The Shrouded Sky update (Patch 1.17.0) marks a major shift for ARC Raiders, bringing violent hurricanes, unpredictable weather, and significant gameplay rebalancing that redefine how players approach every raid. These new storms flood the battlefield with gales, debris, and reduced visibility, forcing squads to adapt their tactics, reposition on the fly, and rethink how they navigate and extract under dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, two new ARC enemy types now roam the Rust Belt, adding more tension and variety to every encounter.
Beyond environmental changes, Shrouded Sky refines many core systems to improve flow and fairness. Feats can now be rerolled multiple times a day at no cost, and outdated PvP‑oriented feats have been reworked or removed to better match the evolving extraction shooter meta. Quality‑of‑life improvements also address longstanding mechanical issues: ziplines can no longer be placed on movable objects, deployables can’t be stacked for unintended advantages, and visibility exploits using multiple NVIDIA Freestyle filters have been restricted to ensure fairness during storms.
Enemy behaviors have been tightened for more consistency. Units such as Surveyors and Fireballs no longer activate prematurely, Rocketeers now fire more reliably, and Sentinel projectiles are less likely to clip through close geometry. Minor fixes—like preventing players from being lifted by grenades or blocked by downed allies during extraction—make raids smoother and more predictable overall. When looking for a dependable ARC Raiders Items seller U4GM, many gamers say it offers a smoother experience compared to random online sellers.
Weapon balance sits at the heart of Patch 1.17.0. The update introduces a reworked firing input system that curbs the “spam‑click” exploit common with semi‑automatic weapons. Each gun’s input buffer is now tuned individually, emphasizing rhythm and timing over raw button mashing. This systemic shift underpins a series of targeted balance adjustments: three heavily used guns, the Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator, are nerfed, while Jupiter and Aphelion receive carefully designed buffs to restore diversity in loadouts.
The Stitcher, once an overpowered starter rifle, now deals less damage with a reduced headshot multiplier and higher shot dispersion, limiting its long‑range dominance. The Kettle faces a similar reduction in power, requiring players to pace their fire to maintain accuracy and output. The Venator, long a standout in PvP, now has lower base damage and headshot multipliers to lengthen time‑to‑kill and reduce its overwhelming edge in duels.
To compensate, mid‑ and high‑tier weapons get meaningful upgrades. Jupiter reloads faster, handles more smoothly, and exhibits lower recoil, transforming it into a competitive choice for sustained engagements. Aphelion gains better responsiveness under the new input system, widening the viable weapon pool for those willing to experiment beyond the established meta.
Adapting to Shrouded Sky means mastering weapon cadence, managing sightlines through turbulent weather, and maintaining tactical awareness as visibility ebbs and flows. PvP encounters now reward patience and positioning rather than sheer reaction speed, while PvE fights demand tighter coordination against smarter and more reliable ARC enemies. Well‑balanced loadouts that mix control tools with dependable mid‑range damage have become the new foundation for success.
With its sweeping weapon rebalance, refined enemy AI, and volatile weather that reshapes every firefight, Shrouded Sky signals a new phase for ARC Raiders. Whether battling through chaotic storms or adjusting to the subtler rhythms of semi‑automatic fire, every Raider must adapt to survive beneath the shrouded sky.
