Flashpoint — The Full Content Breakdown
Embark's end-of-month Flashpoint update is the biggest content drop of March 2026. A new ARC operation with the stationary Assessor machine, a brand-new flying enemy called the Vaporizer, two weapons, a new deployable, Shredders expanding to every map, a community antenna project, and the Wasp Hunter cosmetic bundle. Here's everything that shipped today.
ARC Assessor — Close Scrutiny Operation
The Flashpoint update introduces Close Scrutiny, a new major ARC Operation map condition built around a new type of ARC machine: the Assessor. This is a large, stationary machine that physically lands on the map and sets up shop — bringing a heavy ARC patrol presence with it.
What is the ARC Assessor?
The Assessor is a large stationary ARC unit that lands on the map when the Close Scrutiny operation is active. It doesn't roam — it holds ground, surrounds itself with heavy ARC patrols, and forces Raiders to make a decision.
The core tension: the rest of the map still has its normal loot, but the Assessor itself holds high-value resources. You either play it safe on the periphery or push into the Assessor's patrol zone for better rewards and higher risk.
How It Works
- Active as a map condition — not always present, triggers based on ARC operations
- The Assessor lands on the map at a fixed location, controlling that zone
- Heavy ARC patrol presence — more enemies than usual near and around the Assessor
- Standard map loot remains available elsewhere on the map
- Fighting through to the Assessor rewards higher-tier resources
Risk vs Reward
- Safe play: Loot the map edges, avoid the Assessor zone, extract cleanly
- High risk: Push into the Assessor, fight through heavy ARC patrols, take the better rewards
- The Vaporizer (see below) patrols around ARC Operations — expect aerial resistance
- Other Raiders may contest the Assessor loot — PvP risk layers on top
Vaporizer — New Flying ARC Enemy
The Vaporizer is a new flying ARC unit that patrols around ARC Operations. It uses laser attacks and moves unpredictably — making it a noticeably different threat from the Wasp, Hornet, or Firefly.
What Sets It Apart
- Armed with laser attacks — different damage profile from the Firefly's flame
- Described as having unpredictable combat patterns, making it harder to track and lead shots
- Specifically tied to ARC Operations — you'll encounter it when the Close Scrutiny map condition is active
- As a new unit class, the Vaporizer fills the "aerial guardian of ARC installations" role alongside the Firefly's hunter behavior
How to Approach It
- Treat it like a Firefly variant — anti-air weapons and aerial targeting experience carries over
- Lasers deal sustained damage; break line of sight with buildings or terrain to interrupt its attack cycle
- Unpredictable movement patterns mean leading shots is harder — weapons with hitscan or high velocity work better than slow projectiles
- Expect it near the Assessor zone; if you're not pushing the Assessor, you may be able to avoid it entirely
New Weapons
Two new weapons ship with Flashpoint — a close-quarters SMG and an energy shotgun with a unique variable-focus mechanic.
Canto
RareThe Canto is a medium-ammo SMG built for close-range engagements against both ARC machines and other Raiders. Medium ammo gives it more stopping power than typical SMGs while staying in an aggressive CQC role. A solid pick for Shredder-heavy runs now that they've expanded to all maps.
Dolabra
LegendaryThe Dolabra is a Legendary energy shotgun with a standout variable focus mechanic — it can switch between a wide burst spread and a concentrated electrical funnel. Wide mode for crowd control at close range, focused mode for armor penetration. Energy damage typing also opens up elemental interactions.
Surge Coil — New Deployable
Surge Coil (Rare Deployable)
A new Rare-tier deployable that you place in the environment. Once deployed, it periodically electrifies the surrounding area, automatically shocking any enemies (or players) that come within range. Think of it as an autonomous area-denial tool — drop it in a doorway, a loot room, or near an extraction point to discourage flanks and ARC pushes.
Good Uses
- Doorway control while looting a room
- Extraction zone defense while teammates loot
- Choke points during ARC Assessor pushes
- Pairs well with squad roles — one deploys it, others push
Watch Out
- Friendly fire — the Surge Coil doesn't distinguish Raiders from ARC
- Mine Sweeper can disarm it (Remote Raider Flares too — per patch 1.22.0)
- Positioned wrong it can shock your own team mid-loot
Shredders Now on All Maps
Shredders were previously contained to specific areas. With Flashpoint, they've expanded to spawn across all maps — but conditional on the Dam Battlegrounds map condition for the Dam specifically.
This is a meaningful threat escalation for all maps. Shredders are ground-level ARC enemies that deal fast melee damage — the Canto SMG (new this patch) is a natural counter. If you've been running Blue Gate or Spaceport without worrying about Shredders, that changes now.
High Gain Antenna Project
Player Project — Community Objective
The High Gain Antenna is a new Player Project — a community-driven objective where Raiders collectively gather and contribute resources to construct surveillance equipment. As the antenna project progresses, it unlocks story progression content tied to Flashpoint's narrative.
This is Arc Raiders' version of a seasonal community goal — everyone's contributions count toward the same global progress bar, making it worth running runs focused on the required materials even if you're not personally short on loot.
Scrappy Feeding System
New Companion Boost Mechanic
The companion rooster (Scrappy) can now be fed specific items from your stash, boosting the quality of loot it collects during raids. Feed Scrappy items to unlock the Scrappy Feeding Boost, improving drop quality. This adds a light progression mechanic to the companion system that rewards players who pay attention to what they're feeding in.
Cosmetics — Wasp Hunter Bundle & April Sets
Wasp Hunter Bundle
- Four color variants of the Wasp Hunter outfit
- Diver Backpack (White)
- Scrappy Helmet cosmetic
- Thruster Hammer tool skin
- 2,400 Raider Tokens included
Seasonal Sets
- Brigade — releasing in April 2026
- Vanguard — releasing in April 2026
- Nascosto — releasing in April 2026
Three full cosmetic sets rolling out through the month. No specific release dates yet beyond "April 2026."
The full patch — balance changes to Rocketeers and Fireflies, 11 audio fixes, 7 gameplay fixes, loot economy changes, map fixes across Dam / Buried City / Blue Gate / Spaceport / Stella Montis, UI improvements, and performance upgrades — is all documented in the patch notes.
Read Full Patch 1.22.0 Notes →