
The Shared Watch Event marks one of the most exciting shifts in ARC Raiders gameplay to date. Running from February 10 to February 24, 2026, this limited-time event pushes the community toward large-scale cooperative PvE combat while preserving the game’s signature tension and risk.
Instead of constant player hunting, Shared Watch rewards Raiders who focus on what truly threatens the world of ARC: the machines. Fight together, earn Merits, and unlock valuable rewards that carry real progression value beyond the event itself.
Merits are the core currency of the Shared Watch Event. You earn them by damaging and destroying ARC enemies, regardless of who lands the final blow. Every patrol cleared, every heavy unit weakened, and every large-scale engagement contributes to your total.
This system encourages players to jump into fights together rather than compete over kills. Temporary alliances form naturally as squads pour fire into the same machine targets, fully aware that the truce could end the moment the threat is gone.
The result is constant action, faster progression, and more memorable PvE moments.
Shared Watch offers a rewarding progression track that makes every Merit count. As you climb, you unlock useful items, Raider Tokens, and the standout cosmetic reward: The Slugger Set.
With its baseball-inspired aesthetic, The Slugger Set feels surprisingly at home in ARC Raiders’ scavenger-filled world. More importantly, Raider Tokens support your long-term progression, making this event valuable even after it ends.
Shared Watch does not remove PvP. Other Raiders can still ambush you, steal your loot, and end your run instantly. The difference lies in player behavior.
Because rewards are tied to machine combat, many players hesitate before opening fire on fellow Raiders mid-fight. Chasing PvP often means losing out on Merits. This creates more moments of silent cooperation, careful positioning, and mutual awareness.
The return of Cold Snap adds another layer of challenge. Freezing conditions force players to manage exposure carefully, making indoor areas essential for survival.
Movement planning becomes critical. Open ground is dangerous, and buildings turn into high-traffic hotspots where multiple squads may converge to escape the cold. During Shared Watch, these spaces often become shared defensive positions instead of instant battlegrounds.
This event rewards endurance over burst damage. Instead of building purely for PvP duels, focus on sustained performance.
Weapons with stable fire rates and efficient ammo usage perform best in long machine engagements. Bring enough healing and repair tools to stay active across multiple fights without extracting early.
Mobility matters more than ever. Cold Snap makes quick access to indoor areas a lifesaver. This is also an excellent time to invest in ARC Raiders blueprints to upgrade crafted gear — small improvements add up fast when you’re fighting machines back to back.
Once Shared Watch ends on February 24, players can sign up for the second in-game Expedition starting February 25, with the event going live on March 1.
This Expedition introduces a Skill Point catch-up system, allowing players to recover progress missed during the first Expedition. Each missing Skill Point now requires only 300,000 stash value, and newly earned Coins will prioritize the second Expedition before filling previous gaps.
With a major update arriving at the end of the month, Embark Studios is clearly using Shared Watch as a bridge—helping players gear up, progress faster, and prepare for what’s coming next.
If you have ever wanted more large-scale PvE action without losing the thrill of danger, this is the perfect time to drop in.