Even though the changes brought about with the 1.15.0 revision are considerable, the central emphasis of the ongoing season seems to be based on the shared watch event, which has been ongoing between February 10th and 24th, 2026. This "annual holiday in Speranza" has apparently diverted the attention of the Rust Belt from PvP to PvE. This experiment, developed by Embark Studios, invites Raiders to put aside their arms and target another to combat a shared robotic enemy.
For those looking to stay updated on the latest development shifts and project timelines, the official ARC Raiders website provides the most recent developer logs and map condition schedules.
Understanding the Merit System: Cooperation over Competition
The core mechanic of Shared Watch is the Merit system. Unlike standard progression tracks that reward character-level growth, Merits are event-specific points that track your contribution to the global defense of Speranza. The event is designed to persuade players to cooperate by rewarding them for it, effectively "paying" the community to suppress their worst instincts for a short time.
How to Earn Merits
Merits are earned exclusively through PvE actions. Specifically, your in-game XP earned from combat against ARC units is converted directly into Merits at a specific rate.
- Conversion Rate: Roughly, for every 100 XP you earn through taking down ARC enemies, you gain 1 Merit toward your Shared Watch event track.
- Damaging ARC: Dealing damage to ARC units contributes to your XP and Merit pool.
- Destroying ARC: Outright destruction of machines provides the largest chunks of XP, and thus Merits.
- Assisting Takedowns: Assisting fellow Raiders, whether they are in your squad or strangers encountered in the field, grants shared XP and Merits, emphasizing the cooperative theme.
It is vital to note that PvP kills do not award Merits. While the game remains PvPvE and you can still shoot other players, doing so provides zero incentive for event progression. This creates a "subsidized peace" where aggressive PvP play actually slows down your ability to earn rewards.
The Slugger Outfit and Scrappy’s Batting Helmet
The ultimate goal for most Raiders during Shared Watch is the Slugger cosmetic set. This baseball-inspired collection features a rugged, scavenger aesthetic with a sports-inspired twist. The track includes 21 total rewards, requiring a maximum of 1,050 Merits to complete the entire set.
Key Reward Milestones
The reward path is stacked with a variety of cosmetics, currency, and blueprints.
- 50 Merits: The base Slugger Outfit.
- 200 Merits: Tactical MK. 3 (Healing) Blueprint, one of the most impactful non-cosmetic rewards.
- 250 Merits: Grenades (Slugger variant).
- 600 Merits: Chest Piece (Slugger variant).
- 800 Merits: Vita Spray Blueprint.
- 900 Merits: Headgear (Slugger variant).
- 1,050 Merits: The Batting Helmet for Scrappy, a rooster-sized helmet for the game's iconic mascot.
For more on the game's visual updates and community-driven showcases of these new sets, the ARC Raiders Official Discord is the primary hub for player highlights and event progress updates.
Beyond Cosmetics: The Blueprint Advantage
While the Slugger outfit is certainly the main attraction, it is worth remembering that there are non-cosmetic rewards available by completing milestones on the Merit track. The Tactical MK. 3 (Healing) Blueprint, which can be earned at 200 Merits, as well as the Vita Spray Blueprint, which requires 800 Merits, are invaluable resources you will want to earn early on as they will be incredibly helpful towards the development of your future Expeditions. While these are high-end utility items, they will provide you with a significant advantage in terms of overall combat viability, as they cannot be earned after the close of the event. By working on these milestones early, you will be making your runs easier, as well as providing yourself with essential resources that will come in handy when Rust Belt goes back to its normal brutal PvP state.
Strategic Tips for Merit Farming
To unlock the final rewards within the two-week window, you’ll need to accumulate roughly 105,000 XP from ARC combat. Here is how to maximize your efficiency:
- Target the Heavies: Large units like Queens, Matriarchs, and Bastions grant significantly more XP compared to standard drones. Some players have managed to complete the entire track rapidly by prioritizing 4 Queens along with multiple Rocketeers and Wasps.
- Utilize "Cold Snap": The freezing weather condition has returned as a permanent part of the rotation. While it requires moving between indoor areas to avoid Frostbite damage, the increased loot value on these maps makes them the premier choice for farming both materials and Merits.
- The "Social" Meta: Don't be afraid to use proximity chat or the new Hand Signals emote to form temporary alliances. During Shared Watch, you'll often find rival squads in the same building trying to stay warm; working together to fight off waves of ARC is more beneficial than a risky backstab.
- Carry Extra Ammo: It makes sense that, since the event promotes interaction with machines, players should choose those that do well against ARC, as well as those with a high amount of ammo.
Further technical explanations of the maintenance of this PvE/PvP can be read on the ARC Raiders NewsPage, where the team explains their thoughts on the philosophy of Limited Use Events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What happens if I kill another player during Shared Watch?
Nothing negative happens to your character, but you receive zero Merits for the kill. PvP remains enabled, but it does not contribute to your event progression in any way.
Q2: Can I save my Shared Watch blueprints for the next Expedition?
No. Unlike some previous rewards, Shared Watch blueprints, such as the Tactical MK. 3 (Healing) or Vita Spray cannot be banked for post-expedition use. If you are planning a character reset, consider this before focusing exclusively on blueprints.
Q3: How long do I have to finish the event?
The Shared Watch event closes on February 24, 2026. This is not too long of a period, so you will want to focus on ARC takedowns if you wish to obtain these rewards.
Q4: Is the Slugger outfit purely cosmetic?
Yes, like most outfits in ARC Raiders, the Slugger set and Scrappy's helmet are purely cosmetic and do not have any in-game bonuses.
Q5: What is the best way to earn 1,050 Merits quickly?
Grinding maps with the Cold Snap condition and focusing on large machines like Queens and Rocketeers is the fastest path to completion.
Q6: What is the conversion rate for XP earned to Merits?
For every 100 XP you earn through taking down ARC enemies, you gain 1 Merit toward your Shared Watch event track. Merits are earned exclusively from PvE actions.
Securing Your Slugger Rewards
The Shared Watch Event is a breath of fresh air from the traditional tension of the Rust Belt. By giving players a great reward for working together, as well as something cool to show off to their fellow players, Embark has made players want to work together to take down the ARC machines. Whether your focus is on acquiring the top-tier healing blueprints or you want to see Scrappy wear a batting helmet, the next two weeks are the ideal opportunity to make some new friends and destroy some machines. Enjoy this subsidized peace of mind, though, as things will go back to their old-school brutalism on February 24.
If you are looking to secure the best gear before the event ends, you can buy Arc Raiders items or find an Arc Raiders account sale with legacy unlocks already completed to ensure you’re ready for the next major update.
