SAND Update #5 Reinforces Anti-Cheat and Reworks Artifact Fights

The update improves terrain streaming, fixes a box duplication exploit, and schedules the return of Trampler capturing for early next week.

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SAND: Raiders of Sophie Update #5 artwork showing a large desert vehicle beneath the words “UPDATE #5 OUT NOW”

SAND: Raiders of Sophie Update #5 went live on July 24, bringing Battleye anti-cheat improvements, smoother terrain loading, artifact balance changes, and a collection of bug fixes. Hologryph and tinyBuild detailed the update in the official Steam announcement.

The patch also removes a box-based item duplication exploit and fixes an issue that could send a destroyed Trampler beneath the terrain. That problem was listed as one possible cause of players being removed for “suspicious activity.” Teams of two or more should also be able to complete extraction without running into the previous softlock.

Artifact combat received several direct changes. The sphere shield now blocks attacks from both sides, and its health increased from 15,000 to 25,000. Other activated artifacts can be destroyed through direct Infantry or Siege damage, while EMP Waves can destroy them instantly. The WOK Bomb follows different rules, as detailed below.

Trampler capturing remains disabled for the moment. Hologryph and tinyBuild said the mechanic will return with an update scheduled for early next week, alongside further anti-cheat improvements.

This follows Update #4’s Trampler and anti-cheat fixes, keeping security and vehicle-related problems at the center of the game’s current maintenance work.

SAND: Raiders of Sophie Update #5 Patch Notes

Update #5 focuses on anti-cheat work, world streaming, artifact interactions, and problems that could interfere with movement, combat, or extraction.

Battleye anti-cheat improvements
Optimized rendering and streaming of the terrain
- Loading of terrain is now smoother
Artifacts rebalance:
- Sphere shield is now impenetrable from both sides
- Increased sphere shield HP from 15k to 25k
- Activated artifacts can be destroyed by dealing direct damage to them. They have 900HP and can take Infantry and Siege damage.
  - WOK Bomb can’t be destroyed by Infantry and Siege damage
- Activated artifacts are now instantly destroyed if being hit by an EMP Wave
  - WOK Bomb can be destroyed by EMP
- Artifacts now play small VFX and SFX on destruction
Smoke no longer attaches to the trampler
Fixed item duplication exploit with boxes
Fixed issue that trampler can go under terrain after being destroyed
- One of the causes for the “suspicious activity” kicks
Fixed issue that the character may become transparent in Spectator mode in some cases
Fixed softlock on the extraction for teams of 2 and more
UI fixes

Known Issues

The character cannot enter the Expedition if the Invite has been accepted at the Tutorial pop-up background
Items may be displayed inside the character’s body in some cases
Large items may float around the character
Character may become invulnerable to melee damage while interacting with turrets or the steering wheel
Bullets can pass through the character on speed-boosted trampler
- This will be fixed in the upcoming updates
Upiors positioned may be different between client and server
- On the client, it looks like Upior doesn’t receive damage, but you might see their “shimmering/blink” body near them
Shotgun might not deal damage at close range distance
Ironclads can be triggered multiple times by re-entering the trigger area
On Low and Medium settings, ” seams ” can be seen on the terrain
Terrain can be occluded in some cases
Crafing on islands doesn’t work correctly
Item prompt in Storage has too many hotkey options

Update #5 is available now, but players may still encounter the issues listed above until later fixes arrive. Share your thoughts on the patch in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.

In an alternate 1910, scavenge the sands of Sophie in towering Tramplers. Build your highly customizable walking base. Squad up or go solo. Gather loot, weapons, precious artifacts. Clash with other players in a brutal procedurally generated desert forged by history and chaos.