ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update Guide: Release Date, Frostbite Tips & All New Content

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Winter has come to the Rust Belt—and it doesn’t care if you’re prepared.
The ARC Raiders Cold Snap update (Patch 1.7.0) is more than a seasonal makeover. It fundamentally changes how you approach every topside run, forcing players to rethink routes, loadouts, and risk management. With health-draining frostbite, time-limited winter events, and the game’s first-ever progression reset, the Cold Snap update reshapes the meta in ways that both reward smart planning and punish careless movement.

Whether you’re trying to understand why your health keeps ticking down in the snow, racing to unlock limited rewards before January, or deciding if the Expedition Reset is worth the risk, this guide breaks down everything you need to survive—and profit—from the freeze.

When Did the Cold Snap Update Release?

The Cold Snap update went live on December 16, 2025, rolling out globally as Patch 1.7.0.

Global release times:

  • 1:30 AM PT

  • 4:30 AM ET

  • 9:30 AM GMT

Cold Snap is a major seasonal update, introducing a new weather-based survival mechanic, limited-time events, permanent progression systems, and meaningful balance changes rather than just cosmetic additions.

Surviving the Frostbite Mechanic: A New Meta

ARC Raiders Cold Snap Update Guide

The headline feature of Cold Snap is Snowfall, a new map condition that dramatically changes how raids play out.

Maps affected by Snowfall

  • Dam Battlegrounds

  • Buried City

  • Spaceport

  • Blue Gate

How frostbite works

When you’re exposed outdoors during Snowfall, your health slowly drains due to frostbite. This damage does not stop until you reach indoor shelter, forcing players to rethink how they traverse maps.

Why this changes everything

Cold Snap shifts ARC Raiders from open-area gunfights to indoor-focused survival combat:

  • Outdoor looting is riskier and time-limited

  • Buildings become contested hotspots

  • PvP encounters skew toward close-quarters engagements

Frostbite survival tips

  • Plan routes building-to-building, not landmark-to-landmark

  • Carry extra healing items every run

  • Avoid extended rooftop or open-area fights

  • Expect more ambushes near doors and choke points

  • Audio cues matter more than visuals in heavy snow

Cold Snap doesn’t just add danger—it rewards disciplined movement and map knowledge.

Flickering Flames & Candleberry Banquet: Your Event Guide

Cold Snap introduces two connected limited-time winter events, both running until January 13, 2026.

Flickering Flames Event

This is a 25-tier reward track that progresses through Merits, earned from XP gained in any match.

Key details:

  • Requires at least 5 completed rounds to activate

  • Progression is XP-based, not kill-based

  • Rewards include cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and currency

Best way to progress fast:
Focus on safe extractions and objective completion rather than risky PvP. Survival equals XP.

Candleberry Banquet Project

A five-stage scavenger hunt layered on top of Cold Snap maps.

What you need to do:

  • Find Candleberries and unique winter items topside

  • Complete stages to unlock cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and bonus Merits

Community insight:
Some players expected a full winter takeover across all modes and initially found the event lighter than anticipated. However, players who optimized Candleberry routes quickly realized it’s one of the most efficient ways to stack rewards during Cold Snap.

The Expedition Reset Explained: Should You Do It?

The Expedition Reset is the most controversial—and powerful—addition in Patch 1.7.0.

What is the Expedition Reset?

It’s a one-time, optional progression wipe that resets things like:

  • Levels

  • Credits

  • Blueprints

In return, you gain permanent and temporary bonuses.

Important dates

  • Registration: December 17–23

  • Departure (reset executes): December 22

Expedition Reset rewards

Permanent rewards

  • +1 Skill Point per 1 million credits (up to 5 total)

  • +12 stash spaces

  • Exclusive cosmetics

Temporary bonuses

  • +6% material gain

  • +5% XP boost

  • −10% repair costs

Should you reset?

Yes, if you:

  • Have excess credits

  • Already unlocked key blueprints

  • Want long-term account power

No, if you:

  • Play casually or infrequently

  • Are still progressing core gear

  • Can’t afford to rebuild quickly

This is a high-risk, high-reward system designed for committed players—not a mandatory step.

Key Balance Changes & New Meta Loadouts

Cold Snap also includes several balance and quality-of-life improvements that quietly reshape gameplay.

Weapon buffs

  • Bettina

    • Increased durability

    • Magazine size increased (20 → 22)

    • Faster reload speed

  • Rattler

    • Magazine size increased (10 → 12)

These changes favor sustained indoor combat, where reload speed and durability matter more than raw burst damage.

Enemy rework: Shredder

  • Reduced knockback

  • Faster, more responsive behavior

  • More destructible parts

Shredders are now more aggressive and dangerous indoors, reinforcing Cold Snap’s tighter combat loops.

Quality-of-life updates

  • Skill Tree Reset available (2,000 Coins per point)

  • ADS Toggle option added for player comfort

Pro Tips & Unspoken Changes You Might Have Missed

This is where Cold Snap really shines for attentive players.

Increased blueprint drops (community-reported)

Players have widely reported higher blueprint drop rates on:

  • Cold Snap–affected maps

  • Stella Montis

Whether intentional or not, this makes Cold Snap one of the best farming windows seen so far.

Security locker changes

  • Lockers no longer spawn in fixed locations

  • Old loot routes are unreliable

Dynamic spawns force exploration instead of memorization.

Aphelion blueprint shift

  • Now reportedly drops on Stella Montis, not just from the Matriarch

This dramatically reduces grind frustration for many players.

The Free Goalie Raider Deck: What’s In It?

Cold Snap also introduces a new free, permanent Raider Deck.

Goalie Raider Deck details

  • Available: December 26, 2025

  • Cost: Free (Cred-based progression)

Rewards include

  • Hockey-inspired outfit

  • Hockey stick Raider tool

  • Currency and cosmetic unlocks

Think of it as a free battle pass with no expiration pressure—perfect for players who want long-term goals without FOMO.

Cold Snap FAQ

How do I cure frostbite in ARC Raiders?
Reach indoor shelter. Frostbite damage stops and health recovery begins once you’re inside.

Is Cold Snap permanent?
The Snowfall map condition is part of the update, but events like Flickering Flames and Candleberry Banquet end on January 13, 2026.

Is the Expedition Reset required?
No. It’s completely optional and designed for players chasing long-term progression bonuses.

Does Cold Snap really increase blueprint drops?
Community reports strongly suggest improved drop rates on certain maps, especially Stella Montis, making this a prime farming period.

Final Thoughts: Is Cold Snap Worth Playing?

Cold Snap is one of ARC Raiders’ most meaningful updates to date. It rewards smart movement, survival-first decision-making, and long-term planning, while giving players plenty of reasons to brave the cold through events, resets, and free progression tracks.

If you adapt to frostbite, plan your routes, and take advantage of the limited-time content, Cold Snap isn’t just survivable—it’s profitable.                

🌐 ARC Raiders Community Links & Resources

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