, gadgets and the Outpost
- Stiletto: a light-ammo battle rifle for the early game.
- Bantam: a snub-nosed heavy-ammo revolver built for hip fire.
- Gadgets: Grappling Hook, Tether Launcher, Yank Grenade, Basic and Advanced Cameras, Mountaineer's Detector, plus Banjo and Harmonica.
- Outpost: an extension of your Raider Den, unlocked through a project, with a Research Bench and 100 furniture designs.
- Amplified Weapons: a fifth weapon tier for 15 weapons, unlocked at the Research Bench, with branching upgrades and repairs using Amplified Fragments.
The new skill tree and Reward Pass
Skill tree overhaul
Embark describes the new tree as "a fairly big reimagining". Mid-branch nodes are now a binary choice between two skills, and you pick one. End-branch nodes offer three skills, and you can take up to two of them once you have invested enough points in that branch. Embark expects further adjustments after launch.
Reward Passes replace Raider Decks
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frozen Trail Pass | 60 levels, Free and Premium tracks |
| Premium cost | 1,150 Raider Tokens, up to 1,150 earned back |
| Free track tokens | Up to 200 Raider Tokens |
| Legacy Pass | Keeps your old Raider Deck progress |
| Currency | Cred removed, replaced by Reward Points |
| Feats | Easy 15, Medium 25, Hard 50 points |
| Weekly milestones | 3 per week, 250 Reward Points each |
Only one pass advances at a time, so pick the one you care about. Also new: 22 quests, quests and objectives that now grant XP, and two more stash tiers for a maximum of 328 slots.
Balance changes worth knowing
- Snap Hook range cut from 20 m to 18 m, durability use doubled from 2% to 4% per use, power cost raised from 50 to 60.
- Heavy Shield durability decay lowered from 0.20 to 0.15 and its movement penalty from 15% to 10%.
- Anvil moved from Green to Blue rarity.
Frozen Trail is the payoff of Embark's May decision to stop shipping monthly content. That trade means fewer big drops, so the update you are downloading now is likely the largest content change you will see until 2027. The next few months will be patches, events and tests rather than new maps.
When is the next Arc Raiders update?
In May 2026 Embark moved Arc Raiders to two major content updates per year, with Frozen Trail as the first. Between them, a live team ships regular updates, bug fixes and events. Embark has not named or dated the next major update. If the twice-yearly schedule holds, it would land around six months after Frozen Trail, but that is an estimate, not an announcement.
What is confirmed for the coming weeks:
- Fix patches: Embark listed many known issues at launch, including a Tether Launcher that cannot be repaired and a "Picking up the Pieces" quest that cannot be completed on Pendola Pass. Smaller patches usually follow a major update.
- PvE toggle beta, October 13 to 20: a limited test of a mode with zero player-to-player damage, on all platforms including GeForce Now. Frigate, Night Raids, Hidden Bunker and Locked Gate are excluded, and PvE loot values are lower. Embark says it is not a promise of a permanent PvE mode.
- Store updates: weekly store refreshes continue, as with Store Update 1.48.0 on September 29.
Frequently asked questions
What time did the Arc Raiders Frozen Trail update come out?
On October 8, 2026, at around 09:00 UTC, which is 2 AM PT, 5 AM ET, 10 AM BST and 11 AM CEST.
Is Arc Raiders free to play right now?
Yes, from October 8 to 12, 2026, on Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox. After the free weekend you need to own the game to keep playing.
How do I get to Pendola Pass?
Pendola Pass is reached by Ballistic Gondola. It is the new map added in Frozen Trail, and its conditions include the Frigate and Redirection.
Did the skill tree reset with Frozen Trail?
The tree was rebuilt. Mid-branch nodes now make you choose one of two skills, and end-branch nodes let you take two of three after enough investment. Embark has not detailed refund rules in the patch notes.
When is the next big Arc Raiders update after Frozen Trail?
Not announced. Embark now ships two major updates a year, so the next is expected months away. The nearest scheduled event is the PvE toggle beta on October 13 to 20.
Jump into Frozen Trail
Pendola Pass and Amplified Weapons reward Raiders with a built-up stash and upgraded workbenches. If you want to start from there, browse hand-checked Arc Raiders accounts on METAMMO, each with a lifetime warranty against recovery. New to the game? Read our Arc Raiders Expedition guide next, or go straight to the Arc Raiders catalog.
Sources
- Embark Studios: Frozen Trail 2.0 Update patch notes, October 8, 2026
- Embark Studios: Frozen Trail is live! Play for free October 8 to 12, October 8, 2026
- Embark Studios: Frozen Trail First Look, September 23, 2026
- Embark Studios: Reward Passes explained, September 28, 2026
- Embark Studios: We're testing a PvE Toggle, September 24, 2026
- GamingTrend: Arc Raiders switches to bi-annual major content updates, May 13, 2026
- MP1st: Frozen Trail 2.0 patch 1.000.061, October 8, 2026
- Beebom: Frozen Trail release date and time, October 2026
