The update and free-access window
ARC Raiders received the Frozen Trail update on October 8. The release adds the snowy Pendola Pass map, a Battle Pass, new enemies and challenges, weapon modifications, a camera gadget, and cosmetic content.
The game is also free to access on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox from 12:00 MSK on October 8 until 11:00 MSK on October 12. According to the source, the free period does not restrict access to specific content.
Why this matters for cheat software
Frozen Trail is a game-client update. A product that worked before the patch cannot automatically be treated as compatible with the new build. Changes on the game side can affect functionality, cause errors, or prevent a product from launching correctly.
Do not launch BTG for ARC Raiders or Ancient for ARC Raiders solely because it worked before Frozen Trail. First, obtain confirmation from the provider of that specific product that it supports the current game version. Without that confirmation, waiting is the more sensible choice.
The same applies to other ARC Raiders products, including Fecurity and DH. A product page being available does not itself confirm post-patch compatibility.
More players, no confirmed anti-cheat change
The source expects the promotion to bring a noticeable influx of players. Busier servers mean fuller matches and more people seeing what happens in them. That can increase attention to abnormal in-game behaviour.
This is not an announced ban wave, and the source does not report a major anti-cheat upgrade as part of Frozen Trail. Still, the lack of an announced anti-cheat change is not a safety guarantee. Cheat use always carries a ban risk, while a client update adds the separate risk of incompatibility. Our guide on why cheats get detected explains how updates, reports, and detection waves factor into that risk.
Should you launch today?
If the provider of your exact product has separately confirmed support for the current ARC Raiders build, launching remains your decision and still carries a risk of sanctions. If no such confirmation exists, do not use a main account to test whether the product still works after Frozen Trail; wait for information from the provider instead.
Free access does not make an account disposable from a risk perspective, nor does it remove the game’s rules. Before any launch, review the safe launch checklist. It cannot guarantee protection from a ban, but it can help avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Embark Studios also plans a PvE matchmaking beta later in October. The source does not say whether that test will change anti-cheat measures or third-party software compatibility, so there is no basis for conclusions yet.
Original source developer announcement