When Winter Becomes Part of the Hunt

In Arc Raiders, every change in the weather has meant a shift in how raids unfold, but the Cold Snap update arriving December 16, 2025 is something altogether different. What began as seasonal tease has become one of the year’s most significant content drops, reshaping familiar maps and introducing fresh mechanics that force players to think about survival in new ways.

At the heart of the Cold Snap update is a new Snowfall map condition, now active across familiar battlegrounds like Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport and The Blue Gate. These locations are transformed by accumulating snow and blizzards that reduce visibility and leave footprints players can use or exploit. More than just aesthetic change, the cold itself becomes a hazard. Stay outside too long and a creeping frostbite mechanic drains health unless raiders seek shelter or manage healing resources wisely

Alongside the breath-taking winter weather comes a suite of seasonal content designed to keep players engaged through the winter and into the new year. The Flickering Flames event invites raiders to tackle up to 25 levels of challenges tied to Merits earned from gameplay, unlocking gear, cosmetics and Raider Tokens as they progress. And the Candleberry Banquet project presents a narrative-flavored task of collecting Candleberries across snowy maps to unlock festive themed scenes and additional rewards.

Cold Snap also expands long-term progression with the Goalie Raider Deck, a free Raider Deck launching on December 26 that works like a permanent battle pass, offering cosmetics, tools (including a hockey-inspired outfit and Raider tool) and other unlockables as players climb tiers.

Beyond seasonal events and snowy terrain, Patch 1.7.0 brings meaningful quality-of-life and gameplay improvements. A long-requested skill tree reset feature now lets players reallocate points without expensive expeditions, and new customization options for weapons and tools add flexibility to builds. Visual and collision fixes refine combat encounters, and interface tweaks like soft cap display for the wallet and aim toggle support smoother play.

For veterans seeking a fresh challenge, the first Expedition reset window provides a way to voluntarily start a new run with permanent bonuses — increased stash space, unique icons and XP boosts — encouraging players to return with new strategies.

Across these changes, the Cold Snap update turns each raid into more than a fight against enemy ARCs and rival teams. It becomes a test of endurance and adaptability — survival against the elements as much as against technology and tactics. For a game built on tension and risk, winter has never felt more perilous or promising.