Embark Studios has rolled out Arc Raiders update 1.20.0 across all platforms, and while the patch notes might look relatively short at first glance, the impact is anything but. This update directly targets two of the game’s most talked-about issues, the dominance of the Il Toro shotgun and the surprisingly lucrative Energy Clips economy.
Players jumping in will need to restart their game to download the update, which is now live on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Il Toro Nerf Finally Hits After Player Feedback
The biggest change in Arc Raiders patch 1.20.0 is the long-awaited nerf to the Il Toro shotgun, a weapon that had become a staple in PvP due to its high damage and surprising versatility despite being only an uncommon tier item.
According to Embark’s official dev notes, the goal here is to make the weapon feel “more like a weapon of its rarity,” especially after players repeatedly raised concerns about its effectiveness at both close and mid-range when paired with certain attachments.
The changes are significant and touch nearly every part of the weapon’s performance:
- Pellet damage reduced from 7.5 to 7
- Fire rate reduced from 43 to 38
- Base dispersion increased from 4.5 to 6
- Reload time increased from 4.3 seconds to 5.7 seconds
- Looping reload timing slowed down
- Damage falloff increased from 40% to 50%
In practical terms, this means the Il Toro will now demand more careful positioning, timing, and use of cover, rather than allowing players to aggressively dominate fights with minimal drawbacks.
This adjustment comes directly from community feedback, with Embark noting it will continue monitoring how the weapon performs post-update and may tweak it further if needed.
Energy Clips Economy Nerfed Hard
Alongside the weapon balance changes, Arc Raiders patch 1.20.0 also makes a dramatic adjustment to the in-game economy by targeting Energy Clips.
Previously, Energy Clips could be sold for 1000 coins, making them one of the most profitable crafting items in the game. That has now been reduced to just 200 coins, a massive drop that will immediately affect players who relied on farming them for quick income.
Embark explained that Energy Clips had “unintentionally become a very profitable craft,” and the change is intended to bring their value more in line with other items.
For players who have been stockpiling Energy Clips or using them as a primary money-making method, this effectively forces a shift in strategy going forward.
Smaller Additions And Bug Fixes Included
While the balance changes are clearly the headline, the update also includes a handful of smaller additions and fixes.
Players can now access a new Rawhide outfit and two additional hairstyles, offering a bit more customisation. On the technical side, several bugs have been addressed, including persistent audio issues from destroyed Comets and Fireballs, collision problems in the Spaceport area, and a glitch that could push players through walls in the Dam Controlled Access Zone.
These fixes may not grab headlines, but they contribute to overall stability and polish, especially for players regularly exploring those areas.
Update Lands Ahead Of Upcoming Flashpoint Content
This patch arrives just ahead of Arc Raiders’ next major content update, Flashpoint, which is expected to launch within the next couple of weeks.
Details on Flashpoint are still fairly limited, but it’s set to introduce a new map condition, an Arc threat, a player project, and a mysterious “Scrappy” update that Embark has yet to fully explain.
In the meantime, Embark continues to respond to player feedback between larger updates, using patches like 1.20.0 to fine-tune balance and address problem areas as they emerge.
Ongoing Changes Come During A Busy Period For Embark
The update also lands during a particularly active period for Embark Studios. Recent headlines have ranged from comments by CEO Patrick Söderlund about reducing AI voice lines in Arc Raiders, to praise for Bungie’s Marathon, and even internal changes following the departure of co-founder and CCO Rob Runesson after allegations of misconduct.
Despite that backdrop, development on Arc Raiders appears to be continuing steadily, with balance updates like this aiming to stabilise gameplay as the team prepares for larger content drops.
With Il Toro now significantly toned down and Energy Clips no longer a reliable cash farm, the meta could shift in noticeable ways over the coming weeks, especially as players experiment and adapt ahead of Flashpoint.
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