Just in time for the holiday season, Embark have finally unveiled ‘Cold Snap’ which arrives tomorrow! Brace yourself for new map conditions, survival mechanics and new rewards! Check out the teaser trailer below.
Time to dress up warm! Snowstorms are sweeping across Speranza. The winter conditions have truly taken hold, transforming multiple maps into snowy versions of the spaces you already know. The heavy snowfall reduces visibility, lakes and water have frozen over, and the surface of our planet has become more dangerous than ever. Sounds great!
Per a Press Release, “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.“
What’s in ARC Raiders Cold Snap
- 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.
During Cold Snap, players will be delighted to discover additional seasonal items and the opportunity to complete two ‘winter-themed’ challenges that are linked to the new map conditions – earning you rewards!
- 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.
ARC Raiders Cold Snap Raider Deck Expansion
Fans of the game can also look forward to the second ‘Raider Deck’, now included for free to all players that have bought either the standard or deluxe version of the game. Per Embark, “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.“
What does it include?
- 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.
We loved ARC Raiders, and we can’t wait to jump in. In our review, we said “ARC Raiders walks a fine balance. It’s an extraction shooter seemingly purpose-built for the hardcore players, yet is surprisingly accessible, whether you’re playing with friends or going out there solo. It’s thematically dystopian, yet utterly beautiful to look at, full of bright splashes of colour and a cohesive overall design. It can be tense, thrilling, and downright terrifying, but it is also filled with surprisingly sweet and endearing moments with the sort of random, social interaction I’ve not enjoyed since the early days of Sea of Thieves. This is ARC Raiders, and it’s just the beginning. It’s one of the best multiplayer games of the year, standing toe to toe with the giants in the genre. I’ll see you topside.“
Are you looking forward to ARC Raiders Cold Snap? Let us know in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!
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