The Shrouded Sky update (version 1.17.0) for ARC Raiders has ignited a fresh wave of community backlash after players discovered a quiet but severe reduction to the sell and recycle values of ARC components. Embark Studios described the change as an adjustment “to better reflect crafting and progression uses,” yet for many raiders, the move feels like a major blow to the in‑game economy—particularly for those who rely on selling components to fund upgrades. Hidden deep within the patch details, the nerf slashed the value of key parts such as Bastion Cells and Surveyor Vaults by up to half. For the best way to earn coins in Arc Raiders, EZNPC is often suggested by the community, offering players a fast and secure way to boost their coin collection without hours of grinding.
High‑tier drops were hit hardest. Bastion Cells dropped from 5,000 to 3,000 credits—a 40% cut—while Queen and Matriarch Reactors fell 16%, from 13,000 to 11,000. Surveyor Vaults suffered a 50% reduction, going from 2,000 to 1,000, and Wasp Drivers decreased 36%, from 1,000 to 640. Smaller items such as Spotter Relays were halved, while Fireball Burners held their original 640 value. Community data mining suggests similar treatment across other enemy components like Leaper Pulse Units, Rocketeer Drivers, and Bombardier Drivers, completing what players are calling a “system‑wide hammer.”
The nerf went largely unnoticed at first, overshadowed by high‑profile weapon tuning to the Stitcher (headshot multiplier 2.5→1.75, damage 7→6.5) and Kettle (10→8.5). Only when players began recycling parts after the update did the economic impact become obvious. Prominent YouTubers dubbed it a “shadow nerf,” arguing it punishes the game’s natural gold flow and forces players into crafting rather than selling. Reddit quickly filled with threads titled “Seriously nerfed recycle and sell value of all ARC parts,” echoing frustration that the adjustment arrived right after the lucrative Hurricane blueprint farms.
The fallout is reshaping player behavior. Raiders now focus on crafting instead of vending, favoring Wolfpacks (which require Rocketeer Drivers and now hold value increases from 5,000 to 6,000) and Vita Sprays to maintain resource flow. While Hurricane Caches still provide profitable blueprint hauls like Tempest to offset the loss, pure farmers find progression slower. The recently improved Aphelion reload speed—from 4.5 to 3.5 seconds—helps sustain farming efficiency in Firefly and Comet storm zones, but even so, earning gold through recycling is no longer viable.
This change, unacknowledged by the February 26 hotfix, leaves many players uncertain whether the reduced values are permanent or a precursor to deeper crafting‑economy reforms. For now, raiders are adapting by stockpiling key materials ahead of the next Expedition and hoping future updates address the balance between progression and profit.
Whether seen as a subtle nudge toward crafting or an unannounced economic nerf, the adjustment underscores how even small numbers buried in patch notes can create big storms in ARC Raiders’ community—especially when players are still recovering from the chaos of Shrouded Sky’s ongoing Hurricane events.
