ARC Raiders players face instant-kill exploits from Kettle weapon macros, undermining PvP balance in Embark Studios' extraction shooter. The semi-automatic pistol fires more than 12 times per second with macro assistance, creating sub-second kill times that violate the game's terms of service.
Reddit user InformalSolutionM8 documented the Kettle's generous frame rate cap enabling rapid fire rates. Testing shows kill times ranging from under 0.3 seconds to barely over one second depending on target shields. A clip from Reddit user ContextEFT demonstrates medium-shield players having no counterplay against macro users.
The exploit transforms the common weapon, available in free loadouts, into an automatic insta-kill machine. Macro software allows single-button execution of complex input strings, bypassing human firing limitations. Community consensus labels Kettle macro usage as cheating according to the game's terms.
ARC Raiders' PvP balance discussions dominate Reddit and social media as exploit usage increases. Previous glitches included players phasing through locked doors to access loot areas, which received temporary fixes. The Kettle exploit represents the latest challenge for Embark Studios' anti-cheat systems.
Embark Studios' extraction shooter launched October 30, 2025, earning a 93/100 OpenCritic score and an 87/100 Metacritic score. The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC title supports cross-platform play through Embark ID. ARC Raiders' design emphasizes tension from unpredictable player encounters rather than PvE-only experiences.
Developers previously tested PvE-focused versions before release but rejected them for lacking tension. The current exploit controversy emerges during holiday season when developer response times typically slow. Player frustration grows as instant-kill encounters undermine competitive fairness.
Macro exploitation appears more prevalent on PC platforms where third-party software access proves easier. Console players also face potential macro usage through external hardware. The community debates whether Embark should implement stricter rate limiting or weapon adjustments.
ARC Raiders joins extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov facing balance challenges from unintended mechanics. The game's popularity continues despite technical issues, maintaining player engagement through high-stakes PvPvE gameplay. Embark Studios faces pressure to address exploits before driving players away.
The Kettle weapon's design oversight highlights challenges in live-service game development. Frame rate caps intended for performance optimization create unintended gameplay advantages. Similar issues have affected other competitive shooters where fire rate limitations prove exploitable.
Embark Studios must balance holiday season development schedules against growing community concerns. Previous fixes for door-phasing glitches involved incinerating perpetrators, suggesting creative anti-exploit measures. The studio's response to Kettle macros will test its live-service management capabilities.
ARC Raiders' success depends on maintaining competitive integrity while preserving developer vision. The extraction shooter genre demands careful balance between risk-reward mechanics and exploit prevention. Player retention faces threats from frustration over instant-kill encounters lacking counterplay options.
