Official details are in: the Shared Watch Event is not a dedicated PvE mode but an incentive-driven celebration of cooperation. PvP stays on; progress comes from fighting ARC machines. Here's everything confirmed and how to prepare.
Official Event Details (Confirmed)
From Embark Studios' announcement:
- Duration: February 10–24, 2026 (14 days)
- Theme: "The Shared Watch is a celebration of Raiders that have each other's back."
- How to progress: Earn Merits (event currency)—gained through XP from damaging and destroying the ARC. Rewards unlock progressively as you earn Merits.
- Rewards: Items, Raider Tokens, and a new cosmetic set: The Slugger.
- Tagline: "Tolerate Raiders, target the ARC."
Full details are in the February Update 1.15.0 patch notes.
Not a PvE-Only Mode
"Tolerate Raiders, target the ARC" makes it clear: this is not a dedicated PvE mode. PvP is still enabled; you can still encounter other players.
The event strongly incentivizes cooperation instead: you earn Merits from fighting ARCs, not other players. The theme is having each other's backs, and the messaging encourages tolerance toward other Raiders. So it's a "focus on PvE, tolerate PvP" event—rewards and tone nudge behavior without removing player conflict entirely.
The Merit System
Confirmed: Damage and destroy ARC machines to earn XP; XP converts to Merits; Merits progressively unlock rewards.
Still to be confirmed in patch notes: Exact Merit-to-reward ratios, whether cooperative kills or revives give bonus Merits, complete reward track details, and whether progression is milestone-based or continuous.
The Slugger Cosmetic Set
The main reward is a new cosmetic set called The Slugger (not the "Hi-Tech Hiker" some had speculated). Embark has shown what it looks like—see below.
Why "Tolerate Raiders, Target the ARC" Matters
ARC Raiders has been described as a "living social experiment"—PvPvE creates trust and betrayal. Lately, community sentiment has shifted: more extraction camping complaints, "shoot first" default, and louder requests for PvE options.
Rather than splitting the player base with a PvE-only queue, Shared Watch tries a different approach: keep PvP enabled but reward ARC-focused play and encourage tolerance. Embark is testing whether incentives can shift the meta instead of removing choice. Community reaction is mixed—some welcome the middle ground; others still want a dedicated PvE mode.
Also Confirmed: Cold Snap Returns Feb 10
Cold Snap returns to the regular rotation on February 10:
- Progressive frostbite damage from outdoor exposure
- Seek shelter in buildings to warm up
- Double trial points in affected areas
- High-tier loot and strategic route planning
It joins Harvester, Hidden Bunker, and Electromagnetic Storm in the rotation. Cold Snap's harsh conditions plus Shared Watch's ARC-focused rewards could create intense PvE moments as squads shelter from the cold in ARC-infested buildings.
Looking Ahead: Shrouded Sky (Feb 22–24)
Shared Watch bridges to the Shrouded Sky update expected February 22–24: new aerial ARC threat, major map condition, map updates, new Raider Deck, player project, and expedition window opening February 22.
How to Prepare
Based on confirmed information:
- ARC-focused builds: Merits come from ARC XP—optimize for machine damage (e.g. anti-ARC weapons, armor-piercing). Survivability matters so you can keep farming ARCs.
- Mindset: "Tolerate Raiders" means don't immediately engage other players; focus on ARC hunting for Merit progress; save PvP for self-defense or contested extraction.
- Cold Snap: If active, bring thermal protection and plan routes through buildings. Cold Snap + Shared Watch can mean double rewards in frozen areas.
- Fourteen days is generous; progressive unlocks suggest steady play. Full Merit and reward details will be in the patch notes at launch.
What We're Still Waiting For
Embark has stated that more information will be available in the patch notes when the event goes live. That should cover: complete Merit-to-reward conversion, whether revives or assists give bonus Merits, any event-specific challenges or modifiers, and matchmaking changes (if any).
Stay tuned to ArcStatus.com for full Merit requirements and day-one event impressions. February Update 1.15.0 patch notes are live. Follow @arcstatuslive on X (Twitter) for live updates and event alerts.