The Shared Watch event turns the standard ARC Raiders gameplay upside down. Instead of keeping one eye on the competition (other Raiders) you will be encouraged to work together as part of a temporary truce. For two weeks, your only true enemy will be the machines on the surface and working together is the quickest way to earn yourself some cosmetics, blueprints, and a lot of Raider Coins.
If you jumped into the game and saw the tracker and didn’t know what actually counted towards the progression in the event then you are not alone. The event does very little to explain how it operates. Below is a complete ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event guide to how the event operates, how to earn Merits at a quick pace, and all of the rewards you can unlock before it is too late.
What Is ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event
Image via Embark Studios.
The Shared Watch Event is a limited-time, player vs. enemy (PvE) event, which lasts from February 10, 2026 until February 24, 2026. Players earn progress towards this event by only eliminating ARCasium enemy robots.
Players still have the option to kill player opponents, but they will earn no progress toward the event. Therefore, players will not earn any experience points (XP) towards the event tracker, nor will they earn any merit. Overall, the event promotes restraint by encouraging players to eliminate robots, as opposed to players.
The Shared Watch Event has its own event progression system, where players are no longer leveling up from a pass as they normally would, but instead, they will earn merits. For every 100 experience points (XP) earned during the event, the player will earn one merit and respond to each subsequent merit after stacking automatically.
Players can earn event XP through:
- Damaging ARC enemies
- Destroying ARC enemies
- Assisting teammates against ARC enemies
That is it. Looting, extracting, PvP fights, contracts and exploration do not move the event forward.
How to Earn Merits Fast in ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event
Image via Embark Studios.
While you can play Shared Watch’s map making your way around and killing whatever you find, you can earn merit faster by hunting specific targets and joining appropriate encounters.
High tier targets provide a great deal of merit as opposed to small roaming ARC, and as a result, boss-like sites are the major drivers of player progression.
Best enemies to target:
- Bastions
- Bombardiers
- Rocketeers
- Leapers
- Shredders
- Queen
- Matriarch
Matriarch runs are the biggest spike in progress. A coordinated group can gain multiple reward tiers in a single successful extraction.
ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event: Smart Playstyle Tips
Image via Embark Studio.
Join active fights
If you hear heavy guns in your area, go towards them; even if you only assist someone else in killing you will still receive merit. You do not have to deal the last blow to players to receive merit for kills.
Bring your best gear
The better ratings your weapons are, the quicker you’ll kill yourself, and the more merit you’ll earn. The more burst damage you deal with an enemy, the less time it takes to kill that enemy; so the longer you kill that enemy, the more merit you’ll earn per minute.
Avoid (PvP) at all costs
If a player is shooting you, running away is usually more beneficial/financial to you than standing there and fighting back. If you get into an extended dual with a player, you have wasted your time that could be used to accumulate ARC.
Play major map conditions
Rain storms, night raids, and boss encounters create a natural accumulation of players. More players equals better opportunity to quickly kill enemies and greater safety while farming.
Low gear option
If you are low on in-game gear (money) to use for hunting larger enemies, then simply hunt smaller ones. Getting to an equivalent level in regard to merit accrued for all players at your same level may allow you to accumulate enough to purchase larger enemies with lower level gear to pursue.
All ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event Rewards
Image via Embark Studios.
The event contains 21 rewards and ends at 1,050 Merits. Every tier increases by 50 Merits and unlocks automatically in order.
| Merits | Reward |
| 50 | Slugger Outfit |
| 100 | 20 Raider Coins |
| 150 | Vita Spray |
| 200 | Tactical Mk.3 Healing Blueprint |
| 250 | Slugger Grenades |
| 300 | Baseball Backpack Charm |
| 350 | 20 Raider Coins |
| 400 | Slugger Color Grey Yellow |
| 450 | Snap Hook |
| 500 | Hand Signals Emote |
| 550 | 20 Raider Coins |
| 600 | Slugger Chest Piece |
| 650 | 20 Raider Coins |
| 700 | Blue Sport Face Paint |
| 750 | Slugger Color Blue Glow |
| 800 | Vita Spray Blueprint |
| 850 | 20 Raider Coins |
| 900 | Slugger Headgear |
| 950 | Acoustic Guitar |
| 1000 | 50 Raider Coins |
| 1050 | Batting Helmet Scrappy Cosmetic |
Total rewards include cosmetic outfit parts, 150 Raider Coins, and two useful blueprints.
So, the question is: Is the ARC Raiders Shared Watch event worth grinding? Yes, especially for players who normally avoid PvP.
ARC Raiders Shared Watch Event is one of the easiest progression events in ARC Raiders because success does not depend on survival streaks or rare materials. You only need to consistently damage machines. Even failed extractions still push the tracker forward as long as you fight ARC units.
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