Arc Raiders is due for a new update called “Cold Snap”, which seeks to give a fresh coat of painting to the game with a series of new weather effects and conditions to improve overall gameplay.
The game was one of 2025’s biggest surprises, despite being mostly absent from the Game Awards ceremony (and still managing to nab the Best Multiplayer Game category), but still maintains a faithful player base — which is always a good thing as studios and devs keep bringing new content to the game.
So, without further ado, read on to find out what the new stuff will be:
Arc Raiders “Cold Snap” update: here’s all the info
General Availability and Platforms
- The “Cold Snap” update is due to release on Tuesday, December 16, at 1:30 am PT/ 4:30 am ET/ 9:30 am UK time (GMT)/ 10:30 am CET.
- The limited-time event elements of “Cold Snap” will run from launch date all the way to Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Conditions and Gameplay Mechanics
- Snowfall map condition: A new map condition that covers the map in snow, decreasing visibility and making topside exploration more dangerous.
- Affected Maps: The Snowfall condition is available for Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate/The Blue Gate maps.
- Frostbite: A new survival mechanic where exposure to the elements for too long causes the player’s health to slowly drain.
- Sheltering Mechanic: To prevent frostbite, players must find shelter indoors, forcing tactical adaptation and potentially leading to confrontations with other raiders.
- Survival Focus: The winter conditions, including reduced visibility and the new survival mechanics, turn the open surface into a high-stakes survival run.
- Visual Overhaul: The maps affected by Snowfall feature frost buildup, frozen lakes, and snow accumulation.
Progression Content and Cosmetics
- Goalie Raider Deck: The second Raider Deck since the game’s launch, included directly in the base game.
- Availability: This deck is free for all players but will not be accessible until Friday, December 26.
- Permanent Addition: Unlike many standard battle passes, this Raider Deck is a permanent addition to the game, allowing players to unlock rewards at their own pace.
- Rewards: Includes a new hockey-inspired outfit (in several color variants), other cosmetics, in-game items, feats, and a hockey stick Raider tool.
Events and Projects
- Flickering Flames Event: Players are automatically enrolled in this event, which offers rewards across 25 levels.
- Earning Rewards: Rewards (gear, cosmetics, Raider Tokens) are unlocked by gaining Merits, which are automatically accumulated from XP earned in a round.
- Eligibility: Players must have played at least five rounds of Arc Raiders to be eligible for the event.
- Candleberry Banquet Project: A new five-stage project (the second in the game).
- Requirements and Rewards: Players must scavenge unique items and Candleberries topside. Completing stages grants cosmetic items, Raider Tokens, and Merits (which contribute progress to the Flickering Flames event). Each completed stage reveals a new scene at the banquet table in Speranza.
Expedition Reset Option
- First Expedition Reset: The update includes the game’s first optional Expedition reset, designed to respect time investment while offering players a choice to start a new challenge.
- Sign-up Period: The enrollment window runs from December 17 to December 23.
- Reset Process: Players must complete full requirements, sign up to ship their existing raider away, and replace them with a fresh raider.
- Wiped Progress: Choosing to depart removes all blueprints, levels, quests, upgrades, and credits earned.
- Permanent Bonuses (Carried Over): Up to 5 permanent skill points (earned by gathering 1 million credits per point, up to five million), 12 stash spaces, a special Expedition icon, the Janitor Cap cosmetic for Scrappy, and the Patchwork Raider outfit. Players had until December 22 to accumulate five million credits to obtain all five permanent skill points.
- Temporary Bonuses (Carried Over): 6% more Scrappy materials, a 5% XP increase, and 10% cheaper repairs.
Arc Raiders is available for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
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