The frozen research facility of Stella Montis has finally opened its doors to Raiders, bringing the most challenging content Arc Raiders has seen yet. This pristine mountain complex offers incredible rewards for those brave enough to face the deadly Matriarch and Shredder ARCs lurking within its sterile corridors.
How Do You Unlock Stella Montis?
Getting access to Stella Montis requires completing the Breaking New Ground community event. You'll need to contribute basic crafting materials to restore the tunnel network connecting Speranza to the northern territories. Here's exactly what you need to donate:
These materials drop automatically after raids, making participation accessible once you've completed at least five rounds. Contributing materials earns you Merits, the new event currency you'll use to purchase exclusive rewards.
Important
You can continue donating materials beyond your personal Merit cap to help the community reach the unlock threshold faster.
Once the global community completes Phase 1, the event transitions to Staking Our Claim, which introduces personal progression tracks and limited-time challenges running through December.
What Makes Stella Montis Different?
Stella Montis sits carved deep into the northern mountain range, far beyond the familiar Rust Belt territories. Unlike other maps, this sealed research facility remains surprisingly intact, offering a cold, sterile environment that hints at humanity's lost ambitions.
The map features two distinct layers with multiple access points:
Layer 1 Zones:
- Loading Bay (Metro Station)
- Lobby Metro (Metro Station)
- Sandbox (Raider Hatch)
- Seed Vault (Airshaft, Raider Hatch)
Layer 2 Zones:
- Assembly (Raider Hatch)
- Medical Research
- Atrium
- Cultural Archives (Raider Hatch)
The layout completely changes Arc Raiders' typical combat flow. Instead of wide outdoor battles, you'll face intense close-quarters fights where positioning matters more than raw firepower. Check out our Arc Raiders Best Loadouts Guide for optimal builds in these tight spaces.
How Do You Beat the New Matriarch ARC?
The Matriarch represents the most dangerous ARC enemy yet introduced. This hulking machine makes the Queen look friendly by comparison and appears under specific map conditions within Stella Montis.
Matriarch Combat Strategy:
- Target weak points on the shoulders and central chassis
- Use cover extensively in the facility's narrow corridors
- Coordinate with teammates for sustained damage phases
- Bring heavy weapons and plenty of ammunition
The Matriarch spawns during specific environmental triggers that haven't been fully detailed yet, but likely involve weather states or facility power conditions.
Tip
The new Energy Burst Battle Rifle (also called Aphelion Rifle) excels at mid-to-long range Matriarch encounters. Its energy-based damage cuts through ARC armor effectively.For comprehensive ARC combat strategies, visit our Master Every Arc Enemy Complete Combat Guide For Arc Raiders to understand weak points and attack patterns.
What About the Shredder ARC?
The Shredder focuses exclusively on close-quarters combat and initially spawns only within Stella Montis. This ARC forces you to stay alert in tight spaces and confined areas where its aggressive melee attacks become deadly.
Shredder Survival Tips:
- Maintain distance whenever possible in corridors
- Use doorways and chokepoints to your advantage
- Equip shotguns or SMGs for close-range damage
- Never fight Shredders in open facility chambers
The phrasing around Shredder deployment suggests it may spread to other maps in future updates, making Stella Montis your training ground for this new threat.
Which New Weapons and Equipment Can You Find?
Stella Montis introduces powerful new gameplay items that dramatically expand your tactical options:
New Legendary Weapon:
- Energy Burst Battle Rifle (Aphelion Rifle) - Energy-based rifle for mid-to-long range combat
New Explosives:
- Trailblazer Grenade - Advanced tracking explosive
- Seeker Grenade - Target-seeking projectile
- Pulse Mine - Electronic disruption mine
- Deadline Mine - Timed explosive trap
- Gas Mine - Area denial weapon
All new equipment may include craftable schematics that drop during Stella Montis exploration. For optimal weapon combinations, check our Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List to see how these new additions rank.
What Rewards Can You Earn?
The Merits currency system offers exclusive rewards unavailable anywhere else:
Higher-tier rewards include multiple Striker outfit variants, face styles, and utility items reaching up to 3600 Merits. The Il Toro I shotgun particularly excels in Stella Montis' close-quarters environments.
Warning
Merit earning has a personal cap, but you can continue contributing materials to help the community even after reaching your limit.
What Quests Are Available in Stella Montis?
Currently, one major questline is available with more expected:
"In My Image" Quest:
- Objective: Deploy into Stella Montis and search 3 Androids
- Rewards: Looting MK. 2 Augment, Defibrillator x3, Green Light Stick x5
Additional questlines focusing on facility exploration and lore discovery are planned but haven't been revealed yet. For help with other quest objectives, visit our Complete Arc Raiders Quest List.
How Do You Survive the Tunnel Networks?
The tunnel routes connecting to Stella Montis contain traps and environmental hazards that can end your run before reaching the main facility. Here's how to navigate safely:
Tunnel Survival Strategy:
- Move slowly and scan for trap indicators
- Bring healing items for unexpected damage
- Use throwables to trigger traps from distance
- Coordinate with teammates for safer passage
The tunnels represent a completely new gameplay element requiring patience and observation skills beyond typical ARC combat.
What's Coming Next for Stella Montis?
The North Line update marks just the beginning of Arc Raiders' post-launch content schedule. December's Cold Snap update will introduce:
- Flickering Flames event
- Snowfall map conditions
- Expedition Project Raider reset feature
- Additional unannounced features
Stella Montis becomes a permanent addition to the map rotation once unlocked, ensuring long-term access to its unique challenges and rewards. For blueprint farming strategies in this new environment, check our Arc Raiders Blueprint Farming Guide.
The pristine research facility of Stella Montis represents Arc Raiders' most ambitious content drop yet. With deadly new ARCs, powerful weapons, and challenging environmental puzzles, this frozen complex will test even veteran Raiders. Contribute to the community unlock effort, master the new combat encounters, and claim the exclusive rewards waiting in humanity's abandoned northern outpost.