ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes in Update 2.3.0 make the deeper parts of the Emperor more rewarding. Embark lowered the tier of loot in containers near the entrance and moved better-tier rewards further inside the dungeon at Pendola Pass.
If your usual farming run ends after the first containers, Update 2.3.0 gives you a reason to change that route. There’s still loot at the entrance, but the better tiers now favour players who work their way into the interior.
ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes in Update 2.3.0
Embark adjusted where the rewards appear. The containers closest to the entrance now give lower-tier loot, while the deeper rooms contain the better tiers. This is a reason to explore further, especially if you’re already comfortable with the route and its hazards.
The ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes apply to containers inside the Emperor. They’re not a new boss reward table. The patch gives no fixed Legendary drop percentages, so moving deeper increases your opportunity to find higher-tier loot without making any specific item certain.
Where to farm after the ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes
If you are already comfortable reaching the Emperor’s interior, the patch gives you more reason to finish that route instead of stopping at the first containers. Our Emperor Dungeon walkthrough explains the layout and how to progress through the area.
Entrance looting can still work for a quick collection run, especially if you’re gathering ordinary supplies. For high-tier gear, plan a route that takes you past the first rooms. The extra time and danger matter: getting valuable loot is only useful if you can extract with it.
Does the Emperor entrance still contain loot?
Yes. The patch describes lower-tier rewards near the entrance, not empty containers. The ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes do not turn the entrance into a no-loot zone. Open containers when they’re on your route, but don’t treat their results as the full picture of what the dungeon now offers.
Other Raiders can clear containers before you reach them, so a disappointing visit doesn’t mean the patch isn’t working. Check several deeper containers instead of treating a single chest as proof of the whole area’s loot quality.
Other Emperor fixes in Update 2.3.0
Embark expanded its locked-room exploit prevention to make encounters inside the Emperor fairer. The studio also adjusted the killboxes at the top of the compactor to address cases where players were being killed unfairly. Those changes matter for anyone heading towards the richer interior instead of looting and leaving quickly.
Embark also repaired collisions around the Fallen Emperor on Pendola Pass, including a missing ceiling that allowed players to leave the map. Together with the compactor changes, those fixes help reduce some of the awkward spots that could interfere with deeper runs.
Did the Emperor Key blueprint drop rate change?
Yes, but this is a separate item change. Embark reduced the Emperor Key blueprint drop chance from Redirection pods. In exchange, it added a small chance of ARC parts and high-tier ARC loot from those pods. The studio didn’t publish numerical percentages for either pool.
That Redirection pod adjustment is separate from the Emperor’s interior containers. If you’re after the key blueprint, pay attention to the pod change; if you’re after better dungeon loot, go deeper. Our Emperor Gateway Conduit guide covers the associated objective.
Does Frigate loot work the same way?
The Frigate received a comparable loot adjustment: its deeper areas now have a higher chance of higher-tier rewards. Embark also added progress hatches and clearer audio cues for the Frigate power-core puzzle. These are Frigate changes, not new steps for the Emperor.
If you’re farming both areas, our Frigate guide covers that separate activity. In each location, deeper exploration now offers better opportunities than repeatedly opening the easiest outer containers.
Are the ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes live now?
They shipped with Update 2.3.0 on 27 October 2026. Restart and update the game if you’re still running an older build. The Emperor distribution and fixes are part of the live patch, not an upcoming event with a separate unlock requirement.
For the ARC Raiders Emperor loot changes, plan to reach the inner containers when you’re hunting higher-tier rewards. A quick entrance run still has its place, but Embark deliberately moved the stronger loot incentives further inside.
Official source: Embark Studios: Live Update 2.3.0 patch notes.
