If ARC Raiders has felt a bit too sweaty lately, the Shared Watch Event is a solid reason to log back in, especially if you've been browsing ARC Raiders Items and wondering what's actually worth chasing. It runs from February 10 to February 24, 2026, and it changes the vibe in a way you notice fast. The map still feels dangerous, but the pressure isn't just other players anymore. It's the machines, the noise they draw, and the choices you make when everyone hears the same fight kicking off.
Merits Change The Mood
The whole event revolves around Merits, and that one decision fixes a bunch of old frustrations. You don't need the last hit. You don't need to "tag" something and pray. If you're putting rounds into ARC units, you're moving the bar. That's why you'll see random squads drift together without a word, all focusing down a heavy target like it's a public boss. People are still tense, sure, but the loot math encourages teamwork. And when a machine finally drops, you can feel the room hold its breath—because that's when the truce usually gets tested.
PvP Still Bites
Don't mistake it for a safe mode. Raiders will still ambush you, and they'll do it when you're distracted, reloading, or stuck healing after a long scrap. What's different is how often players hesitate. Ammo's precious, and time matters. If you burn both just to win a petty duel, you're probably missing the next Merit farm two buildings over. So you get these weird, quiet moments: you and another Raider in the same street, both pretending you're only here for the machines, both watching each other anyway. It's not friendly. It's practical.
Cold Snap Forces Movement
Cold Snap being back is the part that really messes with your habits. You can't just post up in the open and hold angles forever. You've got to duck inside, warm up, and rotate before the chill stacks too hard. That turns interior spaces into shared choke points—sometimes defensive little bunkers, sometimes absolute chaos. If you're building for this event, don't go full glass cannon. Bring a steady weapon you can actually feed, keep your ammo economy in mind, and prioritize mobility so you can bounce between cover and heat without panicking.
Why The Grind Is Worth It
The Slugger Set is a fun flex and it weirdly fits the scavenger look, but the bigger deal is the Raider Tokens and what comes right after. When Shared Watch ends on the 24th, the second Expedition lands on February 25, and there's a catch-up route for Skill Points tied to stash value. That means this event isn't just a limited-time detour—it's prep. Stock up, clean out what you don't need, and go in ready, especially if you're planning to buy ARC Raiders weapons and want your loadout to match the tougher fights coming next.
