The Arc Raiders Riven Tides update brought a major new map, a new enemy, and a pile of changes to the game’s meta. But it also kicked off something players will want to stay on top of: the Last Resort limited-time event, running now through May 25, 2026.
If you want the exclusive rewards before the event disappears, here is everything you need to know — how the event works, what you can earn, and the fastest way to stack Merits.
What Is the Last Resort Event?
Last Resort is a limited-time event tied to the Riven Tides update in Arc Raiders. The event runs from now until May 25, giving players roughly four weeks to complete it.
The core loop is straightforward: play matches, earn XP, and find toy ships scattered across the maps. Both activities generate Merits — the event’s dedicated currency — which you spend to unlock a tiered reward track of exclusive items.
This is not a pay-to-win event. The rewards are cosmetic, and the Merits system rewards active play rather than spending. If you are already running expeditions regularly, you will accumulate Merits naturally.
Last Resort Rewards: What You Can Unlock
The Last Resort event reward track includes the following exclusive items:
- New outfit — an exclusive cosmetic set only available during the event window.
- New backpack — a cosmetic backpack skin not available in the standard store.
- 250 Raider Tokens — useful for purchasing other in-game content.
None of these items will be available after May 25. If you want them, the clock is ticking.
How to Earn Merits Quickly
There are two primary Merit sources in the Last Resort event:
1. Earning XP in matches. Any progression that generates XP contributes to your Merit total. Running expeditions, completing objectives, and surviving engagements all feed the counter. You do not need to win or reach extraction — progress counts.
2. Finding toy ships. These are collectible items hidden in the game world during the event. Toy ships appear across the Riven Tides map and the existing maps. Picking one up gives a Merit bonus on top of your regular XP accumulation.
The most efficient approach is to combine both — run active expeditions on maps you know well, and treat the toy ship hunt as a secondary objective rather than the primary focus. Prioritising toy ships over looting or surviving will put you at risk and slow your overall progress.
The Riven Tides Update Context
Last Resort runs alongside the broader Riven Tides update, which is Arc Raiders’ biggest content drop to date. The update introduced:
- The Riven Tides map — a coastal biome with a resort area, harbor points of interest, and new exploration zones.
- The Arc Turbine — a new enemy type added to the game’s roster.
- Weapon durability changes — low-tier guns now break significantly faster, while high-tier weapons gained a small durability buff. This is a meaningful meta shift that makes gear management more critical.
- Bettina buffs — the Bettina weapon has been adjusted to better match its rarity tier.
The weapon durability changes in particular will affect how you approach the Last Resort event. Running low-tier gear into extended expeditions is now riskier, so if you are trying to maximise event playtime, consider investing in weapons that can hold up across multiple engagements.
If you are still working through Arc Raiders basics, our full Arc Raiders blueprints guide covers everything you need to know about unlocking crafting progression. For players hitting technical issues during the event, our ARMR0002 error fix guide covers the most common matchmaking problem.
How Long Does the Event Run?
Last Resort runs from the Riven Tides launch through May 25, 2026. There is no confirmed extension, and Embark Studios has not suggested the rewards will return in a future event. Treat May 25 as a hard deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I earn Merits in the Arc Raiders Last Resort event?
You earn Merits by gaining XP in matches and by finding toy ships hidden throughout the game’s maps. Both activities contribute to your Merit total, which you spend on the event’s exclusive reward track.
What are the Last Resort event rewards?
The exclusive Last Resort rewards include a new outfit cosmetic, a new backpack skin, and 250 Raider Tokens. All rewards are exclusive to the event window and will not be available after May 25, 2026.
When does the Arc Raiders Last Resort event end?
The Last Resort event ends on May 25, 2026. Players have approximately four weeks from the Riven Tides launch to complete the reward track.
What is new in the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update?
The Riven Tides update added the Riven Tides coastal map, the Arc Turbine enemy, weapon durability rebalancing (low-tier weapons break faster, high-tier weapons are more durable), and the Last Resort limited-time event.
Do I need to pay for the Last Resort rewards?
No. The Last Resort event rewards are unlocked through Merits, which are earned through gameplay. You do not need to purchase anything to access the event or its rewards.
Conclusion
The Arc Raiders Last Resort event is a time-limited opportunity to earn cosmetics you will not see again after May 25. The Merit system is fair and gameplay-driven, so your best strategy is simple: play regularly, stay alive, and grab toy ships when you spot them. Four weeks is a comfortable window, but the sooner you start stacking Merits, the less pressure you will feel heading into the final days of the event.
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