#1 | Posted: 23 Sep 2026 22:01
Frigate Runs are set to add a more complicated end-game encounter to ARC Raiders when the Frozen Trail update arrives on October 8, 2026. Instead of another open extraction route, players will board a massive airborne carrier where tight passageways and vertical sections can make every engagement feel much closer. The squad will need to sabotage systems, navigate the ship, solve puzzles, and manage dangerous ARC machines.
That environment also changes how players should think about ARC Raiders BluePrints and general preparation. A squad can have strong equipment and still struggle if everyone pushes through the same doorway or abandons the player working on an objective. The Frigate favors teams that divide responsibilities without completely separating from one another.
Give Everyone A Job
For a three-player squad, the Pointman can handle entry and close-range pressure. A Bantam Revolver or another high-burst option gives this player a way to respond quickly when a threat appears around a corner. The Grappling Hook is useful for vertical movement, while the Yank Grenade provides an answer to the Bully's aggressive charges.
The Support role should be more focused on control and awareness. Amplified weaponry with a Tier 5 upgrade gives this player enough combat strength to contribute without giving up utility. The Tether Launcher and Camera can help monitor corridors, establish control points, and keep track of potential threats while the squad works through puzzles.
The Anchor should provide consistent fire from behind the main push. A Stiletto Battle Rifle suits this role because it can maintain pressure across larger areas. Heavy Shields or damage buffs can help the player hold a useful position while teammates move through a dangerous section.
Deal With The Hydra Carefully
The Hydra is one of the most important enemies to consider when building a Frigate strategy. It is a stationary turret with multiple weapons, can target several Raiders, and can respawn.
The respawn mechanic is the main reason not to treat every Hydra encounter as a simple elimination objective. If the route allows it, one Raider can suppress the machine while the other two advance. The team can then return to the fight if the turret prevents further progress.
This also gives the squad a way to conserve resources. The Frigate is likely to contain several problems that demand ammunition, healing, and utility, so spending everything on one stationary enemy can create difficulties later.
Stop The Bully Before It Takes Space
The Bully is dangerous because it does not give players much time to react. Its fast hit-and-run style can push a squad away from cover and create openings for other enemies or rival Raiders.
Crowd control should therefore be part of the basic plan. The Yank Grenade can interrupt its movement, while concentrated fire can punish it when it commits to a charge. The key is to avoid backing into another corridor without checking what is behind you.
The Pointman can draw attention while the Support player prepares utility and the Anchor maintains sustained fire. This creates a more controlled response than having everyone shoot at the same target while moving backward.
Stay Close Against The Skulker
The Skulker is designed to punish distraction. It moves around the edges of a player's awareness and looks for isolated Raiders.
For this reason, looting and puzzle-solving should never be treated as solo activities. When one player interacts with an objective, another should watch the immediate area. The third player can cover a likely approach or prepare utility.
This does not mean all three Raiders need to stand in the same spot. Instead, maintain a distance that allows the team to respond quickly if someone gets attacked.
Treat Pendola Pass As Part Of The Mission
The Frigate patrols the sky above Pendola Pass, the snowy Italian village associated with Frozen Trail. Flash Freezes can drain resources rapidly, making the approach itself worth planning.
The squad should avoid unnecessary fights before reaching the boarding opportunity. There is little value in arriving at the Frigate already short on ammunition or healing items because the interior encounter is likely to demand more resources.
The approach should also be used to check whether everyone has the equipment needed for their assigned role. A last-minute adjustment is much easier before boarding than after entering the carrier.
Watch Other Raider Teams
The possibility of multiple Raider squads boarding the same Frigate adds another layer to the mission. Sound and timing can reveal that another team is nearby, especially when they engage a major ARC machine.
A Hydra fight can create a particularly useful distraction. Instead of immediately joining the battle, your squad can move through another route, complete an objective, or position itself for the next stage. However, do not assume the other team is unaware of your presence. They may be using the same fight as cover for their own movement.
The best response is to stay flexible and avoid unnecessary exposure.
Save Resources For The Final Push
Frigate Runs combine combat, traversal, sabotage, puzzles, and player-versus-player uncertainty, so preparation should cover more than weapons. A squad needs enough utility to solve movement problems and enough supplies to recover from an unexpected fight.
Players looking to prepare their inventories may consider getting ARC Raiders Materials for sale from appropriate sources before entering, but the larger lesson is to match preparation with the actual squad plan. Carrying more of everything does not replace communication or positioning.
Communication Beats Panic
A Frigate Run can become chaotic very quickly, but clear communication gives a three-player team a way to stay organized. Call out enemy positions, announce when a puzzle is being handled, and make sure everyone knows when the squad is leaving an area.
The best preparation is therefore a simple one: define roles, protect the player handling objectives, conserve resources against respawning enemies, and watch for rival squads. The Frigate may be full of new threats, but a disciplined team can make the encounter much easier to manage.
If you want to prepare your inventory before taking on the Frigate, U4N offers a convenient way to get the resources you need and spend more time focusing on your ARC Raiders progression. | 
