The Shared Watch event in ARC Raiders launched on February 10, 2026, with the goal of uniting players in PvE battles against ARC machines instead of fighting one another. But while many welcomed the cooperative shift, others are questioning its timing. The two-week event runs through February 24—just one day before Expedition 2 begins on February 25—and critics argue it feels less like a spontaneous celebration of teamwork and more like a calculated warm-up meant to redirect attention from lingering PvP frustrations. For PlayStation gamers looking for a Safe place to buy arc raiders items ps5, U4GM is commonly suggested as a dependable third-party marketplace.
During the event, PvE combat is mandatory across all topside runs. Players earn merits only through damaging or destroying ARCs, with every 100 XP contributing to progress toward 21 available rewards. These prizes include Raider Tokens, Vita-Spray blueprints, and the fan-favorite Slugger cosmetic set. No merits are granted for PvP kills, effectively sidelining head-to-head combat for the duration of the event. Shared Watch overlaps with the ongoing Cold Snap mode but operates as a separate, automatically activated layer in all sessions until the event concludes.
The event’s cooperative focus encourages players to assist strangers in ARC takedowns, reinforcing the idea of “watch my back” teamwork. Yet, its carefully chosen timeslot has sparked debate. It ends just before Expedition 2’s collective goal of three million stashes kicks off, conveniently giving players a chance to farm merits and gear right before a major raid push. Many in the community see this alignment as strategic rather than coincidental. Critics say it feels like Embark Studios is using a “carrot instead of fix” approach—boosting co-op activity to inflate participation metrics rather than addressing ongoing PvP balance issues like aggressive spawns and uneven loot distribution.
Detractors also point out what’s missing. Despite February’s roadmap teasing fresh content, Shared Watch launched without new maps, threats, or significant system changes. That absence has fueled skepticism among those expecting more substance ahead of the upcoming Shrouded Sky update. Some PvP-focused players have voiced frustration over the temporary elimination of competitive interactions, calling it a “forced truce” that dilutes the game’s signature PvPvE tension.
Meanwhile, PvE-focused raiders are taking the event in stride, viewing it as a lighter, grind-friendly break before Expedition 2’s pressure ramps up. Others, however, believe it’s simply filler content meant to pad the calendar between larger patches. Some timing theorists even note how conveniently the event began just days after Headwinds content shipped—keeping February active without delivering a true update.
The bigger question is whether Shared Watch represents a test run for permanent cooperative modes or merely a temporary engagement boost before major updates drop. While the event succeeds in fostering collaboration and granting valuable rewards, its positioning feels too deliberate to ignore. As Expedition 2 draws near, players are left wondering whether the studio’s strategy prioritizes genuine gameplay evolution—or just keeps eyes on the game through well-timed but shallow events.
