Arc Raiders PvE: Solo, Crossplay & Shared Progression

Arc Raiders PvE supports solo play, crossplay, and shared progression, but with important caveats. You can play the entire PvE mode alone, matchmake with players on other platforms, and your character and loot carry over between solo and co-op sessions. However, crossplay is not available in every region or on every platform combination, and shared progression does not mean cross-save between different storefronts on PC.

Background: What Arc Raiders PvE Actually Is

Arc Raiders is a free-to-play third-person shooter developed by Embark Studios, the team behind the popular extraction shooter THE FINALS. The game was originally announced as a co-op PvE title, but during development, Embark pivoted to a PvPvE extraction shooter model. The PvE mode, called “Operations,” was added later as a separate mode that lets players fight AI-controlled enemies (the ARC) without the threat of other human players.

This dual-mode structure means the game has two distinct experiences: the PvPvE extraction mode (Raids) and the PvE-only mode (Operations). The PvE mode is not a separate game—it shares the same maps, weapons, and progression systems as the main game, but with no other human squads to compete against.

How Solo Play Works in Arc Raiders PvE

Solo play in Arc Raiders PvE is fully supported, but it is not a separate difficulty setting. You can enter Operations alone, and the game will match you with no teammates. The mission structure, enemy density, and objectives are the same as in co-op, so solo play is significantly harder than playing with a full squad of three.

Key points about solo play:

• You can play all PvE missions solo, including story missions and side objectives.
• Revives are limited—you have a self-revive kit, but if you go down a second time, the run ends.
• Enemy AI scales with squad size, so solo players face fewer enemies, but each one is still dangerous.
• You can pause the game in solo mode (in PvE Operations only), which is a feature not available in co-op.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace, solo play is viable, but you need to be prepared for the difficulty spike. The game does not offer a “story mode” difficulty—it is the same challenge regardless of squad size.

Crossplay in Arc Raiders: What Works and What Doesn’t

Crossplay in Arc Raiders is enabled by default, but it is not universal. The game supports crossplay between PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. However, there are important limitations:

• Crossplay is available for both PvP and PvE modes, but you can only party up with friends on other platforms if you are on the same region server.
• Crossplay can be toggled off in the settings menu, but doing so will increase matchmaking times, especially in PvE.
• There is no crossplay between PC and console for ranked PvP modes—this is a deliberate design choice to avoid unfair advantages from mouse-and-keyboard.
• Crossplay is not available in all regions. Players in regions with low player populations (e.g., South America, Oceania) may find crossplay disabled by default to improve matchmaking.

For PvE specifically, crossplay works seamlessly. You can invite a friend on Xbox to your party on PC, and you will both be placed in the same Operations lobby. Voice chat is cross-platform, and you can add friends across platforms using the in-game friend system.

Shared Progression: What Carries Over and What Doesn’t

Shared progression in Arc Raiders means that your character level, weapon unlocks, cosmetics, and in-game currency (Credits) are shared between PvP and PvE modes. This is true for solo and co-op play—if you play a solo PvE mission and earn XP, that XP goes toward your overall account level, which unlocks new weapons and gear for both modes.

However, there are some caveats:

• Battle Pass progression is shared, but daily and weekly challenges are mode-specific. You might have separate challenges for Raids and Operations.
• Seasonal ranks are separate. Your PvP rank (e.g., Bronze, Silver) does not affect your PvE rank, which is based on mission completion and extraction.
• Cross-save is not supported. If you play on PC via Steam, your progress is tied to your Steam account. If you switch to the Epic Games Store version, you start over. Console platforms are also separate.

This means that shared progression is within the same platform ecosystem, not across different storefronts or console generations. If you play on PS5 and later get an Xbox, you will not carry your progress over.

How to Choose Between Solo and Co-op PvE

Deciding whether to play solo or with a squad depends on your playstyle and goals. Here are some factors to consider:

• Difficulty: Solo is harder because you have no one to revive you or cover your flanks. If you are new to extraction shooters, co-op is recommended.
• Loot efficiency: In co-op, you can split up to cover more ground, but you also have to share loot. Solo players get all the loot to themselves, but they have less capacity to carry it all.
• Pacing: Solo allows you to pause and take your time. Co-op is more dynamic, but you may be rushed by teammates who want to extract quickly.
• Social experience: Co-op is more fun with friends, and the game has a strong emphasis on teamwork (e.g., reviving, covering fire).

If you are playing solo, focus on stealth and careful engagement. Use the environment to your advantage, and always keep a self-revive kit in your inventory.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Arc Raiders PvE is a separate game with its own progression. It is not—it is a mode within the same game, so you need to download the full game (which includes PvP) to play PvE. There is no way to play PvE-only without the PvP client.

Another issue is crossplay party invites. Some players report that crossplay invites fail if one player has crossplay disabled in their settings. To fix this, both players must have crossplay enabled, and they must be on the same region server. If you are having trouble, try restarting the game and checking your region settings.

Progression bugs have also been reported, where XP earned in PvE does not appear to count toward the Battle Pass. This is usually a visual bug—the XP is applied, but the progress bar updates slowly. If you are concerned, restart the game and check your level again.

Costs and System Requirements

Arc Raiders is free-to-play, but it requires a powerful PC or a current-gen console. The game uses Unreal Engine 5, which is demanding. On PC, the minimum requirements include an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 12 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580. The recommended specs are much higher, with an RTX 2070 or better for 60 FPS at 1080p.

There are no pay-to-win mechanics in PvE. You can earn all weapons and gear through gameplay, but there is a premium Battle Pass that offers cosmetic items and XP boosts. The Battle Pass costs about $10 per season, but it is not required to progress.

On consoles, the game is free to download, but you need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to play online, even in PvE mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Arc Raiders PvE solo offline?
No, Arc Raiders is an online-only game. You need a persistent internet connection to play, even in solo PvE mode. There is no offline mode.

Does crossplay work between PC and console for PvE?
Yes, crossplay works between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S for PvE Operations. You can party up with friends on any of these platforms, provided you are on the same region server.

If I play solo, will I lose my progress when I play co-op later?
No, your progress is shared. Your character level, weapons, and cosmetics carry over between solo and co-op sessions. The only thing that is separate is your seasonal rank in PvP.

Can I transfer my progress from Steam to Epic Games Store?
No, cross-save is not supported. Your progress is tied to the platform you first played on. If you switch from Steam to Epic, you start over.

Is PvE mode easier than PvPvE?
Yes, PvE Operations are generally easier because you only face AI enemies, not human squads. However, the AI can be challenging, especially in later missions. Solo play is harder than co-op.

Related

• Screen Mirror iPad to Firestick: Full Guide
• Best Disk Space Analyzers to Find Lost Gigabytes
• Fish a Slime Codes? What They Are & How They Work