Arc Raiders players have discovered a highly frustrating loophole in the game’s newly revised matchmaking system, turning well-intentioned mechanics into a playground for griefers. Developer Embark Studios recently deployed Update 1.36 to address community concerns regarding player behavior across solo, duo, and trio lobbies. However, the highly reactive nature of this new matchmaking algorithm has backfired, allowing manipulative players, colloquially known as ‘rats,’ to exploit the self-defense rules by intentionally jumping into friendly lines of fire.
▲ Official Cover Art (Source: IGDB)
| Game Title | Arc Raiders |
| Recent Update | Version 1.36 |
| Core Issue | Matchmaking exploit via self-defense clause manipulation |
| Developer | Embark Studios |
| Affected Modes | PvE and PvP matchmaking lobbies |
The Evolution of Activity Based Matchmaking in Arc Raiders
The core of the issue stems from recent matchmaking overhauls aimed at protecting peaceful players. Initially, Update 1.36 introduced an aggressive matchmaking formula that tracked player actions across various Arc Raiders lobbies. The goal was simple: separate hostile players from those wanting a quieter PvE experience. In practice, however, downing just one aggressive raider would instantly flag a player as hostile, dragging them from peaceful PvE lobbies straight into unforgiving PvP deathmatches. Responding to widespread player complaints, Embark Studios introduced a self-defense clause. Under this new rule, players who killed an opponent in self-defense would not be penalized or forced into PvP lobbies, provided they were not the primary aggressor.
While the self-defense clause sounded excellent on paper, it quickly created an unintended loophole. Calculating who ‘shot first’ is an incredibly complex task for any automated system. Clever griefers soon realized they could bypass the aggression penalty entirely. By provoking other players in Arc Raiders into shooting first, these griefers could claim self-defense, kill their targets, and loot them without ever being kicked out of the highly profitable PvE matchmaking pool.
How Rats Exploit Friendly Fire in Arc Raiders Lobbies
The tactics used by these exploiters are surprisingly simple yet incredibly effective. Rather than engaging in traditional combat, these players shadow other raiders during intense encounters, such as fights against a Queen or Matriarch. When an innocent player fires a weapon like the Equalizer or charges up a heavy beam, the griefing player will intentionally sprint or jump directly into the active line of fire. The matchmaking system immediately registers this as an unprovoked attack by the shooter, revoking their self-defense immunity.
▲ Gameplay & Official Media (Source: IGDB)
The Aftermath of a Staged Confrontation
Once the system flags the innocent player as the aggressor, the instigator is free to retaliate under the guise of self-defense. To make matters worse, some exploiters coordinate with other players in the lobby, falsely claiming they were attacked unprovoked. This manipulation often rallies nearby players to hunt down the innocent shooter, who is quickly eliminated before they can escape or explain the situation. The griefer then loots their victim’s gear, including valuable weapons and resources, while maintaining a clean matchmaking status.
This predatory behavior has severely disrupted the delicate trust within the Arc Raiders community. When the game first launched, the lack of detailed knowledge about the matchmaking systems made identifying and dealing with griefers far more straightforward. Now, with players actively cheesing the mechanics, the PvE environment has become tense and paranoid, as players must constantly watch for teammates trying to weaponize friendly fire against them.
The delicate balance of automated matchmaking rules in Arc Raiders
Automated systems that attempt to police player intent will always face exploitation by creative griefers. By turning a protective self-defense shield into an offensive weapon, these exploiters have highlighted the limits of algorithmic moderation. Embark Studios must refine how the game detects intentional friendly fire, perhaps by calculating movement vectors or ignoring brief accidental damage during boss encounters, to restore genuine cooperative play.
Final Pulse Score: 7.2 / 10
Related Article: Arc Raiders Matchmaking Update Tackles Squad Sizes
Related Article: Arc Raiders Implements Major Anti Cheat Software Security Measures