ARC Raiders Cold Snap update launching tomorrow

Today, Embark Studios announced the next major update for ARC Raiders, Cold Snap, which launches tomorrow, Tuesday December 16th, at 10:30 A.M. CET.

The update continues the game’s strong momentum with a limited-time winter event, dynamic snowfall conditions, new survival mechanics, expanded rewards, a seasonal Raider reset with the Expedition Project Raider and the introduction of a second Raider Deck included directly in the base game. ARC Raiders is available digitally on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, and NVIDIA GeForce NOW starting at $39.99 USD for the Standard Edition and $59.99 USD for the Deluxe Edition.

Weather Update: The Cold Snap Arrives

Snowstorms sweep across Speranza as winter conditions take hold of multiple raid locations. Snowfall reduces visibility, lakes freeze over, and the open surface becomes more dangerous than ever — turning every raid into a high-stakes survival run.

Key changes include:

Environmental Hazard: Cold, harsh weather introduces new risks for raiders who remain outdoors too long. Players must watch out for frostbite, a creeping condition that slowly drains their health bar.
Shelter Mechanics: To prevent frostbite, raiders will need to adapt their tactics as the cold gradually seeps into their bones. Raiders must rethink their loadouts, ensuring they can heal themselves or their teammates and plan their extractions with care, finding shelter if needed.
Visual Overhaul: Frost buildup, frozen lakes, snow accumulation and more across Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport and The Blue Gate maps.

The Cold Snap will include limited-time events and elements, running from Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CET until Tuesday, January 13, 2026 10:30 a.m. CET, being the second free content update since ARC Raiders’ launch.

Raider Deck Expansion

Cold Snap also introduces the second Raider Deck, now included for free to all players who’ve purchased either edition of the game.

The Goalie Raider Deck will be available for free starting Friday, December 26, providing a wealth of content and rewards to players. This Raider Deck will be permanently accessible to players without any time restrictions.

This new deck will offer:

New items and feats for players to complete, offering rewards such as Raider tokens, cosmetic items and more.
- Includes a hockey-inspired Raider outfit in several color variants, along with a hockey stick Raider tool.

Surviving the Freeze

During Cold Snap, players can discover seasonal items and complete two winter-themed challenges tied to the new map conditions, earning rewards such as:

Flickering Flames Event — An act of endurance and patience that tests Raiders’ survival skills during the Cold Snap. Raiders can unlock rewards across 25 levels, including new gear, customizations elements and Raider Tokens by earning Merits, which are automatically gained from XP in rounds. To activate the event, Raiders must have played five rounds of the game.
Candleberry Banquet Project — A new project that brings Raiders together to feel the fragile warmth that shines through the frigid cold. Raiders can earn rewards by scavenging unique items topside and collecting Candleberries. It features 5 stages, each revealing a new scene on the banquet table. Completing stages grants rewards such as cosmetic items, Raider Tokens and Merits, with Merits contributing progress in the Flickering Flames event.

The Flickering Flames and Candleberry Banquet events will be available from Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CET until Tuesday, January 13, 2026 10:30 a.m. CET.

Expedition Project Raider: Seasonal Reset

The Expedition Project will provide Raiders with an opportunity to undergo a reset, bringing a new raider and a new story for the player. This optional reset is unlocked by collecting key materials to build a Caravan for the existing Raider then signing up for the departure during the Expedition window. By departing, players will reset their character progress for a new ARC Raiders journey with exclusive buffs, advantages and rewards that carry over.

For more on ARC Raiders, stay tuned to GamingTrend.

Affiliate Links