ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0: Trigger ’Nade and Kettle Nerfs Explained (New Meta Guide)

Update 1.11.0 hits two items that heavily shaped PvP: the Trigger ’Nade and the Kettle. The patch removes some of the fastest, hardest-to-read kill patterns and makes fights play out with clearer steps.

Trigger ’Nades were often used for quick air pops and easy finishes. That style gets weaker now. You need better timing and more accurate placement to get the same impact.

The Kettle also gets pulled back. Its maximum fire-rate cap is reduced, cutting down the weapon’s top-end melt speed and lowering the advantage from extreme input.

The big shift is simple: fewer instant wins from a single action, more value from movement, cover, and clean follow-ups.

ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0 Meta Changes: Trigger ’Nade and Kettle Nerfs Overview

ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0 focuses on two patterns that kept repeating in PvP. Trigger ’Nades were a common opener because they could force damage fast and finish careless peeks. The Kettle often ended close fights too quickly when pushed to its limit.

For the Trigger ’Nade, the direction is clear: air pop value drops, and planned use becomes the reliable path. You’ll still get strong results when you commit to setups and control where the enemy can move.

For the Kettle, the patch lowers the peak fire-rate ceiling. That reduces the weapon’s fastest possible output and shrinks the gap between normal inputs and extreme inputs.

In practice, fights become more “two-step.” First comes pressure and displacement. Then comes the finish, usually through a cleaner gunfight rather than a single explosive moment.

ARC Raiders 1.11.0 Patch Notes Summary: All Trigger ’Nade and Kettle Nerfs in One Table

Here are the exact changes that matter for the current PvP meta. If your old plays feel late or weaker, the numbers below explain why.

The Trigger ’Nade receives two adjustments: damage is less forgiving at the edge, and detonation timing is slower. The Kettle gets one major change: a lower fire-rate cap.

Use this as a quick reference while you adapt.

Item What changed in Update 1.11.0 What it changes in real fights
Kettle Fire rate reduced from 600 to 450 Less peak DPS and less reward from extreme click speed
Trigger ’Nade Damage falloff rebalanced (more damage near center, less further away) Near-miss damage is weaker, placement matters more
Trigger ’Nade Detonation delay increased from 0.7s to 1.5s More time to react; harder to time air detonations

These changes combine in a simple way: opponents have more time to move, and partial hits give less damage. If you want consistent results, you must aim tighter and plan earlier.

Trigger ’Nade Nerf Explained: 1.5s Delay, Damage Falloff, and Real Fight Impact

The Trigger ’Nade now rewards accuracy and planning. The grenade still hits hard when you place it well, but sloppy spacing gives less value.

The falloff rebalance concentrates damage closer to the center.
That means edge hits are weaker. Players who used to win trades from “close enough” detonations will notice the drop right away.
The detonation delay increases from 0.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
That changes the rhythm of pushes. Targets can react, break line of sight, or move out of the center zone.
Air pop plays lose consistency.
The timing window is longer, and the opponent sees the threat sooner. If you keep forcing that style, you’ll get fewer clean finishes.

How to Use Trigger ’Nades After Update 1.11.0: Timing, Placement, and Setup

To get value now, treat Trigger ’Nades as a setup tool. Start your plan earlier in the fight, before the enemy is already sprinting to safety.

Because detonation takes longer, you want to throw into routes where movement options are limited. Tight corners, door frames, and short ramps give you the best chance to keep the target near the center.

Your placement needs to be more deliberate. Aim where the opponent must be, not where they were a moment ago. If you place it wide, you’re betting on reduced edge damage.

A few habits that stay effective:

  • Throw into commit zones (places where players can’t easily change direction).
  • Trigger when the enemy is entering the lane, not after they already crossed it.
  • Pair the nade with a fast peek or angle hold so you can finish the damage you started.

How to Counter Trigger ’Nades in ARC Raiders 1.11.0: New Reaction Windows and Punishes

Defending against Trigger ’Nades becomes more consistent in 1.11.0. The increased detonation time gives you room to respond instead of guessing.

Your first response should be simple: break line of sight. If the attacker can’t track you cleanly, they can’t get a strong trigger moment. One good step behind cover often beats a long sprint in the open.

Next, move sideways. The falloff change makes “almost safe” positions more valuable. Shifting from the center area to the edge can cut the damage enough to keep you in the fight.

You can also punish the attacker’s pacing. Longer detonation windows often create hesitation, and hesitation creates openings. If they slow down waiting for value, you can take space or reset the angle.

Make a breakthrough
in ARC Raiders!

Boost your progress in ARC Raiders with services built to save time and unlock what matters most. Get started.

View services
ARC Raiders

Kettle Nerf Explained: Fire Rate Cap 600 to 450 and Why It Changes Gunfights

The Kettle fire-rate cap drops from 600 to 450. That reduces the weapon’s fastest output, and it slows down how quickly pressure turns into a down at the top end.

The reason matters for the meta: the old cap heavily favored extreme input and macro-like behavior. Lowering the cap reduces that advantage and makes performance closer across players.

In real matches, you’ll see fewer “blink and you’re gone” moments when you get tagged first. You still need cover discipline, but you’ll have more chances to stabilize and trade back.

For Kettle users, the win condition shifts toward steady tracking, smart peeks, and timing. Clean positioning matters more than trying to hit the highest possible speed.

ARC Raiders 1.11.0 Meta Shift: What Replaces Trigger ’Nade and Kettle Dominance

With Trigger ’Nades less forgiving and slower to cash in, more fights stay alive after the first utility exchange. That changes how teams take space: you’ll see fewer instant collapses and more resets.

With the Kettle’s ceiling reduced, close-range fights feel less “one weapon decides everything.” That opens room for variety and makes matchups less predictable.

The common flow becomes: setup → forced movement → re-peek → finish. Players who stay calm through that second beat will win more fights, especially in squads.

If you adapt your timing and spacing, the patch feels fair. If you keep relying on old burst patterns, you’ll run into more “why didn’t that kill?” moments.

Best Playstyle Changes After 1.11.0: What to Do Differently in PvP

Aggressive players should shift their pushes earlier. Use utility to shape the fight before you fully commit, then take space while the enemy is reacting.

Defensive players get more value from small movements and patience. A quick step off an angle and a clean re-peek often beats panic movement that exposes you to multiple sightlines.

Kettle players should plan for slightly longer trades. That means better reload discipline, cleaner cover usage, and fewer wide swings that assume instant melt.

A strong rule for the whole patch: win the second exchange. Many fights now flip after the first contact, when both sides reposition and re-engage.

ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0: Trigger ’Nade and Kettle Nerfs (Changes, Meta Impact, and What to Do)

Section What changed in ARC Raiders Update 1.11.0 What it means for the meta What you should do now
Trigger ’Nade: Detonation delay Delay increased 0.7s → 1.5s More reaction time for enemies; air pop plays lose consistency Trigger earlier, force commits, don’t wait for “perfect” last-second pops
Trigger ’Nade: Damage falloff Falloff rebalanced (more center damage, less edge damage) Near-miss value drops; placement becomes a skill check Aim for center hits in tight spaces; stop relying on splash damage
Trigger ’Nade: Best role Less effective as trigger-in-air; better as planned sticky-style use Utility shifts from “fast finisher” to “setup + control” Use it to block routes, punish pushes, and set up gun finishes
Kettle: Fire rate cap Fire rate reduced 600 → 450 Peak melt pressure drops; fewer instant deletes Take cleaner peeks, play steadier trades, don’t over-swing
Kettle: Fairness impact Old top-end advantage (macro-like input) is reduced Skill shifts back to positioning and tracking Win with movement + aim, not speed clicking
Overall PvP pacing Less instant grenade finish + less extreme Kettle DPS More second-phase fights: reposition → re-engage → finish Play for the second exchange; keep utility for control, not panic

What to Take From Update 1.11.0

Update 1.11.0 pushes ARC Raiders PvP toward cleaner, more readable fights. Trigger ’Nades still matter, but they reward planning and tight placement instead of quick air pop timing.

The Kettle remains a strong option, but the top-end fire rate is no longer a win button. You’ll get more fights where cover, peeks, and tracking decide the outcome.

If you want to adapt fast, focus on two habits: commit earlier with utility, and play for the second exchange. Most matches will now swing after the first contact, when both sides reposition and re-engage.

Give yourself a few sessions to rebuild timing. Once the new rhythm clicks, the patch starts feeling consistent — and you’ll punish players who are still stuck in the old patterns.

or
or