Stella Montis Guide for ARC Raiders – New Map, Bosses & Gear in the North Line Update

The North Line update marks a major step forward for ARC Raiders. After months of anticipation, players can finally explore Stella Montis — a brand-new region that pushes the limits of both exploration and survival. This mountain facility, once hidden behind sealed tunnels, now stands as the most demanding and rewarding area in the game. It introduces two powerful new ARC bosses, adds several pieces of advanced weaponry, and expands the crafting system with fresh blueprints and resources.

Stella Montis is more than just another location on the world map. It’s a symbol of how ARC Raiders continues to evolve, moving toward a living, connected world shaped by its players. From its frozen slopes to its dimly lit corridors, every corner of this facility tests your adaptability and coordination. This guide will walk you through everything currently known about the region — how it was unlocked, what dangers you’ll face, which items you can find, and how to thrive in one of the harshest environments ever introduced in ARC Raiders.

Unlike earlier zones, Stella Montis didn’t appear automatically after installing the update. Its arrival was tied to a large community effort called “Breaking New Ground.” For several days after the patch dropped, players around the world had to deliver vast amounts of in-game materials — metal parts, plastic, fabric, rubber, and chemicals — to rebuild an old tunnel network leading north from the Rust Belt. Only when the collective contribution goal was reached did the entrance to Stella Montis open.

This event created a rare sense of unity among raiders. It wasn’t just about individual progression or private loot runs; everyone had to pitch in to advance the entire world. When the final materials were delivered and the access tunnels lit up, the map became instantly available to every active player. The developers called this milestone staking our claim — a phrase that fits perfectly with the spirit of scavengers pushing beyond known territory.

Once unlocked, the region came with its own progression path and new quest lines. Some players reported short access delays depending on how far they had progressed in previous missions, but overall, Stella Montis became the fifth playable map in ARC Raiders. This design choice — tying new content to community achievement — not only rewarded dedication but also set a tone for future updates. It hinted that exploration in ARC Raiders will remain a shared journey rather than a solitary grind.

At first glance, Stella Montis feels colder, quieter, and more isolating than any previous area. The environment tells a story of abandoned ambition: a vast research facility built into a mountain range, now half-buried in snow and reclaimed by mechanical ARC presence. Its metallic halls echo with wind and distant mechanical noise, while the surface glistens under a permanent frost.

The map layout is noticeably more vertical than previous ones. Large exterior slopes lead down into enclosed laboratories and underground tunnels, giving players a mix of long-range and close-quarters encounters in one continuous flow. In the open areas, visibility stretches far, favoring precision rifles and coordinated positioning. Inside the facility, everything tightens. Narrow corridors, low ceilings, and sudden dead-ends force players into short-range combat where mobility and reaction time matter more than firepower.

Stella Montis also features several environmental challenges. Weather conditions reduce visibility, while icy surfaces make movement less predictable. Enemies take advantage of these obstacles, ambushing from vents or corners when you least expect it. The map’s audio design amplifies tension: footsteps echo differently depending on the surface, so learning to interpret sound quickly becomes a survival skill.

Loot distribution here feels intentionally rewarding. Containers hidden in research chambers often hold higher-tier materials than those found in older maps. Blueprint fragments for the new weapons drop more frequently, and several quest objectives specifically direct players to Stella Montis-exclusive items. The balance of risk and reward is sharper than ever — every trip deeper into the facility can yield rare components but also brings the risk of running into something far more dangerous than regular patrols.

Understanding the map layout before going for high-value loot can be the difference between escaping rich or losing everything. Many experienced players suggest performing a “dry run” — entering the map once with minimal gear just to memorize the paths, extraction zones, and choke points. It’s a small investment that pays off immensely during future high-stakes raids.

The North Line update also refreshed the entire weapon ecosystem. The most talked-about addition is the Aphelion Rifle, an energy weapon combining precision with stability. It fires controlled bursts that pierce armor plates efficiently, making it ideal for both mid- and long-range engagements.

Alongside it come two new grenade types — Seeker and Trailblazer — and three new mines: Pulse, Deadline, and Gas. These aren’t simple reskins of older tools.

Their tactical roles now clearly defined:

• Seeker Grenade tracks moving targets in tight rooms, perfect for clearing drones.
• Trailblazer Grenade leaves residual energy arcs that punish enemies following you.
• Pulse Mine emits EMP bursts disabling ARC sensors.
• Deadline Mine creates timed denial zones to control corridors.
• Gas Mine fills rooms with corrosive clouds that damage any target lingering inside.

Crafting and economy also changed meaningfully. Item values have been adjusted, making high-tier gear more reflective of the danger required to obtain it. Certain rare materials now unlock earlier, letting players craft competitive loadouts without endless grinding. Security Lockers — once over-generous — were toned down, restoring tension and balance to looting.

In short, the North Line update doesn’t just add weapons; it rebuilds how combat feels. Every grenade or mine has a purpose now, and each fight in Stella Montis encourages experimentation.

Winning in Stella Montis is not about speed — it’s about precision and awareness. The map rewards cautious players who plan ahead and punishes those who rush in blind.

Before you enter, decide what you want from the run. Going for loot requires agility and spare inventory space, while boss hunting demands endurance and heavy weaponry. A flexible load-out should include:

• One long-range firearm for open mountain zones.
• One short- to mid-range option for the facility interior.
• At least one tactical item (grenade or mine) to manage sudden threats.

For solo players, stealth and sound management are crucial. Avoid sprinting unnecessarily, and never underestimate how far noise travels inside the facility. Learn which materials echo louder — metal floors, for example, can give you away from two rooms away.

Team-based squads should communicate constantly. The layout’s vertical design can easily separate teammates if you move without coordination. Establish short callouts for major sections like “north lab,” “reactor bay,” or “upper tunnel.” Keep one player tracking extraction paths while others focus on objectives. That small discipline can save a successful run from collapsing in seconds.

When looting, prioritize research archives and storage bays. They’re the most reliable sources of blueprint fragments and new components. Once your backpack is full or ammunition low, leave. Every extra minute on this map increases risk exponentially — especially when the Shredder starts hunting nearby.

And perhaps most importantly, resist overconfidence. Stella Montis punishes greed. Extracting with solid loot is always better than dying for one more container.

The addition of Stella Montis has reshaped ARC Raiders in several ways. It proves that the game world can evolve through community collaboration and introduces a new rhythm to endgame play.

From a design perspective, the map merges open exploration with claustrophobic encounters, forcing players to adapt on the fly. No single load-out or playstyle dominates anymore. The inclusion of situational bosses like the Matriarch and Shredder keeps every raid unpredictable — sometimes you’re scavenging in peace, sometimes you’re fighting for your life.

The updated crafting system brings a healthier progression curve. By lowering certain material thresholds and diversifying drop rates, the developers made it easier to try new builds without trivializing effort. It’s now possible to experiment more freely, which in turn keeps the meta shifting and the community engaged.

But Stella Montis also changed the culture of the game. The “Breaking New Ground” event reminded everyone that ARC Raiders thrives on cooperation, not isolation. Watching the community collectively unlock the map created a sense of shared ownership over the world. It set a precedent for future expansions like the upcoming Cold Snap update, which is expected to build on the North Line’s success with new weather conditions and gameplay features.

Success in Stella Montis comes from rhythm and preparation. Before diving in, take a moment to gear up intelligently.

Here’s a simple pre-raid checklist that even experienced raiders follow:

1. Upgrade to the new weapons and mines — they’re designed specifically for this map’s combat flow.
2. Run a short recon session without heavy loot to learn paths, cover spots, and extraction points.
3. Define your goal for each raid: looting, questing, or boss hunting. Your load-out should match that purpose.
4. Coordinate if you play with a team. Clear callouts and timing make all the difference during Shredder encounters.
5. Keep track of ammunition and crafting resources. Every fight on this map drains supplies faster than usual.

Once inside, move with intent. Every sound, flicker of light, or shift in temperature might signal danger. Use what you’ve learned — the open terrain, the new weapons, and the discipline of extraction timing — to turn survival into mastery.

Stella Montis is not just another addition; it’s the heart of ARC Raiders’ next chapter. It challenges, rewards, and teaches. Those who conquer its corridors will carry more than loot back to Speranza — they’ll bring experience, confidence, and stories worth retelling. Step into the mountain, keep your rifle steady, and make the cold remember your name.