The Cold Snap update didn’t just dust Speranza with snow—it rewired how combat works in ARC Raiders. The new Snowfall map condition turns the environment itself into a lethal opponent, draining your health through frostbite, crushing long sightlines, and forcing brutal close-quarters fights inside contested shelters.
If you’ve ever watched your health tick down while sprinting across an open field—or walked into a shack only to get ambushed in seconds—you already know this isn’t business as usual. Snowfall demands smarter routes, tougher loadouts, and a survival-first mindset.
This guide breaks down how Snowfall changes combat, how to survive frostbite, and which loadouts actually work so you’re not just surviving the storm—you’re controlling it.
The Snowfall Threat: How Combat Has Fundamentally Changed
Snowfall completely transforms familiar locations like Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City. The centerpiece of this change is Frostbite.
Frostbite Explained
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Frostbite activates the moment you’re outdoors
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It drains health directly, ignoring armor
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Damage continues until you reach indoor shelter
This turns every open area into a ticking clock. Lingering outside is no longer risky—it’s lethal.
Visibility, Tracking & Terrain Changes
Snowfall also reshapes moment-to-moment combat:
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Reduced visibility shortens sightlines and kills long-range dominance
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Footprints remain in the snow, enabling tracking and counter-tracking
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Frozen lakes and icy surfaces can disrupt movement mid-fight
The result? A shift away from long-range engagements and toward tight, frantic, indoor battles where positioning and preparation decide the winner.
Survival Strategy: Mastering Shelter, Movement, and Engagement
Cold Snap rewards players who think in routes, not destinations.
Shelter-Hopping Is the New Meta
Plan your movement in short, deliberate hops between buildings. Sprinting across open ground almost always costs more health than the loot is worth.
Shelters aren’t just safe zones—they’re PvP choke points.
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Assume every building is occupied
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Clear rooms aggressively with grenades
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Listen for healing, reloading, or footsteps
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Expect fast, chaotic close-quarters fights
The squad that controls the shelter network controls the map.
Smart Movement & Positioning
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Use your own footprints to double back and ambush pursuers
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Follow fresh tracks to hunt weakened players
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Use the blizzard as cover for flanks or disengagements
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Be cautious on ice—slips can cost you a fight instantly
Snowfall punishes panic movement and rewards patience.
Adaptive Loadouts: Optimizing Your Gear for the Freeze
Cold Snap isn’t playable with a standard raid kit. Sustainability now matters more than damage.
Healing Is Non-Negotiable
Frostbite makes healing a constant requirement.
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Carry significantly more Medkits and Bandages
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It’s normal to drop ammo or grenades to make space
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Treat health as a resource under constant pressure
If you run out of healing, the environment—not the ARC—will kill you.
Weapon Meta Shift: What Actually Works in Snowfall
With long sightlines gone, weapon priorities change fast.
Best Weapons for Snowfall Maps
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Bettina Assault Rifle
Buffed durability and magazine size make it reliable in prolonged indoor fights. -
SMGs & Shotguns
Extremely effective for clearing shelters and holding doorways.
Weapons That Lose Value
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Sniper Rifles
Reduced visibility and forced indoor play make them unreliable. -
Long-range, slow-handling weapons struggle to keep up with the pace.
Team Role Specialization (Squad Play)
Cold Snap rewards coordination more than ever.
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Assign a “Shelter Caller” to plan routes and exposure windows
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Designate a support-focused player carrying extra healing
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Rotate point players to manage frostbite damage evenly
A squad that manages exposure survives longer—and wins more fights.
Cold Snap Loadout Comparison
| Item Category | Standard Raid Loadout | Cold Snap–Optimized Loadout | Why It Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healing | 2–3 Medkits, 5 Bandages | 4–5 Medkits, 8+ Bandages | Constant frostbite damage |
| Primary Weapon | Sniper / Long-range AR | Bettina AR, SMG, Shotgun | Close-quarters shelter fights |
| Utility | Extra grenades & ammo | Reduced utility, more healing | Inventory shifts to survival |
| Strategic Goal | Open-area loot & range fights | Shelter control & exposure management | Indoors decide survival |
Advanced Combat & PvP Tactics
Once you’ve adapted, Snowfall becomes a weapon.
Control the Engagement
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Ambush players crossing open ground with low health
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Bait enemies into long outdoor chases to drain their healing
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Force fights inside shelters, where you control angles
Audio Awareness Wins Fights
Snow muffles footsteps, so tune into:
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The crack of a Sniper Bot
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The rev of a Shredder’s chain gun
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Reload clicks or healing sounds behind walls
Audio cues are often your only warning in Snowfall combat.
Map-Specific Snowfall Strategies
Dam Battlegrounds
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Vast open areas make this map high-risk
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Stick to perimeter buildings and the dam structure
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Cross the central valley only when absolutely necessary
Buried City
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Expect relentless close-quarters chaos
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Vertical control is key—upper floors dominate
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Holding strong buildings can lock down entire routes
Final Thoughts: Turn the Storm Into Your Advantage
Cold Snap is brutal—but fair. Players who prioritize shelter, overhaul their loadouts, and use the storm tactically will consistently outlast and outfight those clinging to old habits.
Master Snowfall, and the blizzard stops being a threat—it becomes your greatest ally.
Now gear up, count your Medkits, and step into the whiteout.
The frozen fight is waiting.
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