Patch 1.17.0 for ARC Raiders, released on February 24, 2026, delivers a sweeping set of balance changes alongside the new Hurricane map condition and other Shrouded Sky content. The adjustments target the gap between low-tier and high-tier weapons, fix an unintended input buffer exploit on semi-automatic guns, and revise the crafting costs and values of multiple items.
Quick answer: The Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator all received damage and multiplier nerfs to slow their time-to-kill, while the Jupiter and Aphelion got handling and responsiveness buffs to make them more competitive in PvP. Semi-auto weapons no longer reach max fire rate through spam-clicking — paced shots now outperform rapid inputs.
Semi-Auto Input Buffer Rework
Back in patch 1.13, an optimization fix accidentally lowered the fire rate of semi-automatic weapons. The hotfix in 1.13.1 reverted that change but introduced a new problem: the weapon input buffer was loosened so much that players could spam-click and hit maximum fire rate without learning a weapon's intended cadence. Embark has now added per-weapon controls over the input buffering window. Semi-auto weapons still feel more responsive than they did before 1.13, but players who time their shots to match a weapon's natural rhythm will achieve noticeably better damage output than those who simply click as fast as possible.
This change affects every semi-automatic weapon in the game, though the five guns listed below also received individual stat adjustments on top of the buffer fix.
Stitcher Nerfs — Headshot TTK Brought Closer to Body Shot TTK
The Stitcher has been effective as a close-quarters weapon that rewards positioning, but its headshot time-to-kill was far too fast when players got close enough to land most of a spray on the head. Three changes address this directly.
| Stat | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|
| Headshot Multiplier | 2.5 | 1.75 |
| Base Damage | 7 | 6.5 |
| Per-Shot Dispersion | — | Increased ~50% |
The dispersion increase makes the weapon bloom faster during sustained fire, which reduces the chance of accidentally stacking headshots during a full spray. Combined with the lower headshot multiplier, the Stitcher's close-range ambush potential drops significantly while body-shot TTK stays relatively close to where it was.
Kettle Nerf — Base Damage Reduced to Separate It From the Stitcher
The Kettle was designed for medium-range engagements at a deliberate pace, but many players were using it as a de facto SMG in close quarters. Rather than restrict its versatility entirely, Embark cut its base damage from 10 to 8.5 while keeping the high headshot multiplier intact. The intent is to push Kettle users toward precision headshots instead of relying on raw body-shot DPS at point-blank range.
Venator Nerf — Still Dominant, Now Less So
The Venator has remained one of the strongest PvP weapons in the game even after its previous nerfs in patch 1.3.0. Internal performance data confirmed what the community had been reporting: it was overperforming for its tier. Both its headshot multiplier and base damage have been reduced.
| Stat | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|
| Headshot Multiplier | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Base Damage | 9 | 8 |
Embark has noted that if these damage reductions are not enough to bring the Venator in line, future changes may target its ammo consumption and cost efficiency instead.
Jupiter Buffs — Better Zoom and Faster Weapon Swaps
The Jupiter deals the highest headshot damage in ARC Raiders, but landing those headshots at range has always been difficult, and missing a shot at close range leaves you extremely vulnerable. The update improves its ADS magnification and shortens both equip and unequip times so you can swap to a secondary weapon more quickly after firing.
| Stat | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|
| ADS Magnification | ~1.9x | ~2.2x |
| Equip Time | 1.2s | 1.05s |
| Unequip Time | 0.9s | 0.75s |
The faster swap times make the Jupiter more practical as a lead-off weapon. Fire your shot, then immediately switch to a faster secondary to finish the fight if the target survives.
Aphelion Buffs — Legendary Weapon Now Viable in PvP
The Aphelion was intended to be a PvP-focused legendary weapon, but it felt too sluggish to compete with faster alternatives. Patch 1.17.0 makes it considerably more nimble across four different stats.
| Stat | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|
| Base Reload Time | 4.5s | 3.5s |
| Time Between Shots | 0.9s | 0.7s |
| Vertical Recoil | — | Reduced ~50% |
| ADS Settle Speed | — | Improved ~35% |
A full second shaved off the reload and a 0.2-second reduction between shots make the Aphelion feel substantially different in practice. The recoil and ADS settle improvements further reduce the penalty for firing quickly, letting you stay on target more consistently.
Item Value and Crafting Cost Changes
Several items had their in-game values, trader prices, and crafting recipes adjusted. Most of these changes increase the cost of obtaining powerful gear by adding new ARC part requirements, while also raising the items' sell and trader values to compensate.
| Item | Value Change | Trader Price Change | Crafting Cost Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 5,000 → 6,000 | 15,000 → 18,000 | New ARC part added |
| Trailblazer | 1,600 → 2,200 | 4,800 → 6,600 | New ARC part added |
| Wolfpack | 5,000 → 6,000 | — | Rocketeer Driver added; Refined Explosive cost reduced |
| Vita Spray | 3,000 → 3,400 | — | Tick Pod added |
| Showstopper | 2,200 → 2,100 | — | Hornet Driver added; Advanced Electrical Components replaced with Electrical Components |
The Showstopper is the only item that dropped in value, and its crafting recipe actually became slightly easier by swapping to a lower-tier electrical component. The Wolfpack recipe is a mixed bag — you now need a Rocketeer Driver, but the Refined Explosive cost went down.
Beyond individual items, ARC Parts sell values have been reduced across the board to better reflect their role in crafting and progression. If you were hoarding ARC Parts purely to sell, their returns are now lower.
One other notable crafting change: the Energy Clip is now available by default at the Workbench, removing any unlock requirement.
Low-Tier vs. High-Tier Weapon Balance Philosophy
A recurring community concern has been that cheap, low-tier weapons could outperform expensive, high-tier ones. The Shrouded Sky balance pass is the first step toward addressing that gap. The nerfs to the Stitcher and Kettle reduce the effectiveness of budget loadouts, while the buffs to the Jupiter and Aphelion make investing in high-tier gear more rewarding. Embark has stated the goal is not to make low-tier weapons useless — skilled players should still be able to punch above their weight — but the cost-to-performance ratio should favor higher-tier options more clearly going forward.
These weapon and item changes arrive alongside a broader set of gameplay fixes, new content like the Hurricane map condition and two new ARC enemy types, and quality-of-life improvements such as three free daily Feat rerolls and the removal of PvP Feats. The balance adjustments alone, though, will likely reshape loadout decisions for most players heading into their next raid.