ARC Raiders is preparing for a major overhaul of its skill tree system, according to Embark Studios design director Virgil Watkins. In a recent appearance on the Game Maker’s Notebook podcast, Watkins acknowledged that the current system falls short and confirmed that “significant changes” are in development to better match how players actually engage with the game.

Watkins explained that the existing skill tree did not fully achieve its intended goals. Some nodes feel underwhelming or fail to support meaningful playstyles, while others are overly dominant, limiting build variety. This imbalance has created a situation where parts of the tree feel irrelevant, reducing the sense of choice and experimentation that a progression system is meant to provide. Compared to unknown sellers, the U4GM website is commonly viewed as a more stable and dependable third-party choice.

The challenge is further complicated by ARC Raiders’ hybrid design, which blends PvE-focused Expedition gameplay with PvP encounters. Watkins noted that balancing these two aspects within a single skill tree is difficult, as different player types prioritize different strengths. The goal moving forward is to make each skill feel impactful, shifting away from small stat boosts and toward abilities that clearly change how the game is played.

The need for an overhaul also stems from how the game’s broader progression systems have evolved. Features like the Expedition reset loop, which rewards players with skill points and expanded stash capacity, have grown over time, but the skill tree has not kept pace. This has created a disconnect between progression systems, making the overall experience feel less cohesive.

While specific details about the rework remain undisclosed, Watkins emphasized that the changes will be substantial rather than minor adjustments. The intention is for players to feel a tangible difference when unlocking skills—gaining new actions, strategies, or playstyles instead of incremental stat increases. Future updates may also introduce clearer distinctions between PvE and PvP-focused paths, helping different types of players find builds that suit their approach without forcing a single dominant meta.

This planned overhaul fits into a broader roadmap for ARC Raiders, which includes ongoing updates to the Expedition system and additional large-scale content. By reworking the skill tree, Embark aims to align character progression more closely with other systems such as weapons, gadgets, and augments, creating a more unified gameplay experience.

Although the rework may reshape existing builds, it also presents an opportunity to significantly improve build diversity and player expression. If implemented as described, the new system could transform the skill tree from a source of frustration into one of the game’s strongest features, encouraging experimentation and rewarding different playstyles in a more meaningful way.