New Hurricane Map Condition: Shrouded Sky in ARC Raiders

Shrouded Sky in ARC Raiders introduces the Hurricane, a brand-new map condition arriving on February 24, 2026. This is by far the most complex map condition the game has introduced to date — it touches nearly every aspect of gameplay simultaneously: movement, combat, visibility, equipment management, and loot distribution. The Hurricane also brings with it First Wave Caches, rare supply stashes unearthed by the storm that contain exceptionally valuable loot. With the second Expedition launching on March 1 and the Roadmap teasing new content, the Shrouded Sky update is shaping up to be a major shift in how Raiders approach the surface.

How Wind Works in the Hurricane Map Condition

Wind is the Hurricane’s defining feature and it will fundamentally change how you navigate the surface. The system is directional — running with a tailwind grants a noticeable speed boost, letting you outpace threats or close distance on rival squads. Turn into the gale, however, and your movement slows to a crawl as your stamina drains at an accelerated rate.

The implications go well beyond just running. Throwable items like grenades, decoys, and signal flares will have their trajectories warped by the wind. Smoke and gas clouds will drift and stretch in the wind’s direction, making area-denial tactics far less predictable. Even jumping is affected, with the gale pushing airborne Raiders in unexpected directions. Mastering these altered physics is going to separate veterans from newcomers — if you’re relying on your Wolfpack Grenades, make sure they still work roughly how you expect them to work before wasting a bunch of them.

Shrouded Sky in ARC Raiders: Debris and Shield Degradation

The Hurricane’s gale-force winds will tear loose dirt, metal fragments, and other debris from the Rust Belt’s surface, sending it hurtling across the map. This airborne wreckage poses a direct threat to your energy shield.

Out in the open, constant debris impacts will cause your shield to glitch and spark, steadily degrading its integrity. Worse still, these visual distortions make you significantly more visible to other Raiders — a flickering, sparking silhouette standing out against the grey chaos of the storm. This creates a critical tactical decision: keep the shield active and risk drawing attention while watching its charge drain, or go shieldless and rely on stealth and the storm’s natural concealment. Players who choose to ditch their shield will find themselves far harder to spot in the murk, which could make shieldless builds surprisingly viable during this condition.

Visibility: The Fog of War

Low-hanging clouds and driving wind will shroud the surface in near-impenetrable haze. Familiar landmarks will become unrecognizable and line-of-sight distances will drop dramatically. ARC units can appear without warning, transforming routine patrols into terrifying jump-scare encounters. But reduced visibility is a double-edged sword — Raiders who go shieldless will be far harder to spot, and audio awareness becomes paramount. The ability to distinguish the groan of ARC servos from the howl of the wind may mean the difference between a successful extraction and a total wipe. If you haven’t already, this is the time to invest in a good pair of headphones.

First Wave Caches: New Loot Appears in the Storm

Not everything about the Hurricane is punishing. The ferocious winds have unearthed First Wave Caches — rare supply stashes left behind by the original generation of Raiders who first dared to resist the ARC invasion. These caches are said to contain exceptionally valuable loot, making them high-priority targets for any squad bold enough to brave the storm. But every other Raider topside will be hunting for the same prizes. Combined with degraded visibility and unpredictable ARC patrols, cache runs might turn into some of the most intense and high-stakes encounters the game has seen yet.

We’ll be marking First Wave Cache locations on our Interactive Maps as soon as the update goes live, and the Event Timers will track Hurricane rotations so you don’t miss them.

New Skins Coming with the Shrouded Sky Update in ARC Raiders

The Shrouded Sky update is also bringing new cosmetics to the Store. Two new skins have been revealed and the community is already buzzing about them. The first is a hooded skin featuring a red/maroon jacket, tactical goggles, and a rebreather mask — a look that has been highly anticipated by the community ever since it was spotted in early ARC Raiders promotional material and in-game background B-roll. The second skin features a bald, bearded Raider in a rugged tan outfit, aiming a Venator and looking every bit the hardened veteran. He is rocking a full beard which means that beard customization options are finally coming to ARC Raiders. This has been one of the most requested cosmetic features from the community for a long time, and it looks like Embark is delivering. What do you think about the new skins? Let us know in the comments below!

Tips for Surviving Shrouded Sky in ARC Raiders

The official blog post closes with a key piece of advice: “The true masters of the Hurricane will be those who work with it, not against it.” Here’s how to put that into practice:

• Plan your routes around the wind: Use wind-boosted movement for aggressive flanks and rapid repositions. A tailwind sprint toward an extraction point could save your life, but an upwind approach to a loot cache might leave you exposed and exhausted. Use our Interactive Maps to plan your movement between sheltered areas.
• Consider going shieldless: In low visibility, an invisible Raider is far more dangerous than a well-shielded one broadcasting their position with sparks and glitches. If stealth is more valuable than protection, ditch the shield.
• Master wind-adjusted throwables early: Grenade trajectories will be unpredictable at first. Spend some time learning the new arcs before relying on them in combat, or risk wasting valuable ordnance.
• Prioritize audio cues over visual scanning: With sight lines drastically reduced, your headphones become your most important piece of gear. Learn to pick out ARC movement and enemy footsteps beneath the wind noise.
• Use buildings as staging points: Structures and terrain features that block wind will preserve your shield and stamina. Don’t just run between them — use them to plan your next push into exposed areas.
• Race to First Wave Caches — but expect company: The highest-value loot will attract the most aggressive Raiders. Approach cache sites with a plan for PvP, not just PvE. Before dropping in, make sure to plan out your Loadout accordingly.

When Does the Hurricane Arrive?

The Shrouded Sky update drops on February 24, 2026, right as the Shared Watch Event wraps up. Along with the Hurricane, players are also anticipating a new ARC Threat, another Raider Deck to unlock, a new Player Project, and more based on the Roadmap. With the Second Expedition sign-ups starting February 25 and launching March 1, there’s a lot hitting the game at once. For the full breakdown of every mechanic, check out Embark’s official blog post on Surviving the Hurricane Map Condition and use our Event Timers to stay on top of when Shrouded Sky in ARC Raiders enters the map rotation.

More ARC Raiders Resources

Get ready for the storm by checking out our How to Find Every Blueprint in Arc Raiders guide or browse our Helpful Guides to prepare your loadouts. Join our Discord community to discuss Hurricane strategies and find a squad to brave the storm with!