The latest ARC Raiders update, version 1.11.0, has introduced a major balance change that’s sparked conversation across the community. In this patch, developers reduced the Kettle’s fire rate from 600 to 450 rounds per minute, bringing the weapon more in line with other heavy hitters.

Why the Fire Rate Was Reduced
According to the developers, the original 600-RPM rate was “realistically reachable only by players using macros,” which created an unfair advantage. Players who used third-party software could fire the Kettle much faster than those relying on natural mouse clicks. Reducing the fire rate levels the playing field, ensuring that everyone competes under the same conditions. The blue coins in ARC Raiders are a special type of currency used to buy rare and powerful items that are not available with regular coins.

This adjustment aims to make the game fairer and more accessible — rewarding skill, timing, and positioning rather than automated rapid-fire tools. For most players who play normally, the change won’t drastically affect performance. The updated number aligns with a realistic 7 to 8 clicks per second, while the old rate required closer to 12 clicks per second — almost inhuman levels of speed.

A Fairer (and Healthier) Change
While some players initially worried this would ruin the weapon’s effectiveness, the Kettle still remains a strong pick. Its damage-per-second (DPS) is now roughly comparable to the RPG-4, making it powerful but no longer overpowered. In short: you can still melt enemies, just a bit more realistically.

Many fans have even praised the update, joking that Embark Studios just “saved their fingers” from arthritis. By tuning the weapon to a fairer firing pace, the developers not only balance the meta but also make gameplay physically easier for long sessions.

What This Means for the Future
This change shows that ARC Raiders developers are closely monitoring player behavior — and that balance updates are about more than just numbers. They’re about long-term health, fairness, and maintaining a competitive, enjoyable experience.

If every update keeps this level of attention to fairness and playability, ARC Raiders could continue to evolve into one of the most balanced and rewarding shooters on the market.