Arc Raiders now supports duo-priority matchmaking, a change aimed at making two-player squads less likely to run into three-stacks. Alongside the matchmaking tweak, cosmetic prices in the in-game store are being reduced, with automatic refunds of the difference for anyone who bought at the old pricing. The studio also reiterated its stance on monetization: gameplay items remain on the free progression track, while future paid “Raider Decks” focus on cosmetics and convenience rather than power.
How duo-priority matchmaking works
The updated system reshuffles how lobbies are composed to reduce lopsided encounters without locking modes into rigid silos. It follows a clear order of operations and keeps some flexibility to preserve reasonable queue times.
| Step | Matchmaking behavior | What you may encounter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prioritize Solos and full Squads to play separately | Solo-only lobbies, and squad lobbies that avoid mixing with solos |
| 2 | Prioritize Duos with other Duos | Mostly duos vs. duos; occasional solos or trios if needed |
| 3 | Prioritize Trios with other Trios | Mostly trios vs. trios; occasional duos if needed |
| Important | Not a 100% guaranteed split | Mixed “constellations” can still occur to fill lobbies |
In practice, duos should see more fair matchups without the system hard-failing when population is uneven. You can still face larger or smaller squads occasionally, but less often than before.
What this means for solos, duos, and trios
- Solos: The game continues to keep solo lobbies separate by default, preserving the calmer, negotiation-heavy rhythm many players prefer.
- Duos: Expect a higher share of engagements against other pairs. The design intentionally doesn’t guarantee duo-only lobbies, so late-night or low-pop times may still mix team sizes.
- Trios: Full squads will encounter other full squads more consistently, with fewer mismatched fights against smaller groups.
Tip: If you’re queuing as a duo during off-peak hours, longer matchmaking windows can improve the odds of a duo-heavy lobby. Short-cycling the search may increase the chance of mixed team sizes.
Cosmetic price reductions and refunds
Cosmetic pricing in the store is being lowered. If you purchased cosmetics before the adjustment, the game will automatically credit you the difference in in-game currency. You don’t need to file a ticket or take any action.
| Change | When it takes effect | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lower cosmetic prices | Rolls out starting November 13 | No action required |
| Refunds for earlier purchases | Credited within the following week | Automatic deposit to your account |
The refund applies to the price difference only. Keep an eye on your in-game balance—the deposit appears as standard store currency when it lands.
Raider Decks and pay-to-win concerns
The studio outlined how progression tracks will work going forward:
- Free Raider Decks: Include gameplay items that unlock through progression to help new players ramp up.
- Premium Raider Decks (future): Focus on cosmetics and convenience. No pay-to-win items.
This split keeps power-affecting items on the free path while leaving visual customization and time-savers to the paid track.
Was duos quietly enabled earlier?
The duo-priority behavior was quietly tested earlier in the week before being formalized. If you noticed more pair-on-pair matchups recently, you weren’t imagining it—the system was already in limited use ahead of the broader rollout.
Quick answers
- Is there now a strict duos-only mode? No. Duos are prioritized to match with duos, but it isn’t a hard split.
- Can duos still run into trios? Yes, occasionally. The system aims to reduce, not eliminate, mixed lobbies.
- Do I need to do anything to receive a refund? No. Refunds are automatic and appear as an in-game credit after prices change.
The change doesn’t turn Arc Raiders into a set of siloed modes, and that’s the point. By prioritizing—but not guaranteeing—same-size matchups, duos get fairer fights without stranding lobbies or ballooning queue times. The store update takes a similar tack: tidy up the rough edges, and give players back the difference.
