By Billy Givens on
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Arc Raiders’ second major update, Cold Snap, is seasonally appropriate, bringing plenty of snow and chilly conditions to the popular extraction shooter. In the Cold Snap update, players can now explore snow-covered maps while braving the elements, unlock tons of new cosmetics and other fun items, and (optionally) see their raider off with the game’s first Expedition reset. However, some of this is only available for a limited time, so you’ll want to know what you’re getting into. Since there’s so much here to see and do, let’s dive in and take a look at everything new in the Cold Snap update.
Goalie Raider Deck
The Cold Snap update includes the second Raider Deck since Arc Raiders’ launch–the Goalie Raider Deck–though it won’t be accessible until Friday, December 26. As with the previous deck, this fresh addition is free for all players, meaning you won’t have to spend any of your precious real-life money to get all the goodies inside. However, since Raider Decks function like a battle pass you’d see in many other games, you will need to spend some time working toward earning Creds via the daily Feats system if you want to purchase everything. And you may very well want to do so, as it contains a new hockey-inspired outfit, other cosmetics, and even in-game items that can help you on your raids.
Note that, unlike standard battle passes in most live-service titles, this Raider Deck is a permanent addition to the game. As such, you can unlock its rewards at your own pace without fear that it’ll disappear after a set period of time. It’s uncertain whether this trend will continue with every Raider Deck, but it’s nice to see for now.
Snowfall map condition
One of the biggest additions–and perhaps the reason this update is dubbed Cold Snap–is the all-new Snowfall map condition. This map condition coats the map in snow, which reduces visibility and adds an extra layer of fear while exploring topside. This map condition is available for Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. Those who engage with it are all but certain to find themselves pushed to the limit and forced to reconsider how they approach nearly every encounter. That’s because, in addition to the reduced visibility, players will have to contend with other raiders tracking their footsteps through the snow and a concerning new mechanic that you might not have expected: frostbite.
Frostbite and sheltering
Yeah, you read that right. Frostbite is nipping at your toes in Arc Raiders’ anytime you dive into a Snowfall map condition. This mechanic causes your health to slowly drain when exposed to the elements for too long, forcing you to find shelter indoors. This can potentially push you into other raiders who are also seeking safety, meaning a shootout could be imminent if one team chooses not to be friendly. If you want to survive these dreadful conditions, you’ll want to play smart, bring more heals than ever, and keep your friends close so that you don’t end up separated and slaughtered by other groups who may be lurking in even the safest spots on the map.
Flickering Flames Event
As part of the Cold Snap update, players are now also automatically enrolled in the Flickering Flames event, which contains up to 25 rewards that can be earned while playing the game. You automatically gain Merits when you earn XP in a round, which are then cashed in when you return to Speranza, netting you gear, cosmetic customizations, and Raider Tokens–Arc Raiders’ premium currency.
Since Merits are earned by simply doing anything that grants XP, netting every reward on the track should come reasonably easy for regular players. If you want to speed things up, though, just focus on high-XP situations, such as killing larger ARC enemies like Bastions, Bombardiers, Leapers, or Rocketeers.
Note that you need to have played at least five rounds of Arc Raiders to be eligible for the Flickering Flames event.
Candleberry Banquet project
The Cold Snap update includes a new project you can tackle called the Candleberry Banquet, too. This marks the second project in the game so far, and it functions a bit differently than the Expedition (which we’ve covered a bit further down). For this project, players need to complete five stages by seeking out Candleberries and other unique items while adventuring topside. Each stage reveals a new scene at the banquet table in Speranza, while also earning you additional cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and more. Even better, you’ll earn Merits for completing these stages, which will help you toward finishing up the Flickering Flames event as well!
First Expedition
Lastly, the Cold Snap update also corresponds with Arc Raiders’ first Expedition reset. From December 17 to December 23, players who have completed the full Expedition requirements will be able to sign up to ship their raider away and replace them with a fresh raider. This wipe removes all blueprints, levels, quests, upgrades, and credits earned so far, while earning players some unique bonuses.
Those who opt to send their raiders away on the Expedition will be granted the following bonuses:
Permanent bonuses
- Up to 5 skill points (explained below)
- 12 stash spaces
- A special Expedition icon
- Janitor Cap cosmetic for Scrappy
- Patchwork Raider outfit
Temporary bonuses
- 6% more Scrappy materials
- 5% XP increase
- 10% cheaper repairs
Players will need to have put in some serious time and effort to earn all five of the bonus skill points for this first Expedition, however. You net one permanent skill point for each million in credits you currently have upon setting off on the Expedition, meaning you’ll need to have gathered a total of five million credits to obtain every possible skill point available. If you haven’t obtained this much money yet, you’ll have until December 22 to get it all together and sign up for the Expedition, so you’ve still got a little bit of time left!
