ARC Raiders, toxic trail, 2026 mid Jan. has toxic swamp map condition, growing toxicity, bog or swamp-like area, enemy captured

ARC Raiders Leaks Reveal A Toxic Swamp Map Condition for Mid-January

ByMusu Murray

ARC Raiders is gearing up to throw something even nastier after the Cold Snap. Thanks to some clever players experimenting with their system, we have a name for the next update: Toxic Swamp. Here is everything we know about the future of ARC Raiders and its impending sludge-fest. Make sure that y’all are up-to-date on your shots.

Surviving the Cold First!

ARC Raiders, toxic trail, 2026 mid Jan. has toxic swamp map condition, growing toxicity, Cold Snap
Screenshot of ARC Raiders, Courtesy of Embark Studios

At the moment, the Cold Snap update is in full swing, and if y’all haven’t finished your Trials yet, you’d better get a move on. The current slate of challenges is very winter-themed, so expect to spend a lot of time frolicking in the snow while trying not to get shot. Combat involves high-tech weaponry and… throwing snowballs, so enjoy the whimsical winter violence while you can. The current to-do list includes:

  • Searching Frozen Raider Containers (probably has loot, or just more ice).
  • Throwing snowballs at Rocketeers.
  • Throwing snowballs at Bastions.

Hidden Bunker Week

ARC Raiders, toxic trail, 2026 mid Jan. has toxic swamp map condition, growing toxicity, hidden bunker before Toxic Swamp
Screenshot of ARC Raiders, Courtesy of Embark Studios

According to the calendar leaks, the winter wonderland wraps up on Jan. 13, 2026. Once the snow and permafrost melt, the game will unveil the Hidden Bunker map condition. For one week, the map will be returning as a palate cleanser between the tundra and the toxic sludge until Jan. 19.

Toxic Swamp: From ARC Raider To Toxic Avenger!

ARC Raiders, toxic trail, 2026 mid Jan. has toxic swamp map condition, growing toxicity, Dam battlegrounds could be place where toxic swamp will be set
Screenshot of ARC Raiders, Courtesy of Embark Studios

Now for the news that y’all have been waiting to find out about! Starting the week of Jan.19, 2026, a brand-new map condition called Toxic Swamp is set to go live. Embark Studios hasn’t officially dropped a trailer or a press release for this yet, but the name isn’t exactly subtle about what will be happening.

We are likely looking at a modifier that turns specific areas of the map—most likely the Dam, which already boasts a lovely, mosquito-infested swamp region—into a hazardous zone. The current lore and mission text in ARC Raiders have been dropping hints about “growing toxicity” in the swamp area for a while now.

What’s The Drill For Toxic Swamp Gameplay?

ARC Raiders, toxic trail, 2026 mid Jan. has toxic swamp map condition, growing toxicity, swamp boat with chemical spill, toxic trail mission
Screenshot of ARC Raiders, Courtesy of Embark Studios

If you have played any extraction shooter or survival game, you know the drill with “toxic” zones. What we could be expecting from the Toxic Swamp map conditions:

  • Constant Health Drain: You probably won’t be able to camp in this type of swamp without taking damage over time.
  • Reduced Visibility: Expect green fog, smog, or just general grossness that makes spotting enemy Raiders (or other players) much harder.
  • Required Gear: This might be the time to prioritize loot that offers environmental protection. If you don’t have a good gas mask or hazmat suit, you might want to start scavenging for one now.

Final Thoughts: Better Start Your HAZMAT Training, Raiders!

Map conditions force you to change how you play. For example, Cold Snap forced us to deal with visibility issues and thermal mechanics. Toxic Swamp will likely force a shift toward durability and speed. Maybe your favorite sniper perch is now covered in a cloud of poison gas. Perhaps the best loot is now slightly submerged in a radioactive puddle. Who knows? So, enjoy the snowballs while they last, Raiders, because come mid-January, you’re gonna be practicing how to treat chemical burns.

Musu Murray is a graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Chemistry & B.A. in Illustration Visual Communication. She can understand the technical jargon but prefers writing easy-to-digest reports that get straight to the point. She is a massive horror fan and loves the arts. When she's not writing, you can find her either at her easel desk painting, or bundled up in the dark watching cult classics. From gaming to gardening, she will get her hands on whatever topic she finds.

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