Losing a loaded kit to a cheater doesn’t just cost you a match - it costs everything you brought in. Arc Raiders runs a four-layer anti-cheat system that catches cheaters and automatically returns stolen loot, no report required.
This guide covers how every layer works, what gets cheaters banned, and what to do if Arc Raiders won’t launch because EAC flagged your setup.
Table of Contents
- What Anti-Cheat Does Arc Raiders Use?
- Layer 1: Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)
- Layer 2: Anybrain AI Behavioral Analysis
- Layer 3: Denuvo Anti-Cheat
- Layer 4: Abnormal Match Compensation
- False Bans and the Appeals Process
- EAC Errors - What to Do If Arc Raiders Won’t Launch
- How to Report Cheaters
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ
What Anti-Cheat Does Arc Raiders Use?
Arc Raiders uses four layers of protection:
- Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) - kernel-level signature detection across PC, PS5, and Xbox
- Anybrain - machine-learning behavioral analysis trained on player telemetry
- Denuvo Anti-Cheat - added in patch 1.29.0 (May 19, 2026), works alongside Anybrain
- Abnormal Match Compensation - automatic loot-return system when cheaters are confirmed Embark also runs in-house detection methods they deliberately don’t disclose. As stated in their official anti-cheat FAQ, the studio uses “a mix of in-house solutions (some utilizing machine learning), multiple external partners, and several other detection methods” - the full stack is kept partially private for operational security.
Layer 1: Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)
EAC runs at the kernel level - deep system access that lets it scan for known cheat signatures before they can inject into the game process. Most commercial cheats operate at kernel level too, which is why Embark treats this as a baseline requirement. EAC covers all three platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Two things EAC controls that affect legitimate players:
Virtual machines are blocked. Playing Arc Raiders in a VM triggers anti-cheat action against your account. Firm policy, not a bug.
Overlays and game assistants are conditionally allowed. Discord overlays, GPU tools, and similar software are fine only if they don’t interfere with gameplay or give you an unfair advantage. If you’re unsure about a specific program, contact Support before using it.
EAC handles known threats well. Its gap is custom-built cheats with no existing signature in its database. That’s where Anybrain picks up.
Layer 2: Anybrain AI Behavioral Analysis
Anybrain operates on top of EAC. Where EAC looks for known software signatures, Anybrain watches what players actually do - their input patterns and in-game actions - and flags statistically improbable behavior: sustained perfect aim, inhuman reaction speeds, movement that doesn’t match human motor control.
This approach catches custom cheats EAC misses because it isn’t looking for software. It’s looking for what software produces.
Accessibility device handling is a specific challenge Embark addresses directly. Players who rely on accessibility hardware need it to work, but the same tools can be used to cheat. Anybrain’s models analyze intent - both telemetry and communication patterns - to separate legitimate use from abuse. Embark has stated this is an ongoing refinement process, with Anybrain continuously expanding its knowledge of accessibility hardware to improve accuracy.
Layer 3: Denuvo Anti-Cheat
Denuvo Anti-Cheat was added in patch 1.29.0, rolling out to a limited player pool starting May 19, 2026, before expanding further. Embark was explicit about one thing when announcing it: they’re using the Denuvo Anti-Cheat solution only, not Denuvo DRM.
The Denuvo layer strengthens detection across both Speranza and the Rust Belt, working in parallel with Anybrain rather than replacing it. At the time of writing, Embark hasn’t published a detailed breakdown of exactly what Denuvo adds on top of the existing stack - the rollout is recent and documentation is thin.
What’s confirmed: the addition of Denuvo aligns with Embark’s own statement in their May 2026 fair play post that they were “testing a new kernel-level solution” expected to sharpen both detection and precision. Denuvo fits that description.
Layer 4: Abnormal Match Compensation
When the detection systems confirm a cheater, players who were knocked out by that cheater receive their lost gear through in-game mail. This happens automatically. You don’t need to have filed a report. You don’t need to know the cheater was in your match. The system handles it.
Embark sends two distinct message types depending on your situation:
- Loot Compensation: If a confirmed cheater knocked you out, this message returns your lost items. You’ll receive everything you had at the time of being knocked out.
- Action Notice: If you reported a player and Embark confirmed action was taken, this message tells you so. It does not include items - it’s a confirmation only. If you reported the cheater who also knocked you out, you may receive both.
On timing: Compensation isn’t immediate. Once cheating is confirmed, the system automatically processes reimbursements after a short delay. Embark’s Support team cannot manually issue or speed up compensation - it only triggers once a confirmed cheater has been dealt with.
Stash space matters: Make sure your stash has enough room. If it’s full when compensation arrives, you won’t be able to retrieve your items.
What the system doesn’t prevent: Compensation is damage control, not prevention. If a cheater was in your match, they were still there - the system just makes sure you don’t permanently lose progress because of it. Understanding how extraction works and timing your exits well is still the best way to protect a run.
What Cheaters Are Actually Doing in Arc Raiders
The three most common cheat types the system is designed to catch:
Aimbots lock onto targets automatically, including through walls and cover. They turn every fight into a guaranteed loss for the legitimate player.
Wallhacks (ESP) reveal player positions, loot locations, and extraction points through solid objects. A wallhack user always knows where you are.
Speed hacks modify movement speed to reach high-value loot or extraction points before anyone else can respond.
All three produce the kinds of behavioral patterns Anybrain’s ML models are trained to flag.
False Bans and the Appeals Process
False bans are a real concern in any game using AI behavioral detection, and the Arc Raiders community has raised them. Streamer criticism of the Anybrain layer and forum posts from players claiming wrongful bans have been a recurring thread since launch.
Embark’s position: every ban appeal is reviewed by a human. The process is not automated. Their May 2026 fair play post states this directly and frames it as “a permanent area of investment rather than a finished system.”
The downside is time. Embark acknowledges the pre-written responses agents use can feel frustrating, but they exist for consistency rather than indifference.
How to submit an appeal: Open Arc Raiders Support and log in with your Embark ID. Click the chat bubble in the lower-right corner, then select Ban Appeals > Game Ban. Include all relevant details - match context, timestamps, any third-party software running at the time. Each appeal is reviewed individually by a moderator. The outcome will be one of three: upheld (restriction stands), adjusted (modified based on severity), or lifted (removed if applied in error). You get one appeal per restriction.
Hardware bans: Embark issues hardware bans in addition to account bans for serious violations. A hardware ban is tied to your machine, not your account - and it applies across all Embark titles, including The Finals. Creating a new account won’t help; you’d need a different PC entirely. Hardware bans are final and cannot be appealed. If you see error codes ARAV0017 through ARAV11017, that’s a hardware ban.
What Embark is doing about false positives: The Denuvo addition and kernel-level testing referenced in their May 2026 post are partly aimed at improving detection precision and reducing borderline cases.
EAC Errors - What to Do If Arc Raiders Won’t Launch
EAC errors are among the most common Arc Raiders technical problems, and they affect plenty of players who aren’t doing anything wrong. The error messages (“Fatal Error: Cheat Software Detected,” “System Integrity Violation”) sound alarming but usually point to a software conflict rather than an actual cheat.
Common causes:
- Another game’s anti-cheat is still running in the background (Apex Legends, Valorant, and other EAC or Riot-protected titles leave processes running after you close them)
- A script, macro, or automation tool is active
- Discord overlay, GPU software, or a capture tool that EAC reads as suspicious
- An incomplete EAC installation Fix sequence (from Embark’s official guidance):
- Run the EAC uninstall/reinstall batch files as Administrator first. Find them in
{SteamLibrary}\steamapps\common\Arc Raiders\Installers- right-click each batch file and select “Run as administrator” - Close all other games and background tools using Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) - especially other anti-cheat-protected games
- Restart your PC to clear lingering anti-cheat processes from other games
- Check for any unauthorized programs (scripts, macros, injectors, anything violating the terms of service)
- If the problem persists, contact Embark Support VMs won’t be resolved by any of the above - they’re permanently disallowed.
How to Report Cheaters
Reporting a cheater is not required to receive compensation, but it does help Embark train their detection models faster. Each report feeds data into the system.
In-game: Reports are submitted from the Lobby screen after a match, not during it. Select the Social button in the bottom-right corner, open the Recent tab, find the player, select their name, choose Report, pick a reason, add a short description, and submit. Embark confirms all reports are reviewed and verified before any action is taken - mass reporting cannot get someone banned.
Via Support: If you have a specific cheater to report, or if you’ve found a cheat website or video advertising Arc Raiders exploits, submit a report through Embark ID support. Embark actively monitors the cheat landscape independently, but external reports help them move faster on newly discovered threats.
Key Takeaways
- Arc Raiders uses four anti-cheat layers: EAC (kernel-level), Anybrain (AI behavioral), Denuvo (added patch 1.29.0), and Abnormal Match Compensation
- Embark runs additional in-house detection methods not publicly disclosed
- Compensation is triggered when a confirmed cheater knocked you out - not just for being in the same match
- Lost loot returns automatically via in-game mail after a short delay - no report needed, Support cannot speed it up
- Make sure your stash has space before compensation arrives or you won’t be able to claim items
- Embark issues both account bans and hardware bans; hardware bans are final, non-appealable, apply across all Embark titles, and require a different PC to play again
- Every ban appeal is reviewed by a human at Embark, not an automated system
- VMs are permanently blocked; overlays are allowed only if they don’t provide a gameplay advantage
- For EAC launch errors, run the reinstall batch files first before trying other fixes
FAQ
What anti-cheat does Arc Raiders use?
Arc Raiders uses four layers: Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) at the kernel level, Anybrain machine-learning behavioral analysis, Denuvo Anti-Cheat (added in patch 1.29.0), and the Abnormal Match Compensation system that returns stolen loot. Embark also runs undisclosed in-house detection methods kept private for security reasons.
Does Arc Raiders use Denuvo?
Yes, but only the Denuvo Anti-Cheat solution - not Denuvo DRM. The anti-cheat layer rolled out starting May 19, 2026 in patch 1.29.0, initially to a limited player pool before expanding. It works alongside Anybrain rather than replacing it.
How does the loot compensation system work?
When Arc Raiders’ detection systems confirm a cheater, players who were knocked out by that cheater receive a Loot Compensation message in their in-game inbox with their items returned. The process is fully automated and triggers after a short delay once the cheater is confirmed. Support cannot manually issue or speed up compensation.
Do I need to report a cheater to get my items back?
No. Compensation triggers automatically once a cheater is confirmed - whether you reported them or not. Reporting still helps Embark train their detection models, but it’s not required to receive items.
Can I appeal a ban in Arc Raiders?
Yes, for account bans. Open Arc Raiders Support, log in with your Embark ID, click the chat bubble in the lower-right corner, and select Ban Appeals > Game Ban. Each appeal is reviewed individually by a moderator and results in one of three outcomes: upheld, adjusted, or lifted. You get one appeal per restriction. Hardware bans are final and cannot be appealed.
Are overlays like Discord allowed with Arc Raiders anti-cheat?
Conditionally. Overlays and game assistants are permitted if they don’t interfere with gameplay or provide an unfair advantage. If you’re unsure about a specific program, contact Embark Support before using it rather than assuming it’s fine.
Can I play Arc Raiders in a virtual machine?
No. Virtual machines are permanently disallowed and will trigger anti-cheat action against your account.
Does Arc Raiders anti-cheat work on PS5 and Xbox?
Yes. EAC covers all three platforms - PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Why won’t Arc Raiders launch because of EAC?
EAC launch errors usually mean a software conflict, not an actual cheat detection. Start by running the EAC uninstall/reinstall batch files as Administrator from {SteamLibrary}\steamapps\common\Arc Raiders\Installers. If that doesn’t fix it, close all other games and background tools, restart your PC, then check for any unauthorized programs. If the error persists, contact Support.
What types of cheats does Arc Raiders detect?
Embark doesn’t publicly disclose the specific cheat types they currently detect, as doing so would help cheat developers work around them. The most common player-reported cheats are aimbots, wallhacks (ESP), and speed hacks - all of which produce behavioral patterns Anybrain’s ML models are trained to flag.
Why does Embark hide some of its anti-cheat methods?
Operational security. If cheat developers knew exactly what every detection layer looks for, they’d build around it. Keeping some methods undisclosed slows down the arms race between Embark’s detection team and cheat developers.
