The matchmaking system in ARC Raiders has sparked significant debate, particularly around the concept of "gear-based matchmaking." Initially, many players feared that the game’s matchmaking would strictly depend on gear power, creating unfair lobbies where stronger players faced off against others with weaker gear. However, recent updates and developer statements have clarified this issue, offering a more complex, nuanced approach to matchmaking buy ARC Raiders items.

What Does ARC Raiders Matchmaking Actually Check?
According to early explanations, ARC Raiders’ matchmaking system doesn't rely on a single factor like gear power. Instead, it takes into account several different metrics, including Trial Rank (a measure of skill), overall gear value, and account level. These factors are used to categorize players into different "tiers" for matchmaking, ensuring that matches are as fair as possible, based on a mix of skill and gear.

However, it’s important to note that the system is not completely defined yet, as developers have emphasized that it remains flexible and could evolve based on the data gathered during the early access period. This has led to some confusion and speculation among players about how much influence gear really has.

Gear-Based Matchmaking Debunked
One of the most common concerns players had early on was that ARC Raiders would feature strict gear-based matchmaking, where players with high-level gear would always end up in intense, high-competition lobbies. Developers have now clearly stated that there is no "pure" gear-based matchmaking system in place. This has provided some relief to players who feared they would be unfairly placed in sweaty lobbies just because of their equipment.

That said, gear does still play a role in matchmaking, though it is just one of several factors. While the game doesn't strictly match players based on their gear alone, the power of your equipment can still influence the type of opponents you face. This means that while "gear-based matchmaking" has been officially ruled out, gear awareness does play a subtle part in the matchmaking process.

Aggression-Based Matchmaking: A New Twist?
As gear-based matchmaking took a back seat, another theory gained traction: aggression-based matchmaking. Community observations suggest that player behavior, such as how aggressively a player engages in PvP, can influence matchmaking. Players who avoid conflict and focus more on objectives tend to find themselves in calmer, less intense lobbies. In contrast, players who engage in constant PvP or "shoot-on-sight" tactics are more likely to land in lobbies with other aggressive players, resulting in tougher matches.

While the game doesn’t have a fully transparent aggression rating system, developers have acknowledged that player behavior can have an impact on matchmaking. This suggests that how you play, not just what you wear, can influence the type of encounters you experience.

Party Size and Fairness
Another key aspect of matchmaking in ARC Raiders is party size. To avoid situations where solo players are placed against stacked squads, the system tries to match solos, duos, and trios with players of similar party sizes. This ensures that solo players don’t get unfairly overwhelmed by larger groups. However, when queues are low, there may be some flexibility in these rules, which can lead to the occasional mismatch. Players have reported frustration when solo players are matched with duos or trios, often calling it "broken matchmaking."

Balancing fair matchmaking while keeping queue times reasonable remains a challenge, particularly in early access. Developers are working to gather more data and tweak the system as needed to ensure fairness while keeping the game fun and engaging.

What This Means for Players
For most players, the takeaway from ARC Raiders’ matchmaking system is that it doesn’t solely rely on gear power. Instead, the system combines several factors, including gear, skill, behavior, and party size, to create balanced matches. While gear still affects the difficulty of opponents you face, the matchmaking process is much more dynamic and considers multiple aspects of a player’s experience.

If you prefer calmer, less intense matches, playing with a more objective-focused approach and less aggression may naturally lead to more relaxed lobbies. On the other hand, highly aggressive, gear-focused players can expect more challenging raids and tougher opponents, even without the strict "gear-based matchmaking" system that was originally feared.

Ultimately, ARC Raiders seems to be evolving its matchmaking system to create a more balanced, fair experience for everyone—whether you're a solo player looking for a quieter raid or a gear-heavy player eager for a tough challenge.