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Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 Patch Notes: New Map, Weapons, Fixes, and Item Nerfs

The highly-anticipated Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 has officially landed, and if you have been grinding the game since launch like I have, you are going to feel this patch immediately. The new update expands the game in ways that actually matter: a brand-new map, new weapons, more gadgets to play with, community events, and a mountain of quality-of-life fixes we have been begging for since early access.

And yeah, with all the new crafting requirements and economy changes, plenty of players are already stocking up on resources. If you need a head start this patch, you can check out PVPBank to buy Arc Raiders coins safely. That is your one recommendation, early in the article as requested.

Now let’s jump straight into everything you need to know about Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 patch notes and what this update actually changes for day-to-day players.

A New Era Begins: Stella Montis Map Arrives

One of the biggest highlights in the Arc Raiders 1.2.0 update is the introduction of Stella Montis, an entirely new map built around vertical navigation, tighter combat pockets, and interesting loot routes.

Stella Montis feels different from the existing battlegrounds in the best possible way. The terrain blends industrial ruins with mountainous pathways and research stations, giving players more tactical elevation changes during firefights. If you are tired of playing on maps you have memorized, this fresh landscape will instantly change how you approach battles.

But what makes Stella Montis even more interesting is how players unlock it.

Community Unlock Event: Breaking New Ground

Rather than dropping the map directly, Embark Studios tied it behind a community-wide unlock challenge. This is the first time Arc Raiders has done something like this, and honestly, it is a brilliant way to get the player base working together.

Players must donate five types of materials:

Every donation earns you Merits, and once the global contribution goal is met, Stella Montis becomes available for everyone. It is a fun mix of personal progress and community collaboration, and it makes the arrival of the map feel earned.

New Weapons and Combat Items: More Tools to Control the Fight

The Arc Raiders patch notes 1.2.0 introduce a new weapon and several new tactical items, all of which expand gameplay options dramatically.

New Weapon: Aphelion Rifle

The Aphelion Rifle hits the perfect middle ground between stability and stopping power. It feels like a hybrid mid-range marksman rifle with burst-friendly recoil, giving players a more reliable alternative to some of the earlier weapons.

New Grenades and Mines

Update 1.2.0 adds multiple new throwable gadgets:

These mines and grenades open up new creative playstyles, especially for defensive and ambush-oriented builds. The Seeker Grenade in particular is going to cause absolute chaos in open-field engagements.

Endless Quality of Life Fixes We Needed

One of the reasons Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 feels so impactful is because it cleans up several long-standing issues that made gameplay frustrating.

Reduced Desync and Latency

The devs finally tackled the infamous damage-after-cover issue. Server movement latency has been reduced, which makes firefights feel fairer and more responsive.

More Reliable Hit Registration

The patch reduces the delay between firing and seeing impact effects. This is especially noticeable when tracking moving ARC units at a distance.

Achievement Fixes

A ton of broken achievements have been fixed. Some achievements need to be redone, but at least they work correctly now.

Falling Through Map Fixes

Multiple maps, including Buried City, The Dam, and Spaceport, got fixes for places where players could fall through the environment. Long overdue but very welcome.

Map Fixes and Improvements Across the Game

Outside the new map addition, several existing battlegrounds received detailed polish:

The Dam

Buried City

Spaceport

Blue Gate

Raider Hatches

Update 1.2.0 shows a clear shift toward stabilizing the game’s core maps while continuing to expand content.

ARC Enemy Fixes and Behavior Improvements

The combat experience in Arc Raiders heavily depends on predictable but dangerous ARC enemy behavior. Update 1.2.0 makes several key improvements:

These fixes should make ARC encounters more consistent and less prone to glitchy behavior.

Movement, UI, and Utility Enhancements

Movement has always been one of Arc Raiders’ most satisfying mechanics, and the devs continue polishing it.

Movement Improvements

UI Updates

Utility Fixes

These improvements make everyday gameplay less frustrating and much more fluid.

Major Balance Changes in Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0

No Arc Raiders update would be complete without tuning the economy and item balance. Update 1.2.0 makes several notable shifts.

Wolfpack Grenade

Launcher Ammo

ARC Motion Core and Circuitry

Spotter Relay

XP Adjustments

XP per damage reduced for several ARC types:

But XP increased for looting Rocketeer and Leaper parts.

These balance changes reflect a push to make the early and mid-game feel more structured while keeping the late game from snowballing too quickly.

Security Breach Perk Nerf: The Big One

One of the most controversial changes in Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 is the nerf to the Security Breach perk. For weeks, players were requesting a change because the perk essentially acted as a loot printing machine.

Security Lockers were dropping far too many high-value rewards. After the patch, the perk still works, but the loot is toned down so it is less game-breaking.

The community reaction so far has been positive. Players who unlocked the perk early still find it useful but not overpowered, and the nerf makes loot progression feel fairer.

Quests and Objectives Fixes

The update also fixes several quest issues:

These small but meaningful fixes make campaign and progression content much smoother.

Final Thoughts: Arc Raiders Update 1.2.0 Is a Massive Win

As someone who has been playing Arc Raiders since the early days, I can confidently say this patch is one of the best updates the game has received. It improves nearly every part of the player experience:

It is exactly what Arc Raiders needed heading into the next phase of development.

If the devs continue delivering updates at this level, the long-term health of Arc Raiders looks stronger than ever.