Embark Studios set its 2026 plan in motion earlier this year, and the next big drop for ARC Raiders is nearly here. The Flashpoint update is the third major patch after Headwinds and Shrouded Sky, and it promises a fresh batch of content for players to try and break.

Release Date and Start Time

Flashpoint arrives on March 31, 2026. Expect the update to follow ARC Raiders' usual rollout schedule. If you want to be first in, here are the common start times by region:

  • Pacific Time (PT): 1:30 AM, March 31
  • Central Time (CT): 3:30 AM, March 31
  • Eastern Time (ET): 4:30 AM, March 31
  • Brasilia Time (BRT): 5:30 AM, March 31
  • British Summer Time (BST): 9:30 AM, March 31
  • China Standard Time (CST): 4:30 PM, March 31
  • Korean Standard Time (KST): 5:30 PM, March 31
  • Japan Standard Time (JST): 5:30 PM, March 31
  • Australian Eastern Time (AET): 7:30 PM, March 31
  • New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT): 9:30 PM, March 31

What Flashpoint Is Bringing

The official roadmap lists four pieces of confirmed content for Flashpoint. Embark has been teasing details, but these are the main promises so far:

  • New Map Condition
  • New ARC Threat
  • Player Project
  • Scrappy Update

The roadmap icons are small but suggestive. The new Map Condition appears to be lightning-related. Given the update name Flashpoint, that could mean intense electrical effects on certain maps, possibly with visibility or stun-style mechanics. It is curious since ARC Raiders already has an Electromagnetic Storm condition, so whatever arrives will need to feel different to stand out.

The new ARC Threat is the wildcard. The community hopes this one is genuinely new rather than a cosmetic variant of an existing enemy. Fresh enemy designs would be welcome, especially on Rust Belt maps that could use more challenge variety.

Player Projects are familiar territory. Expect a resource-gathering task that pays out rewards when completed. The Scrappy Update is less clear. It might tweak how the Scrappy NPC gathers resources or add a new system around that character. Until Embark shares full patch notes, we are left to guess.

What To Watch For

  • Official patch notes from Embark on or just before launch.
  • Teasers from the studio that fill in the visual and mechanical details.
  • Community reaction once players test the new Map Condition and ARC Threat.

Flashpoint looks set to be a solid content drop, and it arrives soon. We will update this piece when Embark releases full details, including exact mechanics and any surprise additions. In the meantime, sharpen your gear and get ready for whatever the Rust Belt decides to throw at you next.