Arc Raiders Patch 1.29.0 is here, and this is one of those updates that feels like it touches almost every part of the game. Embark has added a brand-new trader, introduced a new grenade launcher, adjusted ARC behavior, buffed underperforming tools, improved weapon durability, and made a long list of bug fixes across gameplay, audio, maps, social features, and UI.
The biggest addition is the arrival of the Nomadic Envoy, a new trader in Speranza who brings rare weekly trades, stash upgrades, Expedition Vault access, cosmetics, blueprints, Raider Tokens, and progression items. On top of that, Patch 1.29.0 adds The Rascal, a new grenade launcher designed to give Raiders a lighter anti-ARC option without carrying something as heavy as the Hullcracker.
Arc Raiders Patch 1.29.0 Adds the Nomadic Envoy Trader
The highlight feature of Patch 1.29.0 is the new trader, Nomadic Envoy. One of the Envoys, Ermal, has arrived in Speranza with a selection of Topside trades for Raiders who have reached Level 25. His inventory is aimed at players with valuable ARC materials and rare weapons they are willing to barter away for stronger rewards.
Ermal’s biggest offerings include expanded stash space and Expedition Vault access. The vault is especially interesting because it lets players safely store up to five valuable items for retrieval after an Expedition.
Embark says the trader’s offers will rotate weekly, with cosmetics, blueprints, Raider Tokens, gameplay items, and progression items appearing over time. For the first week, only a single stash expansion and five Expedition Vault spaces will be available, so the team can watch feedback and adjust prices before adding more space.
The Rascal Grenade Launcher Joins the Arsenal
Patch 1.29.0 also adds The Rascal, a new grenade launcher created by Tian Wen. Embark describes it as a compact and lightweight launcher made for dealing with armored ARC threats. It reloads slower and has some unpredictable aim, but its main appeal is that it gives Raiders anti-ARC power without forcing them to bring something as risky or heavy as the Hullcracker.
New Cosmetics and Store Content Are Also Coming
The update also introduces several new cosmetic and customization additions. Patch 1.29.0 includes the Sandveil Set, a Sideburns facial hair style, and The Sheath Set, which is scheduled to become available on June 2.
These additions are not the main focus of the patch, but they continue Arc Raiders’ steady rollout of visual customization. With the Nomadic Envoy also offering rotating cosmetics, players now have another place to watch for new looks and rare items.
Arc Behavior Has Been Adjusted
A major part of Patch 1.29.0 is focused on ARC behavior. Embark has changed how ARC units see through bushes and smoke, making positioning more important. Raiders near the edge of cover are now easier to spot, while players deeper in foliage or behind smoke should be harder to detect.
Sound detection has also been adjusted. ARC units should now understand sound better in open outdoor spaces, but they will be less sensitive to sounds indoors or through geometry.
Embark also adjusted Firefly and Rocketeer behavior. Firefly fire should now match its visuals more closely, and briefly touching the flame should feel less punishing. Rocketeer missiles will now spread out more consistently when fired in groups, reducing unfair situations where several missiles land on the same spot.
Gameplay Buffs Focus on Cloak and Augments
One of the clearest buffs in Patch 1.29.0 is for the Photoelectric Cloak. Its power cost has been reduced from 10 per second to 5 per second, making it much easier to keep active.
The Tactical Mk. 3 Healing Augment is also getting a meaningful improvement. Its Cloud of Renewal effect is now an area-of-effect heal, and its healing has been increased from 20 to 45. However, the cooldown has also gone up from 30 seconds to 45 seconds, so the effect is stronger but less frequent.
Combat Mk. 3 Flanking is also being improved by allowing Medium Shields. Embark says these changes are part of its ongoing focus on underperforming Augments, with the Healing Augment becoming more useful as a support-focused option and Combat Mk. 3 Flanking is getting more survivability.
Bettina and Weapon Durability Get Some Help
Bettina received a fire rate buff in Patch 1.29.0, with its base fire rate increased from 235 to 250.
Weapon durability is also being adjusted after Embark admitted that the durability changes from the previous patch hit some weapons too hard. Patch 1.29.0 targets weapons that were breaking too quickly and increases their lifetime to bring them closer in line with the rest of the arsenal.
Durability can add tension, but if weapons break too quickly, it can start to feel like the game is punishing players for simply using their gear.
Extended Barrel Gets Reworked
Weapon mods are also getting attention. Mods can now affect aim-down-sights transition speed for scoped weapons, which opens up more tuning potential for certain builds.
The Extended Barrel has also been improved and renamed Extended Barrel III. Its bullet velocity bonus has increased from 25 percent to 30 percent, and it now increases damage falloff distance by 15 percent. Embark also added two lower-tier versions, Extended Barrel I and Extended Barrel II, giving players more progression and build options around the attachment.
| Change Type | Patch 1.29.0 Highlights |
|---|---|
| New Trader | Nomadic Envoy arrives in Speranza with weekly rotating trades |
| New Weapon | The Rascal grenade launcher added |
| Buff | Photoelectric Cloak power cost reduced from 10 per second to 5 per second |
| Buff | Bettina fire rate increased from 235 to 250 |
| Buff | Cloud of Renewal healing increased from 20 to 45 |
| Adjustment | Cloud of Renewal changed into an area-of-effect heal |
| Nerf | Cloud of Renewal cooldown increased from 30 seconds to 45 seconds |
| Adjustment | Weapon durability improved for weapons that were breaking too quickly |
| Mod Change | Extended Barrel upgraded and renamed Extended Barrel III |
| Quality of Life | Block option added after reporting players |
| Anti-Cheat | Denuvo Anti-Cheat rollout begins for a limited player pool |
Social and End of Round Changes Improve Player Control
Patch 1.29.0 also improves social tools. Players can now block someone after reporting them, which is a simple but important addition for dealing with bad interactions.
The end-of-round screen has also been updated. Raiders can now see all squad members at the end of the round, whether they extracted or not. Interacting with a squad member’s nameplate will show options like reporting, muting, or blocking. Players can also leave the squad immediately during the tunnel sequence.
Major Bug Fixes: Touch ARC, Maps, Gameplay, and UI
Embark fixed several frustrating issues in Patch 1.29.0. One of the bigger fixes prevents players from being teleported when standing on destroyed ARC parts. Queen and Matriarch should also step over objects more often instead of moving through them, which should reduce unfair knockback moments.
The update also makes ARC less likely to immediately detect players when they first spawn into a session. Flying ARC units should no longer get stuck as often, and some unexpected ARC spawn locations have been fixed.
Map fixes include improvements to Riven Tides and Stella Montis, with collision issues, floating objects, clipping problems, and environmental polish all getting attention. UI improvements include better deployable previews, Crash Mat tooltip information, and fixes for erratic ping behavior when marking an ARC Turbine.
Denuvo Anti-Cheat Is Coming to Arc Raiders
Patch 1.29.0 also includes an anti-cheat update. Embark says Denuvo Anti-Cheat will come to Arc Raiders starting May 19, initially for a limited player pool before expanding after monitoring. The studio also clarified that it is not using Denuvo’s DRM service and is working to ensure minimal performance impact.
The studio says Denuvo Anti-Cheat will work alongside Anybrain as part of its ongoing security improvements.
Arc Raiders Patch 1.29.0 is a strong update because it adds new content while also cleaning up a lot of friction. The Nomadic Envoy gives high-level players a new weekly reason to check Speranza, The Rascal adds another anti-ARC option, and the durability changes should make weapons feel less punishing after the previous patch.
