Embark just did something rare in the extraction-shooter world: it's giving away a genuinely great-looking cosmetic set, and all you have to do is play another one of its free games. The ARC Raiders x THE FINALS crossover went live with Update 1.36.0, and it unlocks the sleek, all-black Azimuth outfit plus the matching Archeologist backpack — a bundle the community had been asking for since the reveal. The catch: you earn it by completing Contracts in THE FINALS, not in ARC Raiders. This guide ranks exactly what to do, in what order, and how long it takes, so you don't miss the window.
Quick answer: The ARC Raiders x THE FINALS crossover unlocks the Azimuth outfit + Archeologist backpack bundle in ARC Raiders. To get it, download THE FINALS (free-to-play), link the same Embark account you use for ARC Raiders, and complete the crossover event Contracts in THE FINALS. The promotion runs from July 9 (3pm CEST) to July 30 (3pm CEST); after that it flips, letting THE FINALS players earn the bundle by playing ARC Raiders. THE FINALS is 100% free — this is not a paid or pre-order skin. Community reports peg the Contracts at a ~2–3 hour total grind (or 20–30 minutes a day across several days). (Source: ARC Raiders Update 1.36.0 patch notes)
ARC Raiders - Blueprints
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What is the ARC Raiders x THE FINALS crossover?
Both ARC Raiders and THE FINALS are made by Embark Studios, so this is a first-party crossover between two of the studio's live titles. In Embark's own words from the Update 1.36.0 patch notes:
"Complete a set of Contracts in THE FINALS and unlock the Azimuth outfit and Archeologist backpack bundle in ARC Raiders — inspired by explorers, Raiders, and Contestants chasing new horizons beyond the stratosphere."
The reward is a bundle, not a single item:
| Reward | What it is | Where you use it |
|---|---|---|
| Azimuth outfit | Full-body, form-fitting all-black explorer suit | Equipped as a Raider outfit in ARC Raiders |
| Archeologist backpack | Matching themed backpack cosmetic | Equipped alongside the Azimuth outfit |
Both are cosmetic-only — no stat advantage, no gameplay impact. The appeal is purely the look, and it's one of the cleaner "worth grinding for" skins ARC has shipped, which is exactly why r/ArcRaiders lit up with unlock questions the moment 1.36.0 dropped.
How to get the Azimuth outfit and Archeologist backpack
The unlock is not automatic — you won't get it by playing ARC Raiders during Phase 1. You earn it in THE FINALS. Here's the exact path, ranked in the order you should do it:
- Download THE FINALS (free). It's available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S at no cost. If you already have it installed, you're a step ahead.
- Use the same Embark account. Log in with the same Embark ID you play ARC Raiders on. The reward is tied to your Embark account, so a mismatched login means the bundle won't appear in ARC.
- Open the crossover event menu in THE FINALS. In THE FINALS' Contracts menu there's a dedicated ARC Raiders tab. That's where the crossover objectives live.
- Complete the Contracts. The opening Stage 1 objective is simply "Play 3 matches in any game mode" — worth 4,000 XP and flagged "Rewarded in ARC Raiders after you complete the contract." These are participation tasks; you do not need to win or be highly skilled.
- Claim the bundle in ARC Raiders. Once the Contracts are done, the Azimuth outfit + Archeologist backpack unlock on your ARC Raiders account. Equip them from your Raider cosmetics in Speranza.
The Contracts are delivered inside THE FINALS itself, so treat any "you must get 100 kills" claims floating around as unconfirmed — the confirmed Stage 1 task is the light "play 3 matches" objective, exactly the kind of low-effort grind Embark used in its previous crossover.
When does the crossover end? (Don't miss the window)
This is the part that trips people up. The promotion has two phases, and they run in opposite directions:
| Phase | Window | What you do | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (now) | July 9, 3pm CEST → July 30, 3pm CEST | Complete Contracts in THE FINALS | Azimuth bundle in ARC Raiders |
| Phase 2 (after) | Begins after July 30 | Play ARC Raiders | Azimuth bundle in THE FINALS |
If you main ARC Raiders and want the outfit in ARC, you must earn it during Phase 1 by playing THE FINALS. Wait too long and the flow reverses — after July 30 the reward path moves into THE FINALS instead. Both phases run for roughly three weeks, so there's no need to no-life it, but there's also no reason to leave a free bundle on the table. Knock out the Contracts early.
Is the Azimuth outfit pay-to-win or a paywall?
No on both counts, and this is the single most common misconception in the community threads. A few players saw an all-black premium-looking skin and assumed it was a pre-order, deluxe-edition, or paid unlock. It isn't:
- THE FINALS is completely free-to-play — no purchase required to earn the Contracts.
- The outfit is cosmetic-only — zero stat or gameplay advantage in ARC Raiders' PvPvE extraction fights.
- The only cost is time — a few matches of a different (but genuinely well-reviewed) Embark shooter.
The closest thing to a "cost" is that you have to install and learn a second game for a session or two. If THE FINALS' fast-paced, destructible-arena PvP isn't your thing, that's a fair reason to skip it — but it's a taste preference, not a wallet one.
ARC Raiders - Materials
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How long do the Contracts take?
There's no official time estimate, but the pattern from Embark's prior crossover Contracts — and early community reports on this one — points to a short, casual grind:
- Estimated total: ~2–3 hours in a single session, or 20–30 minutes a day spread across several days.
- Difficulty: low — the Contracts reward participation and simple objectives, not high-skill wins.
- Prior crossover reference: an earlier Embark crossover Contract was as light as "play a handful of matches," which most players cleared without trying.
Treat those numbers as a community estimate, not a guarantee — the real objectives are whatever THE FINALS shows in its event menu now that the event is live. Either way, this is one of the more forgiving cosmetic grinds ARC has offered.
While you're gearing up for Season 5 back in ARC Raiders, it's worth having your blueprints and materials sorted so your topside runs actually pay off — the Azimuth suit looks a lot better on a fully-kitted Raider than a fresh-spawn one.
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Where the crossover fits in Update 1.36.0
The Azimuth crossover is one headline of a stacked patch. Update 1.36.0 also shipped:
- Separate Solo, Duo, and Trio matchmaking — your playstyle is now tracked independently per squad size.
- A major ARC Turbine loot buff — the Riven Tides aerial mini-boss finally drops loot worth the fight.
- Trials Season 5 "Prove Your Mettle" (July 7 – Sep 30) — with the Scorta outfit as the placement reward.
- The Fourth Expedition (window July 7–21) — Mystery Rewards plus the Zenith outfit.
- A store redesign and the new Triumph Set cosmetic.
So if you're logging into ARC to grab the Azimuth bundle, there's a full season of fresh objectives waiting the moment you're back topside.
FAQ
How do I get the Azimuth outfit in ARC Raiders? You earn it by completing the crossover Contracts in THE FINALS during Phase 1 (July 9 – July 30), using the same Embark account you play ARC Raiders on. Once the Contracts are done, the Azimuth outfit and Archeologist backpack unlock on your ARC account.
Is THE FINALS free to play? Yes. THE FINALS is a free-to-play shooter on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. You do not need to buy anything to earn the crossover bundle — the only cost is the time to complete the Contracts.
When does the ARC Raiders x THE FINALS crossover end? Phase 1 runs from July 9 at 3pm CEST to July 30 at 3pm CEST. After that the promotion flips: THE FINALS players can then earn the bundle by playing ARC Raiders. To get the outfit in ARC, finish the Contracts before July 30.
Do I need to be good at THE FINALS to unlock the skin? No. The Contracts reward participation and light objectives, not high-skill wins. Community estimates put the full grind at roughly 2–3 hours, or 20–30 minutes a day over several days.
Is the Azimuth outfit pay-to-win? No. It's a cosmetic-only bundle with no gameplay advantage in ARC Raiders' extraction matches, and it's earned for free rather than purchased.
Where do I equip the Azimuth outfit after unlocking it? Once it's on your account, equip the outfit and Archeologist backpack from your Raider cosmetics menu in Speranza, ARC Raiders' underground hub.
