Embark Studios has rolled out Update 1.42.0 for ARC Raiders, finally putting some real progress behind the Phantom Targets mystery that's had the community talking for weeks.

Alongside Part 2 of the related Raider Project, the patch also brings solid gameplay tweaks, a detailed anti-cheat update, and a full overhaul of how map condition schedules work.

Phantom Targets: Shani Finds the Source, Not the Answer

Shani has traced the Phantom Targets back to their source: erratic Wasps, ARC units behaving in ways she's never seen before. They're emitting strange noises, flying in irregular patterns, and carrying unidentified tech, all while swarming toward a single location. What's waiting for them there is still a mystery, and Shani says she needs more help from Raiders to figure it out.

That's exactly where Part 2 of the Phantom Targets Raider Project comes in, live now with 1.42.0. If you helped out during Part 1, you can jump straight back in and keep digging.


New Scheduling: Map Conditions Now Follow Regions Instead of One Global Clock

Map Conditions used to run on a single, global schedule, no matter where in the world you were playing. With Regional Map Condition Scheduling, Embark is now offsetting those time windows by region, aligned with local peak hours.

In practice, that means players logging in during their region's evening hours should miss fewer map conditions overall, since the schedule now fits actual playtimes better. The Map Condition tracker on the official website already reflects the change. Embark is asking the community for feedback on Discord and says the schedules may get further adjustments based on what people report.


Anti-Cheat and Fair Play: Where Things Stand

A lot has happened since the last big Fair Play update a few weeks back, and Embark is using 1.42.0 to bring the community up to speed.


Stay Away From Third-Party Software

Every reported case of software claiming to give players an in-game or account-level edge gets investigated, starting with whether the tool actually does what it says. Plenty of these claims turn out to be empty, while the risk to your own account stays very real.

Embark is explicit here: downloading unverified, unofficial software can cost you more than just a ban, personal data and account security are on the line too. The studio recommends enabling 2FA or passkeys on every account linked to your Embark ID, and, obviously, never sharing your login details with anyone, no matter how good the pitch sounds.


More Bans, Tougher Consequences

Working with Anybrain and Denuvo Anti-Cheat, Embark has taken action against a large number of accounts using recently popularized cheating software over the past few weeks. The team is also working on ways to make it harder for banned players to simply create a new account.

Detection of so-called economy exploits, deliberate abuse of in-game economy mechanics, has also improved, letting the team sanction offenders faster. Several parallel initiatives targeting teaming and matchmaking abuse are in the works too, with more details to come once they're ready.


The Rubber Duck Design Contest Has Its Winners

The community voted on Discord to pick the three finalists of the Rubber Duck Design Contest. Designs by gekko.rar, im_AshCheeks, and nassguhl will eventually decorate your own Raider Den, and Embark says work on bringing them into the game has already started. No word yet on exactly when the ducks will land, that's coming in a future update.


Also Worth Noting: Tick Hunter Set and New Twitch Drops

Two more additions only show up in the highlights list, but they're worth a mention. The Tick Hunter Set is now available in-game. New Twitch Drops are live alongside it too, a car freshener and a ceramic vase, up for grabs by watching eligible streams.


Full Patch Notes

Audio

  • Reworked indoor footstep and movement sounds: removed scuffing noises, improved audibility at distance, updated occlusion and concrete surface cues
  • Footstep audio through foliage now sounds clearer and more natural
  • Added unique footstep sounds for plastic sheeting and tarp surfaces
  • All Tier 3 magazine upgrades now have their own firing sounds

Gameplay

  • The Snitch can now call in a Rocketeer, or alternatively a Firefly and Hornet duo. Snitch Scanners are unaffected
  • Fixed Queen and Matriarch stomp attacks sometimes hitting through walls or from much farther away than intended
  • The Photoelectric Cloak now works against Turbine lightning attacks and Matriarch missiles
  • Added spawn protection to the Surge Coil Trap so it won't hit players right as they spawn in
  • Quick Wheel slots can now be rebound
  • The Dolabra, Hullcracker, and Rascal now deal correct damage in the Practice Range

Map

  • Fixed a zip line in Buried City that couldn't be interacted with by repositioning it

Performance

  • Improved UI texture streaming for better memory efficiency and reliability

Stability

  • Fixed several crashes and made various stability improvements

UI

  • Fixed project tiles incorrectly showing "Part X completed" on projects without parts
  • Corrected spelling errors and updated localized text across multiple languages
  • Cleaned up matchmaking error messages for clarity
  • The "Claim" shortcut button in the logbook now correctly takes you to the associated project page
  • Added a region label to the map selection screen showing your current matchmaking region

Known Issues

  • Crashes on Xbox Series S are still under investigation
  • PC crashes tied to Windows Update KB5121003 persist, a workaround is linked on Discord
  • Players on Epic may experience sudden loss of keyboard input, Embark recommends disabling active overlays for now
  • Leapers can jump through the ARC Turbine
  • Some doors let flashlight beams pass through instead of blocking them
  • Known clipping issues remain on the Triumph, Reaver, and Azimuth outfits

The full list, including smaller UI bugs, is available in Embark's official patch notes.


Frequently Asked Questions

When did ARC Raiders Update 1.42.0 launch?

The patch went live on August 18, 2026.

What are the Phantom Targets, exactly?

Shani identified erratic Wasps as the source, but why they're behaving this way is still unknown. Part 2 of the related Raider Project is now playable.

What is Embark doing about cheaters right now?

The studio is working with Anybrain and Denuvo Anti-Cheat, has banned a wave of accounts using popular cheat software, and is stepping up detection of economy exploits and teaming abuse.