Solo vs. Squads is gone from ARC Raiders: the Frozen Trail 2.0 update of October 8, 2026 removed the opt-in toggle that let solo Raiders queue against full squads, so the cleanest way to stop facing trios alone is now to bring a duo or trio of your own. Solo play still exists through the normal solo queue, and squads stay capped at three. With the first anniversary on October 30, 2026 and a PvE decision promised for November, this is a good week to lock in a regular squad.
We checked Embark's patch notes, news posts and help center on October 22, 2026. When something is not announced, we say so instead of guessing.
What changed in short
| Topic | Before October 8, 2026 | After Frozen Trail 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Solo vs. Squads | Opt-in toggle for solo Raiders level 40+ | Removed, Embark is re-evaluating it |
| Solo queue | Available | Still available |
| Squad sizes | Solo, duo, trio | Solo, duo, trio |
| Maps | Launch maps and later additions | New map: Pendola Pass |
| PvE | Not offered | Tested October 13 to 20, then removed |
| Cross-play | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Unchanged |
What changed in Frozen Trail 2.0
Solo vs. Squads arrived with the January Update 1.13.0 (Headwinds) on January 27, 2026. Solo Raiders level 40 and above got a toggle above matchmaking to join the squads queue and fight duos and trios alone. The only reward was +20% bonus XP at the end of the round, on extract or on defeat.
The Frozen Trail 2.0 patch notes are short on this: "Solo vs. Squads" is no longer available in the matchmaking options. Embark says it wants "players to have a proper incentive to use all of the available matchmaking settings" and is "taking time to re-evaluate its role in the game." No return date is announced.
The same update added Pendola Pass, a snowy mountain map that Embark calls its most ambitious so far, with more verticality, Flash Freeze weather and a Ballistic Gondola extraction that fits three Raiders. It also brought two new map conditions, Frigate and Redirection, and a Dynamic Loot Zone test that is exclusive to Pendola Pass for now. Frozen Trail is free for existing players on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Playing solo after the change
If you played Solo vs. Squads for the XP, that option is gone. The regular solo queue remains: ARC Raiders tries to match solo entrants with other solos, but it does not guarantee it, so you can still meet a squad. Embark's PvE test notes point the same way: they warned that "squad separation will not be prioritized" during the test, so groups of different sizes would meet more often there than in normal raids.
In practice, solo is now a choice for players who enjoy the tension and accept the odd trio. If you want backup when a fight goes wrong, a partner is the only reliable fix.
Duo or trio: which one now
| Format | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Duo | Quiet looting, quests, splitting loot simply | Outnumbered when a trio pushes |
| Trio | Hard ARC fights, Frigate, contested extractions | More noise, harder to keep three people aligned |
A duo is easier to organise and moves quietly. A trio is the maximum squad size and the format the Pendola Pass gondola was built for. If you already have one friend, start as a duo and add a third when you find someone who raids the same way.
How to find a squad now
Friends and Embark ID
Add friends through the Social button in the lobby, Friends tab, then Add Friend with their Embark ID. Cross-play covers PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. One catch from Embark's help center: in a party, the most restrictive cross-play setting applies, so one friend with cross-play off makes the whole party queue with it off.
In game
Proximity chat is how most squads start: a friendly "don't shoot" at an extraction can turn into a friend request. It works, but it is luck.
Discord
Big LFG servers still work for ARC Raiders, with the usual limits: posts scroll away fast and nobody tells you who is actually free right now. Our list of the best LFG Discord servers in 2026 shows where to post and how to write a post people answer.
GameVerse
GameVerse is a free desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with mobile coming soon. It shows you ARC Raiders players who are online now, on the same mode and region, who want the same kind of session, chill or competitive, and it takes cross-play into account. You then chat and open a lobby with voice before you queue. It does not match on rank, stats or schedule, and it does not verify anyone, so agree on loot rules in the chat first. Start from the ARC Raiders duo finder, the ARC Raiders trio finder or the ARC Raiders page.
Tips for a squad that lasts
- Agree on raid intent before the drop: quests, loot run or PvP hunting. Mixed intent ends more squads than bad aim.
- Set loot rules: who takes keys, blueprints and the big containers.
- Check cross-play settings together: one setting off changes the whole party's queue.
- Plan Pendola Pass extracts: the gondola takes three, so a trio can leave together.
- Keep the good ones: add every Raider you enjoyed playing with to your friends list right after the raid.
What comes next in November
- First anniversary: ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025. Embark had not announced a specific anniversary event on its news page when we checked on October 22, 2026.
- PvE decision: the PvE matchmaking toggle test ran from October 13 to October 20, 2026, with no player damage and lower loot, and it has been removed. Embark says more than 30 million PvE rounds were played, it sends a player survey from October 22, and it expects to "follow up with further information in November." No PvE mode is promised.
- Twitch drops: Frozen Trail drops run until November 4, 2026.
- Solo vs. Squads: no return date is announced.
FAQ
Is Solo vs. Squads coming back to ARC Raiders?
Embark has not said. The Frozen Trail 2.0 notes only say the option is no longer available and that Embark is re-evaluating its role in the game.
Can I still play ARC Raiders solo?
Yes. The solo queue is still there. Matchmaking tries to put solos with solos, but it is not guaranteed, so you can still meet a duo or a trio.
What is the maximum squad size in ARC Raiders?
Three. You can play solo, in a duo or in a trio.
Does ARC Raiders have cross-play?
Yes, between PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. In a party, the most restrictive cross-play setting applies to everyone.
Is there a PvE mode in ARC Raiders?
Not right now. A PvE toggle was tested from October 13 to 20, 2026 and then removed. Embark expects to share more in November.
How do I find an ARC Raiders duo or trio quickly?
Start with friends through Embark ID, then use LFG Discord servers or GameVerse, which shows players online now on the same mode and region who want the same session type. Agree on raid intent and loot rules before your first drop.