Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 is here, and if you’ve been dominating PvP lobbies with the Stitcher or Venator, you’re going to feel this one. Embark Studios has rolled out the Shrouded Sky update with sweeping weapon nerfs, tougher crafting requirements, anti-cheat changes, and a brand-new hurricane map condition that completely changes how you approach a run in the Rust Belt.

📡 Attention, Raiders!
The Shrouded Sky Update is live! ⛈️
Violent hurricanes are sweeping topside, forcing new strategies for low-visibility combat.
Scouts have spotted two new ARC types in the Rust Belt; we advise caution while the storm runs its course, but those who know how… pic.twitter.com/saFDY8Vxfd

— ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) February 24, 2026

This isn’t a small balance tweak. Version 1.17.0 marks one of the biggest updates yet for Arc Raiders in 2026, and it pushes both PvP and PvE players to rethink their loadouts, strategies, and even how they read the weather.

Shrouded Sky Introduces Hurricanes And New Arc Threats

The headline feature of Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 is the Shrouded Sky content drop. Violent hurricanes now sweep across topside areas, creating low-visibility combat scenarios, powerful gales, and flying debris that can disrupt positioning and extraction plans.

Embark has also introduced two new ARC enemy types in the Rust Belt. While full breakdowns of their behaviour are still unfolding in the community, the studio warns that players who can “read the weather” will find opportunity amid the chaos. This suggests the storm systems are more than just visual flair and may affect spawn behaviour, movement, or engagement patterns.

Alongside the hurricanes, the update adds a Weather Monitoring System as a seasonal player project, a free Raider Deck, an Expedition Window, a Dam Battlegrounds map update, and new facial hair customisation options.

Major PvP Weapon Nerfs Hit Stitcher, Kettle And Venator

If you mainly play PvP, Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 makes its biggest statement through weapon balancing.

The Stitcher, Kettle, and Venator have all received base damage reductions. The Stitcher’s headshot multiplier has been reduced from 2.5 to 1.75, and its base damage drops from 7 to 6.5. On top of that, per-shot dispersion has increased significantly, meaning it blooms faster and loses full-spray accuracy sooner.

The Kettle’s base damage falls from 10 to 8.5. Embark says it wants to differentiate it more clearly from the Stitcher, especially after players began using it like an SMG in close quarters instead of its intended mid-range role.

The Venator, which has consistently topped PvP performance data, sees its headshot multiplier reduced from 2.5 to 2 and its base damage lowered from 9 to 8. Embark has openly acknowledged that the weapon has been dominating PvP encounters and that further adjustments could follow if these changes do not sufficiently rein it in.

Jupiter And Aphelion Receive Buffs

Not everything in Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 is a nerf. Jupiter and Aphelion both receive meaningful buffs aimed at improving viability.

Jupiter now has improved ADS magnification, increasing from roughly 1.9x to around 2.2x, giving players a clearer view for long-range engagements. Equip time drops from 1.2 seconds to 1.05 seconds, while unequip time is reduced from 0.9 seconds to 0.75 seconds, making weapon swaps less punishing.

Aphelion gets a more dramatic rework. Base reload time drops from 4.5 seconds to 3.5 seconds. Time between shots is reduced from 0.9 seconds to 0.7 seconds. Vertical recoil is cut by roughly 50 percent, and ADS settle speed improves by around 35 percent. Embark describes this as an effort to make the legendary weapon feel less bulky and more nimble in PvP.

Crafting Changes Make High Tier Gear Harder To Farm

PvE players are not walking away untouched in Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0. Several powerful items now require additional ARC resources to craft.

Deadline and Trailblazer both see value and trader price increases, alongside the addition of new ARC parts as crafting requirements. Wolfpack now requires a Rocketeer Driver per craft, a rare resource that many players already struggle to farm consistently. Vita Spray now needs an additional Tick Pod, and Showstopper requires a Hornet Driver and swaps one of its crafting components.

Embark has also reduced ARC part sell value to better reflect their progression importance, meaning dumping excess parts for quick currency is now less rewarding.

For players who rely heavily on Wolfpack’s aerial homing explosives for ARC encounters, this is arguably one of the steepest adjustments in the patch.

Semi Auto Weapon Input Buffer Fix Addressed “Shadow Buff”

One of the more technical changes in Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 addresses what players had described as a “shadow buff” to semi-automatic weapons.

Embark confirmed that a previous update unintentionally altered weapon input buffers. This allowed players to spam-click and bypass intended cadence timing, effectively removing some of the skill expression involved in pacing shots.

The new system introduces more granular control over input buffering per weapon. Spam-clicking remains responsive, but players who time their shots correctly should now see better overall performance. This strikes a middle ground between responsiveness and mastery.

Feat Changes And Expedition Catch Up System

Progression also receives a shake-up.

Feats can now be rerolled three times per day for free, while PvP Feats have been removed entirely. Several existing Feats have been updated, and new ones have been added.

There is also a new Expedition catch-up system, allowing players to earn missed Skill Points from previous runs. The UI has been updated to better track this progress, reducing confusion around skill progression.

Candleberries in Blue Gate now count toward the Harvest Plants trial, and players who occasionally missed a skill point due to a results screen bug should now see that issue resolved.

Anti Cheat Enforcement Tightened Further

Embark closes out the Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 patch notes with a firm anti-cheat message.

The studio explains that its detection systems operate on multiple levels, including behavioural analysis, gameplay telemetry, and machine learning models. Serious infractions will now carry stricter consequences, with strong detections resulting in immediate permanent bans. Other cases may receive temporary suspensions with a single chance to correct behaviour.

Family Sharing updates have strengthened their ability to remove repeat offenders, and Embark is preparing a systematic manual review process for ban appeals. The team describes the anti-cheat effort as an ongoing fight and emphasises continued investment in precision enforcement.

Smaller Additions And Quality Of Life Changes

Beyond balance and anti-cheat, Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 introduces a surprising amount of polish.

Players can now interact with a piano topside, expanding the growing list of playable instruments. NVIDIA Freestyle filters can no longer all be enabled simultaneously, removing what Embark calls an unfair visual advantage.

Ziplines can no longer be placed on carryable objects or ARC remnants in ways that consume items incorrectly. Mines, traps, and remote flares cannot be stacked onto other deployables. Performance improvements, lighting fixes across maps, animation polish, audio adjustments, UI clarity improvements, and additional localisation updates round out the patch.

Even Scrappy has been adjusted, and will now “cluck less frequently” after player feedback about excessive noise.

What Comes Next For Arc Raiders In 2026

Shrouded Sky pushes Arc Raiders halfway through Embark’s four-month 2026 roadmap.

Flashpoint is expected in late March with more threats and changes to Scrappy, while Riven Tides is set to introduce a new map and a new large ARC in April.

Arc Raiders Update 1.17.0 sets a clear tone for the year. Embark is willing to nerf dominant PvP weapons, make powerful PvE gear harder to craft, and overhaul systems like input buffering and anti-cheat enforcement, all while layering in environmental mechanics like hurricanes that directly impact gameplay flow.

For Raiders who enjoy adapting to shifting metas and evolving conditions, Shrouded Sky is less about comfort and more about learning to survive in a storm.

The post Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky Update Brings Weapon Nerfs And Hurricanes appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games’ 2v2 fighter 2XKO has officially entered Early Access, and its first season is packed with new content, a full Battle Pass system, and major gameplay tweaks. Season 0 launches with two big updates, Patch 1.0.1 and 1.0.1.1, setting the tone for how 2XKO will run as a live service game.

2xko season 0 patch notes. changes go live + servers are up on oct 7 at 8am pt

our patch notes article covers everything in detail.
read it here: https://t.co/2f5LQXzhRW pic.twitter.com/2QvC8a4Rb3

— 2XKO (@Play2XKO) October 6, 2025

Early Access starts on October 7, and from here on, there’ll be no more account resets. Everything players unlock is permanent, with progress carrying over to consoles once they release. Ranked mode arrives later this week with Patch 1.0.1.1 on October 9, alongside key balance changes and system updates.

Battle Pass and Store

2XKO now has a Battle Pass with both free and premium tracks. The premium track comes in three tiers, Standard, Deluxe, and Ultra, and players can earn Battle Pass XP all season long, purchasing at any time to claim everything they’ve already levelled.

The free track for Season 0 includes the Rift Quest Teemo skin, a set of avatar clothing, three stickers, a player card, a player title, and a finisher. Premium rewards include exclusive champion skins, avatar items, and even a new stage, Firelight Run, which debuts on the paid track before becoming available for Credits later.

pic.twitter.com/Gf95YnabVd

— 2XKO (@Play2XKO) October 6, 2025

The in-game store also opens for the first time with Starter Edition bundles available until December 2026. These include KO Points, Champion Tokens, and Arcane-themed cosmetics, scaling up from the Standard to Ultra versions. Later this season, players can expect rotating Mega Bundles: Crime City (November 4), Aureate (December 2), and Snow Moon (December 23), each featuring themed champion skins like Jinx, Darius, Warwick, and Ahri.

New Champions: Teemo and Warwick

Season 0 introduces two new champions, Teemo, the Swift Scout, and Warwick, the Uncaged Wrath of Zaun. Teemo fights with traps and poison mushrooms to control space, while Warwick uses his unique Bloodlust meter to unlock new specials and cancels when it fills.

From Season 1 onward, every season will debut a new champion. Players can unlock them in the first three weeks via KO Points, Champion Tokens, or the Ultra Battle Pass bundle. Future Recruitment Events will also let players earn new characters for free using Battle Pass XP.

New Features and Tutorials

Season 0 adds new ways to learn and earn rewards. First Step missions guide new players through the basics, giving out a Champion Token, while Combo Trials offer over 250 combos across the roster. There’s also a new Frame Data Bar in Training Mode for those who want to perfect their timing.

Players who joined the Closed Beta will receive the exclusive “Closed Beta Boss” title, and two new stages, Bandlewood Crossing and Firelight Run, expand the game’s scenery.

Ranked and Gameplay Changes

Ranked mode goes live on October 9 with improved matchmaking and fairer placements based on Closed Beta data. Queue times will be longer, but matches should feel more balanced.

Core gameplay also sees major updates. Players can now act mid-air after blocking, Break has been toned down to be less dominant, and meter gain has been reduced overall to limit overpowered combos. Fuses like Juggernaut, Double Down, and Sidekick have been nerfed, while champions such as Ahri, Braum, Darius, and Vi receive buffs. Ekko, Jinx, and Yasuo see minor nerfs to even the roster.

Additional tweaks improve assists, tutorials, and accessibility, with a new narrator option, expanded Credits cap (12,000), and a News tab in the client.

The Bottom Line

Season 0 is a strong start for 2XKO’s Early Access run, offering a full Battle Pass, new heroes, revamped systems, and a commitment to ongoing updates. With Ranked launching this week and plenty of cosmetics to chase, it’s a good time to jump in and start grinding those missions, especially since every reward you unlock is here to stay.

The post 2XKO Season 0 Patch Notes Bring Battle Pass, Ranked Mode and Two New Champions appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

League of Legends might be one of the most finely tuned esports in the world right now, but according to some of the biggest names in the scene, that balance has come at a cost: fun.

At the Esports World Cup 2025, legendary mid laner Faker shared his thoughts on where the game is heading, and he didn’t hold back. “League has seen many patches that emphasise team movements and plays,” he said. “If future patches focus more on individual skill, I think players would really like that.”

It’s no surprise coming from someone like Faker. Known for his jaw-dropping Zed outplays and pixel-perfect mechanics, Faker built his legacy off the back of fast reflexes and pure mechanical mastery. He wants to bring back the style of gameplay that made those plays possible, not just in highlight reels, but as a regular part of the meta.

To make that happen, Riot would need to tone down jungle influence in the early game and reduce the power of roaming supports. The goal? Give players the chance to win or lose lanes through 1v1 skill, not constant third-party interference. Buffs to champions like Akali, Zed, and other high-skill-cap champs wouldn’t hurt either.

And Faker’s not alone.

Other pros at EWC 2025 chimed in with their own wishlist for Season 2026. Jojopyun wants nerfs to support champs, Tarzan, Levi, and JunJia are all calling for jungle buffs (with JunJia asking for more carry options), while Elyoya reckons dragons have way too much impact on the outcome of games and need to be dialled back.

On the more radical side, Bwipo suggested removing free boots entirely to reduce early aggression, BrokenBlade wants Teleport gone, and Caps is just out here asking for fun — he wants AP Kog’Maw back in the mix.

Even quality-of-life didn’t escape scrutiny. Busio wants queue times fixed. Fair call.

But perhaps the most brutally honest take came from Nemesis, the former Fnatic mid laner, who now plays in the NLC with the Los Ratones roster. He reckons League’s biggest problem right now is that it’s become “too bland.”

I don’t think the game is too balanced but rather too bland – items are overly simplified, runes haven’t had meaningful updates in ages, objectives all feel the same, and patches barely shift anything at high MMR

— Nemesis (@nemesis_lol) July 29, 2025

“The game isn’t too balanced,” he said on X, “it’s too boring.” Simplified items, stale runes, identical-feeling objectives — and patches that barely shake up the high-elo ladder — have all contributed to a meta where risk-taking isn’t rewarded, and creativity is punished.

And while features like Fearless Draft have helped shake up champion pools, players are still defaulting to meta picks and same-old builds. Innovation is low, and the game’s feeling a bit soulless — at least at the top.

Interestingly, League’s lead gameplay designer, Phroxzon, seems aware of the issue. The dev team worked hard to balance things out, but ironically, that might’ve killed some of the charm. As Nemesis put it, the game might be too fair, and that might be why it’s feeling stale.

So What’s Next?

With feedback rolling in from every direction, and pressure from icons like Faker and Nemesis, Riot’s going to have to make some big calls. Do they double down on balance? Or bring back the chaos, risk, and individual pop-off potential that helped put League on the map in the first place?

Not everyone agrees with the pros, though. Popular streamer TastyPotatox, known for his spicy Alpha Mundo plays, offered a different take.

Dont listen to the people playing 50 games a day. Of course it will feel boring to them. Game is the most balanced its ever been. Can play any champ which feels so good.

— TastyPotatox (Alpha Mundo Main) (@Tasty_Potatox) July 29, 2025

It’s a fair point. For a lot of casual and ranked players, the current patch might be the best League has felt in years, which is stable, wide-open champion pools, and fewer “must-pick” bans.

So who’s right? Maybe both sides are. While the balance team has hit a sweet spot technically, the feel of the game, especially at the highest level, might still be missing something.

For now, the community watches and waits. But one thing’s clear: the pros aren’t holding back anymore, and they want League to be fun again.

The post Faker, Nemesis, and the Pros Are Over the Current LoL Meta – Here’s What They Want Changed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.