The Headwinds update introduces a high‑risk Solo vs Squads matchmaking option, a new Trophy Display project, and the Bird City minor map condition in Buried City.
Quick answer: Solo vs Squads is a level‑40–plus queue where you load in alone against squad lobbies for bonus XP and normal loot, while Bird City adds loot‑filled bird nests to Buried City chimneys, and the Trophy Display lets you turn ARC trophies into progression rewards.
Headwinds Release Time And Basic Requirements
Headwinds is the first major ARC Raiders update of 2026 and goes live on January 27 at 9:30am UTC (1:30am PST / 9:30am GMT / 10:30am CET).
| Headwinds Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | January 27, 2026 |
| Approximate start time | 9:30am UTC (1:30am PST / 9:30am GMT / 10:30am CET) |
| New matchmaking option | Solo vs Squads for level 40+ Raiders |
| New project | ARC Trophy Display |
| New minor map condition | Bird City in Buried City |
| Cosmetics | Two new cosmetic sets, including Sandwalker Set |
Headwinds is also the opening beat of the Escalation roadmap, which continues with Shrouded Sky, Flashpoint, and Riven Tides updates over the following months.
How Solo vs Squads Matchmaking Works
Solo vs Squads is aimed at experienced players who want a much tougher raid without moving to a different game mode entirely.
Solo vs Squads Requirements
- You must be at least level 40 on your Raider to queue.
- You enter the match alone while other players load in as squads.
- The mode uses the same maps and extraction flow as regular squad lobbies.
The key twist is that you are intentionally outnumbered for the entire run; you are not filling a squad or waiting to be matched with teammates.
How To Queue For Solo vs Squads
Once Headwinds is live and your account is level 40 or above:
- Open ARC Raiders and go to the matchmaking options from the cantina.
- Select the new Solo vs Squads queue (it only appears for eligible players).
- Ready up as a solo Raider; you will be placed into a lobby populated by full squads.
The mode is separate from standard solo matchmaking, so opting into it is voluntary. You can always return to regular solo or squad queues.
Rewards And XP In Solo vs Squads
To offset the increased danger, Solo vs Squads grants additional XP when you join as a solo Raider into squad lobbies. The extra XP applies whether you focus on PvP, stealth looting, or extraction, and you do not need to wipe squads to benefit from the modifier.
Other rewards work as they do in normal matches:
- Any loot you extract from the map remains yours.
- You can still farm containers, events, and ARC encounters.
- Risk is higher because every hostile team you meet has multiple coordinated players.
The mode is pitched around three archetypes:
- Hunter – actively tracking and engaging squads for PvP.
- Silent assassin – isolating individual enemies and picking them off.
- Hidden looter – prioritizing stealth, loot routes, and extraction over fights.
How To Make Solo vs Squads Work For You
Solo vs Squads is unforgiving; using it well means leaning into tactics that reduce how often you face entire squads at once.
Playstyle Tips
- Move on the edges of the map. Skirt main routes and obvious event locations where squads cluster.
- Third‑party fights. Wait for ARC vs Raider or squad vs squad engagements and strike when enemies are distracted or damaged.
- Disengage early. If you tag one Raider and the rest react, break line‑of‑sight and reposition rather than committing to an even‑worse fight.
- Exploit sound and elevation. Use rooftops, high ground, and vertical approaches to catch teams off‑angle rather than trading in open lanes.
Since rewards focus on XP and the usual loot, Solo vs Squads is best treated as an endgame challenge mode, a way to sharpen PvP skills, or a high‑intensity alternative to standard solos.
How The ARC Trophy Display Project Works
Headwinds introduces a new progression track called the Trophy Display Project.
Unlocking And Progressing The Trophy Display
The Trophy Display centers on harvesting proof of kills from ARC enemies and mounting them in your trophy case.
- Defeat ARC machines in raids and collect the associated trophies.
- Contribute these trophies to your display to advance its project levels.
- Each level grants valuable items as rewards.
The project is framed around maverick Raiders hunting ARC for sport instead of simple defense, turning your past large ARC kills (such as major bosses like the Queen or the Matriarch) into permanent bragging rights and a source of extra resources.
Bird City Map Condition In Buried City
Headwinds also adds a new minor map condition called Bird City, specific to the Buried City map.
What Bird City Does
- Birds have built nests across Buried City’s rooftops.
- These nests are located in chimneys around the map.
- Each nest can hold valuable loot, turning vertical exploration into a high‑value activity.
Bird City runs like any other minor map condition; it does not overhaul the map, but it shifts optimal loot routes upward, especially early in a raid.
How To Farm Bird City Efficiently
- Plan vertical paths. When Buried City rolls Bird City, prioritize routes that chain multiple rooftop clusters rather than ground‑level sweeps.
- Check chimneys first. Chimneys become priority loot points; clear them before dropping down to normal interiors.
- Expect ambushes. Other Raiders know Bird City means chimney loot, so watch for players camping rooftop approaches or exit routes.
The nests are especially strong for early‑raid momentum: a clean rooftop circuit can kit you out without touching crowded ground‑level hotspots.
New Headwinds Cosmetics
Headwinds includes two new cosmetic sets, with the Sandwalker Set highlighted by Embark as a stealth‑oriented look for raiding “against the odds.”
- Cosmetic sets are purely visual and do not affect stats or damage.
- They are obtained through the in‑game cosmetic store using Raider Tokens or similar cosmetic currency.
The new outfits land alongside Headwinds and give veteran players fresh options to refresh their Raider’s appearance while exploring Solo vs Squads, Bird City, and the Trophy Display.
What Comes After Headwinds (Roadmap Overview)
Headwinds starts a multi‑month Escalation roadmap. While exact dates are not specified beyond Headwinds, the rough sequence is:
| Update | Planned Month | Headline Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Shrouded Sky | February | Major new map condition, new enemy type, new player project, new raider deck, map update, Expedition window |
| Flashpoint | March | New map condition, new ARC threat, new player project, Scrappy update |
| Riven Tides | April | New map, new Large ARC, new map condition, Expedition window |
For now, Headwinds is the live step: Solo vs Squads for level‑40‑plus Raiders, ARC Trophy Display progression, Bird City loot in Buried City, and new cosmetics to match the higher‑risk playstyle.
