Arc Raiders players are about to lose some skills. The game’s skill tree is getting a major overhaul, and the new version forces players to choose a few abilities instead of unlocking everything. That might sound small, but it changes how the game plays.
Embark, the studio behind Raiders, is removing some skills and adding a bunch of new ones in Frozen Trail. The reworked tree requires players to pick between a couple of different abilities, rather than unlocking every option on offer. The change follows the same general structure as before, but with more interesting choices built in.
“We believe that creates more interesting choices and supports more playstyles.”
Grøndal, speaking in a recent press Q&A, framed the shift as a deliberate design decision. The old tree offered too many selections without clear utility, he said, so the studio decided to narrow the options. The result is a system that asks players to commit to a handful of abilities rather than spread points across everything.
The Skill Tree Problem
The old skill tree had a problem. Players could unlock every ability, but that didn’t necessarily make sense. The current tree is pretty forgettable as is, according to the report, with points dumped into mobility leaving players slightly better at running and sliding.
The new approach changes that dynamic entirely. Instead of a flat tree where everything is available, players have to choose between a couple of different abilities. That means trade-offs become part of the build process.
Grøndal’s description of the change suggests the structure remains recognisable. The general shape of the tree stays the same, but the choices within it are more varied. He hopes players will find new builds to experiment with, and he notes that builds can be changed later if they don’t work out.
What Gets Removed, What Gets Added
Grøndal didn’t go into specifics about which skills are being cut or what the new abilities actually do. The report describes the situation as forcing imagination to run wild, with questions left open about what the new options might entail.
The report lists a few possibilities:
- Spec into a double jump
- Learn to tame an Arc as a pet
Those are the kind of ideas floating around until the full patch lands. For now, the only confirmed detail is that the tree is changing its shape.
The removal of old skills is a notable part of the update. The report doesn’t specify which skills are going, but the overall pattern is clear: some abilities are being cut to make room for the new ones.
Why This Matters
The change is significant for Raiders players. A skill tree that unlocks everything is easy to understand but offers limited depth. A tree that forces choices creates more interesting decisions and supports more playstyles, which is exactly what Grøndal claims the new system delivers.
The report frames the rework as a pretty big deal, even though skills didn’t get much attention in Embark’s stuffed Frozen Trails reveal video. Grøndal addressed it first in the press Q&A, suggesting the topic was important enough to lead the conversation.
Players who enjoy experimentation will likely welcome the new freedom. The ability to try different builds without being locked into a single path is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement.
What Comes Next
The full patch has not landed yet. The report is based on Grøndal’s description of the change, not on hands-on testing of the new tree. That means specifics remain unconfirmed until the update goes live.
When the patch arrives, players will be able to see the new abilities in action and test the build combinations Grøndal mentioned. The ability to change builds later is a key feature of the redesign, giving players room to experiment without committing permanently.
The report’s tone is playful about the possibilities, but the core message is clear. The skill tree is changing, and the change is a deliberate attempt to make the game more engaging.
The Design Philosophy
The reworked skill tree is a bold move for Raiders. Removing skills and adding new ones while forcing players to choose is a bigger change than the reveal video suggested. Grøndal’s enthusiasm for the build opportunities is genuine, and the design direction is sound.
The design philosophy is clear: more choices, more freedom, more playstyles. The report makes no claim about how the change will feel to players once it lands, only that the new system aims to support a wider range of playstyles through deliberate choice.
The admission that the new tree forces players to pick a few abilities, rather than unlock everything, is the whole story. Raiders is changing, and the change is worth watching closely when the patch finally lands.
Source material: “You can't have everything in Arc Raiders' reworked skill tree: 'We believe that creates more interesting choices and supports more playstyles',” PC Gamer.
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