Once a niche corner of the gaming world, extraction shooters have evolved into a genre that’s both welcoming to newcomers and exhilarating for seasoned veterans. At the heart of this transformation is ARC Raiders, a third-person shooter that’s managed to capture the imagination of players with its blend of cooperative play, tense PvP moments, and dynamic weekly challenges. As of March 17, 2026, the game’s Season 3 Week 3 Trials are live, offering players fresh opportunities to climb leaderboards and earn exclusive rewards.
But what exactly makes ARC Raiders stand out in a sea of extraction shooters? According to PC Gamer, the genre itself is defined by a simple but nerve-wracking premise: gather loot during a run, survive to the extraction point, and keep what you’ve earned. If you die, you lose everything you were carrying. This high-stakes gameplay has given rise to a variety of experiences, from PvP-heavy firefights to surprisingly peaceful solo excursions. Yet, ARC Raiders manages to find a sweet spot between these extremes, offering both intense competition and moments of camaraderie.
Embark Studios, the team behind ARC Raiders, has kept the experience fresh by introducing the Trials system. Unlocked at player level 15, Trials serve as the game’s unofficial ranking ladder. Each week, players are presented with five new challenges, each divided into three stages marked by stars. Earning stars means earning points, and more points mean a higher spot on the leaderboard. The top 20 players each week receive a coveted 2x promotion to the next rank, while the next 30 get a 1x promotion. Those who fall into the bottom 20 are demoted, keeping the competition fierce and motivating.
This week’s Trials bring a mix of new and familiar challenges. The headline addition is "Get Hit by Lightning," which tasks players with braving the dangerous Electromagnetic Storm map condition and deliberately getting struck by lightning bolts. It’s not as reckless as it sounds—standing in the right spot when the bolts hit yields between 900 and 1,050 points, a hefty reward for a bit of calculated risk.
Another challenge, "Damage Hornets," is more straightforward. Players must hunt down and damage Hornets across any map, with seeker grenades and hullcrackers proving to be the tools of choice. According to guides, a well-prepared player can take out 10 to 15 Hornets in a single run, provided they extract in time to ensure their progress counts.
The "Damage Flying ARC Enemies Inside the Spaceport Walls" trial adds a tactical layer, urging players to seek out aerial foes from high vantage points like the roofs of the Arrival or Departure buildings, or even the launch and control towers. These locations offer both opportunity and danger, as they’re popular with other players and can quickly turn into hotspots for PvP action.
For those who prefer a more methodical approach, the "Damage Bombardiers" challenge encourages players to hunt these formidable enemies on maps like Blue Gate and Buried City. The Bombardiers can be tough, but with the right gear—two wolfpack grenades or a hullcracker—they’re manageable. Knowing their common spawn points, like Marano Park or near the Hospital parking lot, gives savvy players an edge.
Perhaps the most demanding of the week’s Trials is "Deliver Carriables." Here, players must transport six to eight crates to a field depot or carry batteries to locked doors and puzzles. Doing this under modified map conditions, such as during a night raid, grants double points, making the effort worthwhile. It’s a test of endurance and planning, but the rewards—both in points and leaderboard position—are significant.
What keeps players coming back, week after week? Part of it is the leaderboard system, which not only offers bragging rights but also tangible in-game rewards. As one guide notes, "Getting 3 stars with decent points in trials will guarantee you a spot in the top 20 of the leaderboard. Remaining in the top 20 will also allow you to jump 2 ranks once the trials are refreshed for next week." The constant refresh of challenges and the promise of advancement keep the community engaged and striving for improvement.
Of course, ARC Raiders isn’t the only game making waves in the extraction shooter genre. PC Gamer’s roundup of the best extraction shooters highlights how the genre has blossomed in recent years. From the PvP-focused mayhem of Marathon to the quirky, singleplayer charm of Escape from Duckov, and the atmospheric tension of Hunt: Showdown, there’s something for everyone. Yet, ARC Raiders distinguishes itself with its "aggressive-based matchmaking," which sorts players by their likelihood of engaging in PvP. This means that both solo players seeking a more relaxed experience and those hungry for competition can find their niche.
Another point of praise is ARC Raiders's approach to gear retention. Unlike many extraction shooters that force regular "gear wipes"—periodic resets that erase player progress—ARC Raiders makes these wipes optional. Players who want to keep their hard-earned loot indefinitely can do so, a feature that’s especially appreciated by those with limited gaming time. As one longtime player put it, "if you want to keep all your loot forever, you can (a fact I appreciate as a new father with limited gaming time)."
Not everything is perfect, of course. Some players have criticized the game’s use of AI-generated voice lines, even though they’re based on recordings from real, consenting voice actors. While Embark Studios has started replacing these lines with real people, there’s still a sense among some fans that the studio is a bit too enthusiastic about generative AI technology. Still, the core gameplay loop—the mix of teamwork, tension, and tactical decision-making—remains the primary draw.
With over 250 hours logged by some dedicated players as of mid-March 2026, it’s clear that ARC Raiders has staying power. Its weekly Trials, optional gear wipes, and flexible matchmaking make it one of the most accessible and rewarding extraction shooters on the market. And as the genre continues to grow, drawing in new players and experimenting with new ideas, ARC Raiders stands as a testament to how far extraction shooters have come—and just how much fun they can be.
For now, the electrifying action of Season 3 Week 3’s Trials awaits anyone ready to brave lightning, outsmart Bombardiers, and deliver those last few crates under cover of darkness. The leaderboard is open, and the competition is heating up.