Best Arc Raiders Loadouts After the Shrouded Sky Balance Patch

Patch 1.17.0 hit the meta hard. The Stitcher and Kettle — two weapons that dominated PvP since launch — both got significant nerfs. Here's how the loadout landscape looks now and what to run instead.

What Changed

Nerfed

• Stitcher: Headshot multiplier dropped from 2.5x to 1.75x. Still viable, but no longer the instant-delete machine it was
• Kettle: Damage reduced from 10 to 8.5. Needs more shots to down players
• Venator: Damage reduced from 9 to 8
• Wolfpack: Now requires a Rocketeer Drive to craft — harder to access

Buffed

• Aphelion: Reload time buffed from 4.5s to 3.5s
• Jupiter: ADS zoom increased to 2.2x, faster equip/unequip time
• Semi-automatic weapons now reward paced, accurate shots over spray

Loadout 1: Precision Predator

Primary: Aphelion | Secondary: Jupiter

The Aphelion's reload buff makes it genuinely competitive now. Pair it with the Jupiter for long-range engagements — the increased ADS zoom and faster weapon swaps let you flex between ranges smoothly. This loadout rewards accuracy and positioning.

Best for: Open maps, solo play, players with strong aim

Loadout 2: Close Quarters Brawler

Primary: Stitcher | Secondary: Il Toro

The Stitcher is still strong — it just can't one-tap headshot as easily. Use it for mid-range encounters and switch to the Il Toro for close-quarters finishes. Note that the Il Toro's "Shinya roll" exploit was patched in hotfix 1.17.1, so you'll need to play it straight.

Best for: Aggressive playstyles, indoor areas, Buried City

Loadout 3: ARC Hunter (PvE Focus)

Primary: Kettle | Secondary: Aphelion

The Kettle's nerf was targeted at PvP balance — it's still excellent against ARC machines. Pair it with the Aphelion for dealing with flying enemies like the new Firefly. This loadout shreds through PvE encounters and the Trophy Display project hunts.

Best for: PvE-focused runs, Trophy Display grinding, Shared Watch events

Loadout 4: Storm Runner

Primary: Venator | Secondary: Stitcher

For Hurricane conditions specifically. The Venator's slight damage reduction is offset by its reliability in low-visibility situations. The Stitcher covers medium range when wind isn't a factor. Keep your engagements short — the wind can turn a winning fight into a losing one.

Best for: Hurricane map condition, extraction runs

General Tips Post-Patch

1. Pace your shots with semi-auto weapons. Spam firing is less effective now — the game rewards precision
2. Watch your deployable placement. Ziplines on carryable objects and stacking mines/traps on deployables no longer works
3. Reroll your Feats. You get three free rerolls per day now — use them to match your loadout
4. Run the Controlled Access Zone on Dam Battlegrounds for high-tier loot. The cooperative puzzle room drops some of the best gear in the game

The meta is healthier than it's been since launch. Embark's balance philosophy is clearly moving toward rewarding smart play over raw weapon stats, and that's good for the long-term health of the game.