Arc Raiders, the free-to-play extraction shooter from Embark Studios, has thrown its player base into a maelstrom of chaos and challenge with the arrival of the Close Scrutiny operation. Released on April 1, 2026, as part of the highly anticipated Flashpoint update, Close Scrutiny isn’t just another map modifier—it’s a game-changer that upends every familiar survival strategy, demanding grit, teamwork, and nerves of steel from even the most hardened raiders.
Close Scrutiny’s arrival comes hot on the heels of the Hurricane map condition, but this new event is less about weather and more about relentless, mechanical peril. According to Embark Studios, this operation is “certainly not for the faint-of-heart.” Unlike previous events, Close Scrutiny is available on all Arc Raiders maps—Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and the Blue Gate—except Stella Montis. The operation fundamentally alters the landscape of risk and reward, making every second a fight for survival.
The core twist? Ambient loot is gutted by a staggering 45%. Locked doors, once tantalizing gateways to treasure, now remain sealed. Crates that once yielded a steady trickle of resources are nearly empty. Instead, the operation lures players with the promise of dense, high-stakes loot—if they can survive long enough to claim it. The real prize comes in the form of three Assessor probes, massive machines that crash down in different regions, each marked by three red laser beams shooting skyward. These probes are the only meaningful loot sources in the operation, packed with valuable blueprints for coveted weapons like the Dolabra Energy Shotgun and Canto SMG, alongside other rare resources.
But these rewards don’t come easy. The moment an Assessor lands, it becomes ground zero for a brutal firefight. The probes are heavily guarded by a new class of ARC enemy—the Vaporizer drone. These flying menaces, introduced for the first time in Close Scrutiny, prowl the map in groups of two to four, exhibiting erratic movement and wielding high-tracking lasers that can “instantly melt your shields and health,” as Beebom reports. Veteran players quickly discover that standard dodge-rolling tactics, so effective against Bombardiers, are useless here. Vaporizers coordinate their attacks, making open ground a death sentence. The only real defense is vertical cover—rooftops, overhangs, and elevated positions become lifelines. The Dolabra Energy Shotgun, with its focused fire mode, can disrupt the drones’ flight sensors, grounding them for quick elimination. Strategic deployment of Surge Coil gadgets behind cover electrifies the ground, blocking approach angles and buying precious seconds to regroup.
Yet, Vaporizers are only half the story. Roaming Shredders—fast, ground-based ARC units—add another layer of terror, flanking squads mid-breach and forcing constant repositioning. Audio cues become vital; the mechanical skittering of a Shredder signals imminent danger. The Surge Coil gadget, once a luxury, is now a necessity, serving as both a defensive tool and an early warning system. The Canto SMG’s medium ammo efficiency is another key to survival. Unlike heavy weapons that quickly burn through rare ammunition, the SMG’s sustainable firepower lets squads hold their ground during prolonged engagements, especially when PvP encounters erupt around the Assessor probes.
The PvPvE chaos reaches its peak when the Assessor’s health drops to 25%. According to Embark Studios’ own testing, this is when most player-versus-player ambushes occur. Rival squads lie in wait, letting others do the hard work of damaging the probe, depleting resources, and burning shield energy. Then, as the defending squad is distracted and vulnerable, the ambushers strike—hoping to claim the full loot and make a hasty extraction. Assigning one squad member to watch the flanks during this critical phase is often the difference between victory and a complete wipe. Extraction zones near the probes become hotly contested, with distance and repositioning sometimes proving more effective than direct confrontation, especially if you’re already carrying high-value components.
Stealth also has its place in Close Scrutiny. The Photoelectric Cloak allows daring raiders to slip past ARC threats and loot the Assessor while enemy squads are busy battling the drones. But this tactic is fraught with risk—the moment the breach alarm sounds, ARC reinforcements swarm the area, and even the best cloak can’t protect you from a coordinated assault. As Beebom notes, “your only option is to fight these ARC threats and eliminate them to collect the loot inside the probe,” though sneaky players may occasionally snatch a prize while chaos reigns.
The stakes of Close Scrutiny go beyond mere bragging rights. The Assessor probes drop rare blueprints—most notably for the Dolabra and Canto weapons—which are essential for late-game progression. These blueprints unlock the Flashpoint update’s power ceiling and are required for the High-Gain Antenna Project, Embark’s ambitious community-driven initiative that grants permanent crafting bench upgrades. The grind for cosmetic rewards, such as the Wasp Hunter bundle (costing 2,400 Raider Tokens), is also accelerated by completing antenna tiers through Close Scrutiny. In short, the operation is a must-play for anyone eager to push their character’s limits and stand out in Arc Raiders’ ever-evolving battlefield.
For those considering whether the risk is worth the reward, the answer is a resounding yes—at least for late-game players seeking progression. Early attempts at Close Scrutiny are likely to end in disaster, but each run teaches valuable lessons in map positioning, threat prioritization, and extraction timing. The operation’s punishing difficulty makes every standard raid feel manageable by comparison. And with the best loot locked behind the most dangerous challenges, the incentive to master Close Scrutiny is stronger than ever.
Arc Raiders’ Close Scrutiny operation has set a new standard for high-risk, high-reward gameplay. With its brutal enemy waves, scarce resources, and cutthroat competition, it’s a proving ground for the most dedicated raiders. Only those willing to adapt, coordinate, and take calculated risks will survive—and reap the rewards that await inside the Assessor probes.