Arc Raiders has quickly become one of the most talked‑about extraction shooters of 2025/2026. Its blend of PvE and PvP, diverse loot system and Rogue‑lite progression have kept players grinding for hours. When an official Discord announcement surfaced in early January 2026 saying that several over‑performing weapons and items would be nerfed in the next update, it sent shockwaves through the community. This article dives into which weapons are being tuned, why these changes are coming and what you should do to prepare.
Arc Raiders’ official website outlines the core gameplay and ongoing development updates. This is the best place to read official patch notes once they drop.
Context: Why Are Nerfs Needed?
Arc Raiders features a deep arsenal ranging from submachine guns and assault rifles to exotic grenades and deployables. Because players risk losing everything on death, certain items became staples of almost every build. The Trigger Nade – a grenade that detonates as soon as it senses nearby enemies – is notorious for wiping squads and destroying weak enemies without counterplay. The developers acknowledged on Discord that Trigger Nades are dominating high‑level play and that a nerf is being investigated. Alongside this, several high‑damage guns such as the Stitcher and Kettle have been called out for being too efficient for their cost.
Extraction shooters live and die by their risk–reward loop. When certain items make encounters trivial, the thrill of planning extractions and the decision‑making around whether to fight or flee disappears. Nerfs are, therefore, a healthy part of balancing; they preserve tension and encourage players to explore alternative strategies. Embark Studios has a history of rapidly tweaking gear after community feedback, so the upcoming patch is unlikely to be the last balance adjustment.
Weapons on the Chopping Block
Trigger Nade
The biggest headline from the Discord announcement concerns the Trigger Nade. Currently, these grenades explode almost instantly after being thrown, dealing enormous damage in a large radius. Players use them to one‑shot PvE mobs and punish anyone hiding behind cover. Given their low cost and high availability, Trigger Nades essentially act as free kills in many situations. The developers have stated that they will be nerfing Trigger Nades, likely by increasing their fuse time, reducing damage or limiting how many can be carried. While we don’t yet know the exact numbers, expect them to be less oppressive.
Stitcher
Another item frequently cited is the Stitcher submachine gun. According to community‑curated stats, the Stitcher is a fully automatic SMG that deals 7 damage per shot, has a range of 42.1 metres, and a very high fire rate of 45.3 rounds per second. It uses light ammunition and comes with a generous 20‑round magazine. For its modest price of 2,400 Raider Coins, the Stitcher offers tremendous DPS, making it a go‑to for both PvE and PvP encounters. Players expect the upcoming patch to lower its damage output or increase recoil so that it no longer melts bosses and armour‑plated Raiders.
Kettle
The Kettle is a semi‑automatic assault rifle known for precision and burst damage. The rifle deals 10 damage per shot, fires at 28 rounds per second, and has an effective range of 35.6 metres. While its bullet velocity is slower than that of the rifles and reload times are longer, skilled players can land headshots quickly. Its base price of 2,520 Raider Coins makes it accessible early in a run. In the forthcoming patch, the Kettle may receive reductions to its damage or a further decrease in bullet velocity to align it with other assault rifles.
Other Gear Under Review
While Trigger Nades, Stitcher and Kettle were specifically called out, the developers hinted that other outlier items may also receive adjustments. Items like Stun Mines (which temporarily paralyse enemies), Damage Boost syringes and certain workshop upgrades might see tweaks. The goal is to ensure a diverse meta where players cannot rely on a handful of overpowered tools. As Embark notes on its website, Arc Raiders is meant to be a game about adaptability and teamwork.
The community‑maintained Arc Raiders wiki on Fandom provides up‑to‑date weapon stats and item descriptions.
Why Nerfs Are Healthy for Arc Raiders
Game balance is always delicate, but nerfs play a vital role in preserving longevity. When a small set of items trivialises content, players quickly lose interest. Risk–reward loops – the tension of taking valuable loot on an expedition – hinge on combat feeling dangerous. Overpowered gear removes that danger. By bringing Trigger Nades, Stitcher and Kettle in line with other weapons, the developers will encourage more varied loadouts. Teams might experiment with Burst Rifles, Shock Grenades or the Crossbow to deal with different threats. Long‑term, this diversity keeps the extraction loop fresh and prevents stagnation.
Embark Studios’ corporate site features dev blogs and the philosophy behind their games.
FAQs
Q1: Will Trigger Nades still be viable after the nerf?
The developers haven’t released numbers yet, but the goal is to reduce their dominance, not make them useless. Expect them to remain situationally useful against groups of weak enemies but less effective against tough Raiders.
Q2: Are Stitcher and Kettle being removed from the game?
No. These weapons will likely remain available, but with adjusted stats. You may need to adopt new recoil control patterns or adjust your playstyle.
Q3: How often does Embark balance Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders is in ongoing development. Embark has pledged to monitor player feedback and update the game regularly, especially in its early live‑service years.
Q4: Should I sell my current Trigger Nades before the patch?
It depends on your stash space. Nerfed items are often less valuable on the market, so if you have a surplus, you might sell a few. However, keep some on hand until you see the final changes.
Q5: Where can I read the official patch notes?
Check the Arc Raiders website and official Discord for patch notes. Major gaming news outlets like IGN and PC Gamer will likely cover the changes once they’re announced.
How to Prepare for the Upcoming Patch
Experiment with some of the other options while you still have time to test them out. For example, if you’ve relied on nade sets and/or stitcher for a long time, try making some nade trap-based setups with stun mines and shock traps. If you’ve used the carrier in mid-range and liked it, give a burst fire rifle a shot for that same mid-range use. Improve your movement, get better at dodging, learn how to slide better, and practice using your grappling hook so that you can stop relying on all burst damage. Keep an eye on the official Embark channels as they release their patch notes. These patch notes will show exactly what is changing with the game and possibly even introduce some brand new gear.
U7BUY can be an option for those who are having trouble keeping up with the changing meta, as well as just wanting to jump right into the higher-level action of arc raiders. With U7BUY, you can easily buy Arc Raiders coins, the top gear, the necessary resources, and the currency to become one of the elite players in your extractions. Also, if you would like to bypass the grind and have your character ready for battle as soon as possible, there is a dedicated Arc Raiders account buy available on U7BUY to assist you in achieving the desired rank and unlocking powerful upgrades quicker than playing normally.
More to Explore
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Galen is a simple gaming enthusiast who enjoys exploring all kinds of games and writing about them as a hobby. He’s naturally curious and likes trying different genres, from competitive and multiplayer games to more casual and experimental titles.
Galen approaches gaming with an open mind and believes there’s always something new to learn, no matter the genre. His writing reflects that curiosity, focusing on honest observations, practical insights, and making game-related information easier to digest for everyone.