Arc Raiders Cold Snap Event Overview
Arc Raiders is getting its first full winter blowout with the new Cold Snap event, and it is more than just a simple snowy reskin. Embark Studios has confirmed that the Cold Snap update lands on Tuesday, December 16, and it looks set to change how you survive on the surface.
Cold Snap is positioned as a seasonal style event but with a grim twist that fits the ruined sci fi world of Arc Raiders. Instead of jolly decorations, you are getting lethal weather, new progression, and fresh quests to chase while you try not to freeze to death.
According to the official roadmap for 2025, this update is also the final major stop for the current year. What comes after in 2026 is still a mystery, which makes Cold Snap an important moment for anyone invested in the game.
What Cold Snap Adds To Arc Raiders
Cold Snap is not just one feature. It bundles several changes and additions into a single winter themed update:
- New snowfall map condition that changes how you move and survive
- Flickering Flames event that ties directly into the new cold mechanics
- A new Raider Deck which acts like a battle pass with rewards to unlock
- Fresh quests to give you reasons to dive back into the surface
The big headliner is the snowfall condition. Instead of simply covering existing maps with a white layer, Embark is teasing something much harsher. A shared image of a raider collapsed in the snow hints that the cold itself can kill you if you are careless.
This suggests that time exposed to the elements will become a core survival mechanic while Cold Snap is active. You may need to time your runs, plan routes more carefully, and use the environment to avoid getting caught out in the open when the temperature drops.
The Flickering Flames event appears to be closely linked to this. As the name implies, fire and heat are likely central to staying alive. One obvious approach that players are already predicting is the ability to warm up using explosives or environmental fire sources. Tossing an incendiary grenade might suddenly become less about pure damage and more about staying out of hypothermic danger.
On top of that, the new Raider Deck will offer cosmetic items and possibly other rewards as you complete Cold Snap content. If you are already used to how battle passes work in other multiplayer games, you will feel right at home. Expect to gain experience through quests and gameplay, then climb tiers for gear and style.
The additional quests arriving with the update will push you into the new wintry conditions. These should offer both lore flavor and practical rewards, while also helping newer players understand how the cold and snow systems work by forcing you to engage with them directly.
How Cold Changes Gameplay And What It Might Mean Next
Even before full details are out, the impact of Cold Snap on moment to moment gameplay seems clear. Weather has always been a great way for multiplayer games to mix up matches, but tying survival to temperature raises the stakes.
If the teaser image is accurate, players will probably need to:
- Monitor how long they stay exposed in the open
- Look for warm safe zones or pockets of shelter
- Use equipment or items that generate heat to stay alive
There is also speculation about how gear could interact with the cold. Some players have imagined that warmer clothing like fur lined jackets could improve heat resistance. That would make cosmetic choices more meaningful, but it would also risk wandering into pay to win territory if those cosmetics are only available via real money. Because of that risk, it is unlikely Embark will lean too hard into stats tied directly to paid skins, but the idea does hint at how deep these survival mechanics could go.
Cold Snap also matters for another reason. It is the final big feature listed on the 2025 roadmap for Arc Raiders. Once this event is live and the year wraps up, there is no public roadmap for what comes next in 2026. That puts extra focus on how Cold Snap lands with the community. A strong event with engaging mechanics and solid rewards will keep players invested and more excited for whatever Embark reveals next.
In the meantime, Cold Snap should give both new and returning raiders an excellent excuse to jump back in. Between the snowfall conditions, the Flickering Flames event, the new Raider Deck, and fresh quests, there will be plenty to do as you pick your way through the frozen ruins.
If you are preparing for the update, it is a good time to brush up on existing guides like field depot and field crate locations, key quest walkthroughs, and tips for the best skills and expeditions. Understanding the current systems will make it easier to adapt when the cold front rolls in and changes the rules of survival.
When December 16 hits, expect the wasteland to feel very different. The surface of Arc Raiders was already dangerous. With Cold Snap, simply staying warm could become your toughest enemy yet.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/arc-raiders-big-winter-update-is-coming-next-week-embark-teases-new-temperature-mechanic/
