Arc Raiders Nerfs Free Loadouts
Arc Raiders has implemented significant weapon balancing changes targeting "free loadouters," with the Il Toro weapon reportedly next in line for a nerf. These changes are designed to level the playing field and address community feedback regarding game balance in the co-op/third-person shooter.
- The weapon changes were part of the "Shrouded Sky" update (1.17.0), released on February 24, 2026. The developer, Embark Studios, stated the goal was to address community concerns that low-tier weapons were outperforming high-tier ones at a much lower cost. - "Free loadouters" are players who enter raids with a no-cost, basic kit, which often includes the now-nerfed Stitcher or Kettle submachine guns. This strategy allows players to engage in high-reward PvP combat with zero risk of losing their own valuable gear. - The Stitcher SMG's headshot multiplier was reduced from 2.5 to 1.75, its base damage was lowered from 7 to 6.5, and its bullet spread (or "bloom") was increased by approximately 50%. - The Kettle, another common free loadout weapon, had its base damage reduced from 10 to 8.5. The Venator rifle was also nerfed, with a reduced headshot multiplier and base damage. - In the same update, several higher-tier weapons received buffs to improve their viability, including the Jupiter sniper rifle and the Aphelion burst rifle. The Aphelion's reload time, recoil, and time between shots were all improved. - The Il Toro is a powerful pump-action shotgun that many players feel is currently dominating player-versus-player encounters. - Following community backlash that the Il Toro was not nerfed in the Shrouded Sky update, Embark Studios publicly confirmed that balance adjustments for the weapon are currently underway. - The patch also adjusted how semi-automatic weapons handle rapid firing. The changes aim to reward players who pace their shots according to a weapon's intended cadence, rather than those who spam-click to fire.
