Archive correction — November 11, 2026: This report was originally published on March 31, when ARC Raiders' Flashpoint update launched. The original coverage described its additions in broad, sometimes speculative terms. We have checked the developer's release notes, named the actual weapons and enemies, and clarified which matchmaking changes were conditional. The original URL and publication date remain unchanged.
What did ARC Raiders' Flashpoint update add? Embark Studios released Patch 1.22.0 on March 31, 2026, bringing the Canto SMG, Dolabra energy shotgun, Vaporizer aerial ARC, Surge Coil deployable, and the high-risk Close Scrutiny ARC Operation. The official Flashpoint patch notes are the primary record of this version, rather than a promise that the current live build uses identical balance values.
Canto and Dolabra: the two new weapons
Canto is a rare SMG that uses medium ammunition. Embark described it as useful against ARC at close range, with enough reach to challenge enemy Raiders. It is a defined weapon with its own blueprint, not a sweeping new class of generic SMGs.
Dolabra is a legendary energy shotgun. According to the developer's Flashpoint introduction, its variable focus lets players choose between a spread-out burst and a concentrated stream of electrical fire. The developer associated its blueprint with the new Close Scrutiny ARC Operation.
That distinction matters if a player is trying to understand historical loot or blueprint guides. The update introduced two specific weapons with different roles and rarity, not a blanket boost for every shotgun and SMG already in the game.
The original promotional weapon illustration accompanying this corrected article comes directly from the game's official Flashpoint news imagery, rather than an unrelated game screenshot.
Close Scrutiny and the ARC Assessor
Flashpoint also launched a new ARC Operation map condition called Close Scrutiny. During that condition, the huge ARC Assessor arrives under guard from dangerous patrols. Ordinary loot around the map becomes scarcer, but players can attempt to claim valuable resources from the Assessor itself.
Embark's description suggests a deliberate high-risk tradeoff: bring strong equipment and accept more opposition for potentially valuable objectives. That is a design goal, not a guarantee that every run will produce rare equipment or a particular blueprint.
Players should verify the current map rotation before planning a run, because the March introduction does not establish how frequently the operation appears in later seasons.
Vaporizer: a new airborne threat
The Vaporizer is an aerial ARC that attacks with lasers and unusual movement patterns. It was introduced alongside the new map operation and made navigating the affected zones more dangerous, particularly when rival Raiders were also nearby.
This is more specific than the old article's description of an unnamed flying enemy. It also distinguishes the Vaporizer from Shredders, another enemy type whose available maps expanded during the same update.
Embark confirmed that Shredders could appear on all maps, although Dam Battlegrounds appearances depended on particular map conditions. They were not restricted to the previous location after Flashpoint's launch.
Surge Coil and High-Gain Antenna
The Surge Coil joined the equipment pool as a rare deployable designed for tactical use. Separately, Flashpoint opened the High-Gain Antenna Player Project, in which players contributed resources toward a collective objective related to detecting mysterious aerial threats.
Those additions offered reasons to adjust loadouts or pursue objectives beyond the two new weapons. The specific value of any reward depends on the stage of the player project and the version of the game, so later player guides should cite their own dates.
Fresh-server matchmaking: a preference, not a guarantee
One practical quality-of-life change addressed Raiders who entered matches with a custom loadout. Embark increased their chance of joining a fresh server, while explicitly warning that this was not guaranteed. Region, map choice, time of day and available players could still affect matchmaking.
That nuance is important. An old guide saying custom loadouts always lead to brand-new sessions is not supported by Patch 1.22.0. Players could still enter an already active environment, and the change could also affect queue times.
Crafting, audio and performance fixes
The patch made missing crafting materials easier to acquire from the crafting screen by suggesting recycling, refining or purchase options. It also improved movement transitions, audio positioning and several visual or stability issues.
Embark documented texture-streaming optimizations, improvements to CPU performance and fixes for stuttering on lower-spec systems. These are developer-described changes, not independent benchmark measurements. Exact FPS improvements depend on hardware, settings and later updates.
How to use this archive today
For players returning after March, this article is a snapshot of what Flashpoint actually introduced. It should not be used to infer today's weapon damage, loot rates or rotation rules without comparing newer official patches.
For a complete original changelog, including every map and UI fix, consult Embark's Patch 1.22.0 notes and the Flashpoint feature overview. This page highlights the changes that most directly influenced player loadouts, risk and matchmaking.
Bottom line: Flashpoint introduced two named weapons, a laser-firing new ARC, a high-risk map operation and useful crafting and matchmaking adjustments. It did not guarantee every custom-loadout player a fresh server or specify a fixed amount of performance gain.