Just weeks after the explosive launch of Arc Raiders, Embark Studios has delivered its first major update with the arrival of Stella Montis, the game’s fifth map. Players worldwide had to band together to unlock this new area through the Breaking New Ground community event, which challenged them to collect and donate essential materials to restore tunnels leading to Stella Montis.
Community Unlock Event Drives Player Cooperation
Unlike traditional map releases, Stella Montis required extensive player cooperation to access. Materials like Metal Parts, Fabric, Chemicals, Rubber Parts, and Plastic Parts had to be gathered and contributed to the tunnel restoration project. This ambitious approach harkens back to MMORPG-style global events, encouraging teamwork across the player base and rewarding participation with special Merits currency.
Stella Montis: The Map Experience
Set deep in the northern mountains, Stella Montis features a secluded research facility that combines tight corridors perfect for ambushes and massive halls that host the map’s towering boss, the Matriarch. The environment is colder yet well-preserved compared to other Rust Belt ruins, offering fresh gameplay dynamics and strategic variety.
New enemy types debut here, including the Matriarch, an intimidating ARC enemy overwhelming squads with powerful attacks, and the Shredder, a fast, close-quarters menace endemic to the Stella Montis locale.
New Gear and Gameplay Features
The update brings a variety of new weapons and tactical gear suited for this challenging map. The legendary Energy Burst Battle Rifle adds ranged versatility, while new explosive tools—Pulse, Timer, and Gas Mines—as well as the Trailblazer and Seeker Grenades, add layers of strategic options during raids.
Alongside these additions are balance tweaks such as reduced crafting costs for core items, price adjustments for cosmetics, and improvements to game performance addressing PvP desync and smoother player movement.
The Road Ahead
Server-wide participation capped the Merits earned per player, but continued donations still feed the community’s progress in “Staking Our Claim,” the second phase of the update’s progression system. This sets the stage for more seasonal content, events, and map expansions heading into 2026.
The rapid unlocking of Stella Montis within just one day of the event’s start demonstrates the strong enthusiasm and dedication among Arc Raiders’ player base, hinting at a promising future for Embark Studios’ ambitious PvPvE experience.
FAQs
How do I unlock the Stella Montis map?
Players must contribute gathered materials such as Metal Parts, Fabric, Chemicals, Rubber, and Plastic to the Breaking New Ground community event which restores the tunnels to Stella Montis.
What new enemies are found in Stella Montis?
The map introduces Matriarch, a massive boss-level ARC enemy, and Shredder, an agile close-quarter ARC that patrols the facility’s corridors.
What new weapons come with the update?
New gear includes the Energy Burst Battle Rifle, three types of mines (Pulse, Timer, Gas), and two new grenades (Trailblazer, Seeker) expanding combat options.
Does this update include quality of life improvements?
Yes. There are several quality of life updates including reduced PvP desync, smoother movement, and cosmetic price reductions.
Is Stella Montis available on all platforms?
Yes, the map and update are available across all current supported platforms for Arc Raiders.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders’ first major update with the Stella Montis map showcases Embark Studios’ commitment to community-driven content expansion and inventive PvPvE gameplay. The ambitious community unlock event united players in a global effort, paving way for new enemies, weapons, and tactical challenges that promise to keep the Rust Belt fascinating well into 2026.