ARC Raiders Duplication Glitch Returns Days After Patch, Players Demand Urgent Fix

The ARC Raiders community is calling upon developer Embark Studios to release an urgent fix as players quickly discover a method to once again duplicate items, blueprints, and more.

Although a recent update to ARC Raiders supposedly addressed this issue, as the patch notes state that update 1.12.0 fixes exploits for item and ammo duplication, it looks like the community has either found a new way to exploit the duplication glitch, or the patch didn't fix anything at all.

Regardless, players want to see it fixed as soon as possible.

Evidence Mounts on Social Media

Social media posts have been piling up over the past few days, showing raiders killed in matches while carrying absurd quantities of rare items. One Reddit post shows a raider caught on fire in Buried City Metro. The player went down without saying a word and left behind a mountain of Familiar Ducks.

"I extracted with 2.8 million" the player wrote. "Still confused."

Another instance surfaced where someone died holding 17 Tempest blueprints. These blueprints are among the rarest items in the game. Finding even one is considered a stroke of luck. Finding 17 in a single raid? Near impossible.

The most damning case involved a player found dead with 12 familiar ducks. Those are of Epic rarity. As commenters pointed out, even finding more than one during a match is unlikely. Never mind a whole dozen.

Familiar Ducks Worth Millions

The Familiar Duck is the most valuable variant, selling for 7,000 raider coins each. They stack up to 15. So even if you only went in with a free loadout with 14 slots open, you'd still manage to bring back just over 1 million raider coins.

A pretty good payday if you ask me.

But this isn't restricted to just ducks. Players have been spotted duplicating Tempest blueprints, snow globes, and other high-value items. One X post from TheRooster shows a screenshot of their inventory with a total of 417 ducks on them at once. That would sell for just shy of 3 million coins.

Patch 1.12.0 Claims Fixed

The frustrating part? Embark Studios released patch 1.12.0 on January 20, 2026, specifically claiming to fix item and ammo duplication exploits. The 606MB patch also addressed geometry glitching and out-of-bounds locations on Stella Montis.

"Fixed an item duplication exploit" the patch notes read. "Fixed an ammo duplication exploit."

Yet here we are, 10 days later, with players hoarding mountains of rubber ducks and rare blueprints.

How Are Players Doing It?

The exact method remains unclear. Players have posed many theories on how to pull it off.

Some think it involves connecting your PC or console to your phone's hotspot. This is how the previous exploit worked before the January patch. Others claim it has something to do with leaving a lobby and rejoining to trick the game into thinking there are two of the same item.

A TikTok video from December 2025 outlined one method involving throwable items. Players would equip a throwable, disconnect their internet at the exact moment they threw it, spam the throw button, then reconnect. If timed right, the game would throw two items even though the player only had one.

Whether this old method still works or players have discovered an entirely new exploit remains to be seen.

Community Frustration Grows

Players have taken to Steam forums and Reddit to voice their concerns. One concerned player commented on the situation.

"If this becomes common, it's going to ruin the experience for everyone."

Another Steam user expressed frustration at the timing.

"You play 100 hours, one guy gets 10x better gear than you and kills you. You lose your hard-earned gear to someone who is CHEATING while you bring a Stitcher and they bring a Bobcat fully improved."

The duplication glitch undermines the core loop of ARC Raiders. The extraction shooter relies on risk versus reward. Players venture into dangerous zones, collect loot, and try to extract safely. But when others can simply duplicate their best items without risk, the entire economy breaks down.

Embark's Previous Response

Embark Studios has dealt with similar issues before. In all likelihood, the team can already see what's being done on a player-facing level. They're just trying to work out exactly how to fix it.

The studio has a history of creative solutions to cheater problems. They've previously cooked cheaters alive by turning certain rooms into ovens. When players exploited door glitches to access locked rooms, Embark made those rooms lethal.

Whether a similar creative solution awaits remains unclear. But given the mounting evidence and community frustration, a response seems imminent.

Ban Risk for Exploiters

Players caught using this glitch will get a strike against their record. Embark has made it clear that exploiting duplication bugs violates their terms of service.

"Honestly, it's not worth it" one Reddit commenter warned. "Yes, mountains of rubber ducks are funny to look at, but the bit isn't worth a 30-day or permanent ban."

The studio recently clamped down on cheaters with a ban wave. However, some players feel the punishment is too lenient. Temporary bans allow cheaters to return after a few weeks with all their ill-gotten gains intact.

What's Next for ARC Raiders?

Embark Studios has promised some big changes to the extraction shooter in 2026. The developers have already revealed their roadmap for January through April 2026. The Escalation phase includes four monthly content updates.

The first major update, Headwinds, dropped on January 27. It brought Solo vs Squads mode, new projects, and cosmetics.

But between major content drops, players need stability. Exploit fixes take priority over new features when the game's economy is at stake.

The duplication glitch needs addressing before it becomes widespread. Right now, it appears limited to a small number of players. But word spreads fast in gaming communities. If the method becomes common knowledge, ARC Raiders could face a serious problem.

Don't get too used to having all those rare ducks in your backpack.