Raiders, get ready to venture into the frozen north! The most anticipated content drop since Arc Raiders’ launch is finally here, but there’s a catch – you’ll need to work together as a community to unlock access to the mysterious Stella Montis map. As someone who’s been following this game since its announcement, I can tell you this community event is exactly what makes Arc Raiders special. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey in the Rust Belt, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about unlocking Stella Montis, from the Breaking New Ground event requirements to the terrifying new ARC enemies waiting to test your skills.
To unlock the new Stella Montis map in Arc Raiders, players must participate in the Breaking New Ground Community Live Event, a global challenge that requires the entire community to work together. Unlike traditional map unlocks that happen automatically, Stella Montis follows a Helldivers 2-style community progression system where access must be earned through collective effort.
| Event Phase | Requirements | Rewards | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Breaking New Ground | Donate basic materials globally | Merits currency (max 900) | November 13 – December 21, 2026 |
| Phase 2: Staking Our Claim | Personal progression track | Cosmetic rewards & exclusive items | Limited time after Phase 1 completion |
The Breaking New Ground event is Arc Raiders’ first major community challenge, designed to bring players together in a unified effort to restore the ancient tunnels leading to Stella Montis. According to the official Arc Raiders website, “Access to Stella Montis must first be earned — the tunnels leading to the new region will only open once the global community completes Breaking New Ground.”
The event operates on a simple but effective premise: every player contributes basic materials to a global pool, and once the community reaches the target goal, Stella Montis becomes accessible to everyone. What makes this event special is that it’s designed to be inclusive – any player who has completed at least five rounds can participate in this community effort.
Key Features:
To contribute to the Breaking New Ground event, you’ll need to gather and donate specific basic materials. These are common resources that you’ll naturally accumulate while playing, making participation accessible to all players.
Materials Needed:
Pro Tip: These materials are easily available by salvaging low-level weapons, grenades, or defeating ARCs across the topside. You can get some essential items and upgrade Scrappy early on, then collect the loot after every raid to maximize your contribution potential.
The Merits system serves as the event currency and reward mechanism for the Breaking New Ground event. Here’s everything you need to know about this new currency:
How to Earn Merits:
Strategic Implications: The 900 Merit cap means that once you’ve earned your maximum, you can continue contributing to help the community without personal benefit. This creates an interesting dynamic where altruistic players can continue donating even after reaching their personal limit, embodying the community spirit that makes Arc Raiders special.
Step 1: Access the Event Interface
Step 2: Gather Required Materials
Step 3: Donate Materials
Step 4: Track Your Progress
Once Phase 1 is complete and Stella Montis is unlocked, Phase 2 will begin with a different progression system:
Expected Features:
Stella Montis represents a significant departure from the existing maps in Arc Raiders. Carved deep into the northern mountains, this vast abandoned facility remains relatively well-preserved compared to the wreckage of the lower Rust Belt. The environmental design creates unique tactical opportunities and challenges that will test even the most experienced Raiders.
Key Environmental Features:
Strategic Implications: The mountainous terrain of Stella Montis introduces vertical gameplay elements that weren’t present in previous maps. Players will need to adapt their strategies to account for:
The Stella Montis update introduces two terrifying new ARC enemies that will challenge even the most seasoned Raiders. These new threats are specifically designed to test the limits of your combat skills and teamwork.
Description: The Matriarch is an imposing ARC machine that makes the Queen look friendly. This massive enemy serves as a boss-level threat that appears during specific map conditions in Stella Montis.
Combat Characteristics:
Strategy Tips:
Description: The Shredder is a fast, agile ARC enemy specifically designed for close-quarters combat. This enemy first appears in Stella Montis and challenges Raiders to stay sharp in confined spaces.
Combat Characteristics:
Strategy Tips:
The North Line update doesn’t just bring a new map – it introduces a arsenal of new weapons and equipment that will change how you approach combat in Arc Raiders.
Description: A new legendary energy weapon that represents the pinnacle of pre-collapse technology. The Aphelion Rifle offers unique gameplay mechanics that set it apart from conventional firearms.
Key Features:
Tactical Applications:
The update introduces three new types of mines that expand your tactical options significantly:
Strategic Uses:
Two new grenade types join your arsenal, providing additional tactical flexibility:
Combat Applications:
The North Line update introduces two new playstyles that cater to different player preferences and team compositions.
Philosophy: Designed for players who prefer to operate independently while still contributing to team success. This playstyle emphasizes self-sufficiency and tactical flexibility.
Key Characteristics:
Recommended Loadout:
Philosophy: Perfect for players who want to lead the charge and open new paths for their team. This aggressive playstyle focuses on breakthrough capabilities and team support.
Key Characteristics:
Recommended Loadout:
The introduction of Stella Montis brings with it a wealth of new narrative content that expands the Arc Raiders story and provides deeper insight into the game’s world.
Narrative Context: The Stella Montis quests explore the history of the Exodus – the pre-collapse event where elite members of humanity fled to the stars to avoid the catastrophic climate event that ravaged Earth. These quests reveal what happened to those left behind and how it connects to the current ARC threat.
Quest Types:
Reward Structure: The Stella Montis quests offer a comprehensive reward system that includes:
While the North Line update is still fresh, the Arc Raiders team is already looking ahead to the next major content drop. Here’s what we know about the upcoming Cold Snap update.
Expected Release: December 2026, following the conclusion of the Breaking New Ground event
Confirmed Features:
The Arc Raiders development team has outlined their vision for the game’s future, emphasizing regular content updates and community engagement. The North Line update represents just the beginning of their post-launch roadmap, with plans for:
For New Players:
For Veteran Players:
Optimal Team Setup for Stella Montis:
Communication Strategy:
The Breaking New Ground event launched on November 13, 2026, alongside the North Line update. The event will run until December 21, 2026, giving players plenty of time to contribute to the community goal.
To unlock Stella Montis, you need to participate in the Breaking New Ground community event by donating basic materials (Metal Parts, Fabric, Plastic Parts, Rubber Parts, and Chemicals). Once the global community reaches the target goal, the map will be accessible to all players.
The North Line update introduces two new ARC enemies: the Matriarch (a massive boss-level enemy) and the Shredder (a fast, close-quarters specialist). Both enemies present unique challenges that require new strategies to overcome.
The update introduces the Aphelion Rifle (a legendary energy battle rifle), three new types of mines (Frost, EMP, and Fragmentation), and two new grenade types (Thermite and Sonar). Each new weapon offers unique tactical possibilities.
The Breaking New Ground event runs from November 13 to December 21, 2026. However, once the community goal is reached, Stella Montis will be permanently accessible, and Phase 2 (Staking Our Claim) will begin.
The next major update is called “Cold Snap” and is scheduled for December 2026. It will introduce the “Flickering Flames” event, a new snowfall map condition, and the long-awaited Expedition Project Raider reset.
No, Stella Montis is locked behind the Breaking New Ground community event. You must contribute to the global effort by donating materials before the map becomes accessible. This is a community-wide challenge that requires player cooperation.
Merits are the event currency earned by donating materials to the Breaking New Ground event. You can earn up to 900 Merits per player, which will be used to claim rewards during Phase 2 of the event. Additional contributions beyond the cap still count toward global progress.
Yes, the North Line update introduces two new playstyles: Lone Wolf (for independent players) and Trailblazer (for aggressive team leaders). Each playstyle offers unique abilities and tactical options that cater to different player preferences.
Rewards include the Aphelion Rifle, new mines and grenades, cosmetic items, exclusive equipment, lore entries, and skill points. Phase 2 of the event will offer additional cosmetic rewards and exclusive items.
Remember to bookmark this guide for quick reference as the Breaking New Ground event progresses, and check back regularly for updates on Phase 2 and the upcoming Cold Snap update. The tunnels to Stella Montis won’t open themselves – it’s up to the community to work together and unlock this exciting new frontier!
