ARC Raiders Update 2.5.0 Adds Two New Vanguard Set Colors

ARC Raiders Store Update 2.5.0 is now live, introducing two new color variants for the Vanguard Set: Orange and Black/White. Released on November 10, 2026, the update gives existing owners additional customization options without requiring another purchase or a game restart. However, the latest release is interesting for another reason: it follows last week's Dead Eye Set launch and continues Embark Studios' return to weekly cosmetic store updates. With several consecutive releases bringing new outfits or variations to existing sets, ARC Raiders is developing a more consistent cosmetic release rhythm while reserving its regular three-week cycle for gameplay fixes and improvements.

What's New in ARC Raiders Store Update 2.5.0?

According to Embark Studios' official announcement, Store Update 2.5.0 introduces two additional color options for the Vanguard Set.

The new variants are:

• Orange: A brighter alternative that gives the original Vanguard outfit a more noticeable appearance.
• Black/White: A monochromatic option offering a more restrained visual style.

Unlike a traditional gameplay patch, this release is focused on cosmetic customization. Embark has not announced new weapons, balance adjustments, map changes, or gameplay mechanics as part of Store Update 2.5.0.

Another convenient detail is that players do not need to restart ARC Raiders to access the new content. The changes are going live directly through the game, meaning Raiders can check their updated cosmetics without waiting for a separate gameplay download.

How to Unlock the New Vanguard Set Colors

One of the more player-friendly aspects of this release is that Embark is not treating the additional color variants as completely separate purchases.

Players who already own the Vanguard Set will receive both new options automatically. There is no need to spend additional Raider Tokens or purchase another cosmetic bundle.

Existing owners simply need to open the in-game Store or Wardrobe and check their available Vanguard customization options.

Players who do not own the original set will first need to purchase it through the in-game Store. Once acquired, the additional color variants become available as part of the ownership benefits.

The original Vanguard Set has been associated with a price in the approximate 1,300–1,600 Raider Token range, but players should verify the current in-game listing before purchasing.

This is worth considering for Raiders who regularly spend their premium currency on cosmetics. Rather than buying multiple independent outfits, owning certain sets can provide access to additional customization options when Embark releases new variants.

Dead Eye Set to Vanguard Recolors: Embark's Weekly Cosmetic Strategy

The more interesting development surrounding Store Update 2.5.0 is the pattern emerging from ARC Raiders' recent cosmetic releases.

Just one week earlier, on November 3, Embark released Store Update 2.4.0, introducing the Dead Eye Set alongside a fix for an issue that caused the Raider Tool to appear with its default skin despite another skin being equipped.

The November 10 release takes a different approach. Instead of introducing another complete outfit, Embark has expanded an existing cosmetic set with two new color options.

Looking at the recent update sequence provides a clearer picture of this approach.

Frequent Small Releases Instead of a New Full Outfit Every Week

There is a noticeable difference between the Dead Eye and Vanguard releases.

The Dead Eye Set represents a more conventional cosmetic store addition, giving players another complete outfit to consider. Update 2.5.0, on the other hand, builds on an existing set and gives its owners more visual variety without introducing an entirely new bundle.

This suggests Embark is using several types of cosmetic releases to maintain a regular store rotation rather than relying exclusively on completely new outfits.

From a player perspective, this approach has a few practical advantages.

First, existing cosmetic owners have a reason to revisit their Wardrobe. A new color variant can make a previously purchased outfit feel fresh without requiring players to buy another complete set.

Second, weekly releases create a more predictable reason to check the Store. Players who enjoy collecting cosmetics can keep track of new offerings instead of waiting for occasional large content drops.

However, there is also a trade-off. Color variants are naturally less substantial than entirely new outfits. Players looking forward to a completely different cosmetic design may find a recolor less exciting than the arrival of something like the Dead Eye Set.

That does not necessarily make the update less valuable, particularly when existing owners receive the variants automatically. It simply means Embark is balancing new cosmetic designs with smaller additions that extend the usefulness of previously released sets.

For now, the recent releases point toward a mixed cosmetic strategy: new outfits remain part of the rotation, while additional color options provide smaller weekly additions.

Weekly Store Updates Are Back, With Fixes Every Three Weeks

The return of weekly cosmetic releases is not an isolated change. Embark explicitly confirmed its regular update schedule in the November 3 Store Update 2.4.0 announcement.

According to the studio, ARC Raiders has returned to weekly store updates and a three-week schedule for regular fixes.

This follows a temporary period after the Frozen Trail release when Embark included fixes in its weekly updates. In the October 27 Live Update 2.3.0 announcement, the developer explained that it would return to the previous schedule after that release.

The distinction matters because weekly store updates should not be confused with weekly major gameplay patches.

Cosmetic releases can introduce outfits, recolors, and store-related adjustments without changing the core extraction experience. Meanwhile, the three-week fix cycle provides a more structured window for gameplay improvements and bug fixes.

Importantly, this schedule does not prevent Embark from addressing urgent problems between planned updates. The November 5 Hotfix 2.4.1, for example, addressed several issues involving the Seed Vault extraction, Ballistic Gondola, residential building collisions, and Xbox crashes. It also introduced Ukrainian language support.

For players, the main takeaway is that smaller weekly store releases should be expected, but substantial gameplay changes will follow a different schedule.

Soul's Offering Raider Project Is Approaching Its End

While players check out the new Vanguard colors, there is another time-sensitive piece of ARC Raiders content worth remembering.

The limited-time Soul's Offering Raider Project, introduced alongside Live Update 2.3.0 on October 27, is scheduled to end on November 16, 2026. That leaves Raiders only a short window to finish any remaining objectives.

The four-stage project asks players to collect specific ARC Raiders items and complete a final rooftop fireworks objective in Buried City. Completing it rewards the Pilgrim Backpack and Offering Display Table design, alongside equipment and weapon modification rewards from earlier stages.

Players who have not finished the project should prioritize their remaining materials and objectives before the deadline. Unlike the weekly cosmetic store rotation, this is limited-time progression content, so leaving it unfinished could mean missing its exclusive completion rewards.

What Store Update 2.5.0 Means for Players

ARC Raiders Store Update 2.5.0 is a relatively small release, but it fits into a broader pattern that is becoming easier to recognize.

The arrival of the Dead Eye Set last week showed that Embark is continuing to introduce complete cosmetic outfits, while the new Vanguard variants demonstrate that existing sets can also receive additional attention after their initial release.

For players, the most immediate benefit is straightforward: existing Vanguard owners get two more customization options without spending additional Raider Tokens. Those who do not own the outfit can decide whether the original set is worth purchasing based on its appearance and the extra variants now available.

More broadly, Embark's return to weekly store updates gives ARC Raiders a predictable cosmetic release rhythm. Whether players prefer entirely new outfits or smaller recolors will naturally vary, but the recent sequence suggests that both approaches will have a place in the store.

With Soul's Offering also approaching its November 16 deadline, Raiders have more than cosmetics to keep track of this week. Checking the new Vanguard options is easy; finishing a limited-time Raider Project may require considerably more planning.