The new Arena Breakout Infinite Season 5 titled Distortion is just around the corner with official release date of Apr. 02, 2026, 02:00 (UTC). With the new update comes a new look to the Valley map with Anomaly theme for the season, 2 new weapons and introduction of player abilities during raids, there’s tons of new things to see.
Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming update.
Gameplay Changes and What’s New?
To start off the main highlight of the season as it is in the name Distortion. The Valley map has undergone a complete overhaul from being an open ground snipers heaven map to ABI’s first night map with an anomaly themed environment.
In addition to that a tactical item and 2 new weapons will also be added this season, namely, SG20 smoke grenade and the assault rifles, Famas and T192. However, the First Aid Kit (Self-Revive) will be removed from the game forcing players to think and plan ahead before engaging in a gun fight. Now players won’t have a second chance to get back up themselves, especially if they are playing solo.
ABI has finally listened and the community is getting what they’ve been wanting since the start of the game with the addition of proximity voice chat being added this season. Now only time will tell if this changes the gameplay and how the fights in raids play out with some players going the non-hostile approach with gunfights.
Anomaly Theme, New Gameplay Modes and Other Events
With this season ABI is trying out something new which goes in a different direction from what it has been till now. The game is now moving from a realistic to a more sci-fi side of things,such as changing the Valley map to a night/dusk lighting map with boats and cars floating around throughout, with an overall eerie atmosphere.
Now players will encounter different types of anomalies, some being interactive, where one can go up to them and hold their interact button. Others might try to hunt down players if they look away from them.
Abilities have also been introduced which can be selected from the 4 options before the start of a raid.This gives players another element that can be used tactically during raids to win more fights or safely disengage.
Some new game modes are also being added as they do with the start of every new season. This time the additions are:
- Warlord Tournament (TV Station map only) –
5-team ranked battle by loot value, and being able to view each teams loadout and gear when entering a raid - Boss Rally (Northridge And Farm map only) –
Multiple bosses spawning in the map with enhanced guards and equipments - No Man’s Land (Farm, Valley, TV Station maps in rotation) –
Solo/Single-Squad PvE mode with fixed loadout, tickets will be needed for entry in this mode
Wrapping Up
This season focuses on balancing out the major issues that was sniper’s and DMR’s using red ammo to kill with 1 shot to head or 2 to body regardless of what armour class you wear. This is done by nerfing down red ammo’s damage, DMR’s and Bolt-action rifles to even out the raids and not be one-sided.
The game is heading in a different direction with new abilities and features which were mentioned above. With this ABI might shift from the title of Free to play Escape From Tarkov, but only time will tell what the players think of these new features and changes to the game.
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