I know I'm not alone when I say this — especially given the constant discourse about it in Arc Raiders — but I've never really been a fan of PvP gameplay. I've tried to enjoy it, I really have, but no matter how much I try, I can't quite get to a point where I find it to be a worthwhile way to spend my time. I also have no problem admitting that I'm not good at it, and spending dozens of hours losing just to increase my skill by a minuscule amount is not appealing to me in the slightest. However, I will also come right out and say that PvP belongs in Arc Raiders, in spite of the frequent cries from fans for a PvE-only mode to be added to the game.
Here's the thing: when you take PvP out of Arc Raiders, it's no longer Arc Raiders. A PvE-only mode sounds like a great idea on paper, and it would probably even be fun for a bit — but it would be missing one of the game's most essential components. Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who typically can't stand PvP and still sees the need for it in Arc Raiders.
Why Arc Raiders Needs PvP
Shortly after its launch, I began seeing headlines and comments in forums revolving around the idea that Arc Raiders needs a PvE-only mode — like this Reddit post by user Disastrous_Mud_8040. As someone who loves some good PvE gameplay (and Arc Raiders certainly has that), I get it. But there is more than one reason why implementing a PvE-only mode wouldn't work in the game, and it starts with Arc Raiders' design.
First of all, if Embark really wanted to implement a PvE-only mode in Arc Raiders, it wouldn't be as simple as removing all enemy players from the mix. Because Arc Raiders is an online game, it would need to ensure that any progress made in a PvE-only mode wouldn't be transferable over to PvP in order to keep things fair. It would be something of an entirely separate game within a game, and there would need to be a clear dividing line between the two experiences. In other words, this wouldn't just be Embark pushing a button — the entire gameplay and progression loop would need to be reworked to accommodate PvE players.
Again, I won't deny that a PvE-only mode for Arc Raiders sounds like fun, and I understand why there's such a demand for it. Even if it did have a PvE-only mode, though, I can almost guarantee that it would lose its spark very quickly. Arc Raiders thrives on tension, just as any extraction shooter does, and leaving that tension in the hands of its semi-predictable AI would make it fleeting at best. After spending a decent amount of time in a PvE-only mode, that portion of the community would likely be complaining about how boring Arc Raiders is, which brings me to my point.
The reason PvP is so challenging for those who prefer PvE is because players are far less predictable than enemy AI, but that's precisely what makes it an essential part of the Arc Raiders experience. Yes, the enemy AI in Arc Raiders is excellently designed, and it can even throw the most experienced players for a loop — because it actually does behave intelligently, unlike the bots in most games. However, it is still far easier to deal with than an enemy player with no definitive patrol route or predictable moveset. I would argue that when PvP is removed from the game, most of its tension goes with it. And what those who crave that PvE-only mode may not be considering is just how much Arc Raiders depends on that tension.
What Arc Raiders PvP adds that its PvE can't:
- Unpredictable encounters that shape every raid.
- Higher stakes that drive careful decision-making.
- Dynamic pacing that AI alone can't sustain.
- Memorable moments created by real player behavior.
Arc Raiders has been getting fantastic scores (with one of those scores being an unashamed 10/10 from myself for The Best War Games), but there is a reason it's doing so well. Every one of its elements has contributed toward those scores, and PvP is a much more significant contributor than some might think. If you're one of those who wants to play Arc Raiders without PvP, I'm telling you with all confidence that you wouldn't like it for very long. If it's that Arc Raiders is too difficult with PvP, take advantage of its riskless Free Loadout system. Do whatever it takes to appreciate the PvP aspect of this game, because it really is a valuable and necessary part of it.
ARC Raiders
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Embark Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Survival
