Arc Raiders' next big update is out tomorrow, and we were all wrong about the new map condition: Buried City gets covered in birds, and there's a "long-term" Arc trophy display handing out "rarer blueprints"

1. Games
2. Third Person Shooters
3. Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders' next big update is out tomorrow, and we were all wrong about the new map condition: Buried City gets covered in birds, and there's a "long-term" Arc trophy display handing out "rarer blueprints" News By Austin Wood published 26 January 2026

Arc Raiders' Headwinds update kicks off the 2026 roadmap

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Embark) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

The big Arc Raiders Headwinds update arrives Tuesday, January 27, adding a surprise Buried City map condition, a new raider project that's all about hunting big Arc, new party settings, and a strange matchmaking option.

Headwinds kicks off the 2026 roadmap revealed this month. The new matchmaking option, exclusive to players at level 40 or above, is "Solos vs Squads," letting solo players opt into the team queue if they really want to challenge themselves (or die). I, too, struggle to see why you would choose this option if not for the amusement of a Twitch audience.

This comes alongside two new lobby settings: open parties and squad invites, respectively allowing friends to join your lobby directly, and letting anyone in the party, not just the leader, invite more people.

You may like

• Arc Raiders' Headwinds update lands tomorrow, and theories we're getting 4-player squads aren't going well with everyone
• Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap revealed: exclusive matchmaking for lvl 40+ players, "new large Arc," beach map teased
• Arc Raiders' Bird City map modifier explained

The new map condition, stepping in for the expected Arc Raiders Toxic Swamp modifier spotted in unreleased trials, is Bird City. This minor condition covers Buried City in flocks of birds that'll leave piles of treasure on rooftops and other high-up areas, "drawing players in search of loot upward into more vertical combat spaces and tighter encounters," says Embark, quietly stoking the fires of PvP. (Full Arc Raiders Bird City guide here.)

"The condition rewards bold traversal and situational awareness, offering high-risk, high-reward opportunities through rooftop routes and chimney caches that can contain valuable materials and rare trinkets, while increasing player proximity and encounter frequency across the map."

"Headwinds is about opening up new ways for the community to approach Arc Raiders and additional challenges for advanced players," design director Virgil Watkins says in a press release. "Between the expanded matchmaking options, new map condition and new player project, we're excited to see how Raiders adapt and experiment — and we can't wait to see the unexpected, funny moments and short clips the community starts creating as the update rolls out."

The next raider project, the Arc Trophy Display, is a "long-term" goal designed to reward PvE. "Hunt increasingly dangerous Arc enemies and submit their parts in exchange for progression rewards," Embark explains. "Advancing through the project unlocks new items and cosmetics tied to player achievements including rarer blueprints and Raider Tokens."

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

A new, deterministic way to acquire blueprints is great news, and it's also exciting to see additional PvE incentives. Embark says these additions are joined by new quests as well as smaller gameplay and quality-of-life updates, but we'll seemingly have to wait for the patch notes on Tuesday for specifics here.

Everything in the Arc Raiders Escalation roadmap.

CATEGORIES PS5 Xbox Series X PC Gaming Platforms PlayStation Xbox Austin WoodSocial Links NavigationSenior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Arc Raiders' Headwinds update lands tomorrow, and theories we're getting 4-player squads aren't going well with everyone    Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap revealed: exclusive matchmaking for lvl 40+ players, "new large Arc," beach map teased    Arc Raiders' Bird City map modifier explained    Everything in Arc Raiders' Escalation and 2026 Roadmap    Arc Raiders roadmap confirms new map Stella Montis, expanded quests, 2 new Arcs to fight in November, and a new Raider Deck battle pass for December    Arc Raiders' new matchmaking option is a big letdown that almost nobody will use: "Solos vs Squads"    Latest in Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' Bird City map modifier explained    Arc Raiders' new matchmaking option is a big letdown that almost nobody will use: "Solos vs Squads"    Arc Raiders' Headwinds update lands tomorrow, and theories we're getting 4-player squads aren't going well with everyone    How to resupply yourself and your teammates with the Supply Pack in Helldivers 2    Tips for beating the new Helldivers 2 Commando Missions and the best gear    Arc Raiders 2026 roadmap revealed: exclusive matchmaking for lvl 40+ players, "new large Arc," beach map teased    Latest in News The Penguin breakout star Cristina Milioti says Sofia Falcone is "definitively not" in The Batman 2    Hours after launch, Highguard has "Mostly Negative" reviews and a peak of 97,000 players on Steam    Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 uses Unreal Engine 4 because "we're already familiar" with it, director explains    As GTA 6 looms near Fable's fall release date, Xbox Game Studios head isn't super worried about Rockstar    "I wish Highguard had been received better," CEO admits, after cancelling a planned Apex Legends-style shadow drop    Prince of Persia remake cancellation is "the most devastating moment" of voice actor's career after 3 years of work    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Code Vein 2 review: "This vampire take on Elden Ring almost works, but the dungeons themselves lack bite"
2. 2Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for
3. 3Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based hybrid combat is finely balanced"
4. 4Scythe review: "This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy"
5. 5Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"

1. 1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
2. 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
3. 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
4. 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
5. 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"

1. 1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
2. 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
3. 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
5. 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”