Arc Raiders is evolving fast. Just days after launch, Embark Studios dropped a major update in November 2025 that finally addresses two of the community’s biggest complaints: fairer duo matchmaking and high cosmetic prices. The new duo-priority queuing system makes it much less common for two-player squads to get stomped by trios, and cosmetics in the store have gotten a hefty price cut—with automatic refunds in in-game Raider Tokens if you bought skins earlier at higher prices.
How Duo Priority Matchmaking Works
The new duo-priority system aims to match two-player squads against other duos rather than pulling them into lobbies against full trios. Embark Studios explained that this is not a hard lock—duos are prioritized together, but if there aren’t enough duos for a fast match, you might still end up facing trios. The matchmaking logic now works like this:
- Solos mostly match with other solos or similar small groups.
- Duos have a much higher chance of facing other duos, instead of always being pitted against threes.
- Trios tend to get matched with trios.
This soft priority system avoids splitting up the player pool, which could mean long queues in off-peak times. It’s a compromise—duo teams usually play against each other, but won’t wait forever if the player base dips.
Cosmetic Price Cuts and Automatic Refunds
Along with the duo matchmaking update, cosmetic prices in the Arc Raiders shop have been slashed across the board as of November 13, 2025. Many players had complained cosmetic skins were nearly half the price of the game itself. Embark responded by dropping prices and issuing refunds for the difference in premium currency to anyone who purchased items early. This means if you bought a pricey skin before November 13, you already have bonus Raider Tokens in your account—no action required.
Patch Notes and Other Changes
The latest update also brought performance fixes and other quality-of-life tweaks, including:
- Reduced character movement latency and improved damage sync (less being hit after reaching cover).
- Better achievement tracking and bug fixes for container objectives.
- Lower XP and item drop adjustments for key enemy types, with improvements to crafting.
- UI/UX tweaks including better inventory management, smoother vaulting, and new confirmation prompts.
Developers emphasized these are just the beginning, promising more roadmap content and fixes through the end of 2025 as Arc Raiders celebrates a huge launch (over 700,000 concurrents at peak, 4M+ sold) and continuous live updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arc Raiders have a strict duo-only mode?
No. The new system prioritizes duo matchmaking but doesn’t guarantee you’ll *only* ever face other twos. If population is low, you might end up facing trios—but this should be less common than before.
Can solo players avoid being paired with groups?
The matchmaking now separates solos, duos, and trios as best as possible, so solos mostly play against other solos or small teams, improving fairness overall.
How do the cosmetic refunds work?
If you bought a cosmetic item before the November price drop, you should already find the difference in Raider Tokens refunded to your account automatically. No manual claim or request needed.
Are more matchmaking changes coming?
Yes. Embark says this is an ongoing process. They’re watching queue health and considering further improvements based on player feedback and server population.
What else did the patch fix?
Performance tweaks, achievement fixes, crafting and loot adjustments, smoother movement, better inventory UI, and more balance updates are all included in the November update.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders is proving it’s listening to its players. Duo priority queuing and big cosmetic price cuts were high on the fan wishlist, and Embark delivered both within days of launch—complete with refunds for early buyers. With more updates, tweaks, and roadmap expansions on the way, Arc Raiders is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most responsive and community-driven shooters.