ARC Raiders Cold Snap - Update Overview, Changes, and Event Details

ARC Raiders Cold Snap is the first update that meaningfully changes how raids are planned, not just what you fight or loot.

The ARC Raiders Cold Snap update stacks multiple progression systems on top of normal play: a seasonal event reward track, a project, a permanent Raider Deck, and the game’s first Expedition reset.

ARC Raiders Cold Snap Release Date

The ARC Raiders Cold Snap release went live in mid-December 2025 and runs on a fixed timer. During this window, several systems are only available for a short period, while others stay in the game permanently.

Cold Snap active period:

Start: December 16, 2025
End: January 13, 2026

Anything tied to this window should be treated as priority content.

Content that is time-limited

• These systems disappear after the Cold Snap window ends:
• Flickering Flames Event reward track (Merits and cosmetics)
• Candleberry Banquet Project and all related objectives
• Snowfall/Cold Snap map condition on Topside maps

If you miss the window, these rewards cannot be earned later.

Content that stays after Cold Snap

These changes remain part of ARC Raiders even after January:

• New story quests added with the update
• Goalie Raider Deck (permanent, free Raider Deck)
• Weapon balance changes and ARC behavior tweaks
• UI improvements and quality-of-life updates

Snowfall Maps and Frostbite

Cold Snap adds a Snowfall map condition that can roll on several Topside locations, including Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. This changes how raids play from the first minute.

When Snowfall is active, the map behaves differently in several key ways:

• Visibility drops because of constant snow and wind, especially at long range
• Terrain shifts as lakes freeze and open areas become harder to read
• Footprints stay visible in the snow, making player tracking much easier
• Frostbite applies damage over time if you stay outdoors too long

This means stealth, movement, and timing matter more than raw aggression.

How Frostbite Works

Frostbite is a real damage mechanic. While exposed:

• Your Raider starts shivering and rubbing their hands
• Snow accumulates on your character model
• Health drains steadily, even if you’re not fighting

If you ignore these signs, you will go down without ever seeing an enemy.

Not every structure saves you from frostbite:

• Solid buildings fully stop the damage
• Thin shacks, open ruins, or partial cover often do not
• If your Raider is still shivering, you are not safe yet
• Always wait for the snow on your character to melt before moving on.

Open-field PvP is especially punishing now, since both sides are racing frostbite, not just bullets. Players who plan routes around shelter and reset exposure often survive longer and extract more consistently than those who play Snowfall maps like normal raids.

Flickering Flames Event

During the Cold Snap update, eligible players are automatically enrolled in the Flickering Flames Event. The event runs entirely on top of normal Topside raids and rewards players who survive, extract, and play efficiently under winter conditions.

Progress in the Flickering Flames Event is driven by Merits. Merits are earned directly from XP, which means almost everything you already do in raids contributes to event progression. Successful extractions matter the most, but combat and looting also add up quickly. Killing ARC units, taking down other Raiders, opening containers, and completing event-related objectives all feed into your Merit total.

There is no daily cap and no forced pacing. If you extract consistently, you move through the reward track at a steady rate.

The Flickering Flames Event also overlaps with a Flickering Flames project built around Candleberries and material donations. That system has its own rules, item requirements, and optimization paths. For a full breakdown of donations, stages, and efficient material routing, see the dedicated Flickering Flames Project guide.

Goalie Raider Deck – Permanent Progression Track

The Goalie Raider Deck arrives as part of the Cold Snap update and unlocks on December 26, 2025. Unlike seasonal events, this deck is a permanent progression system. Once it’s live, it stays available with no end date and no pressure to finish it during a specific window.

Progression is handled through Creds, which you earn by completing daily Feats. There’s no XP conversion and no raid-performance requirement tied to it directly. If you play regularly and keep up with Feats, progress comes naturally over time.

What the Goalie Raider Deck offers:

• A full hockey-themed outfit set and variants
• Cosmetic items and visual customization
• Utility items usable in raids
• Gear rewards that support early and mid-game runs

Balance Changes That Matter in Cold Snap

Cold Snap includes several balance and system updates that directly affect how raids play, especially on Snowfall maps where mistakes are harder to recover from.

Key gameplay-relevant changes:

• Bettina durability burn reduced: The weapon now lasts much longer before breaking, lowering repair pressure and allowing longer raids without forced extraction.
• Increased magazine sizes on select weapons: Fewer reloads during fights, which is especially important in close-quarters indoor combat created by Cold Snap routing.
• Improved ARC enemy navigation and reactions: ARCs move more reliably, enter combat faster, and get stuck less often. Fights are more consistent but also less forgiving.
• Skill Tree reset added: Respec is now possible at 2,000 Coins per skill point, making it easier to adapt builds to Snowfall maps and Cold Snap playstyle.
• Footstep audio improvements: Louder and clearer footsteps help track enemies when visibility is reduced by snow and wind.
• Snowfall increases reliance on sound cues: With lower visibility, audio awareness matters more than raw aim or aggression.

Final Thoughts

Cold Snap stacks several progression layers at the same time: seasonal rewards, Raider Deck progression, Expeditions, and tougher raid conditions.

And ARC Raiders boost services help smooth that phase. Instead of struggling through risky early runs, you can secure steady progress on event rewards, deck unlocks, or raid objectives while focusing your own playtime on learning maps, testing loadouts, or jumping straight into confident extractions.