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ARC Raiders Patch 1.36.0 Introduces Separate Behaviour Tracking for Solo, Duo, and Trio Matchmaking Pools
July 10, 2026ARC Raiders’ July 2026 Patch 1.36.0 introduces player-requested separate behaviour profiles for Solo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking playlists, finally allowing playstyle freedom across different squad sizes.
Embark Studios has rolled out a significant matchmaking update for its PvPvE extraction shooter ARC Raiders, with Patch 1.36.0 going live on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox in July 2026. The key change: player behaviour is now tracked independently across Solo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking pools, a major response to months of community feedback regarding fairness and flexibility. Previously, ARC Raiders tracked a player’s in-game aggression or cooperation as a single profile, aggregating behaviour from all playlist types into one.
This system was widely criticised because actions taken in one squad size could unfairly impact match placement in entirely different modes. The new update means a player can choose to play supportively when solo, then switch to a ruthless PvP approach in squads without penalty or crossover.
Patch 1.36.0 addresses two core matchmaking flaws identified by players and confirmed by Embark Studios earlier in 2026:
- Defensive actions had previously been misclassified as aggression, leading to friendly players being unfairly matched with aggressive opponents.
- ‘Low-activity’ matches, where players had minimal interaction with others, had been given too much weight in overall behavioural profiles.
Following player reports and community pressure, Embark publicly acknowledged these issues in May 2026, stating, “the game’s matchmaking system needed work.” The studio clarified that the underlying system uses a complex algorithm for aggression measurement. As per official communications, the goal was to group “friendly, cooperative players together and aggressive PvP players together,” but execution had fallen short due to the flaws outlined above.
How ARC Raiders’ Revamped Matchmaking Profiles Work
ARC Raiders now assigns each player three distinct profiles, each corresponding to Solo, Duo, or Trio playlists. This enables players to adapt their behaviour without repercussions across modes. For example, a player can use solo sessions to farm resources or assist others with PvE objectives, while reserving more competitive or aggressive approaches for team-based matches. The update effectively prevents cross-contamination between playstyles: actions taken while alone no longer influence matchmaking with friends, and vice versa.
The new system is the culmination of an evolving process. Post-launch, players suspected that the game’s matchmaking algorithm was grouping users by behaviour, but it wasn’t until Embark’s admission and subsequent transparency that the issues became widely recognised. In their May statement, Embark explained:
“The idea behind matching players with others who share similar playstyles, i.e., friendly, cooperative players together and aggressive PvP players together, is welcome, [but] the system had two core shortcomings.”
By introducing separate tracking per playlist, Patch 1.36.0 implements a solution that directly addresses these player concerns—delivering on a long-standing request outlined in feedback forums over the past several months. Embark Studios notes that “players can now mix up their playstyles depending on the squad size, with their behaviour only impacting matchmaking in the relevant playlist.”
Community Impact and Continuing Development
The changes in Patch 1.36.0 have been widely welcomed by the ARC Raiders community. Comment threads and official discussion boards report a significant rise in player satisfaction, especially among those who felt wrongly punished for defensive play or grouped with mismatched opponents. The update brings a new layer of transparency to a previously opaque matchmaking process. For players, this means the freedom to choose between cooperation and competition without fear of jeopardising future match quality.
The official patch notes state:
“Your behaviour is now tracked separately in our Solo, Duo, and Trio playlists. This frees you up to play how you want in each mode, without worrying that your approach in, say, Solo, will affect your matchmaking in Duos or Trios.”
As of July 8, 2026, Patch 1.36.0 is available for download across all platforms. Embark Studios encourages players to review the full change log published on the ARC Raiders blog for granular details.
- Patch Release Date: 8 July 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Key Features: Separate matchmaking behaviour for Solo, Duo, and Trio; improved aggression detection; reduced weight for low-activity matches
- Official Patch Notes: Available at the ARC Raiders blog
For reference, ARC Raiders continues to refine its matchmaking system in response to direct player feedback, reinforcing Embark’s commitment to fair competition and transparent development. The new update demonstrates how major PvPvE titles can adapt backend systems to offer more personalised, mode-specific experiences for players at every skill and playstyle level.
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