This January Update 1.11.0 might look small on paper—just a handful of bullet points—but in practice, it fundamentally shifts how we approach fights. We are seeing a patch that targets unfair advantages: the macro-like speed of the Kettle and the oppressive win button nature of the Trigger Nade.

Beyond the combat tuning, we have a limited-time free reward to claim, a store rotation that actually impacts your stealth gameplay, and some much-needed clarity on how the game decides who you fight. Let's unpack what changed, why it matters, and how we need to adjust our playstyle starting today.

• 1. The Free Gilded Pickaxe (Claim It Now)
• How to Claim & Troubleshooting
• 2. Store Rotation: The Abyss Set & Tactical Visibility
• Why Customization Matters
• 3. Combat Balance: The Kettle & Trigger Nade Rework
• 3.1 The Kettle Nerf (600 → 450 RPM)
• 3.2 Trigger Nade: From Airburst to Trap
• 4. Environment & Systems: Lighting and Matchmaking
• Darker Nights on Stella Montis
• Aggression-Based Matchmaking Explained
• Event Rotation: Cold Snap Ends
• FAQ: Common Concerns
• Summary: Your Action Plan

↖ 1. The Free Gilded Pickaxe (Claim It Now)

Before we discuss weapon recoil or frame data, let's handle the housekeeping. To celebrate the 10 million Raiders milestone, Embark is giving away the Gilded Pickaxe. While a cosmetic skin doesn't increase your damage, it's a status symbol for early adopters.

The critical detail here is the time limit. Live-service claim windows are notoriously unforgiving.

↖ How to Claim & Troubleshooting

Practical Tip:

Do not assume you can get it this weekend. If the window closes, the ARC Raiders item is likely gone forever. Treat this like a timed extraction.

↖ 2. Store Rotation: The Abyss Set & Tactical Visibility

We usually don't dwell on store updates, but the Abyss Set is different because of its modularity. In a game where spotting the enemy first often decides the winner, your silhouette is a gameplay mechanic.

↖ Why Customization Matters

The Abyss set fits the deep-sea aesthetic perfectly, but its real value lies in the toggles. You can remove the helmet, lift the visor, or strip off the bulky flippers and oxygen canisters.

Why this is important: With the update also darkening the lighting on the Stella Montis Night Raid (more on that below), contrast and motion are your enemies. A flapping flipper or a bulky tank can expose you when you think you're hidden in cover. If you buy this set, we strongly suggest streamlining the outfit for serious raids.

↖ 3. Combat Balance: The Kettle & Trigger Nade Rework

This is the meat of the update. Two of the most dominant tools in the PvP meta have been reined in to promote fairer fights.

↖ 3.1 The Kettle Nerf (600 → 450 RPM)

At first glance, dropping a fire rate from 600 to 450 sounds like a massive nerf. However, we need to look at the developer intent: Macro-Proofing.

The old 600 RPM ceiling was incredibly difficult to hit consistently with manual clicking. Players who were melting you instantly were often using macros or scroll-wheel tricks to maximize that fire rate. By capping it at 450, the devs haven't killed the gun; they've normalized the playing field.

How to Adapt:

If you used macros: You will feel a significant DPS drop. You can no longer rely on raw spam to win.

If you clicked manually: The gun might actually feel better or more consistent.

New Tactic: Stop spamming. The lower fire rate rewards burst discipline and tight cover peeking. Use the rhythm of the gun to land shots rather than praying for a wall of lead.

↖ 3.2 Trigger Nade: From Airburst to Trap

The Trigger Nade was previously the solve every problem button. You could throw it, detonate it instantly (0.7s delay), and kill someone before they could react. That playstyle is gone.

The Changes:

Delay Increased: 0.7s → 1.5s.

Damage Falloff: Tighter. You need to be closer to the center for max damage.

What this means for you:

If you try to use the Trigger Nade as an instant airburst grenade, you will fail. The 1.5-second window is an eternity in a gunfight—it gives your enemy enough time to slide, break line of sight, or push you.

New Playbook:

↖ 4. Environment & Systems: Lighting and Matchmaking

The patch notes also clarified some underlying systems that affect your day-to-day survival.

↖ Darker Nights on Stella Montis

The lighting in night raids has been reduced. This isn't just atmospheric; it's a mechanic change.

Flashlights are dangerous: In darker environments, a flashlight beam is a tracer round pointing directly at your head. Use it only for quick info taps, never leave it on.

Sound is King: With lower visibility, audio cues (footsteps, reloads) become the primary way to track enemies.

Silhouette Management: This loops back to the Abyss set. Backlighting will reveal your shape instantly. Keep your profile small.

↖ Aggression-Based Matchmaking Explained

There has been confusion about whether the game separates PvE players from PvP players. The developers clarified that the system is not skill-based or gear-based. It is aggression-based.

How it works:

The system tracks engagement. If you constantly shoot, damage, and kill other players, the matchmaker groups you with similar players.

It does not judge intent: If you kill someone in self-defense, the system just sees Player A killed Player B. It doesn't know you were forced to do it.

Practical Advice: If you want calmer lobbies to farm materials, try to disengage from optional fights. Lowering your engagement rate over several matches may help shift you into quieter lobbies. If you chase every gunshot, expect to be placed in lobbies full of hunters.

↖ Event Rotation: Cold Snap Ends

The Cold Snap event is over. This changes the daily rotation schedule. If you have a fixed playtime (e.g., 8 PM every night), you might notice different events active than you did last week.

Action: Check the map modifiers when you log in. Don't run your usual route blindly; the event that made that route profitable might be gone or shifted to a different time slot.

↖ FAQ: Common Concerns

Q: Is the Kettle useless now?

A: No. It is still a very strong weapon for close-to-mid range. It just requires better aim and positioning now that you can't rely on an inhuman fire rate.

Q: Why does my Trigger Nade feel like it does no damage?

A: The damage falloff was tightened. If the enemy is at the edge of the explosion radius, they take significantly less damage than before. You need to land the grenade closer to their feet.

Q: I logged in but didn't get the Pickaxe. What do I do?

A: Restart the game. If it's still missing, check the official Discord or Twitter to see if the claim window for your region has closed.

Q: Does the Aggression Matchmaking mean I can get into a PvE-only server?

A: No. There are no PvE-only servers. The system just tries to group aggressive players together, but PvP is always a possibility. Never let your guard down.

↖ Summary: Your Action Plan

This update is about fairness and precision. The cheese tactics (macro spam, instant nades) are out; positioning and game sense are in.

Here is your checklist for this week:

1. Claim the Gilded Pickaxe immediately via your Inbox.

2. Adjust your Kettle playstyle: Focus on cover-peeking and controlled bursts.

3. Re-learn Grenade Timing: Stop airbursting. Start trapping.

4. Check your Cosmetics: If you bought the Abyss set, consider removing the flippers for better stealth in the new darker night modes.

5. Watch your Aggression: If you want easier loot runs, stop taking unnecessary fights to cool down your matchmaking rating.

Good luck out there, Raiders. Adapt to the new timing, or get left behind.