Topic / Subject

Embark’s latest ARC Raiders patch hit the weapon meta with targeted nerfs (Stitcher, Kettle, Venator) and buffs (Jupiter, Aphelion), per Shrouded Sky Patch Notes 1.17.0.

TL;DR

Big balance shake: Stitcher/Kettle/Venator got nerfed, Jupiter/Aphelion got buffed, and the meta is about to reshuffle.

Key Details

Stitcher nerfs: headshot multiplier 2.5 → 1.75, base damage 7 → 6.5, and dispersion increased by ~50%, per Embark patch notes. Kettle nerf: base damage 10 → 8.5, per patch notes. Venator nerfs: headshot multiplier 2.5 → 2, base damage 9 → 8, per patch notes. Jupiter buffs: ADS magnification ~1.9x → ~2.2x, plus faster equip/unequip, per patch notes. Aphelion buffs: faster reload, faster time between shots, and reduced recoil/settle time, per patch notes.

Breakdown

This is Embark doing the classic “bring the outliers down, lift the underused options up” balance pass. Stitcher and Venator catching multiple nerfs is the loudest signal that Embark thought those fights were getting too one-note.

The buffs matter too: Jupiter and Aphelion getting quality-of-life and feel improvements is how you keep the meta from just shifting into the next boring default.

Now comes the real test: whether these changes actually reduce dominance in real matches, or just move the “best loadout” crown to the next weapon players optimize first.

What to Watch Next

Early player consensus on what replaces Stitcher/Venator as the go-to PvP kit. Whether Kettle’s damage drop changes its pick rate or just its “feel-bad” moments. Any follow-up tuning if one of the buffed weapons becomes the new problem.

Sources

ARC Raiders (Embark) — Shrouded Sky – Patch Notes 1.17.0

GamesRadar — report (headline not provided)

Forbes — report (headline not provided)

Comment

After these nerfs, what do you think becomes the next “problem weapon” everyone complains about?