😱 FREEZING TO DEATH IN SECONDS?! ARC Raiders just dropped the Cold Snap Winter Update and it’s ABSOLUTE CHAOS – blizzards raging, frostbite creeping in, and one wrong move outside means you’re a popsicle! ❄️💀 Players are already raging (and loving) the new survival hell, plus a massive blueprint explosion has everyone looting like madmen… But is this the update that finally breaks the game – or makes it legendary? Who’s brave enough to raid in this frozen apocalypse? Drop your wildest Cold Snap stories below – I barely escaped with my loot! 🔥

Embark Studios has unleashed its highly anticipated winter-themed update for the hit extraction shooter ARC Raiders, dubbed “Cold Snap,” and players are already feeling the freeze. Released on December 16, 2025 – just one day before the current date – the patch introduces a brutal new map condition that transforms existing zones into snowy wastelands, complete with deadly cold mechanics that force raiders to rethink every move topside.

The update, version 1.7.0, marks the final major content drop outlined in ARC Raiders’ 2025 roadmap. Since its launch on October 30, 2025, the game has exploded in popularity, selling over 4 million copies in its first two weeks and earning praise for blending tense extraction gameplay with atmospheric adventure elements. Now, with Cold Snap live, Embark is cranking up the survival stakes in a big way.

At the heart of the update is the new “Snowfall” map condition, which blankets maps like Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and The Blue Gate in snow and ice. Frigid winds, blizzards, and freezing temperatures aren’t just cosmetic – they introduce genuine environmental hazards. Raiders exposed to the elements too long will suffer frostbite, draining health rapidly unless they seek shelter, heal up, or equip appropriate gear. As Embark described in pre-update teasers, “The clock is ticking. The freezing weather will cut your Raider down in minutes unless you get indoors.”

This adds a fresh layer of tension to raids. Getting pinned down in the open during a firefight with rival players or ARC machines can now be a death sentence, not just from bullets but from the cold itself. Footsteps leave visible tracks in the snow, reduced visibility from blizzards alters engagements, and frozen lakes crack underfoot, creating new risks and opportunities for ambushes. Players have reported that the changes make every extraction feel higher-stakes, with some calling it “the survival mechanic the game desperately needed.”

Alongside the weather overhaul comes the “Flickering Flames” limited-time event, running from December 16, 2025, to January 13, 2026. This community-focused challenge automatically enrolls players (after at least five prior rounds) and rewards Merits earned from XP during matches. Cashing in Merits back in the underground hub of Speranza nets gear, cosmetics, Raider Tokens (the premium currency), and more across 25 tiers. It’s similar to previous events like Breaking New Ground but ties into the winter theme, with players contributing to communal goals like collecting Candleberries for banquets to boost morale in the harsh season.

A new Raider Project, the Candleberry Banquet, functions differently from the ongoing Expedition. It tasks players with gathering light and heat sources to help Speranza’s inhabitants endure winter, offering rewards for contributions without the full reset implications of Expeditions.

Speaking of which, Cold Snap coincides with the opening of the first Expedition Departure Window, from December 17 to December 22, 2025. This optional prestige system allows raiders who have completed the eight-week Expedition Project – by building a Caravan with collected materials – to “depart” and reset their progress. In return, they gain exclusive permanent buffs, advantages, and rewards for future characters. It’s Embark’s unique take on seasonal wipes, framed lore-wise as sending your raider off to a new journey. The window’s timing, right after Cold Snap’s launch, gives dedicated players a chance to experience the new content on their current build before committing to a fresh start.

On December 26, 2025, a new free permanent Raider Deck called “Goalie” becomes available. Inspired by old-world hockey gladiators (as Speranza lore puts it), it includes a fierce outfit in multiple colors, a hockey stick Raider Tool, and pages of unlockables like cosmetics and tokens earned through Cred from raids.

The patch notes also detail numerous quality-of-life improvements and balance tweaks. Skill Tree resets are now possible, Aim Down Sights can be toggled, Raider Tools are customizable, and resource tracking for projects has been enhanced. Embark introduced a Cred soft cap to prevent hoarding from undermining new Raider Decks, alongside more items in vendor Shani’s store. Spawn distances on the Stella Montis map (added in November’s North Line update) were adjusted to reduce overly close encounters, and various bugs – like steep slopes blocking downed crawls or inconsistent bullet-blocking materials – were squashed.

Festive touches round out the update, with holiday-spirited items sprinkled in to get players in the mood. One crossover promotion even offers an exclusive outfit for logging into Embark’s other title, The Finals.

Player reaction has been overwhelmingly positive so far, with reports flooding in of skyrocketed blueprint drop rates post-update – some raiders claiming “blueprints everywhere” in a single session, particularly on Stella Montis. This has led to speculation of an intentional (or accidental) boost, fueling grinding frenzies. Streams and social media are buzzing with clips of intense blizzard fights, narrow escapes from frostbite, and triumphant extractions laden with loot.

However, not everything is smooth sailing. Some veterans have expressed frustration with changes like the Cred cap and skill tree adjustments, arguing they diminish the value of long-term grinding ahead of Expeditions. Embark has defended these as ways to keep Raider Decks engaging and rewarding.

Cold Snap arrives at a pivotal moment for ARC Raiders. With player counts still strong but naturally tapering post-launch hype, the update injects fresh life into the Rust Belt. It builds on previous additions like the Stella Montis map and new ARC enemies from November, while setting the stage for whatever Embark has planned in 2026 – though no details have been shared yet.

As raiders bundle up and head topside into the storm, one thing is clear: ARC Raiders continues to evolve rapidly. The game’s blend of high-risk loot runs, machine threats, and now unforgiving weather has cemented its place among 2025’s breakout hits. Whether you’re a seasoned Speranzan or a newcomer dipping in for the winter vibes, Cold Snap demands adaptation – or you’ll be left out in the cold.