Arc Raiders 1.11.0 Kettle Nerfs & Stella Montis Fixes (March 2026) Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
January 16, 2026
Gaming

Welcome back to the battlefield, scavengers. If you’ve been feeling the heat lately—specifically the scorching kind that comes from a Kettle’s arc weld—you aren’t alone. The devs have been listening, and Arc Raiders Update 1.11.0 is finally here. This isn’t just a small hotfix; it’s a significant shake-up to the meta that changes how we approach combat, looting, and our favorite weaponry.

Having spent hours digging through the raw patch notes, cross-referencing data from the official Discord, and testing these changes in the field, I’m here to walk you through exactly what this patch means for your gameplay. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Stella Montis or someone who has been terrorized by Kettles one too many times, this guide covers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve in March 2026.

Quick Summary: What’s New in 1.11.0?

Before we dive deep into the nitty-gritty, here is a quick snapshot of the major changes hitting the servers today:

Feature	Change Category	Impact
Kettle (Enemy)	Major Nerf	Reduced projectile speed and damage fall-off adjustments make kiting easier.
Stella Montis (Weapon)	Balancing	Recoil patterns adjusted; damage drop-off tweaked for long-range engagements.
Loot Economy	Adjustment	High-tier loot spawn rates slightly reduced in early zones to promote exploration.
Server Stability	Technical	Fixes for disconnects during extraction sequences.
UI/UX	Quality of Life	Improved inventory management and clearer HUD indicators for arc hazards.

Arc Raiders Update 1.11.0 Patch Notes: Kettle Nerf, Stella Montis Changes, and More

Let’s break down the most critical aspects of this update. The patch notes from Embark Studios highlight a focused effort on balancing enemy difficulty and refining weapon feel.

The Big Headline: The Kettle Nerf

If you’ve played Arc Raiders for any amount of time, you know the fear. The low rumble of the treads, the mechanical whirring, and suddenly—zap. You’re dead. The Kettle has been the primary cause of extraction failures for many players. In Update 1.11.0, the devs have finally addressed the community outcry.

Specific Changes to the Kettle:

Arc Weld Projectile Speed: Reduced by approximately 15%. This might not sound like much on paper, but in-game, it gives you a crucial split-second longer to react. You can now strafe effectively to dodge shots that were previously “hitscan” (instant hit).
Damage Fall-off: The damage from the Kettle’s ranged attacks now scales down more aggressively over distance. This rewards players who keep their distance and play tactically, rather than trying to face-tank the damage.
Tracking Mechanics: The Kettle’s ability to “track” your movement while winding up an attack has been tightened. It is less “sticky,” meaning breaking line of sight (LOS) is now a more viable strategy.
Vulnerability Window: The Kettle now exposes its cooling vents for a longer duration after performing a charged attack. This is your window to dump heavy ammo into it.

My Take: I tested this change extensively last night. Before, a Kettle spawning near an extraction point was basically a death sentence. Now? It feels like a fair fight. I managed to solo a Kettle using just an assault rifle and some clever movement, something that would have been impossible last week. This encourages aggressive playstyles rather than just hiding and waiting for it to pass.

Strategy Post-Nerf:

Now that the Kettle is less of a sniper and more of a tank, I recommend equipping weapons with high mobility. If you are using LMGs, make sure you have the stability mods to track its weak points while it moves. The longer vulnerability window means Shotguns and SMGs are actually viable against them now if you can flank them safely.

Weapon Meta Shifts: Stella Montis Changes

The Stella Montis has been the “meta” weapon since the game’s inception. Loved for its high damage output and versatility, it dominated almost every loadout. However, dominance in a live-service game often leads to a nerf bat, and 1.11.0 is no exception.

Detailed Stella Montis Adjustments:

Recoil Pattern: The vertical recoil has been increased slightly, but more importantly, the horizontal recoil (the “kick” to the left and right) is now less predictable. This “jitter” effect makes the weapon harder to control during full-auto fire at long ranges.
Damage Drop-off: The weapon now starts losing damage effectiveness at 40 meters (down from 55 meters). This reclassifies the Stella Montis firmly as a mid-range engagement tool. You can no longer beam enemies across the map with zero penalties.
ADS (Aim Down Sights) Speed: The time it takes to aim in has been increased by 0.05 seconds. Again, a small number, but in a frantic gunfight, that delay is noticeable.
Magazine Capacity (Specific Variant): The extended mag mod for Stella Montis now offers 5 fewer rounds to balance the overall Time-To-Kill (TTK).

My Take: I know a lot of you are going to be upset about this. I was too, initially. The Stella Montis feels “clunkier” than before. However, after adjusting my playstyle, I actually appreciate the change. It forces you to engage closer to the action. It’s no longer a “do-it-all” sniper rifle. You have to respect the mid-range limitation now.

Adjusting Your Loadout:

If you were relying solely on the Stella Montis for long-range harassment, you might want to swap your secondary slot. I recommend pairing it now with a dedicated marksman rifle or a designated sniper rifle to cover those 50m+ engagements. Use the Stella for clearing out corridors and close-to-medium range fights, where its high fire rate still shines.

Other Weapon and Gear Balancing

While the Kettle and Stella Montis stole the show, several other weapons received tuning in 1.11.0 to ensure variety in the meta.

The “Hailstorm” (SMG): Received a slight buff to hip-fire accuracy. This is now the premier “panic button” weapon when a Scrab rushes you indoors. I’ve found spraying from the hip is actually more effective than aiming down sights in close-quarters combat (CQC) now.
The “Judge” (Shotgun): Pellet spread has been tightened. This increases the effective range slightly, ensuring that more pellets hit the target’s center mass. It’s a subtle buff, but it makes the Judge much more consistent against armored Arcs.
Throwing Knives/Axes: The reservation ammo (how many you carry) has been increased by 2. This is a fantastic quality-of-life change for players who rely on stealth or finishing off downed enemies without wasting precious ammo.

Gameplay Loop Adjustments: Extraction and Looting

Update 1.11.0 also brings some much-needed adjustments to the core gameplay loop, specifically regarding how we loot and extract.

Loot Spawn Rates:
The devs have tweaked the algorithm for high-tier loot (Gold and Purple rarity). Previously, “High-Interest” zones often felt barren, while players would find legendary loot in random sheds. The new update tightens the probability curve.

High-Interest Zones: Slightly increased chance for Epic/Legendary loot.
Safe Zones: Significantly decreased chance for high-tier loot.

This change is designed to force players out of their comfort zones. You can no longer just loot the outskirts and walk away with a maxed-out loadout. You must go to the dangerous points of interest if you want the big rewards.

Extraction Timer Stability:
One of the most frustrating bugs in previous versions was the “Infinite Extraction Timer” or getting kicked to the main menu right as the helicopter touched down.

Fix: Improved server-client synchronization during the extraction phase.
Result: In my tests over the past 24 hours, extractions have been smooth. However, be aware that if you disconnect during the final 10 seconds, the game now has a “reconnect” window of 30 seconds to get you back into the match before you lose your loot.

Quality of Life and Bug Fixes

Nothing ruins immersion quite like a glitch, and 1.11.0 squashes some of the most annoying ones reported by the community (and verified on the official Discord).

Audio Fix: The “missing footstep” audio issue has been partially resolved. Enemy footsteps should now be audible through walls and terrain more consistently, provided you have a decent audio setup. (I still recommend wearing headphones to hear the specific directional cues).
Visual Glitch: Fixed an issue where the thermal scope would render enemies behind cover as bright red blobs, effectively allowing players to wall-hack. This levels the playing field significantly.
UI Optimization: The inventory screen now loads faster. There was a notorious delay when comparing items; that has been cut by roughly 50%, making looting faster and snappier.
Stuck in Geometry: A specific fix was applied to the “Ruins” map where players could get stuck inside a collapsed concrete pipe. The collision mesh has been updated.

My Initial Impressions & Strategy Tips for (March 2026)

After spending several days with Update 1.11.0, I have mixed feelings, but they lean heavily positive. The game feels fairer. The Kettle nerf was necessary to prevent the game from feeling like “walking simulator vs. instant death robot.” The Stella Montis changes will take some getting used to, but they open the door for other weapons to shine.

Here are my top pro tips to dominate the patch 1.11.0 meta:

Don’t Panic Against Kettles: Your muscle memory might tell you to run when you see a Kettle. Stop. Stand your ground, use cover effectively, and strafe after they fire. Their projectile speed is slow enough now that you can visually dodge.
Relearn the Stella Montis: Treat it like an AK-47, not a sniper rifle. Get in close (20-30 meters). Use the new recoil pattern to your advantage by aiming for the chest and letting the rise carry your bullets to the head.
Prioritize Audio: With the audio fixes, information is power. If you hear heavy mechanical steps, prepare for a Kettle. If you hear chittering, it’s Scrabs. Adjust your loadout on the fly based on what you hear before you even see it.
High Risk, High Reward: Don’t waste time looting low-tier buildings in the outer ring. Form a squad and push the center of the map immediately. The loot economy changes mean you will find better gear faster by taking the fight to the enemy.
Check Your Settings: With the UI optimizations, check your keybindings. Some players reported that the “Interact” key reset for them after the update. Ensure your “Loot” and “Revive” keys are where you want them before dropping into a match.

Community Reaction and Official Sources

I scoured the Official Arc Raiders Discord, the Subreddit, and the Embark Studios Twitter (X) to see how the community is reacting. The general consensus is relief regarding the Kettle changes. Many players expressed that the previous difficulty spike was driving new players away, so this nerf is seen as a move to retain the player base.

However, there is some contention regarding the Stella Montis. Competitive players feel the recoil RNG (randomness) hurts skill expression. We will have to wait and see if the devs revert the recoil changes in a future minor patch, but for now, we have to adapt.

For the raw, unfiltered data, you can always check the official Arc Raiders Patch Notes forum.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Arc Raiders Update 1.11.0 released?

Update 1.11.0 was released in March 2026. The exact release time varied slightly by region but generally rolled out during standard maintenance windows.

Did the patch notes nerf the Kettle in PvE only?

No. The changes to the Kettle’s projectile speed and tracking apply to both PvE and PvPvE encounters. If you are fighting another player piloting a Kettle variant (where available), the same mechanics apply.

Is the Stella Montis still good in Patch 1.11.0?

Yes. The Stella Montis remains a top-tier weapon, but it is no longer overpowered at long range. It now shines in mid-range and close-quarters combat. If you previously used it as a sniper, switching to a DMR or Sniper Rifle is recommended.

What should I do if I experience crashes after the update?

Although server stability was improved, client-side crashes can still occur. Try verifying your game files through Steam or your respective launcher. If the problem continues, check the #tech-support channel on the official Arc Raiders Discord.

Were there any changes to the monetary system or currency?

No. Update 1.11.0 focused mainly on combat balance, weapon mechanics, and loot spawns. There were no changes to item prices, premium currency, or the extraction rewards economy.

Can I still use my old Stella Montis builds?

You can, but some adjustments are recommended. With recoil control being more challenging, mods that reduce vertical recoil or improve stability are now more valuable. Consider swapping a damage-focused mod for a stability mod to keep your shots on target.

Conclusion

Arc Raiders Update 1.11.0 is a pivotal step forward for the game. It addresses the most glaring balance issues (the Kettle) and refines the weapon sandbox (Stella Montis) to encourage a more diverse meta. While it requires us to unlearn some bad habits we developed in previous patches, the end result is a more tactical and fair experience.

So, grab your headset, recalibrate your Stella Montis, and get back out there. The Arcs aren’t going to fight themselves, and now that you know what to expect, you have the upper hand.